I Want to Be Her!: How Friends and Strangers Helped Shape My Style

by Andrea Linett, Anne Johnston Albert

I Want to Be Her! is part memoir and part illustrated fashion guide, written by one of fashion’s most accessible, trusted, and inspiring writers. Andrea Linett, the cofounder of Lucky magazine, shares her personal story of growing up and finding her way to fashion, and the figures who guided her along the way. Through short descriptions and memories, we meet 50 women across five eras of her life—some passing strangers, some casual friends, some close confidantes—who each made a lasting impression and helped her form her own personal style. In addition, each woman is captured in an illustration by Linett’s longtime collaborator, Anne Johnston Albert, and fashion tips accompany each entry.

Genres: Fashion, Nonfiction, Lifestyle, Memoir

160 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2012

Reviews

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book truly is, as the flap says, a memoir of women whose fashion she admired, if only for a second. Earlier in the book, she describes her love of fashion and developing sense of style but further and further into the book it is mere chronicles of of women and/or outfits. That is lucky for me as I loved this profiles, short snippets of the namesakes, though I was entertained by some of the narrative from the author's life. From the profiles with a quick tip from most, Andrea Linett (intentionally or not) conveyed the lesson of the book: there is always something to be learned from those we admire, even if it is just that quick look as we pass them by. I now think it is is best to ask oneself "why" for every admiration.

(On a side note: having processed this lesson as a reasonable woman who has these "girl crushes," as this platonic admiration is called, I am left questioning why every girl crush leaves me feeling "less than." Alas, this is not in the book and I now must seek my own answers.)

This is a light read with short snippets - perfect for the busy women or the ADHD - that discusses a lot of fashion (though a fair portion of it being older trends, with discussion on how to make your favourite trends timeless). While shorts and profiles are not the writing style for everyone, I find it difficult to criticize this book due to the intent: it was suppose to be a fun book and it is a fun book. You will get some take-away tips, but this is a memoir, not an instruction manual.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

AHHHH I LOVED THIS BOOK!! It gave me so much inspiration and I was picturing all chic businesswoman styles the whole book based off the cover, but it had a very wide variety of styles and ages (although I do believe all ages can pull off all styles)

The books I'm reading right now were about to get me into a slump so I'm SO GLAD I found a five-star!

I really don't know why this book has a 3 star average on Goodreads because it was so good and super easy to read for low attention spans. I guess it does kind of suit a very specific reading "style" and type of person so I kind of get why some people might not like it but ANYWAYS that's not the point...

Point is this book was AMAZING.

p.s. wish me luck in reading my other four books that I'm in the middle of 😭

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute fashion drawings and text about the diverse clothing choices and fashion sensibility of women the author finds inspiring. Starting with classmates and babysitters from her elementary school days, through college in the 1980s, to women who work at various fashion magazines in the 90s and 00s. Interspersed are a few celebrities - Lisa Bonet, Sade - and a few tips for developing your own style.

Even though only one body type is represented - thin - I loved the drawings and the range of different styles that the author admires.

[Melly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and fun to read. Illustrations are great. It was particularly fun for me because the author is my age so it was fun to see the "fashions" of the 70s and 80s (the extra-special comb in the back pocket, overalls with a tanktop underneath) held up as fashion inspiration.
I wish that at least one of the women she shows was bigger than a size 8 though. That kind of stinks.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perfect quick and light read in between a string of darker books that I was reading. Definitely need to be into fashion to appreciate this book.

[Corene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this very short autobiographical fashion book after a flip through read of the author's newer title, "The Cool Factor."

"I Want to Be Her," is a fun, quick read in which the author takes us through her earliest childhood style influences, into her adult career in the fashion industry. Adorable drawings of the various women and looks accompany each short segment.

It is not quite the how-to that her current book is, but there are still tips and an overall lesson of sartorial creativity and boldness.

[Jenny's Book Life · Rating 3 out of 5]

A memoir-style book describing people who affected the author’s sense of style over her lifetime thus far. I enjoyed it plus found it thought-provoking for my own writing......it would be fun to trace the impact people have had on ones life in numerous areas including music and cooking or even spiritual life

For memoir lovers and fashionistas.

[Cameron Toney · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is one of those things that I don't know why I don't love it. Its a great concept! A memoir about all the women who influenced the authors sense of personal style! What a great idea!
But somehow this book and I do not gel. Its very much a no harm no foul thing, we just are not meant to influence one another.

[Lish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice quick read with some solid fashion advice.

[KO · Rating 1 out of 5]

should have dnfed. maybe three pages were cute, and the rest felt ramble-y.

[Jean Bowen · Rating 2 out of 5]

An illustrated fashion memoir of sorts. Linett described what she wore during different periods of her life and who inspired her at the time. It came off kind of glib.

[Jen Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sneak peek into a stylish woman's style inspirations.

[Rebecca Dobrinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a little-known secret (well, it’s about to be much less “little-known” once this is published) that I once wanted to study at either Parsons School of Design or FIT and become a clothing designer. This recently came up in discussion with a co-worker of mine, who, strangely, was not surprised at my revelation.

Although my days of waking up early to watch “Style with Elsa Klensch” on CNN in the 1980s are long gone, I still follow a few fashion blogs, pick up a copy of In Style now and again, and read the occasional book or two. This is how I came across Andrea Linett’s I Want to Be Her.

I continue to be fascinated with people’s fashion choices – not necessarily in the “ohmigod WTF is she wearing” kind of way, but in how their clothes fit and what their choices say about their personal style. I continue to have a tomboy style regardless of the many attempts to stretch beyond that over the past 20 years (I definitely recommend Lizzie Garrett Mettler’s Tomboy Style book and blog as well). Therefore, Linett’s journey of developing her style was what interested me the most.

I Want to Be Her is a quick and easy read, with excellent illustrations by Anne Johnston Albert. I would recommend it for both people like me and those looking to hone or develop their own style. She provides little hints with most of the chapter / section illustrations. For example, the section on Maud, a makeup artist Linett employed on a photo shoot in Paris, give us this simple piece of advice: Reinvent yourself slightly every couple of years to keep things fresh.

This review originally appeared at Zen Dixie, http://www.zendixie.com/read.html

[Cara Ball · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked up on a whim because I was immediately drawn to the sketch on the front cover. The sketches inside did not disappoint either. When I was reading this, the voice I heard in my head was of my high school friend, Barbie Davis (that is a compliment). Written by a well known stylists (just not by me), Linett does a chronological look back at the many women in her life who impacted and informed her on dressing well. A fun little (quick) romp into east coast living and the varied styles out there. Inspiring and reinforced my interest in vintage clothing.

[Tam Starita · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the illustration and layout of the book. Was initially more drawn by the overall aesthetics. As I got into the content of the book, I can understand and appreciate her journey but it moved along a bit slowly for my taste. I think those readers wanting a feel for how to develop one's own style can benefit from her journey.

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been following Andrea Linett since her days at Sassy and was very excited to read this. I loved the concept of it and read through all the featured "hers" right away. Then I was left with the segues and got kind of bogged down. Cool illustrations and if that is Andrea on the cover, then I want to be her!

[Cheryle · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's amazing to me that Linett can remember all of these women, some she only briefly met, and what they were wearing. But I loved the personal anecdotes on each. And, of course, the hand-drawn illustrations were my favorite part of the book.

[Aimee K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and completely and totally get the premise behind "I want to be her!" I have made the same comment myself about an actress, a friend, or a stranger I pass on the street who just has the put together effortless look I think all women strive for.

[Alexsaray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was actually a fun read for me. I felt as though I was listening more to a conversation, than reading a book. Andrea reminds me a lot of myself in some ways. Perhps that's why I enjoyed this book so much. I'm giving this a five star, because I can see myself enjoying this title once more.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is ridiculously glam! I wanted it to be a never-ending tome, the size of "Gone With the Wind", detailing stylish women and fascinating fashion memories. I love this book!

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun book with I retesting illustrations. Made me want to go shopping.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun!

[Colleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was an interesting look at why we dress the way we do - who inspires us and how.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Super excellent 70s and 80s nostalgia combined with fashion voyeurism. Sort of like "Little Foxes" crossed with "Sex and the City."

[Catherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting idea, very cute illustrations however the execution did not resonate with me. This is literally a look into the author's past, and who caught her eye along the way.

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only read about half of this. I guess I was interested in a book on style in general, not this woman's inspirations throughout her life.

[Mikke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, great illustrations, an interesting little timecapsule!