The ELLEments of Personal Style: 25 Modern Fashion Icons on How to Dress, Shop, and Live

To be honest, I was very disappointed. I expected to learn something new and interesting but instead I found another celebrity list: 25 famous women and their short style bios. The list contains Fergie, Diane Von Furstenberg, Angelica Huston, Candace Bushnell, Christina Hendricks, Milla Jovovich and 20 more (some of which I am not familiar with), all of whom are either models, actresses, novelists or stylists. There were a few pages dedicated to each, containing either short style bio or short interview, "inspirational board", and one article of clothing most important to them (for instance for Diane von Furstenberg it was a wrap dress and for Angelica Huston it was a pearl necklace). I admit, it was fun to read about one or two that I, personally, admire, like Diane Von Furstenberg, but other than that it was a bore. The photos were nice but that's about it. In my opinion the book was too subjective. if you want to learn from one of the women of style, get "I love your style" by Amanda Brooks.

The Gospel According to Coco Chanel: Life Lessons from the World's MostElegant Woman

gospel_chanel
Originally uploaded by capoeirawardrobe

You will enjoy this one if you are a fan of Chanel and are interested to know more than just about fashion side of Chanel's life. I have purchased this book after watching the movie "Coco before Chanel" and found out many interesting facts about Chanel's biography. It was very enlightening to find out exactly how Chanel developed her style by simpy accomodating her needs. It was fascinating to find out that she came up with idea of belted cardigan simply by not wanting to put on a pullover lended to her by a boyfriend over her head. She had a hat on and she didn't want to go through the trouble of taking the hat off and messing up her hair, so she cut the pullover open, put it on and tied a belt around it.

I found out a lot interesting facts not only about Chanel's style, but also her personality and her social life. I would highly recommend this book.

P.S. This book somehow reminded me of "I love your style" by Amanda Brooks, which I absolutely LOVED. I prefer books on style that do not force things upon youor force you to choose a "category" for your personal style, but instead help you to discover your individual style by showing you how others have developed theirs

I love your style

At first glance the book might seem a bit subjective. Like one of the reviewers has said it's all about ME. I went to the book store after reading the reviews and got the same impression after flipping through the pages of the book for the first time but I ordered it anyway for entertainment purposes. I mean, if I am willing to read someone's memoirs or biography about their life or work accomplishments, why not read someone's fashion history. Especially someone as stylish as Amanda Brooks.

But I have to say, the book turned out to be much more than I expected and I did pick up plenty of insirations from there.



Especially i enjoyed the part where Amanda gives advice on how to find your style. Some find it irritating how often Amanda changed her look and style, but isn't it the best way to find who you really are? How can you ever truly know unless you've tried nearly everything outthere? For some style comes naturally, during the first couple of decades of life, but for others it takes a lot of soul searching and a lot of changes.

Amanda recommends go through books and magazines and make cut outs of what you found the most appealing. Out of those images one can create a fashion book where you could see how your style and taste evolves over time. Will you like the same thing a year from now, 5 years from now etc.

According to Amanda, there are 6 style types, 3 definable: Classic, Bohemian, and Minimal and 3 undefinable: High Fashion, Street, and Eclectic. She describes different periods of her life when she identified with each one of the above, illustrating it with photoes of herself, people she knew and various celebrities, whom, she believed, reflected particular style the best.

I wouldn't say it's a story of Amanda's life, more like a guide to finding your own style, illustrated by exaples from her life and her experiences.

Last part of the book talks about types of shopping: Basic, cheap Chic, Designer and Vintage. Unlike other books, this book tells us that our basics do not have to be classic, but more of a reflection of our particular style. If basic item is a t-shirt, it does not have to be classic black or white t-shirt, it could be ripped or torn etc., whatever suits one's particular style and personality.

I must say, I really enjoyed this book and will definitely keep it in my style library.