The One Hundred: A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own

The One Hundred: A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own

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3.75 of 5 stars 3.75  ·  rating details  ·  1,031 ratings  ·  169 reviews
"Simply put, these items make me feel classic. And there is no substitute for feeling this way. Ever."

In the wildly popular The Little Black Book of Style, fashion authority Nina Garcia showed women how to think about personal style in an entirely new way. Encouraging readers to creatively assert their style identities, Nina showed women of all ages how to hone and self-ed...more
Hardcover, 284 pages
Published August 26th 2008 by It Books
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Lindsay
I devoured The One Hundred: A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own in just a few short hours. I soaked up all of [the ever-so-fabulous:] Nina Garcia's words regarding her take on 100 classic pieces, delighted in the fact that I own many of the items, envied those I didn't, and appreciated Ruben Toledo's whimsical illustrations. Forget industry magazines' lists of style must-haves and shell out a few extra dollars (or Euros, yen, etc.) for Garcia's Greatest Hits.



If I had to sum up the...more
Steph H.
In her second book, Garcia lists the (in her opinion) 100 pieces every woman must own. From an A-Line dress to Cashmere knits, she covered nearly every essential I've ever heard of. Only the mention of an IPod/IPhone kind of confuses me. I don't see where both items are making women 'stylish' (but I won't start a discussion about that now because everyone knows I'm an crackberrian and thus very biased). Anyways, Garcia gathered not only essential clothing items and how to wear them, but also ver...more
Jennifer
As I stare down my 35th birthday in a little over 6 months, I've decided to stop waiting to look better. I'm not going to wait until I lose weight. I'm not going to wait until my skin is a smooth as the proverbial baby's bottom. I'm not going to wait to win the lottery. I deserve to look good NOW.

I've always liked Nina Garcia as a judge on Project Runway. Her ideas of the 100 things every woman most own should naturally be taken with a grain of salt, but she's not really to far off the mark in...more
Jane
My thoughts are mixed about this book. I'd prefer to give it 2.5 stars.

I liked it but expected something different. I really thought it was going to be about the one hundred clothing pieces every stylish woman must own. It was not.

Let me preface the reason I picked up this book: I want to have a theme for my sewing hobby next year. I thought it would be cool to sew the essential classic "never goes out of style" items every woman should own. So when I came across this book in the library catal...more
Mackenzie
Despite the fact that regular people like me might never be able to get all the 100 items in this so-called "guide" that Nina Garcia wrote, I think many will find this list rather useful. It's a great book to discover what your style is because as you go through the items one by one, it becomes very easy to decide what works for you and what doesn't.

For example, The Birkin bag might be listed, but even if I could afford it, I already know that the bag is not for me. It just doesn't fit my style...more
Emily
Nina Garcia understandably has expensive taste. I knew that I would be skipping right over suggestions like the Birkin bag, the cocktail ring, the Pucci, and the Missoni knit. But, I could certainly take those designs into consideration when shopping and look for similar silhouettes and patterns in my price range.

Having recently cleaned out my closet and committed to filling it out with quality, lasting pieces instead of just great deals, this book was helpful. It gave me a great place to start...more
Angelina
I enjoyed this book this book a lot. Nina Garcia writes in such a engaging manner, I read this book in thirty minutes.

The illustrations are so charming and makes this book even more enjoyable. The items are arranged alphabetically for easy reference. Each item has styling suggestions, where to buy, famous celebrities or movie scenes featuring the item, and awesome quotes. I like that she gives options for every budget. For example, I found a pair of aviators from FredFlare.com that fit the bill...more
Hannah
I absolutely loved this book. Nina Garcia writes in such a personable manner, you feel as if she is in the same room as you. And probably going through your closet.

Not only is the writing style engaging and personable, but Ruben Toledo's illustrations are so charming that the book is just a joy to read on every level. Each featured item is enriched by styling suggestions, where to buy, famous celebrities or movie scenes featuring the item, and awesomely appropriate quotes. The items are arrange...more
Charlotte Nance
First of all after reading the other reviews for this book I have to add this caveat: Nina herself says that this list is HER list for herself..what makes her feel classic. She says that we are to take what we can use, toss the "so not me" pieces, and add in other looks to have our own list, which is what I have done.

Each piece she has listed that I am missing or that I feel I need, I have been slowly adding to my closet. It's amazing to think that I hadn't realized how a simple bangle or stack...more
Christina
Very silly (in my opinion) but fun to page through and think about items that could be good gifts for me or someone else. Would NOT recommend buying it -- unless you're actually serious about following through with her suggestions; a library rental is perfect since it takes about an hour to peruse, which is about as deep as I needed to go with it.
Thomasin
As if I needed verification that I'm not a stylish woman... If I aspired to be, I'd need more than a couple of items, including:

Ankle Boots
Aviators
Belts (can you believe I don't own a single one?)
Brooches
Caftans
Cashmere Sweaters
Cocktail Rings
Cowboy Boots
Driving Shoes
Fishnets
Gloves (not winter gloves, 'fancy' gloves)
Havainas
Investment Bags (i.e. the kind that cost more than $2k)
Leather Pants
Missoni Knits
Pucci
Signet Ring
Stilettos
Tuxedo Jacket
Vans
Wellington Boots
and a Zippered Hoodie (nope, don't...more
Courtney
Obviously a light read, but Nina is right on about the 100 items every girl's closet needs. There were a lot of things you expect (LBD) but so many I didn't (boyfriend sweater? leather pants?) and really great tips about styling and buying vintage. One of those books I'm sure I'll refer to frequently.
Sonja Isaacson
I give this a pretty strong 4. She misses a 5 being that I disagree with the "Every" in her title - I will not wear stilettos. I rarely wear jewelry so a brooch is not happening. And scarves as accessories and not to keep your face and neck from freezing are rather silly. But I really enjoy having things listed, and also that she gives hints on what to wear items with or preferred brands/colors/etc. I know my wardrobe is in need of some help and I think this would be a good jumping off point jus...more
Marybeth
As much as I enjoyed this book (& I did), usually enjoy this kind of book (& I do) this one has that same flaw they all have. These books always assume that a stylish person will work in an office, live &/or work in a city & have the disposable income to pay a sizeable weekly dry cleaning bill (or the kind of job where that sort of thing is deductible). If you work any other kind of job. As a result, while the pictures are great, the writing fun & charming & the advice mi...more
Kathrynn
It appeared to me that the author struggled to find 100 pieces in which to include in this book, i.e, blackberry, iPod, zippered hoodie....

For me, some of the advice was a no brainer. A lot of the tips were geared toward the younger (hipper) generation. How to wear red lipstick? Really.

What I did found most interesting were the short side boxes of historical lessons that explained where a product originated and/if it was brought back around.

I found the tip on wearing a jean jacket with white j...more
Heather Yarnell
I realize that, considering how varied personal style is, writing a definitive collective of wardrobe essentials is tricky territory and as a result, any list of 100 "necessities" is bound to be a grab bag of some things you agree with and others that you don't. Still, I have a hard time comprehending what exactly this book is going to provide anyone. Within, you'll find the mandatory closet staples (blazer, denim jacket, jeans), high-end designer items (Missoni, Pucci, Hermès) and, unfortunatel...more
Eden
Mar 17, 2013 Eden rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Every woman
5 stars

The One Hundred is a fashion guide listing the one hundred essential pieces a stylish wardrobe must include, according to Nina Garcia.

Each item is described by Nina who includes some of its history, gives advice on how to wear it and tells you some of her favourite places to shop for each particular piece. Finally, each item is beautifully illustrated by Ruben Toledo.

Since Nina’s style is mostly classic, the book provides a good basic list that will fit any wardrobe, and it is up to the r...more
Casey
I really like this book for style advice and inspiration. Lots of good examples (she often says "Google this and you'll see what I mean"), and the artwork is very nice.

Two things I didn't like about the book: 1) Some of the items, like "Blackberry" and "Quality Champagne" are not clothing/accessories and didn't really add to the book. 2) It was clear that 100 essentials was a stretch, since she had to add things such as "Pucci" and "Yoga Gear" ... I didn't even know what a Pucci was, and its cle...more
Relyn
Feb 03, 2011 Relyn added it Recommends it for: women
Recommended to Relyn by: I enjoy this author.
The idea behind this book is that it features the 100 items the renown Project Runway fashion judge reaches for again and again. I enjoyed the book immensely - especially Ruben Toledo's illusrations. That man has a gift, I tell you. I don't think I've ever read a book featuring watercolor illustrations that I didn't like. The book prompted me to think about my own fashion favorites. I don't have 100 must haves, and I really don't think someone outside the fashion world would. But, I do have look...more
Bronwyn
Three things I love about this book:

1. It uses whimsical illustrations instead of photos. I liked this because it left room for me to imagine how I'd put my own twist on items.

2. It's a mix of high and low. I liked this because while I couldn't necessarily aspire to owning a Pucci Dress or a statement bag, I could definitely work the LL Bean tote bag, the iPod, the Converse Sneakers, the zippered hoodie, etc.

3. The writing has personality. I liked that there was a definite personality behind the...more
Monica
The Good: The focus here is how to build a wardrobe of stylish pieces that you can wear in to your 50s and beyond, and I totally appreciate that. Garcia allows mixing in a trend here or there for fun, but basically insists that the truly stylish don't follow disposable fashion. The layout and design of this book is also adorable - the illustrations are spot on and help to make the book seem like the classic tome it clearly wants to be. And as I get older, I'm starting to appreciate the importanc...more
Stephanie
If you are a fan of Project Runway like I am you know Nina Garcia. Who knew this woman would team up with Ruben Toledo, the man who illustrates those very adorable Nordstrom ads, to rite and illustrate this book. Every wamn should totally read this book no matter ho old, young, thin, or have a few extra pounds you ant ot get rid of. Nina talks about all the pieces you should have in your wardrobe. These pieces do not have to cost lost of money but she says they need to be good quality ... and th...more
Wai-man
I am by no means a fashionista, but I was introduced to this book from a fashion blog. I enjoyed reading a little history behind some of the more popular fashion trends, and I appreciate that Nina Garcia addresses style as being personal upfront so you go into the book understanding it is truly a guide and not the rule. I would have preferred actual pictures of the items from the guide versus the drawings, but I suppose the drawings emphasized the fun.

Overall it was a pretty good guide even tho...more
Jessica
I thought this book would be fun and breezy, like Tim Gunn's books on the same subject. It was not. What it was, instead, was a very long list of accessories, some of which were not fashion (Note to Ms. Garcia: An Ipod is not fashion. A passport is not fashion. I get that you're selling a lifestyle here, but for real...) It contained, of course, the required items (LBD, jeans, blazer etc) but nothing of substance. Useless. Tim Gunn's book is much better, and I also recommend the UK version "What...more
 ~Geektastic~
It's a bold title: The One Hundred: A Guide to the Pieces EVERY Stylish Woman Must Own. But is it true? Yes and no. While the full one hundred won't apply to everyone, there is at least something to appeal to nearly everyone (since when is Champagne a fashion accessory?). There are items that fall into classic categories, and nearly every woman will own them no matter what their personal style statement is. I would say great jeans, a trench coat, a great sweater, a black dress and that one wear-...more
Mardel Fehrenbach
I actually enjoyed this book a great deal. I expected to be light, frivolous, and highly subjective and it is all those things; yet I was still pleasantly surprised. Of course I am biased a bit because I tend to be like classic things and I admire Nina Garcia's style. In that sense I am probably closer to her target audience. Any book about style is pointless if one does not admire the style sense of the author. I don't agree with all her choices, but I didn't expect to. Even as I read her book,...more
Anne
A fashionista of Project Runway fame declares the 100 things needed to be stylish. Here's the list of the ones I have:

* camel coat (only it hasn't fit in years)
* cosmetics bag
* denim jacket
* fur (faux, around the hood of my not-exactly-fashionable parka)
* iPod (just a Shuffle, though)
* jeans
* knee boots (a recent acquisition--I admit they make me feel more stylin' than normal)
* luggage
* one-piece swimsuit (bikini is on her list but lucky for my fellow humans, not on mine)
* pajamas
* pe...more
Nicol
I admit it, I have no sense when it comes to fashion. I can't tell you who makes the "it" pair of jeans this year or who makes the best shoes. I do try to look put together when I leave the house but it is time that I take a lesson from Nina Garcia, authoress to The One Hundred, A guide to the pieces every stylish woman must own.
--
When I received, The One Hundred, from Harper Collins to review, my first thought was, "Why did I ask for this book?!" I thought that even though I had no fashion sen...more
Carey
Okay, I admit that I am not a Fashionista. I live in a rural area and wear a uniform to work, so the chic part of my wardrobe is slim. But I would love to improve in that area (I keep watching What Not to Wear, hoping something will sink in) and this book is a great guide.

There are quite a few items on this list of 100 that I actually own, surprisingly. Little Black Dress, Wayfarer sunglasses (so glad to learn that those are classic, I've been wearing them since college), Ballet Flats, Cable-Kni...more
Dani
This is a fun little book to flip through. There are tidbits about how certain fashion items like ballet flats came to market and suggestions on how to wear certain items. On the downside, I was expecting something more like Tim Gunn's list of basic pieces for building a wardrobe from his TV show. Garcia also padded the list by adding non-wearable items like the iPod and the Blackberry. Overall, it is fun book to get yourself in the mood to overhaul your wardrobe, which is what I needed!
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The One Hundred: A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own (Paperback)
The One Hundred: A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own (Kindle Edition)
As 100+: O guia de estilo que toda mulher fashion deve ter
The One Hundred: Cento capi e accessori che una donna di classe deve possedere (Paperback)
The One Hundred (ebook)

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Nina Garcia (born Ninotchka Garcia) is a magazine editor who, until August 18th, 2008, acted as the Editor-at-Large of Elle, as well as a judge on the Bravo reality television program Project Runway.
More about Nina Garcia...
The Little Black Book of Style The Style Strategy: A Less-Is-More Approach to Staying Chic and Shopping Smart Nina Garcia's Look Book: What to Wear for Every Occasion The Ultimate Box of Style (The One Hundred: A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own, The Little Black Book of Style) Totul despre stil. Fashion, Lifestyle, Glamour

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“From time to time, you may see a girl wearing her black opaque tights as pants. They are, in fact, not.” 8 people liked it
“Style is a deeply personal expression of who you are, and every time you dress, you are asserting a part of yourself.” 4 people liked it
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