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Berlin Street Style: A Guide to Urban Chic
In Berlin Street Style , noted design expert Angelika Taschen defines the unique fashion sense of this hip city. The book showcases the popular “anti-chic” look seen throughout Berlin, offering advice on how to create a simple, casual, and appealingly disheveled appearance with vintage pieces, essential basics, and carefully selected accessories. For travelers to Berlin, the book recommends the city’s top destinations for fashion, beauty, design, and culture. With street-style photography and hand-drawn illustrations, this accessible style guide explores how Berlin women dress and where they find their fashion inspiration, highlighting trendsetting blogs and local labels.
- GenresNonfictionFashion
240 pages, Paperback
First published April 15, 2014
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102 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
March 18, 2015
I requested this on a whim after seeing it mentioned in the comments section of some website, even though it's not the type of thing I usually read. I'm not sure what I expected. Maybe a few style tips that I could pick and choose from to apply to myself. I definitely didn't expect this book to make me so angry.
That quote was my first red flag. Somehow it manages both to shame AND give off a "better-than-you" vibe.
I know a lot of people think visible bra straps are just the height of poor taste, but I personally couldn't give a crap. I don't have the time or money or desire to buy bras to fit every single one of my shirts. And though I don't care for push-up bras myself, I also don't care if people wear them. This is just a weird rule. Good thing I don't live in Berlin.
Of course, this book cautions against showing too much skin. Basically EVERY set of style rules ever written cautions against this, and this is a rule I really hate. I happen to love showing off both leg and shoulder AT THE SAME TIME (gasp!). But sometimes I feel like covering it all up. I will show as little or as much skin as I feel comfortable with, thank you.
I'm sure I don't need to explain why that's offensive. And I'll have this book know that my upper arms are reasonably toned, but my triceps still flap about from time to time. It's just a hazard of being a woman with body fat.
This leads me to another annoying rule: Dress your age. Uh, let me think about it: NO.
Why is 30 always the magical cutoff age for wearing anything fun? Bright lipstick, short shorts, short skirts, crop tops? At 30, I'd just begun to feel confident about myself and the most comfortable I'd felt with my body since basically forever, and I wanted to wear all those things. I discovered I LOVE bright lipstick, and I wear it at least a couple times a week. I'm 31 now and I can't wait for summer so I can wear all the no-no clothes again.
Uh, sorry, those boots sound awesome.
Okay, that's debatable, but wear whatever cowboy boots you want! Cowboy boots are awesome! You know what makes someone a poser? Dressing how they think they should dress based on someone else's opinion.
Well then shut up, book, and let me do me. If I ever go to Berlin and I'm not cool, it won't be a big deal, since I've never been cool anywhere.
The Berlin woman is no tart. She doesn't smear a thick layer of makeup onto her face, or own a push-up bra or blond Rapunzel-like hair extensions. The Berlin woman barely needs makeup because her skin always has a rosy glow thanks to well-chosen cosmetic products and a healthy glow from riding her bike. (11)
That quote was my first red flag. Somehow it manages both to shame AND give off a "better-than-you" vibe.
One should never see a bra, regardless of what color it is. You do not need a push-up bra; Berlin is not a bosom city. (13)
I know a lot of people think visible bra straps are just the height of poor taste, but I personally couldn't give a crap. I don't have the time or money or desire to buy bras to fit every single one of my shirts. And though I don't care for push-up bras myself, I also don't care if people wear them. This is just a weird rule. Good thing I don't live in Berlin.
Of course, this book cautions against showing too much skin. Basically EVERY set of style rules ever written cautions against this, and this is a rule I really hate. I happen to love showing off both leg and shoulder AT THE SAME TIME (gasp!). But sometimes I feel like covering it all up. I will show as little or as much skin as I feel comfortable with, thank you.
Saggy arms: "Also called 'old lady arms' or 'bingo wings.' Only wear sleeveless clothes if your upper arms are really toned." (23)
I'm sure I don't need to explain why that's offensive. And I'll have this book know that my upper arms are reasonably toned, but my triceps still flap about from time to time. It's just a hazard of being a woman with body fat.
This leads me to another annoying rule: Dress your age. Uh, let me think about it: NO.
Dark or loud lipstick: "Bright red lipstick looks fantastic up to age thirty. Then the look appears too hard—you can automatically look ten years older with this war paint! It's best to only use lip balm and dedicate your attention to making your skin look flawless." (120)
Why is 30 always the magical cutoff age for wearing anything fun? Bright lipstick, short shorts, short skirts, crop tops? At 30, I'd just begun to feel confident about myself and the most comfortable I'd felt with my body since basically forever, and I wanted to wear all those things. I discovered I LOVE bright lipstick, and I wear it at least a couple times a week. I'm 31 now and I can't wait for summer so I can wear all the no-no clothes again.
Even if the Berlin woman loves heeled accessories, in cowboy boots one is very quickly considered a poser. Such gaudy boots do not fit in Berlin—particularly if they're made of white python leather. (18)
Uh, sorry, those boots sound awesome.
Okay, that's debatable, but wear whatever cowboy boots you want! Cowboy boots are awesome! You know what makes someone a poser? Dressing how they think they should dress based on someone else's opinion.
The most important thing above all is that you feel comfortable. (18)
Well then shut up, book, and let me do me. If I ever go to Berlin and I'm not cool, it won't be a big deal, since I've never been cool anywhere.
February 27, 2021
Ugh, I read this book in a day; if you can call skipping the pages and pages of where to eat, buy and stay resources contained within.
I know of knew, from picking this up that it would be a superficial glance into Berlin Street Style but still - I want to know the secrets of looking stylish. However, this book is not it. If you want a patronising view of how to wear a leather jacket, and why glitter is a no-no then you have found the best book.
I am sure, if I was due to visit Berlin soon the list of resources would be useful as a start, but to think of all that Berlin has to offer is boiled down to vapid boring "anti-chic" look; give it a miss.
I know of knew, from picking this up that it would be a superficial glance into Berlin Street Style but still - I want to know the secrets of looking stylish. However, this book is not it. If you want a patronising view of how to wear a leather jacket, and why glitter is a no-no then you have found the best book.
I am sure, if I was due to visit Berlin soon the list of resources would be useful as a start, but to think of all that Berlin has to offer is boiled down to vapid boring "anti-chic" look; give it a miss.
February 14, 2017
Ugh what a pretentious book full of advertising and narrow-minded thoughts. She offers clothing styles but no photo to accompany it. The whole book (actually a stretch to call it that) was shallow, quick fix sentences that adds no value to the everyday woman. If you want some fashion and beauty tips about the berlin style, rather read a berliner's blog. If you want insights to cafes and restaurants, go on trip advisor or foodie blogs. But definitely not this book...
August 2, 2015
Really enjoyed this! Absolutely loved the style and way it was set out(:
May 26, 2020
I have so many fashion/coffee table books from years ago that I need to get through and unfortunately I did not enjoy this one. Just like Paris Street Style, reading this in 2020 made it feel very outdated. There was only a small section on style and half of the book was just pages and pages of addresses of shops, hotels and restaurants. I hope I never have to read the words 'The Berlin Woman' again.
January 21, 2023
Nothing about this said "Street style" to me. And quite frankly it felt pretentious with a hint of internal misogyny. This book held no appeal for me and made me angry.
March 5, 2017
Well, this was a really weird book with a massively misleading title.
You'd think from the title, that this would be a sort of expanded Street Peeper for Berlin, with lots of photos and descriptions of what fashionable, subversive, and even everyday folk were wearing in Berlin these days (or at least in 2014 when the book was published), right?
Yeah, no.
Okay, at least Part 1 (of 4) sort of fulfilled this promise, although the third-person, condescending, girlie language was very off-putting. And I say only "sort of" because a careful reading of the credits make me suspect that every one of the photographs were styled shoots and not average people on the street at all. (I should say "women on the street", as the book is wholly unconcerned with men.)
The other three parts of the book depart wildly from the expectation set up by the title. Part 2 is about beauty and skincare (huh?), and is full of not just useless generalizations, but some truly awful misinformation; it also includes a list of Berlin's likely most expensive yoga studios. Part 3 will help you decorate the quintessential Berlin flat, and host the properly Berlin parties. And finally, "Angelika's Berlin" (Part 4) is just a traveler's guide with lists of restaurants, bars, and – lest you not actually be emigrating as it appears Part 3 assumes you are – hotels.
Who is this book even for? Its title purports to be for those of us who like to look at real-life world fashion trends, but then just gives us a clearly designer-funded, professionally-shot lookbook-cum-catalog. Part 3 is seems to be directed at those who are moving to Berlin and not bringing anything with them, and Part 4 is just a high-end Fodor's guide, with photos that make the interiors of these establishments look quite drab. (I have no explanation for why the very second Part of the book was seemingly randomly inserted to give us bad skincare advice and send us to trendy yoga studios.) The second (and lengthier) part of every section of this book looks like a Yelp-ish reference guide to various attractions, or a list of products and where you should buy them.
Content-wise, this book went out of date as soon as was published. If it was just about street fashion (as the title implied it should have been), it would be a snapshot of a place and look in time – a historical record – and been worthy of a book one keeps. However, what wound up going in (everything and the kitchen sink, too) is information much more suited to an online, web-based guide. As published, this book will quickly become as disposable as your 1988 Lonely Planet Guide to Czechoslovakia did.
I only had the Hoopla version of the ebook, so I cannot speak to what the design and layout of the print book should have looked like. But author Angelika Taschen was previously married to and worked for Benedikt Taschen of TASCHEN publishing, and they are well-noted for producing absolutely stunningly well-designed, gorgeous books. This volume looks to be an attempt to replicate TASCHEN's Berlin (maybe the Taschens had an acrimonious divorce?), but it falls short. The cover brags of "hand-drawn illustrations", but they're small and kind of doodle-quality. And as I always complain about Hoopla books, the photos are just too small, and in this case (not Hoopla's fault) there are also just not enough of them, especially in Part 1, which was the only one I cared about since I thought Part 1's content would be the entirety of the book.
I can't really recommend Berlin Street Style: A Guide to Urban Chic, unless you have a time machine and plan on moving to Berlin back in 2014 and want to take a book's advice on how to pose as a local by using your wallet to purchase and do all the things it tells you are Berlin-esque.
You'd think from the title, that this would be a sort of expanded Street Peeper for Berlin, with lots of photos and descriptions of what fashionable, subversive, and even everyday folk were wearing in Berlin these days (or at least in 2014 when the book was published), right?
Yeah, no.
Okay, at least Part 1 (of 4) sort of fulfilled this promise, although the third-person, condescending, girlie language was very off-putting. And I say only "sort of" because a careful reading of the credits make me suspect that every one of the photographs were styled shoots and not average people on the street at all. (I should say "women on the street", as the book is wholly unconcerned with men.)
The other three parts of the book depart wildly from the expectation set up by the title. Part 2 is about beauty and skincare (huh?), and is full of not just useless generalizations, but some truly awful misinformation; it also includes a list of Berlin's likely most expensive yoga studios. Part 3 will help you decorate the quintessential Berlin flat, and host the properly Berlin parties. And finally, "Angelika's Berlin" (Part 4) is just a traveler's guide with lists of restaurants, bars, and – lest you not actually be emigrating as it appears Part 3 assumes you are – hotels.
Who is this book even for? Its title purports to be for those of us who like to look at real-life world fashion trends, but then just gives us a clearly designer-funded, professionally-shot lookbook-cum-catalog. Part 3 is seems to be directed at those who are moving to Berlin and not bringing anything with them, and Part 4 is just a high-end Fodor's guide, with photos that make the interiors of these establishments look quite drab. (I have no explanation for why the very second Part of the book was seemingly randomly inserted to give us bad skincare advice and send us to trendy yoga studios.) The second (and lengthier) part of every section of this book looks like a Yelp-ish reference guide to various attractions, or a list of products and where you should buy them.
Content-wise, this book went out of date as soon as was published. If it was just about street fashion (as the title implied it should have been), it would be a snapshot of a place and look in time – a historical record – and been worthy of a book one keeps. However, what wound up going in (everything and the kitchen sink, too) is information much more suited to an online, web-based guide. As published, this book will quickly become as disposable as your 1988 Lonely Planet Guide to Czechoslovakia did.
I only had the Hoopla version of the ebook, so I cannot speak to what the design and layout of the print book should have looked like. But author Angelika Taschen was previously married to and worked for Benedikt Taschen of TASCHEN publishing, and they are well-noted for producing absolutely stunningly well-designed, gorgeous books. This volume looks to be an attempt to replicate TASCHEN's Berlin (maybe the Taschens had an acrimonious divorce?), but it falls short. The cover brags of "hand-drawn illustrations", but they're small and kind of doodle-quality. And as I always complain about Hoopla books, the photos are just too small, and in this case (not Hoopla's fault) there are also just not enough of them, especially in Part 1, which was the only one I cared about since I thought Part 1's content would be the entirety of the book.
I can't really recommend Berlin Street Style: A Guide to Urban Chic, unless you have a time machine and plan on moving to Berlin back in 2014 and want to take a book's advice on how to pose as a local by using your wallet to purchase and do all the things it tells you are Berlin-esque.
December 31, 2014
Though half of the book are recommendations of places to buy certain clothing items and styles, the remainder has *brief information on the author's particular Berlin style. The actual content is not too insightful, but interesting. It's helpful that she consolidates basic observations about Berlin style. Not riveting nor thought/style provoking, but just ok.
