Wear This, Toss That!: Hundreds of Fashion and Beauty Swaps That Save Your Looks, Save Your Budget, and Save You Time

by Amy E. Goodman

It costs us not to look our best!Dressing poorly costs us interviews, first impressions, money . . . and a whole lot more. But you can look good all the time, asserts Amy E. Goodman, the magazine maven and style expert who’s a regular on NBC’s Today show. Her one-stop fashion and beauty book cuts through the information overload to teach you how to dress to impress whatever your age, lifestyle, or size—while staying true to yourself and your budget.Who can afford clothes and makeup that don’t fit or flatter? Since every piece needs to count, Amy uses snappy, clear comparisons to show how to regain control of your wardrobe and beauty shelf by simplifying your choices. Cleverly organized like a woman’s closet, wear this, toss that! outlines the 30 pieces of clothing and 30 accessories plus beauty basics every woman must own . Then Amy builds beyond the essentials, walking you through your closet, rack by rack, shelf by shelf, and drawer by drawer, telling you what to wear and what to toss. By sorting through the items you already have and taking inventory of what you need, you can build upon what you own and finally create the winning total look you’ve always dreamed of!Amy provides immediate style answers for real 700 wear/toss items Over 1,000 product suggestions You-heard-it-here-first steals and deals On-sale items to avoid regardless of price Styling tips for every body type The ultimate shoe you’ll never question which footwear is right again! 24 “save-me” products to rescue you from any fashion emergencyFilled with candid tips from pro stylists and designers, along with Amy’s unfiltered guidance, wear this, toss that! will inspire you to invest in yourself, shake off the wardrobe blahs, and wake up your looks from head to toe.Step into your closet. Do you A ruffled tank that sweetly frames your faceor a blouse with overpowering ruffles?A long cardigan that graces over your curves or a super drapey wrap that resembles a blanket?A pencil skirt that lands just above your knees or a bell skirt that bunches at your middle?A cropped, straight-leg pant with a flat front or wrinkled, baggy cargo pants?A shade of red lipstick that says “bombshell” or one that’s says “I’m trying too hard”?If any of these questions make you cringe, then wear this, toss that! is your go-to guide. It’s for women of any size, age, or lifestyle who realize they just don’t like the clothes, accessories, or makeup they’re wearing and want to make a change. Almost instantly you’ll learn what works, what’s got to go, and why.

Genres: Nonfiction, Fashion, Reference

224 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 22, 2011

Reviews

[Kristin (Kritters Ramblings) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an excellent book to read and keep on hand - this is definitely one I am putting on the keep shelf. Although I am pretty good, not excellent, but pretty good and getting rid of clothes that haven't been worn in awhile; I am terrible about the amount of clothes that come in the door (no comment from the peanut gallery). I find something that fits and I assume that I will never see it again, so I order 3 more in different colors or just 3 more. So, I must admit that my closet could use some tossing - especially now that police uniforms are on their way, a little stressed.

Ok, to review the book and not my closet. A great go to book to determine what should stay and what should be evicted from the closet. I skimmed through the parts that I may already have a handle on, but I spent a lot of time on the beauty section. Sweet and concise, the beauty section was a great overview of what products could be added to your shelf and routine and would could be deleted. Then the accessories, a great section that would help any woman pair down or amp up what they use to beef up their wardrobe and a particular outfit. All in all, this book definitely helped set priorities in my closet and made me want to sit down in it and evaluate the situation.

A purchase for anyone graduating college and heading into the work world or may be in a style or closet rut. I think everyone could grab a tip or idea from this book.

[Gwen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was so excited when I grabbed this book from the library—I thought it was going to be a book-length version of two of my favorite fashion/clothing blogs, Already Pretty and J's Everyday Fashion. And for a short while, it was. The author explained different clothing styles (pant leg types, collar types, etc.) and what kind of shape looks best in each type. But then it quickly slid into product shilling (SO MUCH PRODUCT PLACEMENT!) and beauty/makeup tips, which were not at all as helpful. Skincare and haircare depend so much on the individual that devoting half the book to hair and beauty products felt like a waste of time. Also, I wish the author would have used different models—ones that actually looked like real people, not ones that look so much like, well, models. It makes it exceptionally hard to visualize what your decidedly not model-esque self would look like in a clothing style when the picture, regardless of outfit, is of the idealized American beauty.

The best sections of the book were on accessories: shoes, belts, and bags. The advice seemed timeless and actually practical.

[Gayle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been on a 'purge my closet' marathon and this book was an incredible resource for streamlining my dresser drawers. I feel a lot more confident about what I have to wear now. Great photos show you samples of what to keep and what to 'lose'. There's also a section on makeup and hair care. This is actually going on my 'buy' list as a reference for the future. Definitely recomment for anyone who needs guidance on how to organize a closet or focus on developing a professional image for work and home fashion.

[Becki]

Synopsis from Borders.com: From the shopping expert of NBC's 'Today' comes an accessible fashion guide for every woman that offers advice on fashion and beauty swaps that can save her looks, her budget, and her time.\nI enjoyed reading this book. It was easy to read and to even find the particular area or clothing category you wanted more information about. The pictures were great, and I was entertained by the fact that in a lot of the �toss� pictures for pants, skirts, dresses, etc., the models were wearing the exact same �don�t wear� shoes. Guess it took them a lot to get the message. ?\nMy only hesitation about the book is that there were some things that seemed contradictory to each other. So then I was confused. Also, I definitely think it should be used more as a reference book rather than reading straight through like I did. I was pretty done with it all by the time I got to makeup and hair products.\nStill, worth checking out and heeding the advice off. Especially if you like What Not to Wear but can�t get anyone to nominate you for it. \n

[Lizette · Rating 4 out of 5]

After spending more than a decade at home, obviously my "career" clothes are long gone and were replaced by easy care clothes. I've re-entered the corporate world with a new body and Mommy clothes. Amy's guidance has been invaluable in re-assessing my needs and addressing my new, curvier body. I now have a list of my wardrobe "save me"s and I will actually have to spend a lot less in my new professional wardrobe because I have realized I can re-purpose some of my Mommy clothes into my next phase, and I will look just fine. A must read for anybody entering the corporate world for the first, second, or third time.

