Book Discussion: Isaac Mizrachi: How to Have Style

From Siepres:

So, the above titled book finally came to my library, and I decided to
check it out. I have to admit that it's definitely a departure from the
usual fashion books. There was absolutely zero discussion of body
type (except for one section for petites and one for plus sizes), and
most of it was about ... well....I'm not sure it can really be summed
up easily! He talks about working with color, pattern, and breaking
the jeans rut. There's good, practical advice interspersed throughout
each chapter varying from how to apply fake lashes to general skin
care tips. He basically takes 12 women and shows them (and his
audience) how to have style in a different ways. You can describe it
as a fashion book, but the advice included is by no means
comprehensive and it certainly doesn't try to be. It's like he cherry-
picked only the topics he wanted to discuss, and in his defense
they're usually topics glossed over in other books. This is
definitely not a book for amateurs!

Much of the information he provided can be found on SOS, but
his sense of style and his goal for your sense of style are atypical.
He says at one point: You can't listen to other people if you want
your own style. And to some extent, I think he's right. But, then
you have people who don't listen to others and
are walking train wrecks.

Some fun tidbits I liked:

* He mentioned how airlines upgrade coach passengers to first class
based on look (reminded me of you Ili!).

* He hates flesh-tone hose (for you Pres!).

* He recommends splurging on something totally classic and something
that isn't because he says you'll have both forever. This resonated
with me because last year I bought a B/W hounds tooth coat instead of
standard black because I just LOVED it. It was so me that I wore it
as often as I could last year, and this year I've already broken it
out.

* He's a fan of photographs too.

* At a few points, he hints at the "Pres Method" of shopping but
never really explicitly states anything like it.

* He emphasizes how accessories can make or break an outfit and even
shows you how different accessories either work or don't work with
outfits.

* He used real women models!!

Some things that I wasn't crazy about:

* His advice on a bra was just way off.

* To him, I don't think anything has an expiration date. He's all
about recombining old looks with new stuff from your closet.
Sometimes it works; sometimes ..... not so much.

* Some of his outfit choices are a little "runway" in that they verge
on being one of those sartorial fashion failures and may have people
scratching their heads a little.

* He makes almost no concessions for body type. With the plus size
apple shaped woman (who is a genuine plus-size at what I would say is
a 24 or 26), he really creates some bad outfits for her body. Skinny
jeans? Dresses that hit at the wides part of the calf? Double-
breasted coats with no contrasting buttons/stitching/belt??? In
several of her pictures, I think she looks stylish, but a full 2-3
sizes bigger. With the other size 4-12 women, he is usually okay,
although some of the choices are a little questionable and might have
been better with something else.

Overall, I'd recommend you ladies check it out from the library
because there really are tons of cool ideas, but it's definitely not
buy-worthy!



I used to watch his show occasionally and some of his segments
produced just some crazy looking outfits (usually when he was trying
to use a piece past its expiration date - it always looked "off" and
forced, IMO :- )

The airline upgrade is so true. DH is regularly given an upgrade (he
travels much more than I do, and always in a business suit). It's
only happened to me once, but I loved it!

I don't agree that you can't listen to others if you want your own
style. Before WNTW and help from a particular few from the
forum ;- ) I didn't have my own style. Really...no clue. But,
with asking questions, reading, re-reading, taking notes and now even
taking pictures (I'm kinesthetic and visual) it's becoming clear to
me.
The whole three part question extravaganza that Pres helped me with on
SOS has made my life easier. In short, if you're someone without a
clue, help from others will give a starting point, inspiration and
support in your journey.
Halfpint


oh i also needed (and still do, because i make mistakes) the help of
others, i don't want to ever be cocky, LOL hey i remember my past
mistakes, and we're talking this past summer! ;p but i know what you
mean siepres about taking a style and making it your own. there's
place for both schools of thought. for example, i used to be wayy more
liberal with colors, ( i love vibrant/saturated colors) but i had to
hold back the reins when i realized they need to be supported with
neutrals.
Ileana




I don't really think that one can influence anyone else's personal
"style." However, anyone can learn techniques of wardrobe
management that work for any style.

What's really "no style" is following a certain type of "style"
No!
Do you hear me.
And adding nothing of one's own to it. That's not a personal style.
That's the tyranny of "I Give Up."

I hate to keep hammering this, but so much is having the right piece
that works for you, and then having the right support outfit to wear
with it. And, these right pieces move, move, move along.
Pres