I'm going to share my "bookshelf", but I'm hoping others will chime in on good books they've read (budget fashionista being one of course) that have helped.
In keeping with the Mature Fashionista thought here are some I have that have been extremely helpful.
How Not to Look Old: Fast and Effortless Ways to Look 10 Years Younger, 10 Pounds Lighter, 10 Times Better by Charla Krupp This is EXCELLENT! I would advise getting this first and working thru it. From makeup and skin care to dental work, and clothing tips this is the best of the first 3 that I mention.
The Grown-Up Girl's Guide to Style: A Maintenance Bible for Fashion, Beauty, and More . . . by Christine Schwab is a tough love approach to some good tips and pointers, some of which I take leave to ignore, like the don't wear sleeveless tops anymore rule. I don't have good upper arms, but I don't care, my batwings fly free! However I like the no holds barred tough love straight talking style, and I prefer to know the rules first, then feel free to break them.
Staging Your Comeback: A Complete Beauty Revival for Women Over 45 by Christopher Hopkins This one is a combination of wardrobe, makeup and hair advice, which I liked but it's one that most should get out of the library first to see if it is for them. Not one for the permanent keepers bookshelf.
40 Over 40: 40 Things Every Women over 40 Needs to Know About Getting Dressed by Brenda Kinsel is a real confidence builder. Brenda introduces the important concept of clothing as armour, something that gives us confidence, projects who we wish to be seen as at any given moment and helps us choose well. I love this book.
Danica Lo's How Not to Look Fat is a good guide to picking clothes and learning posture and walking tips to help me feel my best in the clothes I have.
Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me, 7th Edition by Paula Begoun has saved me a bundle of money in the anti aging skin care section of my drugstore as well as at the cosmetic counter. I've owned various previous editions of this classic and it's ALWAYS saved me more, way more than it cost to buy the book.
The Skin Type Solution by Leslie Baumann is a no nonsense guide to skin care, by a premier dermatologist in Miami. She dishes on which products for which skin type, but the greatest value comes in her quiz at the beginning to determine skin type. I've used it successfully on myself, my daughter and daughter in law. Useful and a real keeper.
Bobbi Brown Beauty Evolution: A Guide to a Lifetime of Beauty by Bobbi Brown. I love her natural looking style of makeup. She shows how to do a good application at different ages, but also how to care for skin. A keeper.
The 5-Minute Face: The Quick & Easy Makeup Guide for Every Woman by Carmindy is another great makeup tips book. Mostly I love this for the ultra simplified application tips.
Fit and Fabulous After 40: A 5-Part Program for Turning Back the Clock by Denise Austin is my new favourite exercise book. Simple routines combining stretching, Yoga and Pilates, nothing jarring or too hard. No expensive equipment.
Well, the Budget Fashionista was first...
2. Harper's Bazaar Great Style. This is good for explaining...what makes something preppy, romantic, etc. or, for example, what accessories give you the Breakfast at Tiffany's feel even if you are wearing jeans. Not so much a fan of the fashions by age, though.
3. A Guide to Quality, Taste,and Style by Tim Gunn. OK, so I just love Tim Gunn. Basic book (not enough in it, really) but fun to read. And little tidbits that I'd never thought about, like a handbag with a frame is more formal than one without (I thought that was helpful when trying to "dress up" or "dress down" outfits).
4. Dress Your Best by Clinton Kelly and Stacy London. Buy it used and share with friends because there are only a few chapters that really apply to you (discusses styles by body shape). Good section for men that I'll show my son when he graduates from law/business school.
5. THe Pocket Stylist. OK, I just started reading through it again...so I'd better put it down for now.
There's at least one more, in my daughter's room somewhere.
Great books! I've just gotten a copy of Tim Gunn and I really like it, and I forgot about Harpers Bazaar, liked that one, have it too, and also pocket stylist.
I've looked at the kelly and london book in my bookstore-- it's a good one by the look.
Here are some of the books that I think are worth having.
For fashion: Does This Make Me Look Fat by Leah Feldon. This was the first fashion book I ever bought, and it has such amazing advice for all figures.
How Not to Look Old by Charla Krupp. I don't agree with everything she says in that book, but most of the advice is really great.
How to Be a Budget Fashionista by Kathryn Finney. Who doesn't want to look great and save money? Plus, TBF is funny, and I love the way she gives some of her advice.
Dress Your Best by Clinton Kelly and Stacy London. This book was the first one I read that actually had advice for my body type (not curvy, average height), among others.
Closet Smarts by Emily Neill. This one is a bit confusing, but it gives some great ideas. And I don't like turtlenecks any more than she does.
Trinny and Susannah Take on America by Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine. Normally, I find their books annoying, but I love their makeovers, and this book plays to that strength.
Nothing to Wear: the 5-Step Cure for the Common Closet by Jesse Garza and Joe Lupo. All about editing your wardrobe and making it work for you. This one can really get you rarin' to go.
For beauty: The 5-Minute Face by Carmindy. Her advice is universal, and it really works.
Bobbi Brown Beauty by Bobbi Brown. Anyone who would celebrate a woman's so-called "flaws" is someone special.
Curly Girl- The Handbook by Lorraine Massey. If you have curly hair, or if you have a child with curly hair, this book is a must-have. I'm a Botticelli girl with a wavy daughter, and the routine works like nothing else ever did.
Hi, these are all great ideas. Here's a list I submitted to the Forum last November, still among my faves:
1. How to Be a Budget Fashionista. Of course! The book led me to this site. The specific things I like about this book are: How to Budget and all the side tips from "The Budget Fashionista Explains" Great stuff.
2. Simple Isn't Easy. By Olivia Goldsmith and Amy Fine Collins. I have read and re-read this book many times. Out of print, and sadly, Ms. Goldsmith is no longer with us. The things I like in this book include: ID-ing the fashion pitfalls that hamper your style, for example: are you afraid of looking too poor? Too rich? Too out of the ordinary? Then they outline the Zen Approach to Style. The book condemns the idea that the answer to your personal style lies in something external, say the authors. Know yourself.
3. The Pocket Stylist. By Kendall Farr. She knows her business. I really like the clear descriptions/discussions of body types. Until you know your own body, you cannot know what looks good on you. I tried wrap dresses for the first time after determining that I am a type B (balanced hips/shoulders with a waist). Her advice includes nuggets for women of all sizes.
4. A Guide to Quality, Taste & Style. By Tim Gunn. I did not get a lot out of this book, but one thing made it worth the $$ I spent at Amazon: He tells you to look at the clothes you own and put the best of the best in the Soul Stirring Pile. He talks about only wearing and owning clothes that make you feel happy and confident when you wear them. Yes, he quotes the philosopher Kierkegaard, but don't be scared off.
Also, all these folks talk about the importance of fit (your clothes must fit) and give advice on specifics to buy/wear, but they each approach it a bit differently.
