I Don't Have a Thing to Wear : The Psychology of Your Closet

Rating:
Summary: lots of fluff, minimal content
Review: Few working women have enough spare time to wade through the silliness and fluff in this book. There are endless anecdotes (none of which I nor anyone I know could relate to), apparently in an effort to justify the price for such meager content. After threshing - and threshing is the right word - through the first five chapters in an effort to get to the FACTS that I could actually use, I finally decided the effort wasn't worth the return.

Rating:
Summary: A psychological aproach to clothes
Review: I would recomend this book to those women that have already bought or read other similar books like Leah Feldon's Does this make me look fat?. Brenda's Wardrobe Companion ; by Brenda Kinsel; The Fine Art of Dressing by Margaux Tartarotti or Looking Good by Nancy Nix-Rice. Women who already know what do they need, what suits them but still they cant put thogether a usefull wardrobe. This book can be a good help to them.

The real interest of the book lies in the psychological approach. The autors work with the idea that clothes are emotional stuff hence why you can buy clothes for a fabulous event when you lack a social life, or cheap clothes even if you can afford more expensive ones or "need" to go shopping even when youre broke, why you always seem to end buying things you dont like or need.

Some of the stuff is a bit un-original like parts on how to plan a wardrobe depending on how you spend yout time, how to find your fashion persona, if your clasic, natural.... some basic data on line, proportions (nothing to compare to Leah Feldon's Does this make me look fat?).
But some are original and intriguing ideas like how to find how do you relate to money and wealth, what are your spending habits, what kind os shopper you are, whats your self image and how it affects your shopping habits..

Rating:
Summary: A psychological aproach to clothes
Review: I would recomend this book to those women that have already bought or read other similar books like Leah Feldon's Does this make me look fat?. Brenda's Wardrobe Companion ; by Brenda Kinsel; The Fine Art of Dressing by Margaux Tartarotti or Looking Good by Nancy Nix-Rice. Women who already know what do they need, what suits them but still they cant put thogether a usefull wardrobe. This book can be a good help to them.

The real interest of the book lies in the psychological approach. The autors work with the idea that clothes are emotional stuff hence why you can buy clothes for a fabulous event when you lack a social life, or cheap clothes even if you can afford more expensive ones or "need" to go shopping even when youre broke, why you always seem to end buying things you dont like or need.

Some of the stuff is a bit un-original like parts on how to plan a wardrobe depending on how you spend yout time, how to find your fashion persona, if your clasic, natural.... some basic data on line, proportions (nothing to compare to Leah Feldon's Does this make me look fat?).
But some are original and intriguing ideas like how to find how do you relate to money and wealth, what are your spending habits, what kind os shopper you are, whats your self image and how it affects your shopping habits..

Rating:
Summary: Clean out your closet
Review: If you want to clean out your closet, this book will be helpful. I managed to get rid of quite a bit of useless clothes after reading this book. However, if you want a book to help you decide what you should be wearing this isn't the book for you.

It does have a section on deciding what your fashion style is and tips on what to wear for different body types. But, I came away from these sections with little truly useful information. The shopping section also seemed to be geared towards people who can shop for clothes every month or so and spend hundreds of dollars on each trip.

Get this book to clean out your closet and a different book to take shopping for your new clothes.

Rating:
Summary: You should see my closet now!
Review: My closet was a mish mash of clothing. There you would find the Liz blouse and skirt I wore to celebrate my nephew's birth 20 years ago. A tiny DKNY white jumper and see through mesh top that is cute but maybe a wee bit young for me now. A wonderful, classic pair of Ann Taylor navy blue pants with tags attached. (I never did lose the 5 pounds needed to get into them). Too many other clothing items that are a bit snug here or there and too uncomfortable to wear. A soft white snap up sweater that looks cozy but on closer inspection reminds me of the onesie outfits my children once wore. A red vest that is boring. A sweater with little balls decorating it that is last years news. You get the idea.

Yet it is hard to part with these things. You never know when the weight will drop off. The big shoulder pad look will come back in style. A fuzzy sweater will come in handy to lend to your mom when she vists. The red vest will cheer the residents of the nursing home up when you go there. The Smithsonian will want to display the first suit you ever wore.

And despite having all these goodies in your wardrobe, its hard to find anything to wear! That was my dilemma till I lucked into finding the book, "I Don't Have A Thing To Wear".

The book begins by having you describe your "circle of life". What activities do you do each day. I realized for example I had a dozen or so gorgeous beaded dresses hanging in my closet, but I hadn't gone to a very formal occasion in years.
Yet for lunching out with friends which I do fairly frequently I didn't have many pairs of nice slacks and usually resorted to dressing up my jeans.

Once you figure out what you do. You can then plan your closet so you have clothes to meet your needs. Judie and Jackie hold your hand as you clean your closet. Inspired by the pair, I was ruthless. Most of the beaded dresses set for the consignment shop, other garments for the women's shelter, some to charity, others earmarked for auction.

They also recommend hanging slacks on clipped hangers not folded. This tip alone had my closet looking sleeker in seconds.
By the time the dust had cleared, my closet had only wearable garments in it.

I also started a box with thin clothes. Clothes I loved but just did not fit and I did not want to part with. If they dont fit in 6 months they are gone.

After your closet purge, Judie and Jackie go on to tell you how to make a beeline for the clothes that will work for you in the stores by learning what clothes will suit your body proportions. Learning this will save you hours of time. They also teach you why you should shop from "the bottom up".

The authors also describe dressing styles, shopping on the internet tips, master plans and more.

Another excellent book on bringing your closet into harmony with your life is, "Simple Isn't Easy" by Amy Fine Collins and Olivia Goldsmith. But the Collins/Goldsmith book is out of print and pricey when you find it.
"I Don't Have A Thing To Wear" by Taggart and Walker is inexpensively priced and will do wonders for your wardrobe if you follow the advice.

The proof is in my closet!
Lee Mellott

Rating:
Summary: My girlfriend absolutely loved this book!
Review: My girlfriend, Erin, just received a signed copy of this book and she can't put it down. From the colorful text to the helpful and funny information, she just raves about it constantly. Not too long after first buying it, she decided to buy a book for her best friend, Lindsay. Although I know very little about fashion as a guy, the illustrations are very nice and it was fun to pick up and see how she answered the quizzes inside. It was also helpful to know what kind of fashion type she is. At around 10 dollars, you really can't miss by giving this gift to just about any woman you know. And I wish I had a nickel for each time I've heard a woman shout out the title of this book. A great value!