Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
24th out of 62 books
—
19 voters
Tim Gunn: A Guide to Quality, Taste & Style
by
Tim Gunn,
Kate Maloney
"There seems to be no one more qualified or equipped to ponder or even, dare I say, dictate 'quality, taste, and style' than Tim." -Sarah Jessica Parker, actor/producer
Television has introduced the world to a new fashion authority: Tim Gunn. As Bravo's style mentor and Chair of the Fashion Design Department at Parsons The New School for Design, Tim delivers advice in a fra...more
Television has introduced the world to a new fashion authority: Tim Gunn. As Bravo's style mentor and Chair of the Fashion Design Department at Parsons The New School for Design, Tim delivers advice in a fra...more
Hardcover, 208 pages
Published
May 1st 2007
by Harry N. Abrams
(first published January 1st 2007)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
2,116)
If you are a fan of Tim Gunn, crisp grammar, fashion, and excellent vocabulary, then this book is for you. This is not a style guide that you can just breeze through, and memorize the pretty pictures. First off, there are no pictures but just a few illustrations. Secondly, Tim Gunn takes his business very seriously so his writing is dense. For the most part, I had to have a pocket dictionary beside me when reading this book. I felt smarter after reading this book if not also better equipped to d...more
Tim Gunn could (and should!) write big-worded instructional guides for all aspects of life, and I'd excitedly devour it.
Sure, you might already know how to dress yourself and not look like hell revisited. Maybe you don't care about style at all! Point being, if you derive any enjoyment from Tim Gunn whatsoever, such circumstances should not stop you from reading this book.
(for funzies: Pretend he is sitting at your kitchen table drinking coffee with you as you read.)
Sure, you might already know how to dress yourself and not look like hell revisited. Maybe you don't care about style at all! Point being, if you derive any enjoyment from Tim Gunn whatsoever, such circumstances should not stop you from reading this book.
(for funzies: Pretend he is sitting at your kitchen table drinking coffee with you as you read.)
I absolutely love Project Runway, and I love Tim's voice of reason and wisdom on the show; those aspects of his personality really come out in this guide. Unlike the typical fashion and style book formula, Tim is not going to give you a set of questions and give you a "look" based on a majority of a, b, or c responses. Although his suggestions are somewhat shopworn at times, I really felt this was only because they're universal and... true! My favorite section of the book was on choosing a fashi...more
I thought this was well written wise advice. You don't have to buy a lot of new clothes or change your weight-just follow a few basic recommendations to improve your confidence and your style.
Dec 16, 2007
Alires
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone who wants to update or do a reality check on their personal style
This book was refreshing and not too preachy. Tim Gunn writes just as he speaks on TV, very proper with references to obscure books and movies. It was nice to read a book which was not an advocate for purchasing high priced fashion...the focus was on identifying personal style. Personal style does not have to come from Saks Fifth Avenue, but can come from Banana Republic or even target. You want to invest in key pieces and have fun with the trends. Style is not just about clothes, but appearance...more
More interesting and insightful than I expected - who would expect to find Roland Barthes and Kierkegaard referenced in a style guide?
I love Tim Gunn on Project Runway and I loved his book! Reading it is like having a personal conversation with him, where he is charming and fun and makes you feel fabulous about yourself. Some of the tips are new but most are classic ideas, based on more traditional standards of taste before our society became so casual. A fun and light read, it reminds you to take care of yourself without feeling guilty, and gives you a little push to finally get rid of the top that is cute on the hanger but w...more
You can get a sense of Tim Gunn's fashion principles by watching Project Runway - clothes should above all be wearable and flattering, a style can be assessed on its own terms rather than some universal measure of fashionable/unfashionable, etc. So none of this is revolutionary or terribly specific, but it's certainly more fun to hear it from Tim Gunn than from a magazine. And his advice on closet-clearing -- get rid of all the clothes you don't love and wear regularly, period -- is definitely u...more
Nothing new in this style-guide. The very basics, things pretty much everyone already knows, are covered here. Buy clothes that fit, really fit, not too big to hide your flaws, not too small to assuage your ego. Don't get hung up on the dress size. Just go with what really, actually fits, since dress sizes vary from company to company, anyway. Edit your wardrobe and get rid of all those things in your closet that you don't wear or need or that don't flatter you. He lists some famous women who pr...more
Fun little book for any Tim Gunn fan, written in his characteristic voice heard so often in Project Runaway. Tim Gunn' seems like a very agreeable and enjoyable person on television, and I enjoyed reading because it felt like I was having the coffee conversation with him that I probably never have. Other than that, unless you are someone who SERIOUSLY does not know how to dress, the book does not hold much unique insight, albeit very good ones. I sheepishly admit to committing a lot of the shopp...more
"Make it work!"
"Know thy self!"
The oh-so-basic-but-oft-not-heeded lessons give us the backbone to the lifestyle and a philosophy Timm Gunn (and Kate Moloney) teaches in this book. Far from being just a book on fashion, style here is about personal discovery and finding confidence.
