Preface

Authors Note

would

change

them,

adding

watch him leave for work in that

father would change back into his

played

lacrosse

and

they

all

worn again. I decided to hold my

in

white

linen

who

shunned

change your life. So maybe its not a

and

Ambien-aided

flights!oh,

Chapter One

BE YOUR OWN MUSE

the one in the interesting shirt and

else, or wanting to be thinner,

cut

T-shirt.

When

woman

Even (or especially) in the face of

the one thing that you can fake and

you

feel

much

more

spotlight

a large part of a womans character

yes,

even

intelligent.

Very

Chapter Two

THE BASICS

holds you accountable to yourself at

have seen, and I just have to find

there

are

few

very

basic

TO BUY WITH DRAMA.

She goes

And that is style.

and twenty of them are unremarkable. Pick out those key

American closets. I

THROW OUT WHAT YOU

DONT

deal. But if you are never

comfortable.

feel good about yourself. Your

buy the trendy versionsthese are

legend has it that Coco Chanel

a good hotel (Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman).

white shirt has endured decade

everythingjeans, trousers, skirts.

over became sweater girls too.

serviceable in all weather; the

walking along the

Denim

The jean made the ball gown seem

War I, when the soldiers realized

THE TEST OF TIME:

In the

budget.

knows who invented the high heel.

Every

woman

should

1900s. Before that only men carried

but also crazy, affordable prices.

drama. Buying with drama usually

style to wear it. But maybe Im the

sales, but find that dress.

world have that much power? I dont

their reputation, among them:

see fashionistas who are a size 7 try

I did not have three

Really, what else can you ask for in

(around her neck, her hat, her head,

you are.

him well. A good tailor is one of the

Before you go to the

make anything you want. If

job first.

and doesnt make you look like a

proudly tell you; Prada, Gucci,

lovely too. Three trends and we start

a cheap thrill can be. Kate Moss

it, haggle for it. A general rule

dinner

party

one

night,

this

not fit conveniently

rules. Every time I see a girl who

Chapter Three

INSPIRATIONS

to be. You must know this first, and

and made them into high fashion.

source of inspirationnature, art,

complicated: the white shirt, the

downstairs in that glass elevator, tell

way) and Steve McQueen play an

that bathroom floor with blood

wear whatever they like; nobody is

ensnares

nerdy

SETTING:

Long

Island,

collarbones.

All

the

Grace Kelly in that white

carries herself throughout

photographer

(Fred

descends the stairs in that

STYLE:

Accessorizing the

Sharif) falls in love with a

charge.

Every scene could make a

J e n n y : Youre

gonna

Buchanan (Mia Farrow).

fashion designer and a top

A neurotic comedian (Woody Allen)

SYNOPSIS:

highest-paid

male

coke-head sunglasses, the

Amazing.

dresses, the 1950s heels,

In the early nineties,

had my first internship at Perry Ellis

List

was buy clothes.

Ive always taken risks,

Dont

compromise

lot of female images that I

wore combat boots and

out of tacky Woolworth

pants, velvet jackets, silk

Im not chic. I could

MADONNA

carefully planned stylistic

contagious!

odd way, it was the only

globe-trot, so I trotted along too. My

presentation, but a matter

are

the

consummate

eat the kimono.

exquisite veils, is as much

head

wraps,

luminous

women were liberated from

store, this is the time to buy

and the Louvre, but they are also found on graffitied walls and old

SALVADOR DAL AND SCHIAPARELLI

ELSA

perfectly clear to her; for

her.

the

collection

has

his

sunflowers,

his

monogram pattern. They

pink and yellow flowers

Chapter Four

WHAT TO WEAR WHEN!

Know, first, who you

wear

fabulous

jewelry,

wear

killer

high

heels,

your

funkier

But not for you. Someone

is

was out of place. She looked as if

light trench or jacket and a nice,

disaster, at least you will feel happy.

My mother is going to love you. Ha.

Wide-leg trousers, yes. Shredded

The low-cut shirt, fishnet stockings,

influential

women

in

fashion

bra. But a leopard print or lacy bra

design for these three items is best.

not about the money.) Then add a

the bride. Most important, you have

Summer weekends are

a distinct pattern, a standout collar, oversize buttonsanything thats

for cheap) or alpaca (which most

fancy

or

exorbitantly

expensive

wobble!). Dont be afraid to spend

snowstorm and they wont say a

Chapter Five

INSIDER TIPS AND TRICKS

It started as a little wrap top

A: You have to figure out

dress for a party?

Q: How do you recognize if

The confidence to wear

wear

late-eighties

taste and will be passed

Goldwyns.

Tatiana

Q: What is the biggest mistake women make

and Kate Moss.

A: One should always

dont, dont even try. If you

never upstage the bride.

European womens style?

size. Experiment with color

high/cowboy/motorcycle

my choice in clothes.

and

makeup)

is

A: The secret to wearing

around it first. Fantastical

a look work for you.

is

all

about.

Diana

A: Nothing too sexy or

A: Brown crocodile stiletto

woman you know?

piece of clothing?

like to compare the lines,

and

successful

integral part of a collection

Enough is never enough

Q:

What

do

you

find

indulging your desiresin

Fewer seams indicate a

because its a luxury item,

These are the hallmarks of

white shirt, it is the way

makes it so special.

ageless.

wearing color?

something special

Q: Tips for how to dress on

time

to

change

their

and passions. It is nearly

innate

femininity,

these

woman have in her closet?

English

shoes,

and

on drama and the red carpet

wear to a black tie?

dress,

unless

it's

bold,

or

delicate,

inspiration

for

your

adorned with unbelievable

jewels together and looked

A: Its a green light for

gorgeous in.

return it!

people who just have

bride makes? A: I think the worst mistake

natural makeup looks best.

to be true to themselves.

little black dress is a must-

the beach, walking down

oneself, and intelligence.

choose Cate Blanchett, a

crystals and semi-precious

Chapter Six

FASHION CLIFFS NOTES,

THE NAMES TO KNOW:

for women

CHANELreturns,

bucks The

PIERRE CARDINthe

first ready-

pop art jackets

AZZEDINE

ALAAsexy

and

elegant

variations

on

the

grunge

Demeulemeester (mixing of

brings

back femininity and

A Few Thoughts!

But they are often the savviest,

Acknowledgments

gracious support and participation,

About the Authors

Credits

Copyright

permission

of

HarperCollins

e-

About the Publisher

United Kingdom

Copyright