Sencilla pero elegante

by Olivia Goldsmith, Amy Fine Collins

Enfrentado al consumismo, este libro le permite encontrar la fórmula que combina su aspecto físico, su gusto y su bolsillo para lograr verse mejor y encontrar una salida a la confusión que la moda actual y la sociedad de consumo han creado. Logre así sentirse segura de usted misma y fantástica todos los días.

Genres: Self Help, Fashion, Reference, Nonfiction

288 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1995

About the author

Olivia Goldsmith (January 1, 1949 - January 15, 2004) was an American author, best known for her first novel The First Wives Club (1992), which was adapted into the movie The First Wives Club (1996).

She was born Randy Goldfield in Dumont, New Jersey, but changed her name to Justine Goldfield and later to Justine Rendal. She took up writing following a divorce in which she said her husband got almost everything (including her Jaguar and the country house). A graduate of New York University, she was a partner at the management consultants Booz & Company in New York prior to becoming a writer.

Many of her books can be described as revenge fantasies; a constant theme is the mistreatment of women by the men they love, but with the women coming out the winners in the end.

Controversially, in late 1996 Goldsmith said, in response to an Entertainment Weekly reporter's question, that her favorite event of 1996 was when Bob Dole fell off a stage during a campaign function.

She also wrote several books for children, which were published under the name "Justine Rendal."

Goldsmith died as a result of complications from the administration of anaesthesia before cosmetic surgery. Her final two books were published posthumously.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, amended.

Reviews

[Cleo]

I read this in the 90s and it was so incredibly helpful. I can still see its influence on my wardrobe and the way I think about clothing. My only regret is not actually buying it.

[Lenny Husen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hesitated to pick this up, because I already am pretty savvy in this department. But i did pick it up and read it, because I am a fan of The Late Olivia Goldsmith's writing and it was like she was speaking to me from the grave. (I have never and will never get over her dying in such a foolish, needless way and I mourned her as I read this. Why Olivia, WHY?)
This tiny little book is cute and bubbly and actually helpful--tells you how to declutter your closets and drawers, get organized, simplify your wardrobe and your life, and the advice is doable for almost everyone who isn't a Hoarder. There is SO much awesome advice on how to save money on clothes (and look better) by making judicious choices.
This reads like a Woman's Magazine article, which makes sense since an editor of Vanity Fair and Harper's Bazaar, Amy Fine Collins, co-wrote it with Goldsmith. I loved the clever
illustrations. I loved Olivia's anecdotes about her own struggles and journey to her own style, as well as hearing about those of her friends and acquaintances who found what worked best for their unique bodies and personalities.
This is a FABULOUS stocking stuffer for any woman, from age 12 to 92 (and maybe even from 10 to 100).

Some samples of great advice/lines:
Looking good--at ANY weight--Is Possible
A Waist is a Terrible Thing to Mind
Comfort and style are not necessarily contradictory and can be closely related.
Make your imperfections your trademarks
What you've been told are your defects May in fact be your strongest points
Get rid of the sentimental favorites.
Contemplate the tragedies in your closet.
Unload those really expensive things that just didn't work. "I don't care it its Versace and the most expensive skirt you ever bought--you look like a hippo in it, so put it aside."
Don't shop with the wrong friend and Don't shop when you're miserable.
Get a lint brush/tape roller: "I have both a cat and a dog, along with a preference for dark colors
that attract everything but men and money."
"Opening your closet door should be like arriving at a really good party where everyone you see is someone you like."

I can't disagree with ANY of the advice--most of it I came up with on my own independently and it is delightful to have one's experience and good taste reinforced--and this was pure fun, fluff and Sassy Good Sense.

[Sarina M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really cute book and was fun to read.

A few tips I would like to implement from this book are...
- to pay more attention to what clothes flatter me, and if I love/hate an item of clothing I would like to step back and ask "why".
- I would also like to try to up the quality of my clothes, especially my work clothes, as currently my work and home attire are almost exactly the same. I should dress up a bit more for work, even if I have to sacrifice a bit of comfort (as Goldsmith said, comfort is relative to the person and situation). I should ditch clothes that are worn out (I tend to hang on to pretty items that have holes, and just hope no one will notice).
- I also liked her idea of putting sentimental clothing items in a box instead of hanging in one's closet, as "closets are not journals".

I feel like I naturally already do a lot of the practices that Goldsmith recommends in her book. This is not to say that I have great style or clothes savvy, but I already try to keep my clothes / closet as simple as possible. I do periodic purges of my closet and get rid of items I don't wear. I am happy that I don't go shopping as a hobby, as it has never been all that fun for me. When I do go shopping I try to only buy items that will become one of my 7 favorite items of clothing. Otherwise I wont wear it, as I will wear my #1, then #2, then #3 (and so on) favorite items of clothing, then clean them, then repeat. I never buy clothes that have flaws (not soft, too tight in one section, have a weird fit) as I will never wear it. I already have a personal style (not to say it is all that "stylish" per say, as my friends often joke as to the casualness of the clothes I choose to wear).

[Sep · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute book and a fun read about how to trim your clothes closet (a very timely topic as we all have WAY too much time on our hands), choosing your "uniform," (A way of dressing you like, is comfortable and works for your lifestyle) and make sure you always have something to wear.

This is my third read, and it refreshes each time. Ms. Goldsmith wrote it with her friend, Amy Fine Collins. Their cartoon characters are a riot. Lots of quotes from famous people in the rag trade add interest.

[Elisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably the best book of its kind and it's especially good for the style challenged. It's comforting and practical and isn't bound to the fashions of a given era. The section on clothing care is especially useful.

If you read it, look out for an anecdote about the photo of the movie studio costume department -- my favorite body image booster.

[Kris Hilburn Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this many, many years ago and still think about what a great little book this is.

[Chris Gleck]

This was a light piece on finding your personal style with a copyright date of 1995. I read this when I first purchased this 25 years ago, but chose to read it again before removing if from shelf. I will be donating this copy since it is in good condition and the information is still relevant.

[Anki · Rating 3 out of 5]

If your closet (and yourself) is in need of a makeover, this is a good book to start with. The message is simple. Less is more! As the saying goes, the more you know - the less you need.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always good to get different opinions on how to maintain a great wardrobe.

[Dane · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first time I read this, I followed it to the very letter and it made a huge difference in my my life. (Hence one more star than the two I'd give it this time.) Upon a re-read about 20 years later, much is dated, and not just in the macro sense, but in the micro; it's dated for me personally because having had 20-ish years to refine my style and philosophy about owning things, I no longer agree with a lot of the things Goldsmith and Collins say.

I will, however, be doing the "try everything in the closet and drawers on and get rid of what doesn't totally flatter you and look like you see yourself in your head" thing again soon because it's necessary, and that component of their advice is still 100% spot on. If you pay attention to nothing else in this book, pay attention to- and follow - that part slavishly. It will always blow your mind when you are faced directly with a barrage of it, how many of your items of clothing are in some way uncomfortable or need fixing or don't please you.