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It's So You!
Armed with a mirror, a pencil, and a liberating new book, any woman can look her best every day of the week. It s So You! takes women and their aspirations seriously, offering a radical new approach to fashion based on discovering and developing your personal style. You can put fashion in its place, making it a tool for your personal and professional growth, and save heaps of money at the same time. The woman with personal style can wink at the fashion world. Her clothes flatter her and boost her self-confidence because she knows the difference between style and fashion. It s So You! helps you think through your own fashion needs, to become a woman whose dignity and elegance command respect. Mary Warren demystifies the world of haute couture while teaching you to distinguish general fashion from individual style. With a light-hearted and easy tone, she encourages you to value your body as it is, rather than chasing after a glossy magazine image that has nothing to do with who you really are. Through a step-by-step process of self-analysis, you will articulate your personal style. Warren guides you through the key Fashion Moments of Truth and explains the elements of style body type, palette, wardrobe planning, accessories with well organized explanations, instructive charts and illustrations, friendly anecdotes, and answers to frequently-asked questions. The result is a fool-proof Style Profile to take you through every season and situation. And you’ll have the cleanest closet of your life. True success in personal style is not self-serving. The legacy of style that you leave to your daughters and friends will inspire them to look and feel their best. “Everything you ever wanted to know about identifying and developing your personal style is packed into this book, from choosing the right colors and clothing to organizing your closet and saving money. Clearly presented, and the questionnaires and illustrations are a nice bonus.” ~ Orlando Sentinel
- GenresNonfiction
369 pages, Paperback
First published December 15, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 6, 2009
Had to have this book brought in through Inter-Library Loan.
This book was a pretty basic "how to buy clothes that look nice on you" guide. Chapters 2-4 are the meat of the book. These chapters help you discover your body type, fashion personality and color pallette. It's a little like your own mini-"what not to wear".
Fashion terms are explained. There are pictures to help you understand. The book is very comprehensive. I skimmed after chapter 4 but there are also chapters on how to shop and dealing with your daughters.
The book also has a christian flavor too it, but it certainly isn't overwhelming. The author talks about modesty a little bit but it doesn't get preachy.
In the body types section, the author gives hints on minimizing problem areas. I thought she could have done more to talk about how problem areas are the ones you are self-conscious about not ones society has a problem with. I personally don't like my knees very much and so her tips on dealing with knees seemed spot on. However I do not have a problem with my arms so there is no need for me to follow those suggestions even if other people with the same size arms may have issues. she also suggested that people with larger rear ends shouldn't wear jeans which is one of the most ridiculous fashion suggestions i have heard. I also objected to her insistence on wearing make up. I personally feel like this is direct conflict with the whole modesty issue.
but an overall good book. I think it will help me shop for clothes in the future.
This book was a pretty basic "how to buy clothes that look nice on you" guide. Chapters 2-4 are the meat of the book. These chapters help you discover your body type, fashion personality and color pallette. It's a little like your own mini-"what not to wear".
Fashion terms are explained. There are pictures to help you understand. The book is very comprehensive. I skimmed after chapter 4 but there are also chapters on how to shop and dealing with your daughters.
The book also has a christian flavor too it, but it certainly isn't overwhelming. The author talks about modesty a little bit but it doesn't get preachy.
In the body types section, the author gives hints on minimizing problem areas. I thought she could have done more to talk about how problem areas are the ones you are self-conscious about not ones society has a problem with. I personally don't like my knees very much and so her tips on dealing with knees seemed spot on. However I do not have a problem with my arms so there is no need for me to follow those suggestions even if other people with the same size arms may have issues. she also suggested that people with larger rear ends shouldn't wear jeans which is one of the most ridiculous fashion suggestions i have heard. I also objected to her insistence on wearing make up. I personally feel like this is direct conflict with the whole modesty issue.
but an overall good book. I think it will help me shop for clothes in the future.
August 23, 2017
This book would be useful if you haven't done any reading on personal style, otherwise it's all review.
September 6, 2019
I borrowed this book after listening to a podcast interview with the author - and now I want to throw away my wardrobe and start over - ha!
August 20, 2008
A fabulous book on fashion! I loved reading this book because the author gives practical advice on how to dress for your particular needs, helps you plan a no-stress wardrobe, and keeps modesty and femininity in mind.
