The Dress Doctor: Prescriptions for Style, From A to Z

by Edith Head

Long before celebrity stylists became as renowned as the Oscar-winning film stars they advise, the legendary costume designer Edith Head was dressing Hollywood's most fashionable women and men on screen and off—and lending her sartorial wisdom to women across the country on radio and television. In 1959, she published a best-selling memoir and style guide, The Dress Doctor, in which she shared tips on style and dozens of entertaining anecdotes on Hollywood's A-list with her fans. Now, The Dress Doctor has returned in this special edition of the original volume, an alphabetical romp through the art of getting dressed and dressing Hollywood, with specially commissioned illustrations and the best advice and stories culled word for word from the original book.

From Audrey Hepburn to Zooture, The Dress Doctor is filled with Head's timeless tips: her expertise on developing a personal style, dressing to flatter one's figure, building a wardrobe, and judging quality. Her prescriptions for dressing properly for various activities from archery to house cleaning to roller skating are a charming mix of perennially chic and, now, with the passing of time, tongue in chic. Fashion illustrator Bil Donovan's stunning re-creations of Head's most famous gowns, along with illustrations of myriad other stylish ensembles, bring the designer's work vividly to life again, along with Hollywood icons Grace Kelly, Katharine Hepburn, Mae West, Cary Grant, and many others.

This irresistible, elegant volume is a unique treasure for those who love film, style, and the glamour of Old Hollywood.

Genres: Fashion, Nonfiction, Design, Fashion History, Art, Self Help

80 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1959

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colorful little book..... tidbits of advice and wonderful illustrations by Bill Donovan. Her do’s and don’ts are timeless. Her “prescriptions” of what to wear to the amusement park, circus, house work, dog shows, all kind of places....sounded more like a studio publicity shot. I do miss the glamour of the old movies. Didn’t everybody dress up back then?

Reading Edith Head’s Hollywood too.

[Mary Ronan Drew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Edith Head was without question the greatest Hollywood costume designer. She won eight Oscars. She dealt with long-waisted Joan Crawford, perfectionist Marlene Dietrich, and too-thin Audrey Hepburn. She designed the memorable dress Bette Davis wore in All About Eve. She put Kim Novak in a grey tailored suit in Vertigo. She designed those perfect outfits for Grace Kelly in Rear Window. And she created the period togs for Paul Newman and Robert Redford in The Sting.

This little book was first published in 1959 but it has now been re-done by fashion illustrator Bil Donovan (who frankly is much more talented at illustration than Edith Head.) The text is sparce and really, how much advice does the modern woman need about what to wear to breakfast (a brunch coat in a bright color), a dog show (wool slacks and a sweater), a garden party (a light-colored print cocktail dress), or skiing (ski pants!)

But the watercolor drawings are spectacular, very much in the 1950s glamour style, bright, colorful, and would make the book worth looking at if there were no words.

2011 No 61 Coming soon: In the Still of the Night by Ann Rule

[Joanne G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This abbreviated adaptation of Ms. Head's original fashion book is unintentionally hilarious in prescribing the "correct" fashion to wear for each and every occasion. Imagine the modern person even contemplating the proper attire to wear for grocery shopping. The advice is firmly grounded in an era where women wore hats and gloves. There were still a few gems that remain true for today, such as "Don't let your clothes be fitted too tightly. Even a perfect figure looks better if it doesn't resemble a sausage." Amen, sister. Three stars.

The illustrations make the book a delightful visual experience. Bil Donovan's bright and beautiful artwork makes turning each page a pleasure: it's glamorous, elegant, and fresh. Five stars for Donovan's art.

[Relyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

OH, I really loved the watercolors in this book. Mostly it was just interesting. Not especially helpful, of course. It includes ideas such as long skirts for ice skating if you're good and slacks if you aren't. Pretty funny, really.

[Apryl Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fun--a good companion to Christian Dior's Little Dictionary of Fashion. I shall have both of them over for drinks and conversation, and let them dress me with style and aplomb.

And the aquarelle illustrations were fun, too.

[Lulu · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a quick little read of quotes on A to Z from Edith Head's autobiograpy THE DRESS DOCTOR. Not a lot of substance since it's just snippets from the original but the illustrations by Bil Donovan are gorgeous.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking forward to a good read about Edith's life before and during her career, but that was covered in the introduction. The rest of the "book" was an A-Z of Edith Head quotes basically. £5.49 (with tax) for what was a ten minute read. It was interesting, what there was of it, but too short.

[Marilyn Campbell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Historical truisms

This book has been passed by decades of change. While the stylish elegance of Edith Head in her time was a wonder, the late 201x is a different period with different approaches. This very short book is just a gossipy artifact.

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

This left me with a lot of questions, like what is a sport dress? Is it different from an afternoon dress? Active skirt vs slacks, what's better for ice skating? I'm lost on her recommendations but I still want to know more about Edith Head.

[Jan Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

1950's Hollywood fun!

[Peggy Missett · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not what I expected and a little boring.

[Cara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately, this book only included excerpts of the original. However, a little peek into Edith's world was fun, and the illustrations were delightful.

[Tamari · Rating 3 out of 5]

The stories about Old Hollywood and the beautiful illustrations are the best parts of this book. The actual fashion advice is vague and useless, despite Edith Head's obvious wisdom.

[Mario Saverino · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great Illustrations.

[Veela Divina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Illustrative. Would have wanted the book to have more depth in terms of clothing tips.

[Fashiondgal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Outdated, but interesting.

[Luis Hernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though Ms. Head is long gone, the tips are on point. I gave it 4 stars because it was to short!!

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick little coffee table book of quotes with cute illustrations. It did make me want to read the autobiography that it was pulled from.

[Isabel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the illustrations (they are amazing) and the snippets from the Dress Doctor; it certainly made me want to read her unabridged book.

[BookSalad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Combined with Bil Donovan's exquisite artwork, The Dress Doctor: Prescriptions for Style will delight any fan of classic fashion. The short book highlights words of wisdom from Edith Head, the inimitable and famed costume designer of 1940s-70s movies and author of the 1959 book, The Dress Doctor.

*Think: The black and white gown worn by Grace Kelly in Rear Window, which could star as a movie of its own.
*In addition to studio work, Head also designed several personal wardrobes and special event gowns for actresses.

*Who knew there was such a thing as "afternoon shoes?"

Favorite quote of the book, of which every woman - regardless of economic status - can take heed:

"Be sure any item you purchase...will help to give the impression you want to give, will serve you on a number of occasions, and will be friendly with other items in your wardrobe."

[J · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another Edith Head book.

It assumes the reader has knowledge and interest in 1950's Hollywood gossip.

The illustrations are interesting & sometimes pretty - best part of the book.

The text floated around the illustrations and contained random information about 1950's actresses' behavior in fittings as well as what clothes to wear in random situations (at the circus, at a dog show, ect). The advice was outdated and it felt truly random. Sections were organized around the alphabet. For example "B" contained sentences/paragraphs on: Bowling, Breakfast, and Bette Davis.

This was a fast "read". I got through the book in less than an hour. But I didn't get anything out of it.

[Grace · Rating 2 out of 5]

Shame it wasn't just a collection of her most interesting anecdotes and style advice rather than this forced A-Z format. A few fun anecdotes about famous actors' attitudes to fashion and style. However, most of it was anachronistic lists of what to wear for specific events such as bowling, dinner parties, traveling on an ocean liner or a country hunting party.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve been trying to dress up a little more for my everyday life, so I liked the overall recommendations, but I’m going to need more information. For instance, what exactly is a spectator sport dress? How does an afternoon dress translate into today? What was it back then, for that matter? Just the repetitive categories of dress for each destination was intriguing, but not actually helpful.

[Sindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Delightful!

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the art in this book, but I found myself googling the actual costumes Edith Head designed and I think I would have rather read a book about that instead. Also, what is a “sport dress”? 😆

[Keisha Adams · Rating 2 out of 5]

Love the watercolor illustrations. Advice/quotes are outdated. Unless there is a new trend to wear hats and gloves that I've missed.

[Cameron Toney · Rating 3 out of 5]

A colorful, zippy little book full of advice and anecdotes from Edith Head. Its not an in depth view of anything, but it isn't meant to be, it's just a breezy bit of colorful fun.

[Wendy · Rating 2 out of 5]

As I watch old movies, I see Costume Designer Edith Head over and over. This short little book is an intro, and I want to find a better book by her about costume design.

[Jen Yttri (Lynch) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had intended to read Edith Head's full autobiography rather than this. However, this abbreviated version was still full of her pointed wit and insight (I never knew what was correct to wear bowling or to a baseball game) with beautiful pictures included.

[Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another waste of time.