[Clare · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another kick in the butt for me. Jennifer, this book is helping me NOT look frumpy. That sweater is going in the trash now!

This book is not realistic for stay at home moms.I need two dresses? What about nursing? If I was working outside the home, I'd like it, but it's simply not practical. I really wanted her advice on fashionable work out clothes as well, but she never gave it. The visuals of this book are great though, and I recognized April from America's Next Top Model as one of the models.

[Elizabeth Grey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Perhaps it's just my current economic situation, but I didn't like this book. Yes, I realize that most of my clothes are a poor fit, but I have no need for formal wear, business suits, and it did not address poor weather wear. Perhaps someone could write a fashion guide for those of us that live in fly over states?

[Ginger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worth borrowing from the library but not buying. The fashion advice isn't by body type and because of its on-trend emphasis will date quickly; the makeup advice is for the woman willing to make a significant time and money investment in her cosmetic drawer. The best section is the accessories, which gives style advice by height and proportion and rise for handbags and belts.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did some good ideas for things in this but as a stay-at-home mom there were not a lot of ideas that I could use in my every day outfits. I would love to see someone write a book for us stay-at-moms that could help us get out of the frumpiness we tend to allow ourselves to fall into and not give us a ton of work or going out ideas that are not useful in our every day lives.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished packing up the third bag to go to Goodwill! This book was instrumental in pushing me to get rid of all those clothes that I really don't wear anyway!

[Deborah Carter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave it three stars because I’m sure it would be good advice for a certain type of woman, but there wasn’t a lot of advice I felt I could relate to - especially from the chapters on fashion.
If the reader is American and conservative (and possibly based in the mid-west) you’ll find this book useful - but only for the next 3 or 4 years.

[Korie Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fun read, but ultimately a list of recommended products and styles that may or may not be findable.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some good advice; too many commercials for products

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great direct info that is classic, not tready.

[Laurel Flynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is copyright 2011? Really?
This is just another book about a certain type of business and lifestyle uniform for a certain type of woman. All the "wear this" example women are smiling and posing; the "toss that" example women are stone-faced, the body language says they are unhappy and the clothes often don't fit. I also do not always agree with Goodman. Her skirts are too short and tight, clothes tailored when they don't need to be and guaranteed to turn out a clone - no individual looks here. A polyester suit? Fashion coats? You need good fabrics and function, not chintzy artificial fibers and outerwear you can't fit over much. It's a wonder Goodman doesn't freeze to death.
There are some nice outfits and some good advice in here, if you're thin and have access to good-quality classics. But she has no idea what older women or larger women wear or look good in and this book is going to get dated quickly - some styles she advocates are already passe.
There are much better books for women looking for style ideas. Find something for your body and needs and let this one go.

[Susan B · Rating 2 out of 5]

I started reading this word for word, but ended up skimming. Really, everything the author shares is what I already knew or could see on the models pictured. Also, quite obvious - the 'wear' models are always smiling and happy; the 'toss' models never smile and look quite grim. I suppose if you're just starting to develop your fashion sense, and/or have none to begin with, it might be helpful. Otherwise, save your money.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have to wonder if the author got $$ for all the plugs in the book. She lists a lot of members only sale sites. Even with setting that aside, the book is still not very helpful. Rather than helping the reader to know what classic pieces would complement their body type/colouring/etc., she lists trends that we should invest in. Consequently, the book will be dated in no time.

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I do not think of myself as a fashionista by any stretch, even I was beyond the common sense approach to styling in this book. If the "toss" section items are still in your wardrobe, you'll likely not a candidate for this book ... and if you are emotionally attached to a lot of items, you'll find it just as hard to let go with or without Amy's advice.

[Thomasin Propson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the side by side "this is fashionable, this is ugly" photos because I need that level of handholding, but I agree with other reviewers that much if the fashion advice is "on trend," which means in a blink the fashionable pics are going to be the ugly ones. Still, a good one to page through.

[Angela Good · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helped me to know what I really should have in my closet. And Amy reconfirms that I should not buy clothing unless I absolutely love it. Why have a closet full of clothes and only a few outfits that I wear over and over again??? Stop the insanity. :)

[RF · Rating 4 out of 5]

very practical guide full of pictures. helped me do some closet purging.

[joy *the clean-reader extraordinaire* · Rating 1 out of 5]

absolutely heinous
arbitrary & ridiculous distinctions
with hideous proposed outfits
almost makes me wonder if it's a spoof.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It is fun to take a look into the closet and see what really can be thrown out. I've done a few Goodwill trips since finishing this one!

[Nohreen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I need to go through my full closet full of nothing-to-wear clothes. :)

[Mckinley · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok, but her examples are soooo obvious

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were some good tips, but overall I didn't think it was organized in a user-friendly way.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I gleaned a few good tips, but most of the book doesn't really apply to me.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good of you need a second opinion on what to toss. I added makeup tips in my private notes.

[Rachel]

Meh, I more just skimmed it.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't read all of it, basically just scanned the contents. Not that helpful