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Very Classy
Derek Blasberg is back with more brilliant commentary on what makes a lady truly classy. With all the razor-sharp insights of Classy plus new, never-before-seen pages packed with Derek's signature wit and timeless tips, VeryClassy is the best - and the only - resource for the up-to-the minute, modern young woman.
Today's fast-maturing youth culture is confounded by a whole slew of classy conundrums. Like, "Is a funeral an acceptable place to meet a guy?" (No, the point of a funeral is to ponder how someone has touched your life, not how you hope someone is going to touch you later that night). And, "Should I wear my Wonderbra to the gym?" (No! Gyms are for exercise, not cleavage.)
Even if you're so confident, you've been attracting guys like a honey-dipped man magnet for years - VeryClassy still has something for you. This illustrated volume is packed with advice for the girl who doesn't want to be a Relationship Chameleon, the girl who understands that skinny fat is worse than just plain fat, and the girl who needs a little help discovering the silver lining of a hangover. Very Classy is the ultimate guide for discerning this generationÕs ladies from the tramps.
Today's fast-maturing youth culture is confounded by a whole slew of classy conundrums. Like, "Is a funeral an acceptable place to meet a guy?" (No, the point of a funeral is to ponder how someone has touched your life, not how you hope someone is going to touch you later that night). And, "Should I wear my Wonderbra to the gym?" (No! Gyms are for exercise, not cleavage.)
Even if you're so confident, you've been attracting guys like a honey-dipped man magnet for years - VeryClassy still has something for you. This illustrated volume is packed with advice for the girl who doesn't want to be a Relationship Chameleon, the girl who understands that skinny fat is worse than just plain fat, and the girl who needs a little help discovering the silver lining of a hangover. Very Classy is the ultimate guide for discerning this generationÕs ladies from the tramps.
320 pages, Paperback
First published October 13, 2011
36 people are currently reading
723 people want to read
About the author
Derek Blasberg
9 books22 followersAn American fashion writer, editor and New York Times bestselling author. He is the Editor-at-Large of Harper’s Bazaar and Vmagazine and VMAN, publications for women and men, respectively. Blasberg currently lives in New York City with a dachshund named Monster.
Blasberg was born in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of Carol and William Blasberg, and has a brother named Christopher.
After graduating as salutatorian of Affton High School’s class of 2000, he moved to New York City to attend New York University. He graduated with honors in Dramatic Literature and Journalism in 2004. His first job was as an assistant at Vogue.
Blasberg is currently the Editor-at-Large of Harper’s Bazaar, where he profiles the likes of Lady Gaga, Tom Ford, and Daphne Guinness. In addition, he is the editor-at-large of Vmagazine and VMAN, the women's and men's publications, respectively, of arts collective Visionaire. He is also the founder of www.MrBlasberg.com, a website from the NowManifest and Fairchild media groups.
In his career, Blasberg has contributed articles to a variety of publications, including numerous international editions of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, W, Womens Wear Daily, WSJ., the New York Times, Teen Vogue, the London Sunday Times, Elle, 10, and Another Magazine. From 2006 to 2010, Blasberg was the Editor-at-Large of Style.com, where he wrote a column called The Blasblog. From 2009 to 2012, he kept a column called Fast + Louche for Interview magazine.
In 2008, Blasberg edited Influence, a fashion and art tome conceived by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. He has since contributed texts and written forwards to several other books and literary projects in the fashion and art spheres. He served as coauthor to several of the New York City editions of the Louis Vuitton Travel Guides.
Blasberg was born in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of Carol and William Blasberg, and has a brother named Christopher.
After graduating as salutatorian of Affton High School’s class of 2000, he moved to New York City to attend New York University. He graduated with honors in Dramatic Literature and Journalism in 2004. His first job was as an assistant at Vogue.