Elegant and well-written with entertaining asides, the almost-all-text book tackles common closet issues, finding a modern fashion mentor, and (in my mind most important) "Style From the Inside Out".
While, I think t...more
"Know thy self!"
The oh-so-basic-but-oft-not-heeded lessons give us the backbone to the lifestyle and a philosophy Timm Gunn (and Kate Moloney) teaches in this book. Far from being just a book on fashion, style here is about personal discovery and finding confidence.
Elegant and well-written with entertaining asides, the almost-all-text book tackles common closet issues, finding a modern fashion mentor, and (in my mind most important) "Style From the Inside Out".
While, I think t...more
I know nothing about how to dress. For my sake, and for Peyton's, I figure it's time to start learning.
Technically, this was was written for women. I made a few mental adjustments, and I thought it was good. If you already know ANYTHING about your clothing, this would probably be a waste of your time. For me, it was very helpful. For whatever reason, I trust Tim Gunn as much as any celebrity, and I like his positive, light-hearted, but serious attitude. I like people who are passionate about ma...more
Technically, this was was written for women. I made a few mental adjustments, and I thought it was good. If you already know ANYTHING about your clothing, this would probably be a waste of your time. For me, it was very helpful. For whatever reason, I trust Tim Gunn as much as any celebrity, and I like his positive, light-hearted, but serious attitude. I like people who are passionate about ma...more
Oh yes, this was the kind of book I was looking for! Gunn's book is a book you can actually use as opposed to just read, which was a great follow-up to the disappointment of Nina Garcia's book. Gunn makes it more than halfway through the book before he even begins to address the clothing you need in your closet. He first covers other aspects of our appearance that affect how the world sees us: attitude, posture, skin care and more. His descriptions are clear and effective, and I can already see...more
Just when I thought I was making progress in the unknown stratosphere called fashion, I read Tim Gunn and quickly realize that not only do I not know fashion, I also don't know a lot of words in the English language.
For example, the carriage example. (WTH is a carriage? Apparently it is ones posture--your grace, the way you position your body, your elegance).
However, stretching oneself is one of the many joys of reading. Actually, the authors do provide a glossary in the back of the book, but I...more
For example, the carriage example. (WTH is a carriage? Apparently it is ones posture--your grace, the way you position your body, your elegance).
However, stretching oneself is one of the many joys of reading. Actually, the authors do provide a glossary in the back of the book, but I...more
I've read a fair number of books on style/fashion so I know something about the genre. This is by far the best one ever written. EVER. Here's why:
Tim is very knowledgable about fashion but he is more interested in style. His tips will help you hone in on one. I loved the way he suggested that we need to pick a uniform. Even better, pick a few uniforms and then do not deviate from them. You already know what you like and what *really* looks good on you. Go with it. I'm a boy. I like to wear jeans...more
Tim is very knowledgable about fashion but he is more interested in style. His tips will help you hone in on one. I loved the way he suggested that we need to pick a uniform. Even better, pick a few uniforms and then do not deviate from them. You already know what you like and what *really* looks good on you. Go with it. I'm a boy. I like to wear jeans...more
The writing style is charmingly goofy and the advice is inspirational and upbeat. There's no snark*, there's no angst, it's all about how to figure out who you are and how you want others to perceive you. Whether you're sartorially inspired by Oprah Winfrey or Natalie Portman, it's all about carefully evaluating your closet and making future purchasing decisions based on what fits you -- your personality, your body and your budget.
For those of us who need a bit more explicit advice about how to...more
For those of us who need a bit more explicit advice about how to...more
What I got from this book is that I should stop carrying around a pink Hello Kitty backpack.
His idea of dressing for "Who You Are" is understandable, but it misses the "who you want to be" aspect. I have heard that when you want to position yourself for an advancement at work, to dress like your boss's boss. While I'm a SAHM 5 days a week so tshirts and jeans work fine, that doesn't mean I don't wish I could dress like Selena in the Underworld movies. And that of course would not be appropriate...more
His idea of dressing for "Who You Are" is understandable, but it misses the "who you want to be" aspect. I have heard that when you want to position yourself for an advancement at work, to dress like your boss's boss. While I'm a SAHM 5 days a week so tshirts and jeans work fine, that doesn't mean I don't wish I could dress like Selena in the Underworld movies. And that of course would not be appropriate...more
I really liked this book. Tim Gunn has always come across as this savvy smart man, and the book just feels as if he is there speaking with you. I didn't know who some of the style icons they mentioned, and he used some vocabulary I wasn't even familiar with... which just made me like him more. Most importanly I am trying to use the tips he suggested on improving my posture.
Well Done Tim Gunn.. and your writing partner.
Well Done Tim Gunn.. and your writing partner.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Fun, engaging, quick-reading style/fashion guide from Tim Gunn. I applaud the author's declaration in the first few pages that he isn't out to change the reader; the purpose instead is to "accentuate the positive while mitigating the negative." The huge flaw here is the lack of photographs. There are a smattering of pen-and-ink sketches, but they don't really help illustrate some of the things here that need illustrating. For example, there is a chapter on "fashion mentors", and I am not immedia...more
I’ve never really considered myself a particularly style-conscious individual, but I enjoyed this book very much. It’s not so much about what specifically you should and shouldn’t wear; it’s more about how to find your own personal style. The first chapter is even called “Who You Are.”
The book has lots of great tips on learning how to shop for things that suit your shape AND personality, and how NOT to go overboard with unnecessary purchases. I also found the closet-cleaning chapter quite helpfu...more
The book has lots of great tips on learning how to shop for things that suit your shape AND personality, and how NOT to go overboard with unnecessary purchases. I also found the closet-cleaning chapter quite helpfu...more
Love reading it. It is written with panache, self-depecating wit and fierce intelligence. Loved reading it. Tim Gunn is just delightful in his attitude and approach to fashion and style. Would loved to have had him as my professor regardless of subject.
To begin, I think Tim Gunn is wonderfully witty and a premiere source on fashion; if I met him, I would have no problem trusting him to redo my closet and point me in the right direction on my own fashion path. Luckily, since Tim Gunn can't physically be in a million places at once (although that would be really impressive), he can be in spirit with this book of his and help us in just that way! I found this to be a quick, but more important, very useful read on how to incorporate quality, taste...more
Not exactly a page-turner, but lots of very erudite, very good tips from the God of all things tasteful and wonderful himself. Covers lots of ground--from what to wear to how to pack to whose style to idolize to how to interpret dress code on invitations. I basically skimmed and then slowed down for the bits that very much pertained to me, however if fashion and style is your milieu this is probably a bible for you. I learned that I should wear high-waisted things with bottoms (and shoes & s...more
This was not bad, but not the most useful book in the world, either.
1. He used lots of words I didn't know. Some were vocabulary I wasn't familiar with, some were references to books/films I had never heard of, others were whole chapters talking about famous women's styles who I had never heard of before. Thus, I basically understood the gist of what he was saying, but you could have highlighted words on every page I didn't know. That probably made the book less effective, but who wants to googl...more
1. He used lots of words I didn't know. Some were vocabulary I wasn't familiar with, some were references to books/films I had never heard of, others were whole chapters talking about famous women's styles who I had never heard of before. Thus, I basically understood the gist of what he was saying, but you could have highlighted words on every page I didn't know. That probably made the book less effective, but who wants to googl...more
Basic idea? Stop dressing like a slutty sixteen-year-old. Stop dressing your five-year old like a slutty sixteen-year-old. And oh yeah, don't let your sixteen-year-old dress like a slut. Jesus, people, this is not that hard.
What this book lacks in substance it makes up in style-- in the very best way possible. I was hoping for more specificity on certain topics, but I was completely taken with the charm of the whole thing. And I really did learn a few things that I plan to apply to my style revolution. Perhaps the more important point about this book is that by the time I was done, I felt more self-assured and, dare I say, more fabulous. The voice of the book really feels like Tim Gunn has taken the time to retreat...more
Apr 05, 2008
Robin
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
people who love fashion, people in need of fashion advice
Shelves:
adult
Tim Gunn's Guide to Style is a humorous, interesting book of fashion tips and tidbits to help you find your own personal style and flaunt it. He just made organizing my closet a lot easier!
You will pretty much enjoy this book if you like to read books with Tim Gunn's voice and overall Tim Gunn'ness overshadowing everything.
Not so much a "Guide" book which is understandable since you need to write a book that will help the "masses" so his advice was pretty much generic and something that you can read in any fashion-ish magazine which has a section titled "5-10 basic things you need in your closet" that will never go out of style.
Also if you are reading this to acquire fashion know...more
Not so much a "Guide" book which is understandable since you need to write a book that will help the "masses" so his advice was pretty much generic and something that you can read in any fashion-ish magazine which has a section titled "5-10 basic things you need in your closet" that will never go out of style.
Also if you are reading this to acquire fashion know...more
May 21, 2007
Vanessa
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
lovers of fluff and of fashion
Shelves:
2007
It was basically like a really really long issue of Glamour, plus some Lucky thrown in for good measure. Basically it was fab fluff. With lots of Gunn-esque asides.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Timothy M. Gunn is an American fashion consultant and television personality. He was chair of fashion design at Parsons The New School for Design from August 2000 to March 2007 and is well-known as on-air mentor to designers on the Bravo reality television program Project Runway. Gunn's popularity on Project Runway led to his spin-off show, Bravo's Tim Gunn's Guide to Style, as well as his book A...more
More about Tim Gunn...
Share This Book
1 trivia question
More quizzes & trivia...
“Few activities are as delightful as learning new vocabulary.”
—
24 people liked it
“So perhaps the real secret to style is filling yourself to the absolute brim with engagement. Loving not wisely, but too well and all that.”
—
7 people liked it
More quotes…
Maybe when I'm getting dressed in the morning I'll be able to have less "make it work time" mo...more
May 30, 2007 05:01pm