I really wanted to like this book. Actually, I’m not sure that I’ve finalized my opinion about it. Let me share with you what I’ve found since I bought this, and you can make your own decisions.
CON:
- Price – 35 Euros. A book better be pretty amazing for that much money…
PRO:
- The book starts with the basic thesis of starting with twelve garments and building a full year of outfits from there. While the author plays quite fast and loose with the number twelve, the overall idea is one with which I’m in complete agreement.
CON:
- The twelve garments are really sixteen garments, and many of them aren’t terribly flattering to many women. A peacoat, or a classic trench, can be terribly difficult to wear.
PRO:
- The layout of the book is really unique – horizontal. I love people who try to do something difference.
CON:
- The layout of the book is horizontal – it’s awkward to read.
There are You Tube videos from the publisher about this book
PRO:
- Some of the garments chosen to accent the core basics are very simple – even as uncomplicated as a length of ribbon.
A menswear shirt is very useful in a basic wardrobe – but I don’t know about suspenders or a tie…
CON:
- Some of the garments chosen are completely outlandish, and would not be appropriate for most of us. Tee shirts with skulls?
This is not a really useful wardrobe except for very special occasions – it’s certainly not something that you’re going to wear for seven consecutive days in March…
PRO:
- The wardrobe basics with which the author works are a little bit out of the ordinary – two white skirts? I love the idea that these aren’t the usual boring basics.
White skirts and white jeans as part of a basic wardrobe – not what one usually finds in recommended capsule wardrobes.
CON:
- I don’t know how well-edited the French text is, but the captions on the graphics were often incorrect. At this price, a publisher has plenty of money to make sure that every character is perfect.
All this said, I’m glad I purchased the book because, from a blogger standpoint, it’s chock full of interesting ideas that I can develop here on The Vivienne Files. My approach to these themes will be quite different from what is in the book, but I will always have to give Ioannis Guia credit for sparking my imagination. Sometimes, the book itself isn’t necessarily what counts, as much as what happens in your brain!
Looking back:
May 17, 2012: A lovely wardrobe of Four by Four in Camel and Grey.
May 18, 2012: A wonderful summer wardrobe of Four by Four in Teal and Navy.
May 18, 2013: Making yesterday’s post work, with The Navy & Pink Common Wardrobe – with Navy & Pink accessories!
looks like the suspenders are worn backwards as a sort of tailored bondage holster. goes with the skulls tee.
I can't wait to see what you develop from the basics presented in this book. "…what happens in your brain." is usually pretty interesting and useful!
JoyceP
Interesting bit with the wide ribbon. An inexpensive way to dress something up and make it a little bohemian.
The basic point is that women amass way too many clothes and end up wearing only a fraction of what's in their closets. And yet I'm not sure it's because they don't know how get mileage from 12-18 basics. We just keep buying for many other reasons.
I agree with your comments about the Trench Coat – I am an inverted triangle so my shoulders are my widest part and is accentuated by this garment. I was shopping with a friend who said I should buy one and to prove my point to her I tried one on – she agreed that it makes me look like a wrestler!
Well, of course, no one is as brilliant at wardrobing as you. Your own book will transform the planet.
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I found this book incredibly inspiring! I actually bought this book and I was looking for people's opinion about it. I agree with what you said regarding the fact that not all the styles are appropriate for one single woman, but it helped me a lot rebuilding my new wardrobe!