Stacy London The Truth About StyleAnyone who reads this book would retitle it, something along the lines of Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Stacy London, Especially Her Thoughts About Style.London, former co-host of What Not to Wear, begins with 12 pages about her childhood, from her early days of glamour to her battle with psoriasis in seventh and eighth grades (a time of agonizing peer criticism, I’m sure you’ll remember). By the way, her silver streak of hair dates from that time. Later London tells more about her eating disorders and her career in style magazines, which led her to What Not to Wear.The purpose of the book is to encourage women to feel confident about themselves, with personal style as one step in reaching happiness. London chose nine women to help in this project. Each chapter begins with a “before” photo of the woman, along with her application letter. [I’ll bet those were revised or invented.] Then Stacy explains why she chose this woman: eating disorders, relationship disasters, midlife crisis, professional goals. London goes on to describe how she relates to this woman’s issue, and she offers encouragement. The “style” aspect is rather limited. Almost every chapter offers the same advice: Buy well-made clothes that fit well. Have clothes altered. Wear high heels to look confident and to make yourself stand up straight. Wear statement accessories. Each chapter closes with an “after” photo, facing a page that explains “Why This Works.”At the end of the book, London provides a shopping guide that lists dozens of stores and brands to try, as well as credits for the specific items shown in the book.Summary: The Truth About Style is more about confidence than about fashion. You never would have found my nose buried in a fashion magazine growing up, but at some point I began watching "What Not to Wear". That changed my view on clothes. I like that Stacy London clarifies in this book the difference between "fashion" and "style". It's less about keeping up with the fashion Joneses and more about learning what looks right (and flattering) on your body. How many times do we go to the grocery store and see people in sweats and stained t-shirts or jeans and flip flops? How many times do WE dress like that in public? GUILTY. How refreshing is it to see someone wearing a sundress and wedge shoes or a fun scarf, dark wash jeans and pumps? Goodness, I cannot believe I'm talking like this right now. But it's true. I feel more confident when I dress better; more intentionally. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and London's approach to helping the everyday woman dress her best.
What do You think about The Truth About Style (2012)?
Average. 2.5 really. The concept good and valid but no really new information.
—Maddz
Answered some philosophical questions about fashion for me.
—Torii
A little style. A WHOLE LOT of Stacy Longdon.
—Bel