Blasberg is currently the Editor-at-Large of Harper’s Bazaar, where he profiles the likes of Lady Gaga, Tom Ford, and Daphne Guinness. In addition, he is the editor-at-large of Vmagazine and VMAN, the women's and men's publications, respectively, of arts collective Visionaire. He is also the founder of www.MrBlasberg.com, a website from the NowManifest and Fairchild media groups.
In his career, Blasberg has contributed articles to a variety of publications, including numerous international editions of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, W, Womens Wear Daily, WSJ., the New York Times, Teen Vogue, the London Sunday Times, Elle, 10, and Another Magazine. From 2006 to 2010, Blasberg was the Editor-at-Large of Style.com, where he wrote a column called The Blasblog. From 2009 to 2012, he kept a column called Fast + Louche for Interview magazine.
In 2008, Blasberg edited Influence, a fashion and art tome conceived by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. He has since contributed texts and written forwards to several other books and literary projects in the fashion and art spheres. He served as coauthor to several of the New York City editions of the Louis Vuitton Travel Guides.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
July 6, 2014
This book was great, but a little misleading I have to say. I thought it was going to be a whole differnt book with all new advice, but turns out all it is is the original Classy with a few extra chapters. Not really worth 18 dollars if you ask me. Still funny and informative, though:)
May 25, 2016
I liked this book in the form of Classy and have bought Classy but used it mainly to skim through, and this is basically an expanded version i.e. with more chapters on different topics. I am not the sort of person who can finish a book if I find it boring. However, I read Very Classy from beginning to end and plan to use the end sections again on artists, fictional characters, films, documentaries, plays, and poetry to know because I love to learn. The quizzes were light relief from the information, and it is good that there are a lot of photographs and some illustrations throughout to break up the text. Because I was reading the book with an eye to applying it to my own life I found it slow reading as I was trying to absorb it all. I only begged to differ from Derek Blasberg's commentary on a few small points. I couldn't care less if people want to eat the worms in their tequila (mescal) shots or wear crop tops or dress for sleep on a long-haul flight or in ugg boots. I wouldn't classify them as skanky, just a little eccentric and probably a nice sort of person. I'm not that image conscious that dressing up for a workout would motivate me, I wouldn't bring my dog to someone else's house no matter how cute, and if people are chronically depressed I recommend considering antidepressants rather than considering it frivolous. And a lot of this book is just restating things I already knew and try to do or are commonsense, particularly the newly added chapters. There are also a few spelling errors, but not enough to distract from the text where spellcheck was either ignored or not used correctly or at all.
The author is quite charming albeit very image conscious and even a little vain, which can be forgiven. He likes to promote his book by the use of mentioning and showing photographs of his famous friends (name dropping?) but his own photographic ability seems quite good, if he has taken those photos with his copyright and it's interesting stuff if voyeuristic. If you like a little insight into the life of others, all the better. The decorations in his home are a little self referential and I got the idea they were to boost his ego or impress others, even though he claims to dislike such narcissistic decor. The playlists weren't written by him and aren't very inspired. My favourite part of the book is the first hundred or so pages which are more etiquette based rather than the lifestyle sections in which he can be a little judgemental of people who are not privileged like him either mentally, physically, or financially. People from a socially disadvantaged background could feel a little left out in the recommendations, for instance I can't afford air travel as a disability pensioner and am a carer so can't travel away anyway without compromising my partner's wellbeing. And my chronic fatigue syndrome prevents me from working out at the gym or keeping the house dust-free and tidy, so I did feel he was a little out of touch with the common person for instance by recommending travelling coach to save money (I wouldn't consider any other option). My clutter problem is more related to being ill than being a slob, and the same with my exercise programme (I try but get extremely fatigued just doing tai chi once a week which knocks me around for a couple of days). I feel sorry for readers who have OCD or eating disorders who may feel unfairly judged. However, the book is on lovely thick paper and well spaced and presented with good photographs and line drawings, 99% of the advice he offers is good solid advice, I found his tone generally endearing and he seems the sort of person who would make a good GBF (Gay Best Friend).
The author is quite charming albeit very image conscious and even a little vain, which can be forgiven. He likes to promote his book by the use of mentioning and showing photographs of his famous friends (name dropping?) but his own photographic ability seems quite good, if he has taken those photos with his copyright and it's interesting stuff if voyeuristic. If you like a little insight into the life of others, all the better. The decorations in his home are a little self referential and I got the idea they were to boost his ego or impress others, even though he claims to dislike such narcissistic decor. The playlists weren't written by him and aren't very inspired. My favourite part of the book is the first hundred or so pages which are more etiquette based rather than the lifestyle sections in which he can be a little judgemental of people who are not privileged like him either mentally, physically, or financially. People from a socially disadvantaged background could feel a little left out in the recommendations, for instance I can't afford air travel as a disability pensioner and am a carer so can't travel away anyway without compromising my partner's wellbeing. And my chronic fatigue syndrome prevents me from working out at the gym or keeping the house dust-free and tidy, so I did feel he was a little out of touch with the common person for instance by recommending travelling coach to save money (I wouldn't consider any other option). My clutter problem is more related to being ill than being a slob, and the same with my exercise programme (I try but get extremely fatigued just doing tai chi once a week which knocks me around for a couple of days). I feel sorry for readers who have OCD or eating disorders who may feel unfairly judged. However, the book is on lovely thick paper and well spaced and presented with good photographs and line drawings, 99% of the advice he offers is good solid advice, I found his tone generally endearing and he seems the sort of person who would make a good GBF (Gay Best Friend).
September 14, 2012
This book is great and not preachy at all.
September 11, 2012
I can honestly say that I've enjoyed this book from the moment I opened it!! It adds spice and a new twist to the age-old definition of "classy". It's easy to relate to because it was written in moderns times, but also emphasizes that 'class has no age' (not a quote from the book). As a teen, it's a relief to have good standards to live by. I really love being able to see how many famous people in history (and present) I have qualities in common with. **The mini surveys inside add some humor and fun to the already amazing book! This book does mention etiquette a lot, but is NOT an etiquette book. I recommend this book to all young women and anyone who isn't easily offended!!
January 10, 2013
What a disappointment. A book I had to force myself to finish only because I can't stand to not finish a book once I've started it. Very hard to take seriously because there were numerous errors in spelling, grammar, and paragraphs were doubled or used twice or even more throughout the book. It is as if nobody even read it before it was published and put on shelves to be sold. Some parts were funny and insightful, but for the most part it was idiotic with (not so subtle) jabs at celebrities who the author clearly does not get along with. Not worth the read, don't even start it.
August 14, 2015
This book actually filled me with rage. Hated it!
February 3, 2018
Bought this book in a thrift shop in Michigan. Seriously thought this was parody when I picked it up. Thought it would be a scathing assessment of the "ideal woman" expectation. It wasn't. Not only was it full of spelling and grammatical errors (come on, you HAVE an editor), but it was about as deep as a puddle. some highlights:
1. What to wear at the airport. Derek picks literally the most complicated outfit as the "classy" ideal. Knee-high boots. Derek wants you to be the douche canoe who spends like an hour undressing in the TSA line. Even suggests bracelets and a watch. Oh, and a blazer. All this while mocking the women who dress down because... they are tired. How dare you be TIRED at an airport??!?! Derek, we working peasants are tired.
2. This book must set some record for celebrity name (and face) dropping. Kate Bosworth, the cast of Gossip Girl, Chlöe Sevigny, the Olsen Twins, and on and on. I highly doubt gratuitously dropping names is "classy".
3. All this advice is geared towards not having a job and having an obscene amount of money. I doubt his audience does. Great advice for the celebrities in the book.
4. It's just plain unrealistic and dated. Women aren't here for men or other people. This felt like an article from 1959.
Frankly, the author is so enamored with himself and his A through D list friends that he doesn't have cohesive message beyond, "be my idea of a lady, dammit!"
Another game of thrift store read roulette lost.
1. What to wear at the airport. Derek picks literally the most complicated outfit as the "classy" ideal. Knee-high boots. Derek wants you to be the douche canoe who spends like an hour undressing in the TSA line. Even suggests bracelets and a watch. Oh, and a blazer. All this while mocking the women who dress down because... they are tired. How dare you be TIRED at an airport??!?! Derek, we working peasants are tired.
2. This book must set some record for celebrity name (and face) dropping. Kate Bosworth, the cast of Gossip Girl, Chlöe Sevigny, the Olsen Twins, and on and on. I highly doubt gratuitously dropping names is "classy".
3. All this advice is geared towards not having a job and having an obscene amount of money. I doubt his audience does. Great advice for the celebrities in the book.
4. It's just plain unrealistic and dated. Women aren't here for men or other people. This felt like an article from 1959.
Frankly, the author is so enamored with himself and his A through D list friends that he doesn't have cohesive message beyond, "be my idea of a lady, dammit!"
Another game of thrift store read roulette lost.
March 31, 2020
Lovely, for una adolescente que empieza a adentrarse en el mundo de la juventud.
Muy gráfico - algo que adoro - con un final de Q&A entre el autor y los lectores, ya que es su segunda edición.
Un manual moderno sobre que cosas sí hacer, y que no, para ser una dama de sociedad.
De momentos irónicos, de momentos interesante, de momentos consejos de amigos, de diálogos que parece de nuestros padres.
Super recomendable para tener en tu mesa de luz, y refrescar cuando haya tiempo extra para tener unos minutos a solas.
Muy gráfico - algo que adoro - con un final de Q&A entre el autor y los lectores, ya que es su segunda edición.
Un manual moderno sobre que cosas sí hacer, y que no, para ser una dama de sociedad.
De momentos irónicos, de momentos interesante, de momentos consejos de amigos, de diálogos que parece de nuestros padres.
Super recomendable para tener en tu mesa de luz, y refrescar cuando haya tiempo extra para tener unos minutos a solas.
March 18, 2018
Modern & more edgy Miss (Mr) Manners. Practical advice for coming into adulthood and updated advice on being a courteous guest, employee and friend. To summarize: How to grow up, but still have fun. This would have been more valuable in my earlier years, but I’m sure I would have declared it sexist BS & not read it. So, I guess now in my 4th decade it was my time to be open to a modern take on etiquette.
May 24, 2018
I would have appreciated this book much more if I’d read it at 18-22 years old. It has some good tips and interesting references and quotes, but the writing is a bit exaggerated and some of the advice was obvious.
July 24, 2024
Very gossip girl coded. Made me realize im not very lady like. Will be improving. Also want to move to nyc now.
January 28, 2017
You must pick up this book knowing that it instructs you on how to be Blasberg's definition of 'classy'. Yes, women can do and wear whatever they please in this day and age, but if you don't want to be told how to behave don't buy a book on etiquette.
Blasberg is unashamedly vain and drops the names of his celebrity friends where ever he can. While this is understandably annoying to some readers (and to me sometimes), I felt that this made him realistic and relatable (I mean, who wouldn't tell everyone about the time Gwenyth Paltrow invited them to dinner?)
The advice is common sense and practical (but very fashion focused). I find myself reading and rereading this book for his suggestions regarding what artists and writers I should learn about.
Derek Blasberg is wickedly funny and honest, just keep in mind its only his opinion.
Blasberg is unashamedly vain and drops the names of his celebrity friends where ever he can. While this is understandably annoying to some readers (and to me sometimes), I felt that this made him realistic and relatable (I mean, who wouldn't tell everyone about the time Gwenyth Paltrow invited them to dinner?)
The advice is common sense and practical (but very fashion focused). I find myself reading and rereading this book for his suggestions regarding what artists and writers I should learn about.
Derek Blasberg is wickedly funny and honest, just keep in mind its only his opinion.
January 2, 2012
I'm a big fan of Derek Blasberg. "Classy" is one of my go-to books to gift, so I was excited to see it's extended version, "Very Classy". I'm not sure a second book was needed - I didn't think there were enough differences to warrant a completely new book and I was also quite shocked at the number of errors & typos in "Very Classy". I don't think "Very Classy" will replace "Classy" on my gift giving list, but for those looking to read it instead of "Classy", go for it. Ultimately, it still delivers the same (and more!) messages and you can't go wrong reading it. I actually wish Derek Blasberg could be my BFF.
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March 12, 2014Funny and light. Good content on the topic of becoming a respectable woman - from someone who's been a fly on the wall of the fashion industry.
I especially appreciated the angle of having current relationships with people that may be like you - that you might love... our be very discontent with - thus the change. I find the often these ' lady ' books offer advice in a vacuum, and Derek just feels like an objective, friendly voice that 'understands'.
I'll probably check it out again to go through the book, artist, and film list at the end.
I especially appreciated the angle of having current relationships with people that may be like you - that you might love... our be very discontent with - thus the change. I find the often these ' lady ' books offer advice in a vacuum, and Derek just feels like an objective, friendly voice that 'understands'.
I'll probably check it out again to go through the book, artist, and film list at the end.
October 7, 2012
So annoyed B&N. I bought the book Classy: Advice for the Extremely Modern Lady and Very Classy: Even More Exceptional Advice for the Extremely Modern Lady because they were next to each other on a display table. I read Classy a few months back and reviewed it. I started Very Classy, and realized that it seemed very familiar, and then noticed on the cover that it was an Expanded edition to Classy. Boo B&N and boo to the publisher Razerbill for not calling it what it is-- a second edition.
December 20, 2012
Não é só um guia de comportamento e estilo... é um livro escrito por um dos caras mais descolados do mundo da moda hoje em dia. Leve, divertido, para rir, aprender e aconselhar amigos sem educação. Devorei! E ainda ganhei uma edição autografada pelo próprio.
http://harpersbazaar.com.br/blog/2012...
http://harpersbazaar.com.br/blog/2012...
August 20, 2012
i really enjoyed reading this book it had a lot of good information about how to act like a lady. It was similar to the first one but this one was a lot better. i would recommend this book to any girl who likes reading about fashion and the latests trends and what not to wear and what to wear.
April 8, 2013
This book is a just an updated version of the previous book "Classy..."
This book includes a separate chapter for Health and Fitness and not to look like a tramp at the gym!
(I skimmed it briefly, it is better to buy the first and look at this briefly)
This book includes a separate chapter for Health and Fitness and not to look like a tramp at the gym!
(I skimmed it briefly, it is better to buy the first and look at this briefly)
July 12, 2013
A great tool for self-evaluation. We do things sometimes without even thinking what other people assume by our actions, dress, words, etc. This is a great book to have around and give to those who may coming of age - or need to.
February 29, 2012
I didn't realize that this was "Classy" with a few additional chapters. It's a fun, simple read.
April 2, 2012
It's basically Classy with a few extra chapters. I'm glad I didn't buy it and just picked it up at the library but it's still very funny.
June 5, 2012
Humorous with some good advice and helpful tips sprinkled in!
(Although some of the book was try-to-hard bullshit.)
Entertaining read.
3.5 stars.
(Although some of the book was try-to-hard bullshit.)
Entertaining read.
3.5 stars.
July 10, 2013
I loved this! I really love Derek Blasberg's commentary on everything and I always enjoy name dropping.
June 14, 2020
Derek is my queen.
May 20, 2015
This book was very funny and it gave really good advice ! I kept reading it nonstop just like the first book ! The author doesn't preach but just gives really helpful tips.
May 1, 2016
geared towards teen girls ...
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May 22, 2016Love Derek Blasberg! Great witty writer with attention to aesthetics beyond most.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews