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The Wow Factor: Insider Style Secrets for Every Body and Every Budget
Fashion editor and style expert Jacqui Stafford’s new fashion bible proves that you don’t have to be skinny or rich to look and feel fabulous. Some women just have "it". That indefinable something that makes them look effortlessly stylish, pulled together, and WOW! But if you think they were born with it, think again. You see, any woman can be a knockout - with a little help from Jacqui. In her fabulous new style bible, fashion editor and world-renowned style expert Jacqui Stafford is spilling all her insider secrets. An unpretentious, totally accessible guide, The Wow Factor reveals all the tricks that fashion and beauty editors use to make celebs and models look picture perfect. She'll share industry tips for the hair, makeup and clothing that makes you the best version of YOU possible. ( It's got nothing to do with being rich or skinny.) With her signature cheeky British humor, Jacqui takes the mystery out
208 pages, Hardcover
First published February 5, 2013
3 people are currently reading
162 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
February 15, 2013
Nicely put together, lovely photo and illustration selections. Her take on body shapes adds a new nomenclature to the tired old apple or pear options. Solid advice -- and strong insight into what beauty magazines are really doing to psych you out.
February 11, 2019
Not terribly fat or trans unfriendly but not like aware of the issues or anything. Useful for Girl 101, like if for example you have done your best trying to put your curvy fat ass into boy clothes til you were 36 but then your mom who was the only person who you could ask questions like "are shoes supposed to match my bag all the time or just for parties?" up and dies right when you're giving up on being countercultural and slamming your curves into boy clothes and you just want to blend in. I am not sure all the advice is kosher. Really? Never wear sneakers ever? Also, pretty sure I have never seen anyone outside 1986 wearing an arm full of bangles.
September 6, 2013
Why do I torture myself with books like these? They NEVER have any tips useful to fat women like me. Only skinny chicks.
This book is awful. Utterly useless if you weigh more then 110 pounds.
First off, animal prints for the "cocktail ring" shape? NO! Prints of any kind, but especially all over prints like animal make you look much fatter than you are. Animal prints, floral prints, and horizontal stripes are for women who are so skinny they'd make Twiggy look obese. Period.
As a fat woman there's no way I'd ever wear anything sleeveless. Not even at gunpoint. No halter tops, no spaghetti straps, no off the shoulder - that just makes fat arms look fatter. Heck, even the really skinny girls don't look good in those looks. Those looks are strictly for women with buff arms like female body builders and professional wrestlers. So unless Jacqui, who looks like a disaster herself with that horrid hair, pays for plastic surgery for me, there is no way I will ever need or wear a strapless bra.
Straightening hair? Ladies, when your hair is straight it looks greasy even when freshly washed. Curl your hair the old fashion way. Wash, put in curlers, put a net over it, and dry it. Put in sponge curlers or use bits of clean rags at night when sleeping to keep the curls. Much better than straight hair.
No baggy clothing? I live for my baggy tops. I'd rather have a loose fitting top that people wrongly claim makes me look heavier because they've been brainwashed by idiots like Clinton Kelly and Stacy London then wear something that clings to every roll of fat.
No sneakers? Heels are BAD for you, Jacqui! Yes, I'm guilty of owning some because mom insists I need them, but if I had my way I'd wear flats, sneakers, or flip flops everywhere.
What's wrong with granny panties? They're comfortable and they keep you hidden. There's nothing wrong with granny panties. You should be grateful, Jacqui, that you were wearing them when your skirt ripped. That way no one had to see your bare butt.
Basically, this book is fine if you're thin. But if you're so much as five pounds overweight, avoid it.
This book is awful. Utterly useless if you weigh more then 110 pounds.
First off, animal prints for the "cocktail ring" shape? NO! Prints of any kind, but especially all over prints like animal make you look much fatter than you are. Animal prints, floral prints, and horizontal stripes are for women who are so skinny they'd make Twiggy look obese. Period.
As a fat woman there's no way I'd ever wear anything sleeveless. Not even at gunpoint. No halter tops, no spaghetti straps, no off the shoulder - that just makes fat arms look fatter. Heck, even the really skinny girls don't look good in those looks. Those looks are strictly for women with buff arms like female body builders and professional wrestlers. So unless Jacqui, who looks like a disaster herself with that horrid hair, pays for plastic surgery for me, there is no way I will ever need or wear a strapless bra.
Straightening hair? Ladies, when your hair is straight it looks greasy even when freshly washed. Curl your hair the old fashion way. Wash, put in curlers, put a net over it, and dry it. Put in sponge curlers or use bits of clean rags at night when sleeping to keep the curls. Much better than straight hair.