Many of the tips and advice Warren gives in this book are instinctual, but excellent to see in print. She uses three "elements of style" to help you dress in a way that is becoming. First, using the four body types (pear, heart, box or hour glass) she explains which styles work best for you. Then, after you take a quiz which reveals your "fashion personality" (relaxed, classic, romantic or expressive), she helps you to define your style further and and avoid the "fashion mistakes" often made by your personality. Finally, she helps you determine your color pallet (cool, light cool, warm or light warm), and dress accordingly. At the end of each of these three chapters, you go through your closet and eliminate anything that doesn't "fit" you.
After you have thoroughly purged you closet, she helps you to plan wardrobes for your needs (personal casual, business casual, business, evening, athletic, etc.) by means of one of three techniques: mix and match, spectrum, and monochromatic, all of which are based on eight items of clothing. In the mix and match technique, all tops go with all bottoms. In the spectrum technique, all bottoms are a solid neutral and tops can be any color that goes with that neutral. In the monochromatic, all tops and bottoms are the same color.
Throughout the book, Warren expresses the importance of modesty and femininity in dress. She advocates modesty greatly on a major principle of the book: keep the face, especially the eyes, the focal point. Usually, if someone dresses immodestly, they make something other than the face the focal point, whether that be the belly button, chest, or any other area of the body. The last chapter, a chapter about fashion and girls and teens, offers excellent tips on inspiring modesty in the young.
Apart from the satisfaction gained by being well dressed, It's So You stresses the point that dressing well is a gift to others. By dressing well, you show others that you care enough about them to look good for their sakes. I couldn't agree more!
Many of the tips and advice Warren gives in this book are instinctual, but excellent to see in print. She uses three "elements of style" to help you dress in a way that is becoming. First, using the four body types (pear, heart, box or hour glass) she explains which styles work best for you. Then, after you take a quiz which reveals your "fashion personality" (relaxed, classic, romantic or expressive), she helps you to define your style further and and avoid the "fashion mistakes" often made by your personality. Finally, she helps you determine your color pallet (cool, light cool, warm or light warm), and dress accordingly. At the end of each of these three chapters, you go through your closet and eliminate anything that doesn't "fit" you.
After you have thoroughly purged you closet, she helps you to plan wardrobes for your needs (personal casual, business casual, business, evening, athletic, etc.) by means of one of three techniques: mix and match, spectrum, and monochromatic, all of which are based on eight items of clothing. In the mix and match technique, all tops go with all bottoms. In the spectrum technique, all bottoms are a solid neutral and tops can be any color that goes with that neutral. In the monochromatic, all tops and bottoms are the same color.
Throughout the book, Warren expresses the importance of modesty and femininity in dress. She advocates modesty greatly on a major principle of the book: keep the face, especially the eyes, the focal point. Usually, if someone dresses immodestly, they make something other than the face the focal point, whether that be the belly button, chest, or any other area of the body. The last chapter, a chapter about fashion and girls and teens, offers excellent tips on inspiring modesty in the young.
Apart from the satisfaction gained by being well dressed, It's So You stresses the point that dressing well is a gift to others. By dressing well, you show others that you care enough about them to look good for their sakes. I couldn't agree more!
February 13, 2008
This a book for women to help them develop wardrobes that flatter their figures, faces, and skin tones. The principles can be used with the younger set, but the book is rather a thick hardback book and is written with an adult woman in mind. There is an occasional comment here or there that one might prefer omitted if a younger person was reading it.
I see this book as more of a reference guide. Start with the introductory chapters, but when you get to the sections pertaining to body types, colors, and so on, figure out what best identifies you, then move onto the section--skipping the rest of the profiles/types.
Also, take what's helpful and leave the rest. For instance, your swimsuit standards might not be the ones that will flatter your figure best. You'll have to make the call on how you'll dress for the water.
I see this book as more of a reference guide. Start with the introductory chapters, but when you get to the sections pertaining to body types, colors, and so on, figure out what best identifies you, then move onto the section--skipping the rest of the profiles/types.
Also, take what's helpful and leave the rest. For instance, your swimsuit standards might not be the ones that will flatter your figure best. You'll have to make the call on how you'll dress for the water.
August 30, 2012
Good book, but most of what I was reading I had already read before in various books/articles/posts so I did not finish the book in it's entirety. A basic fashion how-to that will help, especially someone who's not been raised with a parent who knew how to dress nice or has never done any fashion reading.
December 4, 2010
Very practical and interesting book.
October 22, 2019
An apostolic event in fashion soon followed after I finished this book.
April 19, 2013
The best of the "personal style" genre by far. This is a witty and extremely practical guide. Lots of "do" and "don't" illustrations for each body type. Highly recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews