Emmy-Award winning costume designer Bryant offers readers a peek into the dressing room of AMC's hit show "Mad Men," revealing the design process b...
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Jan 19, 2011
Angelc
rated it: 
This really is a beautiful book, perfect for fans of "Mad Men" and fashion in general. The illustrations in the book are absolutely gorgeous! I loved every single one!
I really liked the author's philosophy of embracing and loving yourself the way you are. She repeats the message throughout the book and never suggests making changes beyond style and fashion.
However, sometimes the fashion suggestions come off as slightly snobbish. I would have loved to have seen a More...
I really liked the author's philosophy of embracing and loving yourself the way you are. She repeats the message throughout the book and never suggests making changes beyond style and fashion.
However, sometimes the fashion suggestions come off as slightly snobbish. I would have loved to have seen a More...
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Nov 20, 2010
Melissa
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This is a good, thorough style book. A lot of it is the usual stuff you’d find in any style/fashion guide – dressing for your body type, picking colors that work for you, how to accessorize - but hearing it from Janie Bryant's perspective made it worth reading and more inspirational than most. I liked the section on vintage clothes and accessories and how to work them into a modern wardrobe, and the little tidbits throughout about her work on Mad Men. I also like that she talks about "un
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Oct 28, 2010
Jenny
rated it:
A few weeks ago I entered a giveaway for a copy of The Fashion File: Advice, Tips & Inspiration From the Costume Designer of Mad Men by Janie Bryant. Lots of publishers give away books on Goodreads and if you are a member its one click entry, so when I saw this book listed I figured why not? I've been seeing this book posted around on the blogs and it seemed pretty cool, but fo $27 it's out of my price range for just a fun book. Luckily for me, I won a copy and it arrived a couple of days ago.
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Nov 18, 2010
Toni
rated it: 
I am a big fan of the tv show Mad Men and never miss an episode. And while I find the authentic sets and clothing beautiful (and a trip down memory lane), I'm not obsessed with the styling like I see some people are. There are women redecorating their homes, getting total Mad Men makeovers and having Mad Men themed parties. That's not me.
This is a beautiful book written by the stylist behind the show, Janie Bryant. You get behind the scenes looks at her process for dressing each charact More...
This is a beautiful book written by the stylist behind the show, Janie Bryant. You get behind the scenes looks at her process for dressing each charact More...
Jun 14, 2011
Shelley
rated it:
I thought I was going to love this, but I didn't really. The bits about costuming - choosing colors, fabrics, styles, how the wardrobes are put together - are fascinating and I enjoyed those. But that was just a small bit of the book. A lot of it was creating your own style and while she would shove a "Dress to please yourself! Love what you wear and you'll be beautiful!" every couple pages, she really didn't seem to believe that. It was all shoulds and shouldn'ts and how to be very ve
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Feb 20, 2012
Trena
rated it:
Janie Bryant has had a huge influence on fashion the past several years with her costumes for Mad Men. This is *not* a coffee table book of her work for the show, nor is it a look book, but her general fashion advice book, a la Tim Gunn: A Guide to Quality, Taste and Style. The advice was insightful, interesting, and well-presented in digestible chunks. It did not change my life, but if you are looking for a style advice book you could do a lot worse. Docked one star for the uniformly anatom
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Jan 02, 2011
Mardel
rated it:
The Fashion File by Janie Bryant, was more exciting, visually appealing, and just fun to read, but ultimately not particularly useful. The book is "dishy" and fun but it offers nothing really new. It looks at dressing with the eye of a costume designer, which is fine and not at all unexpected considering that Janie Bryant is a costume designer, and as I mentioned before the illustrations are fabulous. The sections where Ms. Bryant wrote about how she defines the character by clothi
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Dec 26, 2010
Robin
rated it: 
I now want to be Janie Bryant when I grow up. Not only are the illustrations fantastic, but the advice she offers is generally both usable and down-to-earth. I heard much the same advice from Stacy ("What Not To Wear" Stacy), so you know it's gotta be true:
Dress to suit your shape,
Find out what your true measurements are and BUY CLOTHES THAT SIZE
Always always always try it on in the store, and
(the part I find most important):
Style is not about being an unsus More...
Dress to suit your shape,
Find out what your true measurements are and BUY CLOTHES THAT SIZE
Always always always try it on in the store, and
(the part I find most important):
Style is not about being an unsus More...
Sep 15, 2011
Liz
rated it:
If you are fans of Bryant's work on Mad Men, this might not be your first book to go to - it contains very little information on her work on that show, and very few images.
What the book IS good for, is a basic overview of "how to be stylish." As someone who is stylish, it is probably a book I won't revisit too much (though it's great coffee table decor), but for women who are unsure of how to establish their personal style, who have felt like they need a refresher on the More...
What the book IS good for, is a basic overview of "how to be stylish." As someone who is stylish, it is probably a book I won't revisit too much (though it's great coffee table decor), but for women who are unsure of how to establish their personal style, who have felt like they need a refresher on the More...
Jun 12, 2011
George
rated it: 
Aside from an interesting section on vintage shopping, most of The Fashion File's content is pretty generic -- "pears should wear this, apples should wear that", 10 essential items every woman should own, work out your bra size, wear heels and makeup, etc. It's not bad, but if you've heard all of that a hundred times before, you'll probably be disappointed.
If you're looking for fairly basic fashion advice, this should fit the bill, but you could probably do better elsewhere. More...
If you're looking for fairly basic fashion advice, this should fit the bill, but you could probably do better elsewhere. More...
Nov 11, 2010
Carol
rated it:
If you want a little fashion advice, then this is the book for you! This book is filled with lots of great tips to help you look good!
This book can help you learn what your style is, where to shop for it and how to accessorize it to make you look your best!
From shapewear to shoes and accessories this book will teach you all the tips of the trade from Emmy winning costume designer Jamie Brant who has created the look on TV’s Mad Men. Monica Corcoran Harel is a style writer fo More...
This book can help you learn what your style is, where to shop for it and how to accessorize it to make you look your best!
From shapewear to shoes and accessories this book will teach you all the tips of the trade from Emmy winning costume designer Jamie Brant who has created the look on TV’s Mad Men. Monica Corcoran Harel is a style writer fo More...
Oct 11, 2011
C
rated it:
For fans of Mad Men, The Fashion File gives readers insight on the show's costuming process. The costume designer really begins building the character from the outside, and it makes for a fascinating study. For example, Bryant describes Betty Draper's white outfits as manifesting her desire to be a "perpetual bride". I'll definitely look closer at the characters' costumes from now on!
From a fashion standpoint, Bryant urges readers to apply the same concept to their own clothe More...
From a fashion standpoint, Bryant urges readers to apply the same concept to their own clothe More...
Jan 22, 2012
JDAZDesigns
rated it:
I don't know why I pick up books like this. Thank goodness we have such a wonderful library system. I'd hate to think of spending money on this. I know it's easy to look around and see just how many people don't know how to dress, shop, iron or store their clothes. And, like a train wreck, I keep reviewing the books that try to tell them how. I'd take Nina Garcia's 100 over this any day.
Jan 04, 2011
Anna
rated it:
3.5 stars. An attractive and quick-reading style book for Mad Men fans, this, like so many style books, blends fashion with history and a little memoir. The illustrations and photographs are excellent (I only wish there were more of them). Overall I enjoyed this but I am growing a little weary of reading things that say "you have to wear high heels." Recommended for fans of the show.
Aug 15, 2011
Meghan
rated it:
Asks the reader whether they are a Joan or a Betty, along the lines of the episode that contemplated the Marilyn or Jackie question.
Anyway, some of us are *so* clearly Peggy, and it makes us feel left out!
It was interesting, but I would have preferred just information on the costuming and set decoration, and less of the same old advice about finding your style.
Anyway, some of us are *so* clearly Peggy, and it makes us feel left out!
It was interesting, but I would have preferred just information on the costuming and set decoration, and less of the same old advice about finding your style.
Dec 03, 2010
Bridget
rated it:
The Fashion File is filled with beautifully designed clothes and amazing tips. What I liked most was the part about finding the perfect bra size, because so many women wear the wrong size. Another great piece shows you the ten different items every woman should have in her closet, which was interesting. This would make the perfect gift for the diva in your life.
Apr 12, 2011
Nancy
rated it: 
Somebody else's fun. Somebody else's feminine. Alas, not even vicarious thrills to peak in on this alternate univer$e. (Where high heels are a must and you take your broken purse strap to a cobbler.) Point of agreement: the unsatisfying t-shirt. Appreciated the nod to appreciating one's shape, though it rang hollow.
Mar 09, 2011
Bianca
rated it:
Beautiful illustrations, but not really much new material for anyone who knows much about personal style. Considering the detail and work put into the costumes on Mad Man, I was really hoping for something more for advanced... this book, while interesting, was definitely geared towards style beginners.
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Jul 28, 2011
Laura
rated it:
I am a fan of MAD MEN, and the era of the 60's is by far my favorite, BUT this book is a major disappointment!
Maybe it's because I'm a fashionista, but none of the "advice, tips, and inspiration" are new. In fact, they're dated and you can learn more about the MAD MEN era from wikipedia.
Maybe it's because I'm a fashionista, but none of the "advice, tips, and inspiration" are new. In fact, they're dated and you can learn more about the MAD MEN era from wikipedia.
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Nov 14, 2010
Emily
rated it:
A fantastic book on developing your own sense of style. I particularly loved the advice on taking your own measurements, and how to measure for your correct bra size. For the men, there is also a chapter on how to dress like Don Draper. :) Very informative and well-written.
May 29, 2011
Mrs.
rated it:
If your goal is to dress better, read "The Fashion File" by Janice Bryant. Janice Bryant certainly has the credentials - she's the costume designer for "Mad Men" - and after looking at all the beautiful photos and drawings, I feel inspired!
--Review by Lauren
--Review by Lauren
May 29, 2011
Amy
rated it:
Really enjoyed this book. Even though I'm up on vintage fashion (the 40s, 50s and 60s are constant inspiration to my wardrobe and ensembles), this book was all the more inspiring. I especially liked the tips on caring for authentic vintage clothing and fabrics.
May 03, 2011
Katie
rated it:
I'll admit it: I'm a sucker for Mad Men and everything branded as such. This book is one of the better fashion how-to books, but it lacks advice for real women on real budgets. I recpmmend at least flipping through to see the fabulous fashions and the handsome photos of Jon Hamm.
Jun 06, 2011
Jillian
rated it:
This is a stunning, clever fashion guide. My favorite part were the illustrations by Robert Best (which are gorgeous) but I also loved the little known Hollywood tidbits and vintage accessories.
Jul 13, 2011
BetsyD
rated it:
Poor Elisabeth Moss, can't get any respect from the Mad Men costume designer. It's (almost) all Joan this, Betty that. But this is a gorgeous book full of great tips.
Dec 29, 2010
Angel
rated it:
I loved this book, it not only goes into great depth about the costuming process for Mad Men but also gives great advice on shopping vintage and adding to your wardrobe in a sensical way.
Oct 01, 2011
Danalia
rated it:
Nothing fresh in here, same fashion advice as any other book on style. Although I give it a three for the illustrations and decade breakdown of style.
Aug 07, 2011
Manintheboat
rated it:
You could probably pick up any other fashion and clothing design book and get better if not the same advice and history. Nothing original.
Jul 10, 2011
Jenne
rated it:
This was fun, but I'd really rather read a book that's just about the costumes for Mad Men and leave out the personal style tips.