No baggy clothing? I live for my baggy tops. I'd rather have a loose fitting top that people wrongly claim makes me look heavier because they've been brainwashed by idiots like Clinton Kelly and Stacy London then wear something that clings to every roll of fat.
No sneakers? Heels are BAD for you, Jacqui! Yes, I'm guilty of owning some because mom insists I need them, but if I had my way I'd wear flats, sneakers, or flip flops everywhere.
What's wrong with granny panties? They're comfortable and they keep you hidden. There's nothing wrong with granny panties. You should be grateful, Jacqui, that you were wearing them when your skirt ripped. That way no one had to see your bare butt.
Basically, this book is fine if you're thin. But if you're so much as five pounds overweight, avoid it.
January 11, 2025
Every so often I try to read books on style - looking for solid information on how to improve mine. This book did offer some positive reinforcement for what I'm doing right, and some pointers on what I am still doing wrong.
The book was published in 2013 and some of the basic information is still relevant today in 2025. For example, there are only 5 body types, no such thing as a combination body type - you are born with it and no matter what you do to it (gain weight, lose weight, work out, etc) it will be the same throughout your life - even when your size changes. And apparently she chooses to identify them, without using a food descriptor (no apples, no pears, no carrots, etc) - this is nice since most women are totally phobic about food these days.
The first chapter helps you to identify your body shape and provides the specific pages in the book that apply to your body shape.
Also included with the book is information on what goes on behind the scenes in fashion, how do they get the perfect clothes, jewelry, makeup & hair. This is provided to give the average woman a reality check on how no matter what you do - you will never be able to match the sheer perfection of 1 woman who has a cast of 20 people working on her hair, makeup and clothing! So, stop beating yourself up by comparing yourself to anyone else - and just focus on what you can do to make you your best WOW self.
There is a small section on skincare, haircare & makeup.
There is also a small section of how to critically look at your wardrobe, after you have read the book, and make the changes that you need for it to work for you (ie, donate, sell, dispose of, etc).
My favorite part of the books is on page 204/205 - 20 Rules That WOW!Women Live By. I am going to print these, frame them and hang them in my boudouir as a constant reminder.
The book was published in 2013 and some of the basic information is still relevant today in 2025. For example, there are only 5 body types, no such thing as a combination body type - you are born with it and no matter what you do to it (gain weight, lose weight, work out, etc) it will be the same throughout your life - even when your size changes. And apparently she chooses to identify them, without using a food descriptor (no apples, no pears, no carrots, etc) - this is nice since most women are totally phobic about food these days.
The first chapter helps you to identify your body shape and provides the specific pages in the book that apply to your body shape.
Also included with the book is information on what goes on behind the scenes in fashion, how do they get the perfect clothes, jewelry, makeup & hair. This is provided to give the average woman a reality check on how no matter what you do - you will never be able to match the sheer perfection of 1 woman who has a cast of 20 people working on her hair, makeup and clothing! So, stop beating yourself up by comparing yourself to anyone else - and just focus on what you can do to make you your best WOW self.
There is a small section on skincare, haircare & makeup.
There is also a small section of how to critically look at your wardrobe, after you have read the book, and make the changes that you need for it to work for you (ie, donate, sell, dispose of, etc).
My favorite part of the books is on page 204/205 - 20 Rules That WOW!Women Live By. I am going to print these, frame them and hang them in my boudouir as a constant reminder.
August 16, 2020
If you're like me and are a bit fashion-challenged, then this book is for you. Jacqui Stafford--a global fashion editor whose work has appeared in publications like Vogue, MarieClaire, etc.--gives us the skinny (no pun intended) on how to "dress wealthy even if you're not." She blows the lid wide open on the behind-the-scenes goings-on at photo shoots (no, the models did not wake up like that!) and offers a super-quick guide to figuring out what your body shape is (and doesn't refer to women as "pear-shaped" or any other fruits, for that matter). She includes tips to help you choose the best attire for your figure, across all categories (even the dreaded swimsuit) as well as the best times of year to shop for specific items.
Jacqui also discusses how to get "ridiculously flawless" skin (and who doesn't want that?) along with how to choose the right undergarments and shapewear for that perfect fit. Heavenly.
The book is packed with tips, yes, but it's also packed with glorious, full-color images that leap off the page.
Buy this book, take Jacqui's advice, and you'll be the envy of all your friends. (And then don't forget to put the book on your coffee table!)
Jacqui also discusses how to get "ridiculously flawless" skin (and who doesn't want that?) along with how to choose the right undergarments and shapewear for that perfect fit. Heavenly.
The book is packed with tips, yes, but it's also packed with glorious, full-color images that leap off the page.
Buy this book, take Jacqui's advice, and you'll be the envy of all your friends. (And then don't forget to put the book on your coffee table!)
April 21, 2021
I bought this six years ago when we moved from Maine to Florida and I needed a lot of new clothes. I was 60+ and volunteering often, going to lunches and theater, and meeting a lot of people. I am now 70+ and staying home all the time. I still like many ideas in the book and I still will not wear the shoes featured. When I was young and had the figure I didn't have the money. By the time I had the money the gay designers I loved were dying of AIDS. Now I am going to wear all the favorites I have in my closet if I get a chance to go anywhere. My eyesight is not what it was so I won't notice????
Anyway, cute book and fun look back at some awful shoes I didn't buy or wear. I did buy one pair of platform high heel boots and stood at the top of the steps in my 1828 home in Maine and decided I'd rather live than fall down the steps. I donated the shoes and started wearing flats. I still do. Cute flats. With shorts. To go to Walmart and the library. I will survive.
Anyway, cute book and fun look back at some awful shoes I didn't buy or wear. I did buy one pair of platform high heel boots and stood at the top of the steps in my 1828 home in Maine and decided I'd rather live than fall down the steps. I donated the shoes and started wearing flats. I still do. Cute flats. With shorts. To go to Walmart and the library. I will survive.
June 13, 2022
At times it felt a little dated, and she took a risk mentioning specific products. It covered more than I thought it would-not just clothes but makeup too. Overall, I did get some useful tips, with explanations to back them up. I'm sensitive to price points and I felt she was inclusive to a variety of budgets.
April 14, 2025
This has everything you could use for style, dress, types of skirts, kinds of sunglasses for face shape, what kind of bra to buy and what the kinds are, body shape guides, types of purses, how to look like a celebrity (although I don't care), how magazines lie and how to read between the lines... everything if you have no idea how to start improving your appearance.
August 16, 2017
A cute quick read on women's fashion tips. It skims the surface and gives a few tips for each body type. I was hoping for a little bit more in-depth tips on the "wow factor."
April 17, 2019
An easy review of (yep) what to wear, how to wear it. Same topic but an easy flippable layout, based on body shapes (lipstick, sunglass, you get the picture.)
February 12, 2025
It certainly WOWs!
Methodical, well illustrated, system for staying stylish through the ages. I have read this book twice. Ten years ago it made a significant impact. This time I can see how some aspects seem dated. Yet the classic rules and tips (much of the book) remain relevant.
Methodical, well illustrated, system for staying stylish through the ages. I have read this book twice. Ten years ago it made a significant impact. This time I can see how some aspects seem dated. Yet the classic rules and tips (much of the book) remain relevant.
May 26, 2014
I don't normally go for books like this but it was on the new-books shelf at the library and I figured what the heck. It had a promising start, claiming to help women with any size or body type choose flattering clothes and etc. But every last example of a "larger" woman was someone with an extra 10 or 20 lbs, at best. And every shape assumes that you are average or smaller for at least some of your body.
The author also promises that every woman will fit into one of the 5 body shapes (with cutesy names): lipstick (no curves), sunglasses (hourglass), fragrance bottle (small bust and waist, large hips and legs), heart pendant (large bust, small hips and legs, waist undefined but most advice is for a small waist), and cocktail ring (small bust and legs, large waist and hips). I'm inbetween the later two, with large bust and waist and small hips and legs. So a lot of the advice didn't work for me and I had to go back and forth to try to piece it together.
The premise is good and the ideas were reasonable, if your body type actually fit. And I liked the section on how to adjust choices for your age. But nothing added to my understanding of how to flatter the body I have. A lot of the focus as well is on how to dress like you're rich (or a celebrity) which doesn't interest me at all. I appreciate tips on how to get value from my purchases and how to pick things that look like they're better quality than they are, but most of it was on "the look" and not simply looking good.
The author also promises that every woman will fit into one of the 5 body shapes (with cutesy names): lipstick (no curves), sunglasses (hourglass), fragrance bottle (small bust and waist, large hips and legs), heart pendant (large bust, small hips and legs, waist undefined but most advice is for a small waist), and cocktail ring (small bust and legs, large waist and hips). I'm inbetween the later two, with large bust and waist and small hips and legs. So a lot of the advice didn't work for me and I had to go back and forth to try to piece it together.
The premise is good and the ideas were reasonable, if your body type actually fit. And I liked the section on how to adjust choices for your age. But nothing added to my understanding of how to flatter the body I have. A lot of the focus as well is on how to dress like you're rich (or a celebrity) which doesn't interest me at all. I appreciate tips on how to get value from my purchases and how to pick things that look like they're better quality than they are, but most of it was on "the look" and not simply looking good.
March 2, 2013
I contend that no one can read this book without coming away feeling fantastic about their body. I picked it up on a whim at the library after seeing a review in Better Homes and Gardens because it's been a good 6 or 8 years since I read any sort of beauty book. I'm glad I did because the writing is very friendly and upbeat; commiserating with what drives you crazy about your body type while also pointing out its features. Speaking of body types, hers are particularly fun – heart pendant, perfume bottle, lipstick, and so on. The book has tons of pictures and each body type gets numerous outfit suggestions. In addition to the body type advice, there are chapters on looking wealthy (I like to think of this as how to look classy and elegant), advice on following trends, makeup, accessories, and more. Stafford has years of experience in the fashion and personal stylist business so she provides numerous product recommendations (some have rated the book down for this but I think it’s more useful than merely advice). Overall, a very worthwhile read.
February 17, 2013
The Wow Factor is like having your best fashionista girlfriend along when you go shopping. You know, the one who tells you - nicely, of course! - that the outfit you've fallen in love with would look much better in a different color or the one who always knows the best styling product or makeup to use. Jacqui Stafford shares her insider tips on the fashion industry, confirming what we already knew - it takes a lot of work to make those fashion models so gorgeous - but making readers feel like we, too, can look our best by dressing for our body type and putting the fashion industry's secrets to work.
April 19, 2014
I have an addiction to thumbing through beauty magazines. Every month the magazines purport to have the "new" secret to looking more fabulous. Every reader knows there isn't really that much new each month. And like those magazines, there isn't much new to be covered in this book. But it is fun to read like the new issue of Allure is fun each month. I did find a take away or 2 that made reading it worthwhile. For example, I will be copying the shopping calendar and taping it in my closet. I also think that Stafford line about only loving clothes that love you will be my new shopping mantra (at least for this month).
August 10, 2013
I liked this book very much with one exception: I'm an inverted triangle body shape, which she calls "heart triangle". She assumes that someone with that body shape has a large chest, but I fit in that shape category because of my shoulders. Because of that, many of her recommendations for that shape don't work for me. But that's getting picky. Overall, it's a great book that I enjoyed reading.
September 13, 2013
This was a recommended read based off of another book I wanted to read about Coco Chanel. I rented it from the library not expecting much. However, I thought it had some good advice and guidance. It based your style off of your body-type and what size you are NOW not the one you want to have. I knew most of the essentials for my body-type but it was a good review with a few new things that I found helpful. I also enjoyed the positivity of the book.
February 24, 2013
Good advice and a quick read. I wonder about promotions of specific products - did the companies pay for part of the book? Her behind the scenes discussions on magazine photos were reassuring -no wonder we don't look like them! I appreciate that she addressed all ages. this was something different than what I usually read, so was fun.
September 2, 2015
has everything you could use for style, dress, types of skirts, kinds of sunglasses for face shape, what kind of bra to buy and what the kinds are, body shape guides, types of purses, how to look like a celebrity (although I don't care), how magazines lie and how to read between the lines... everything if you have no idea how to start improving your appearance.
October 17, 2014
Well, I found this interesting I suppose. I can't say I took to much away from it, as this (fashion) isn't really my thing. I also found some discrepancies, which just confused me...not something I need when I really don't understand how to do anything more than just throw clothes on.
March 17, 2013
Fun style book. Very quick read. Great tips.
on-hold-for-now
April 18, 2013Made it to the beginning of Ch. 5 before having to return it to the library. Nothing overly new, but entertaining. Will probably check it out again...
May 20, 2013
I found this to have advice and suggestions I'll actually try to incorporate in my wardrobe.
May 14, 2013
A fun, easy read that reiterates fashion & grooming principles that some of us have forgotten in the busyness of motherhood.
June 7, 2013
Worthy read that addresses body-shape over size for optimum fashion.
June 21, 2013
I've read a lot of books like this, and I particularly enjoyed this one. Light on the body shaming and heavy on practical tips.
July 16, 2013
Some good information for those stuck in a rut with fashion. Really, it does boil down to having time and $$$$, no matter how much they try to convince us otherwise.
July 20, 2013
Some useful tips.
Read
January 31, 2016Kind of fun, but mostly silly.
February 16, 2014
Nothing that hasn't been written about in many other books that I like better.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews