City Chic: An Urban Girl's Guide to Livin' Large on Less

by Nina Willdorf

Urban Girls work hard and play even harder. They have an eye for style that is only slowed by a budgetary bottom line. They live the lifestyles of the not-at-all-rich and the not-just-yet-famous. Soon enough, they will be superstars, oozing savoir-faire. But for now, before they assume the helm of the boardroom table, they still have their secret ways of living the good life.
City Chic is a practical, insiders' primer on how to squeeze the most style out of a small salary, how to creatively cheat at looking chic for cheap. From food and drink to personal maintenance to clothes to home decor, City Chic covers everything an Urban Girl needs to know.
--Big-idea decorating for small spaces
--Financially sound fitness techniques
--Cash-saving culinary tips
--Shopping sales calendars-by day, month and season
--and so much more!

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Fashion, Reference, Chick Lit, Lifestyle, Frugal

256 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2003

Reviews

[Elizabeth Grey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before I got a job at the library, I used to go there when I was down and wanted inspiration for how to change my life. When I was 20, single, living alone, and obsessed with living a chic life, this book was my bible. Its about living wonderful on less. I love this book so much that I swipped a copy out of the donation box at the library (which is one of the tips for living less - take other peoples discarded things)

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

The subtitle of this book should read more like "The Trust Fund Girl's Guide to Living Large in the City on More Than Most People's Annual Salary".

A financial guide this is not. There is no mention of credit card payments, student loans, savings accounts, or retirement accounts here. If you're looking for advice on that sort of thing, try Dave Ramsey, Suze Orman, or Guy Kiyosaki, but don't rely on this book.

IF, however, you're looking for a way to decorate your first urban apartment that doesn't include the ability to hire an interior designer, this is a great resource. Nina has great suggestions for how to mix Target accessories with more upscale pieces, and doesn't shy away from grabbing furniture off the street (maybe not such a great idea in today's bed bug epidemic world, but I've done it myself and have some great furniture to show for it).

In short, this is a cute fluffy book for newly-urban women, but don't rely on it as a guide for budgeting.

[Kristina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fun easy read, I got some great shopping tips, some of her advice that I did not agree with, for instance she recommends cutting your own hair. Bad idea. As a hairdresser it is so annoying to try and fix some ones at home project. Cut and colors should be left to the professionals.
I did like her calendar break down of the best times to purchase item according to marketing sales for instance end of January is a prime time for european designer lines and houseware goods and September is anything denim.

[Olivia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I agree with other reviewers. These tips are fine if you make a decent paycheck and don't want to go over budget, but after the first two chapters it was clear the author has never been truly strapped for cash. The idea that someone on a grad student income or even a teacher's salary could follow this advice is ludicrous.

[Tineey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Alot of the things are pretty basic to me or they just didn't apply. It teaches you how to a savvy dumpster diver. Only thing I took from this read was how to use household items to get rid of stains from clothing.

[Hoan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not such a super city chic book. Some okay tips but things I already do. I struggled a little to finish this in three days. Usually I can finish a good book in a few hours/a day. Not recommended

[Saira Ceballos · Rating 3 out of 5]

City Chic is good, but I wouldn't say that it was the best book ever.

Cons:
-Graphic design. It's very outdated the cover, the parts (1,2,3,4), the chapters.So 2003.(For that I'm putting 4 stars)

- As other reviewers are saying, this book is only focused on NYC or Philly as in it makes sense to people living there. I am aware of that the author is making it about you living in NYC.

-OMG, it annoys me as hell how Nina (Willdorf) is referring to us as "the Urban Girl" all the friggin time. The Urban Girl this, The Urban Girl that, just stop!!(for that I'm putting 3 stars)

-As with the New York thing, it's only set in Nyc (i repeated again) and not focused on other cities such as Melbourne, Instabul, that sort of thing.

Pros:
-Really useful tips. That sums it up so I don't have to write a whole list of useful tips.

[Abby Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is exactly what it sells itself as. “Living large on less” isn’t a subtitle that pretends to be about budgeting; it’s a subtitle that tells you “Want designer clothes but can’t afford them? Here’s a hack!”

Some of the advice is outdated (the reprint is from 2009), but odds are if one of the topics in here appeals to you, you’ll find some useful tips. In particular, Nina has charts about seasonality, the most economical times to shop for not only clothes, but furniture too.

It’s an easy, fun read with LOTS of headers and sub-headers, so it’s easy to skip past the pieces you’re not interested in.

[Alice · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wonder if it is because I was reading this, in a post-recession world, a decade after the first edition was published, but I found this a complete waste of time.

I'm the right audience age wise but not class wise. This book needs a more specific title, City Chic : An Upper Middle Class Girl moving from the suburbs to the city.

I can see how it might have been good advice a decade ago, but it just felt preachy, and the advice was definitely not revolutionary.

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had ups and downs for me. Some of the tips seemed potentially useful, some seemed tacky. Others felt impractical. I found Willdorf's writing style to be at times witty and other times offensive (perhaps just due to the time period the piece was written?) Overall, I'd pass on this for other works. Personally I recommend Jane Buckingham.

[Mary · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not for me

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a cute book and it does have a lot of helpful hints but it's really geared toward people just starting out in a big city. That's fine and all but there are parts that just aren't for me. She gets her hair cut about twice a year, I can't handle that. I'm sure it works for her but no. She also dedicates around $300 on clothing per month. If you earn less than 30k a year there's no reason to spend that kind of money on clothes. She never once talks about saving some money for a rainy day, I guess she assumes there are none. It's important to stress how important it is to start saving if you can at that age. Garage sales are an amazing way to find just about anything you need to dress yourself or an apartment. I think she could have put something in about sacrificing something, like drinks or daily latte if you find something you can't live without. I once found a designer dress at a thrift store, it was a bit more than I usually pay for that sort of thing but I got it anyway and spent the next two weeks eating ramen and not going out, it evened out in the end and I fit into that dress better than i would have without my impromptu diet. Things like that in the book would have helped.

[Kara · Rating 2 out of 5]

The problem with this book is that expectations didn't meet reality. My expectation was that this book would be a practical guide for frugal living, explaining how and where to cut costs. And, this book did that to an extent-- only dealing in the subjects of decorating, cooking, socializing, and shopping. While the tips Willdorf offered in those areas were helpful, I wish the book would have covered more practical topics: transportation and car maintenance, traveling, how to supplement your income, etc. Overall, it was a quick read and I could see it being a good gift for a recent high school graduate that's going off to college.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun book to read when I first moved to DC from CA(on a non-profit salary). What it really did - with it's funny, chipper you can DIY attitude - was make me feel a little better about all the new challenges of living entirely on my own, far away from home. Most of the tips were just common sense, although if you’re ballsy enough, it talks about the best way to sneak beer into bars so you can socialize on a dime.

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

I regret to say this didn't teach me anything I didn't already know about budgeting or thrift. Frankly as a native Londoner I could have written it better... I can certainly cook and clothe myself for less. Not to mention one of her suggestions (claiming student discount you are not entitled to anymore) lacks integrity at best and is dishonest at worst. I don't recommend this and in glad I bought it in a charity shop and didn't pay full price.

[Melissa Massello · Rating 2 out of 5]

"From the former editor of The Boston Phoenix and Budget Travel, this guide to putting together an urbane wardrobe despite an over-stretched wallet is a super fun — and money saving — read."

Featured in 35 Budget Living Picks for National Book Lovers Day on ShoestringMag.com

[Erika Forth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great how-to book for young twenty somethings heading off to make it on their own in a big city. Easy to read full of fun anecdotes and personal experience, City Chic covers budgeting, decorating, shopping, food, fitness, and more. I think I will be turning to this book many times in the future for helpful hints and advice. Great for girls wanting to live the city life on a budget.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

tips on city living on a budget. Pretty much common sense and what is a common practice anyway. Oh but I did learn that you dry clean clothes can be handwashed quickly or placed in tumble dryer with a diy kit.

[Meg - A Bookish Affair · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed some of the advice that this book gave. I found the chapters on food and entertaining especially helpful as it is difficult to do both of those on a small budget. This would be a great gift for any young woman graduating from college.

[Kate Spears · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was pretty good, but lots of the advice seemed very much like a regurgitation of the same advice given monthly in all fashion magazines. some of the stuff in this book was good (it inspired me to dumpster dive!) but for the most part, just ok.

[T. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Only makes sense if you live in large cities like Philly or New York. Not really going to help you in the suburbs or in rural areas where stuff is cheaper to begin with. Also, the stuff I did read, nothing really new.

[Adrianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Want to reinforce what you think are good practices already? read this book.

[michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on how to live frugal while staying stylish.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book before moving to Boston but decided to read it again before moving to New York. I found it more helpful and inspiring the second time. Can't wait to move to the city!!

[Sarah Coyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

basically the most helpful book ive ever read on DIY design

[Amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

great beauty/fashion/lifestyle tips. Great book. I'm sure that you'll get at least one idea from this, if not several

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun ideas about living in the city in style on a budget.

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great advice to put into practice when I eventually make it to NYC!

[Crystal Belle · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book really gave me some great tips on how to save and to have fun for less! i really enjoyed reading it.

[Cathy]

So excited to find bargain hunting tips!