I skimmed through most of the "book." You may be better off just looking at a Berlin fashion blog.
I skimmed through most of the "book." You may be better off just looking at a Berlin fashion blog.
November 14, 2015
I borrowed this from the Library and I'm glad I didn't buy it. My friends who have been to Berlin led me to believe it's a really open minded city. Unfortunately, not so for this book; all the things you should never do ('the Berlin woman would never wear fake tan'). I just felt the tone to be belittling and would rather search Berlin Style on Pinterest to get constructive style tips.
March 17, 2015
This book will come in handy if I ever find myself back in Berlin as it's more of a shopping/travel guide than a street style book.
August 10, 2016
I was hoping for lots of photos, but this book is for sure not that. It's a shopping guide for visiting Berlin and beauty advice from the author, not examples of street style.
October 4, 2021
Nice pictures (not that there were many) and would look pretty on a coffee table but the text inside is not very good. Reading the blurb you would expect something giving information about Berlin fashion, but it’s actually not the case. The extremely aggressive tone instructs the reader how they must dress and shop according to the author’s particular tastes. Had I known this is what the book would be like I wouldn’t have bought or read it.
Additionally at times the author is completely contradictory, for example at one point saying how all department store cashmere scarves are terrible in comparison to the ones you find in India, then two chapters later gushing about her favourite brand of cashmere scarf found in department stores? Makes very little sense.
I also found the last third of the book was almost entirely shop/restaurant/website recommendations, with very little content aside from short blurbs for each. Overall a pretty judgemental and underwhelming book.
Additionally at times the author is completely contradictory, for example at one point saying how all department store cashmere scarves are terrible in comparison to the ones you find in India, then two chapters later gushing about her favourite brand of cashmere scarf found in department stores? Makes very little sense.
I also found the last third of the book was almost entirely shop/restaurant/website recommendations, with very little content aside from short blurbs for each. Overall a pretty judgemental and underwhelming book.
July 5, 2019
Not to dismiss the constructive critical reviews on here, but I do like this book, especially the editorial photographs and illustrations. Let's put it this way, the author has a distinct point of view. The is Berlin Street Style - as seen and understood through the author. I am not German or even European, and I find her take on the Berlin woman interesting, even somewhat helpful. I have many other style books, including ones by Nina Garcia. And even hers contain a bit of personal opinion that others may not agree with (One that comes to mind is that short women look ridiculous in super high heels). I may not agree with her, but I don't mind reading about her opinion on it. Style is subjective, and not meant to cause offence.
July 28, 2020
Really more of a travel guide with details of where to shop (fashion, beauty, interiors), eat, etc. Plus lists of bloggers & websites the author considers useful/worthwhile. Which brings me to my main point - the section discussing "Berlin style" is the author's own point of view more than anything. To really qualify as a style guide, I think you would need a lot more illustrations or photos.
September 18, 2017
A nice guide to Berlin and how to be a woman of Berlin from an insider but it felt a bit brutal in some places. By that I mean the author was just this is right and this is wrong and I just don't like that aspect of a guide book.
March 5, 2018
I enjoyed how this book interpreted style as more than just clothes. I learned a lot.
December 5, 2018
Pragmatic and sensible, as much as a stylish woman can be. Readable and practical. Great snapshots of neighbourhoods, shopping and dining. Makes me want to be in Berlin!
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December 26, 2019There's a long list of rules, do's and don'ts here, it's confusing to decipher which are Berlin's standards and which the author's personal fashion standards
March 17, 2021
So judgmental
November 22, 2022
Snobby, snobby, snobby. Couldn't get past this "...Apart from the ears, there is no other place on the body that should be pierced with metal. A bolt through the month simply looks ghastly."
November 28, 2022
It's just advertisement.
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July 6, 2024per quando avrò uno svarione e mi trasferirò a berlino
November 17, 2024
read when i was a teenager, but looking back at it again now i find it incredibly out of touch...very little to gain from this book, sadly.
January 11, 2015
very much fueled my desire to visit this city!
August 20, 2016
Eh, I was hoping this would be more like The Sartorialist or HONY. Ah well!
April 6, 2017
Can't say I read it because I only flipped through anything after page 100. This should be called Berlin Shopping Guide instead of Street Style: there are a total of 15(!!!) actual photos of women in the street, and over half of the book is dedicated to all kind of lifestyle topics beyond fashion. Oh, and if I read "The Berlin woman (does this and that/would never ...)" I might throw a fit!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews