The Grown-Up Girl's Guide to Style: A Maintenance Bible for Fashion, Beauty, and More . . .

by Christine Schwab

Turning forty, fifty, or sixty is not about getting older, it's about becoming ageless . . . Renowned style expert and fashion consultant Christine Schwab sees aging as an opportunity to revitalize your style and enliven your attitude. In her frank, opinionated, and provocative style, she writes the book that defies many of the fashion and beauty industry philosophies. Now more than ever, women have the ability to look and feel fresh, chic, and fabulous at any age, simply by understanding age maintenance. Schwab is adamant that with all this new ageless information and technology, it is imperative to be informed about what works and what does not.. In this honest and empowering book, she offers the first open-minded approach to style, beauty, health, and well-being that will help every forty-plus woman achieve a classic look while maintaining her edge and personality. A personal stylist and support group within a book, The Grown-Up Girl's Guide to Style addresses every aspect of aging, from hair and makeup to sex and family life. Straightforward and candid, Schwab even embraces once taboo subjects, offering the lowdown from leading doctors and surgeons on injectable skin treatments, cosmetic surgery and dentistry, and hormone replace-ment therapy. Accompanying her eye-opening advice are dozens of fun, revealing photographs—including celebrity profiles, woman-on-the-street snapshots, stunning professional photography, and even personal photographs of Schwab herself—that demonstrate style disasters (sleeveless tops, head-to-toe denim, and more), and dazzling triumphs. The Grown-Up Girl's Guide to Style holds the ultimate insider's secrets to a beautiful, sexy, and healthy life after forty. An essential book for the modern "grown-up girl," it is sure to dramatically rejuvenate the already-stylish, the aspiring-to-be-stylish, and the simply style-challenged woman in her prime.

Genres: Fashion, Nonfiction

224 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2006

Reviews

[Karyn Bowman]

I wanted to like this book because I am in the age range. BUT I fund the type too small without my reading glasses. And I found some of her advice not practical, especially for women who have to wear orthopedics that look look like gym shoes. I would say that most women would try not to wear them for special occasions but every day running around needs something less formal. Not being able to read this easily was a major turn off for me.

[BookMouse]

First off, I was disappointed when I first read this book a few years ago to find that Christine Schwab is NOT the model on the cover (go see the Christopher & Banks website and you'll see this model...), especially when I looked up Ms. Schwab's pictures on Google images. I've seen some more recent pictures and they're vastly better than what I saw previously. That said, I really enjoyed this book. I've been a conservative dresser all my life, even in my tweens, preferring classic to faddish, so much of this seemed so obvious to me, but it was nice to get some ideas, and I really liked some of the outfits.

[Lauren]

I picked up this book as a free reward from my local library's summer reading program. Forty is getting very close and I wonder if I am making the best hair, style, and skin care decisions. I found some of the chapters helpful while some were shallow. I appreciated the ideas on hair and clothing style but felt the author was unrealistic about the budget of most people for cosmetic dermatology. The model photographed is beautiful and a perfect example of what the author is trying to convey for style over forty.

[Laura The Book Reader]

I learned a few things about fashion.

[Michelle]

This is the best book EVER if you want to stay fashionable in your forties and beyond.

I was skeptical at first -- throw out my miniskirts and shorts? Banish my concert tees?

I'd recently lost a lot of weight and turned 40, and I wanted to rebuild my closet with appropriate clothes. I decided I'd follow the advice in this book for a week...then another...then another. I felt and looked fantastic! She's right -- no matter how fit you are, a 40+ looks better in a slim capri than shorts. A tissue tee skims your shape but hides flabby arms and sun damaged skin. Torn jeans look trashy on teens, let alone mothers and grandmothers.

This book really changed me life. I mind the colors I wear and lean towards wardrobe classics, but still have fun and follow flattering trends. I changed the way I wear makeup and subtly changed my hairstyle...and I've gone from wallflower to confident fashionista!

Read this book if you are over 35 and ready to look polished and have tons of self-confidence.

[MB (What she read)]

This writer is very opinionated and blunt, and while I usually agreed with her, this book is not for you if you can't take the bluntness.

Of the three fashion books I read this weekend, this was the one I liked best. She has a lot of good information and a ton of photos and graphics that really reinforce her points.

I recommend this (if you can handle the tell-it-like-it is subject matter).

[Sue Bridehead (A Pseudonym)]

Though I'm not the target demographic yet (age 40+), I enjoyed and learned a lot from this book, which is about how to look "ageless" instead of trying to look younger than your age. A great style manual for anyone who needs the occasional reality check and reminder of what works.

*disclaimer*: Christine is one of my consulting clients.

[Victoria]

Great book for girls over 40. Could be subtitled, "How to dress well and not make an ass out of yourself." I borrowed this from the library, but think I am going to purchase a copy. Just good fashion advice.

[Allanna]

Geared more for gals in their forties and up.

Not bad. I skimmed it. Practical advice on looking good and not dressing younger than your daughters.

[Susan Mazur Stommen]

I do not agree with everything she says, but if you want to look like her, she clearly points out the way.

[Denise O neill mcglynn]

I loved this book. Plain simple advice and not difficult to follow up on!