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Always Pack a Party Dress: And Other Lessons Learned From a (Half) Life in Fashion
Author of the bestselling I Love Your Style Amanda Brooks shares her personal stories, and sartorial highs and lows, from a life in fashion, with beautiful, eclectic, and inspired photographs throughout.
In the past twenty years Brooks has created a unique place for herself in the fashion world. She spent the early years of her career as a photo assistant for Patrick Demarchelier, a “gallerina” at the Gagosian Gallery, and at various fashion posts before finding her dream job as fashion director for Barney’s New York. Along the way—and wearing more than a few of the outfits we’ve all regretted at one point or another—Brooks discovered the key to creating her personal style, combining influences as wide-ranging as childhood prep school, Grateful Dead concerts, contemporary artists, pop culture, and her current home outside of the fashion bubble, a well-worn farmhouse she shares with her family (and a host of animals) in the English countryside.
In Always Pack a Party Dress, Brooks recalls her early career aspirations and explores the evolution of her own personal style along with stories of successes and failures alike, as well as fashion and beauty tips and inspiring photographs. A must-read for high fashion or street style aficionados, and gorgeously produced gift book, Brooks’ shares her expertise and insider view with warm, candid and often witty prose.
In the past twenty years Brooks has created a unique place for herself in the fashion world. She spent the early years of her career as a photo assistant for Patrick Demarchelier, a “gallerina” at the Gagosian Gallery, and at various fashion posts before finding her dream job as fashion director for Barney’s New York. Along the way—and wearing more than a few of the outfits we’ve all regretted at one point or another—Brooks discovered the key to creating her personal style, combining influences as wide-ranging as childhood prep school, Grateful Dead concerts, contemporary artists, pop culture, and her current home outside of the fashion bubble, a well-worn farmhouse she shares with her family (and a host of animals) in the English countryside.
In Always Pack a Party Dress, Brooks recalls her early career aspirations and explores the evolution of her own personal style along with stories of successes and failures alike, as well as fashion and beauty tips and inspiring photographs. A must-read for high fashion or street style aficionados, and gorgeously produced gift book, Brooks’ shares her expertise and insider view with warm, candid and often witty prose.
304 pages, Paperback
First published May 19, 2015
18 people are currently reading
906 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Brooks
97 books17 followersAmanda Brooks is the author of I Love Your Style: How to Define and Refine Your Personal Style. She has written for the New York Times Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Vogue, and Men's Vogue, where she wrote the popular online column "In Her Eyes." The former fashion director of Barney’s New York and creative director of Tuleh, she has appeared as a fashion expert on Today, The Early Show, and National Public Radio. She lives with her husband and two children in Oxfordshire, England.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
May 22, 2015
I'll start by saying that this book wasn't exactly what I'd expected. With its colorful cover, amusing title, and (somewhat misleading) description, I was expecting something more irreverent and entertaining. Instead, this is a memoir from someone who is really too young to be writing a memoir.
The Good:
- Although I wasn't expecting it, Brooks includes career advice and mottos applicable to those working in any field, not just fashion. These are sprinkled throughout the book. Brooks is driven by ambition and this will resonate with readers who are passionate about their work.
- If you enjoy photography, you'll appreciate the stunning images in this book. Brooks got her start behind the camera and has an eye for composition. Even though she isn't the photographer, she knows what will look good.
- Brooks acknowledges the support she's received from mentors, and makes a point to "pay it forward" with those trying to build their careers. Good advice for us all.
- Brooks has enough self assurance to include stories of her mistakes and failures, and even some unflattering pictures.
The Bad:
- I question the premise of a memoir from someone so young who really hasn't done anything unique (e.g. Malala can write about surviving the Talaban attack, the Cleveland hostages can write about their ordeal, etc.). This book would have been much better had Brooks either: a) included stories from the fashion world about people other than herself, or b) made this more of a career/style book.
- While Brooks graciously thanks her mentors, and by all accounts has a strong work ethic, she seems obliviously blind to the fact that her family's extreme wealth and connections gave her an enormous leg-up in pursing her dream career. Lily Pulitzer introduced her mother and father and custom designed her mother's bridesmaid dresses. Brooks's college roommate was Diana Ross's daughter. In college Brooks dated Diane von Furstenburg's son. The connections go on from there. Her first college internship was as a photography assistant to the top fashion photographer of the day (a friend of a friend) and as an intern she was always on location -- St. Bart's, Miami, etc. -- helping with photo shoots of Kate Moss, Johnny Depp, Madonna, etc. How many college interns do you know who had that experience?!
- The book rambles. The chapters seem a bit scatter shot, and some lines are literally repeated. A few times while reading I said to myself, "Didn't I *just* read this?" I went back to the previous chapter to confirm I had.
In short, unless you are an absolute die-hard Fashion (with a capital "F") fanatic, you can skip this one. 2.5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Blue Rider Press for the opportunity to review a galley of this book.
The Good:
- Although I wasn't expecting it, Brooks includes career advice and mottos applicable to those working in any field, not just fashion. These are sprinkled throughout the book. Brooks is driven by ambition and this will resonate with readers who are passionate about their work.
- If you enjoy photography, you'll appreciate the stunning images in this book. Brooks got her start behind the camera and has an eye for composition. Even though she isn't the photographer, she knows what will look good.
- Brooks acknowledges the support she's received from mentors, and makes a point to "pay it forward" with those trying to build their careers. Good advice for us all.
- Brooks has enough self assurance to include stories of her mistakes and failures, and even some unflattering pictures.
The Bad:
- I question the premise of a memoir from someone so young who really hasn't done anything unique (e.g. Malala can write about surviving the Talaban attack, the Cleveland hostages can write about their ordeal, etc.). This book would have been much better had Brooks either: a) included stories from the fashion world about people other than herself, or b) made this more of a career/style book.
- While Brooks graciously thanks her mentors, and by all accounts has a strong work ethic, she seems obliviously blind to the fact that her family's extreme wealth and connections gave her an enormous leg-up in pursing her dream career. Lily Pulitzer introduced her mother and father and custom designed her mother's bridesmaid dresses. Brooks's college roommate was Diana Ross's daughter. In college Brooks dated Diane von Furstenburg's son. The connections go on from there. Her first college internship was as a photography assistant to the top fashion photographer of the day (a friend of a friend) and as an intern she was always on location -- St. Bart's, Miami, etc. -- helping with photo shoots of Kate Moss, Johnny Depp, Madonna, etc. How many college interns do you know who had that experience?!
- The book rambles. The chapters seem a bit scatter shot, and some lines are literally repeated. A few times while reading I said to myself, "Didn't I *just* read this?" I went back to the previous chapter to confirm I had.
In short, unless you are an absolute die-hard Fashion (with a capital "F") fanatic, you can skip this one. 2.5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Blue Rider Press for the opportunity to review a galley of this book.
April 17, 2015
I actually really liked this book. Amanda Brooks brings a soft edge to the cutthroat fashion world, along with her unique style and experiences. I learned more from Amanda's book than attending the last 3 years of NYFW.
Read
January 5, 2020This book is a bit of a cross between memoire, society page feature and "Lean In" style self-help book. Brooks strikes one as gentle and charming, and probably doesn't take herself too seriously. She comes from a very specific background and works in a very specific vein of the fashion industry and I would recommend this book for people interested in working in a similar metier. I think this is a book best suited for serious fashionistas. Enjoyable.
April 25, 2019
I find the author to chronically name drop through the entire book
August 20, 2018
I brought this memoir home from the library thinking I'd pick through it, enjoy the photos, and breeze over the text. Instead I was so smitten with the fantasy-like life of the forty-something author, that I started over from the beginning and read the entire book.
Amanda Brooks grew up mostly in New York, summered with grandparents in Florida, attended camp in Maine, and went to boarding school. After college, a knack for being in the right place at the right time landed her jobs in photography and at an art gallery until making her way into fashion, where she expanded her style beyond the preppy, J. Crew look of her youth.
The book recounts the many ways she has earned a living as style setter and muse, and there are enough photos of the evolution of her sartorial choices over the years to make it entertaining as a picture book alone. But I truly enjoyed reading the narrative of her interesting fashion-oriented life, which culminates in giving it all up to move with her husband and children to a farm in England. For me it was a fascinating look into a privileged life.
Amanda Brooks grew up mostly in New York, summered with grandparents in Florida, attended camp in Maine, and went to boarding school. After college, a knack for being in the right place at the right time landed her jobs in photography and at an art gallery until making her way into fashion, where she expanded her style beyond the preppy, J. Crew look of her youth.
The book recounts the many ways she has earned a living as style setter and muse, and there are enough photos of the evolution of her sartorial choices over the years to make it entertaining as a picture book alone. But I truly enjoyed reading the narrative of her interesting fashion-oriented life, which culminates in giving it all up to move with her husband and children to a farm in England. For me it was a fascinating look into a privileged life.
October 14, 2019
This book was delightful. Life is All about balance. And you can have it all, over a lifetime.
A few things I want to point out. Lots of “sartorial”. I get it. Your life revolves around clothes and styling, but overused. Amanda is a pretty girl who grew up in a well off family. Luck is really on her side. The odds of a similarly pretty girl from say, Illinois, bonding with Christian Louboutin at a random wedding are slim to nil.
I enjoy her honesty and positive attitude. And am only a teensy but jealous.
A few things I want to point out. Lots of “sartorial”. I get it. Your life revolves around clothes and styling, but overused. Amanda is a pretty girl who grew up in a well off family. Luck is really on her side. The odds of a similarly pretty girl from say, Illinois, bonding with Christian Louboutin at a random wedding are slim to nil.
I enjoy her honesty and positive attitude. And am only a teensy but jealous.
December 29, 2020
A great, fun read during these times to see how the other half lives. I also just like her writing style. (3.5)
September 12, 2015
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With a title like "Always Pack a Party Dress" from socialite Amanda Brooks how could I not want to read this. Lover of fashion? Read it. Young professional? Read it. Love fluff? Read it.
As a fashion lover, I lived vicariously through Brooks as she prepared for the Met Ball and met Christian Louboutin. As a young professional I found some of her advice incredibly reassuring and helpful, though nothing incredibly fresh or thought-provoking. Her journey to define her personal style though is one many young women can appreciate. Should I wear the white eyelet summer dress or the black leather pants? I struggle constantly with this problem and having Brooks discuss this process was reassuring, we all struggle and it's a game of trial and error.
I must say though, it does feel like a lot of name dropping and humble bragging. Which perhaps those this book is targeted at will appreciate, I certainly did, but it was A LOT. At one point she lists a number of designer pieces she just had to bring with her to England. She does though have an amazing ability to relate how clothing makes us feel in relation to ourselves and others. How can clothing be used to make us feel included and also special by using "bells and whistles."
Her best piece of advice that I don't hear often though is asking someone who knows you well what they see you doing. I constantly look to my partner for his guidance, he knows me the best and knows what is best for me, and they ground you while encouraging you.
Overall there were some great parts and some not so great parts. If you can get past, and perhaps even embrace the name dropping, there is some gem wisdom. If you are looking for only guidance, perhaps another book. She has a few pages about consulting that provide no new guidance. Build a contact list, look to similar people for rates, work life balance is good.
If you do choose to read this book, I highly suggest a physical copy to take full advantage of the beautiful photographs, it does not read well on a mobile device. I had to switch to reading it on my laptop.
With a title like "Always Pack a Party Dress" from socialite Amanda Brooks how could I not want to read this. Lover of fashion? Read it. Young professional? Read it. Love fluff? Read it.
As a fashion lover, I lived vicariously through Brooks as she prepared for the Met Ball and met Christian Louboutin. As a young professional I found some of her advice incredibly reassuring and helpful, though nothing incredibly fresh or thought-provoking. Her journey to define her personal style though is one many young women can appreciate. Should I wear the white eyelet summer dress or the black leather pants? I struggle constantly with this problem and having Brooks discuss this process was reassuring, we all struggle and it's a game of trial and error.
I must say though, it does feel like a lot of name dropping and humble bragging. Which perhaps those this book is targeted at will appreciate, I certainly did, but it was A LOT. At one point she lists a number of designer pieces she just had to bring with her to England. She does though have an amazing ability to relate how clothing makes us feel in relation to ourselves and others. How can clothing be used to make us feel included and also special by using "bells and whistles."
Her best piece of advice that I don't hear often though is asking someone who knows you well what they see you doing. I constantly look to my partner for his guidance, he knows me the best and knows what is best for me, and they ground you while encouraging you.
Overall there were some great parts and some not so great parts. If you can get past, and perhaps even embrace the name dropping, there is some gem wisdom. If you are looking for only guidance, perhaps another book. She has a few pages about consulting that provide no new guidance. Build a contact list, look to similar people for rates, work life balance is good.
If you do choose to read this book, I highly suggest a physical copy to take full advantage of the beautiful photographs, it does not read well on a mobile device. I had to switch to reading it on my laptop.
June 4, 2015
Recently, I've been on a fashion/memoir kick, so when I saw Amanda Brooks' memoir, Always Pack a Party Dress available on NetGalley, I immediately requested it. Thank you to Blue Rider Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
PLOT - New Yorker Amanda Brooks enjoyed very early success in the fashion industry, including landing her dream job as a fashion director for Barney's New York while still in her twenties. In Always Pack a Party Dress, Brooks writes about her twenty years in the industry and dispenses both career and fashion advice. In her late thirties, she transitioned to a more quiet life, by moving to a farm in England with her British husband and young children. She speaks about her new lifestyle and the importance of fashion, even while living on a farm.
LIKE - Brooks' memoir is going to be a problem for me. It has reawakened my love of reading Vogue and shopping! The love and respect that Brooks has for the art of fashion is contagious. She has a sense of humor about her fashion mistakes and a true love for the outfits that she has nailed. Brooks makes a highly likable protagonist, because she chases after her dreams, works hard and wins. I respect her and it makes me value her opinions. This woman has a lot of moxy! Brooks has led such a fascinating life and it made her memoir highly entertaining. Above all, even with the high power jobs, celebrity friends and amazing wardrobe, Brooks comes across as a relatable, every-woman. It's impossible to dislike her.
DISLIKE- Nothing, except for my bank account dropping due to my new wardrobe inspired by Brooks! Kidding...kind of. Really, there was nothing to dislike about this memoir. It's well crafted and a fun read.
RECOMMEND - Yes, absolutely. Always Pack a Party Dress is a must for those with an interest in fashion, but it would be a nice boost of inspiration for anyone who is chasing their dreams.
Like my review? Check out my blog!
PLOT - New Yorker Amanda Brooks enjoyed very early success in the fashion industry, including landing her dream job as a fashion director for Barney's New York while still in her twenties. In Always Pack a Party Dress, Brooks writes about her twenty years in the industry and dispenses both career and fashion advice. In her late thirties, she transitioned to a more quiet life, by moving to a farm in England with her British husband and young children. She speaks about her new lifestyle and the importance of fashion, even while living on a farm.
LIKE - Brooks' memoir is going to be a problem for me. It has reawakened my love of reading Vogue and shopping! The love and respect that Brooks has for the art of fashion is contagious. She has a sense of humor about her fashion mistakes and a true love for the outfits that she has nailed. Brooks makes a highly likable protagonist, because she chases after her dreams, works hard and wins. I respect her and it makes me value her opinions. This woman has a lot of moxy! Brooks has led such a fascinating life and it made her memoir highly entertaining. Above all, even with the high power jobs, celebrity friends and amazing wardrobe, Brooks comes across as a relatable, every-woman. It's impossible to dislike her.
DISLIKE- Nothing, except for my bank account dropping due to my new wardrobe inspired by Brooks! Kidding...kind of. Really, there was nothing to dislike about this memoir. It's well crafted and a fun read.
RECOMMEND - Yes, absolutely. Always Pack a Party Dress is a must for those with an interest in fashion, but it would be a nice boost of inspiration for anyone who is chasing their dreams.
Like my review? Check out my blog!
August 25, 2015
*Received this book free for review from the Penguin First to Read program.*
I not one for memoirs from people who are still alive, but after reading Always Pack a Party Dress I may have to change my mind. It wasn't was sunshine and rainbows, there were times that I just wanted to put it down. The incessant name dropping was becoming to much, and some parts in the beginning and towards the end were rough to get through. But stick with it, you’ll be glad you did.
You won’t get any real insight on fashion with this book, but you will get a great read about some fun times from someone in fashion. Even though there are “Fashion Lesson” sections in the books, I wouldn't too much call them lessons. You aren't going to learn anything you don’t already know or haven’t been told 10x over in magazines and blogs. But at the end of the day, I enjoyed reading this book.
I not one for memoirs from people who are still alive, but after reading Always Pack a Party Dress I may have to change my mind. It wasn't was sunshine and rainbows, there were times that I just wanted to put it down. The incessant name dropping was becoming to much, and some parts in the beginning and towards the end were rough to get through. But stick with it, you’ll be glad you did.
You won’t get any real insight on fashion with this book, but you will get a great read about some fun times from someone in fashion. Even though there are “Fashion Lesson” sections in the books, I wouldn't too much call them lessons. You aren't going to learn anything you don’t already know or haven’t been told 10x over in magazines and blogs. But at the end of the day, I enjoyed reading this book.
March 6, 2015
Devoured this one. Fun for fashion, way better than #Girlboss for career insights.
April 10, 2025
randomly found this at montague book mill . it made for such a fun beach read that I couldn’t put down. her unapologetic ego is so refreshing I love it
January 20, 2017
I did not read this book from cover to cover, just dipped into it at random and looked at the pictures. I found it a little pretentious and self-indulgent. There was a breathless chapter about how she nearly slept with Mick Jagger but didn't because she loved her then-boyfriend and now-husband. Also, I found it a bit silly how the author was wafting around in a farm house but wearing a khaki green Chloe jumpsuit and wedge heels. If you are interesting in fashion memoirs, I would recommend My Paris Dream by Kate Betts instead. That was better written, from a younger person's perspective, and I think a lot more honest and candid as opposed to gossipy and self-indulgent.
March 19, 2021
Enjoyable read about a world I really know very little about: fashion. I really liked the parts about a young Brooks confidently strolling into new jobs and opportunities. The rest was like reading a fun gossip column or Vanity Fair piece. I imagine this book could be helpful for a young person starting out in fashion. That being said, Brooks is obviously very privileged (wealthy, white, conventionally beautiful, connected) so much of her life reads as a fantasy.
June 27, 2023
This book was a very easy read and entertaining. My main critique is that I wish there were more personal stories about the fashion or the day to day in her career. I picked this up hoping for some good fashion advice. The book was written by someone who grew up with money and had quite a bit of advantage so if your looking for a fashion how to book this is not it.
It is however a pleasant interlude in a life different from what most people live.
It is however a pleasant interlude in a life different from what most people live.
June 29, 2017
I loved how Amanda explain all the situations she lived with a very town-to-earth voice. She exposes perfectly how difficult it is to balance work-family-fashion-friends-"me-time" and how there is a moment for every job/situation/experience in life.
I really recommended if you want to work in fashion and just graduated.
I really recommended if you want to work in fashion and just graduated.
December 30, 2018
I adored this book and even though for me the life of Amanda Brooks isn’t relatable, I do work in Fashion. Her life advice can apply to anything and it reminds you that even the people with it all, still are a little lost about life. That sometimes leaving it all behind for a simpler life is the answer. And they still have to find what makes them happy just like every one else!
October 20, 2023
3.5 rounded up:) I've read two other books by Brooks, and her book I Love Your Style is my favorite fashion book. This is less a fashion how-to book, and more of a memoir but it's a very good one! My favorite sections were actually about Brooks's health issues, strangely, b/c I found them very relatable. Well laid out with great photos too.
January 14, 2018
Light hearted read.
February 5, 2020
Fine escapist book about fashion. Little understanding from the author of her privilege and how easy things came for her. But good for a fun, easy fantasy read.
February 9, 2021
Good read about her career and how she got to where she was and is now.
June 3, 2024
A random choice for me, but kind of fun look at classic fashion editorial expert from US Northeast
November 5, 2024
Reads like a pretentious scrapbook of someone I don’t know and don’t want to know. DNF
April 26, 2015
As a non-fashion-y person, I picked up this book because I thought it would be humorous plus give me some tips on how to dress better or be more fashionable. It wasn't really a humorous book, and I didn't get too many fashion tips that I could apply to my daily life on a normal person's budget, but it was an interesting memoir about a woman in the fashion industry. Since I know nearly nothing about the fashion world, I found some parts of this book to be fun and interesting, and other parts to be a bit slower.
I don't mean to beat a dead horse, but I don't know much about fashion. I like to look nice, but don't know the names of many designers, besides those brands that I can get at Target, Kohl's, and Macy's. That being said, I'm not sure if the author is a big name or not, but she certainly seems to have either really good luck, really good connections, or both. She had some incredible stories that you almost couldn't believe - and I don't mean that in a rude way, like I'm speculating that their aren't true. I don't doubt their authenticity at all. I just mean that some of these stories are crazy. For instance, the maître d' of her parents' favorite restaurant introduces her to a photographer she greatly admires that happens to be dining in the restaurant, and she manages to land a job with him out of it. In another instance, the person who owns the art gallery she had just sent a resume to just so happens to walk into the shoe shop she's in and starts a conversation with her. OR - better yet - she goes to a weekend wedding and sees the girlfriend of a college friend, who brings her to this great shoe shop (Christian Louboutin's). She splurges on a pair of shoes to wear to the wedding, where Christian himself is a guest who befriends her and dances with her all night because he can't believe she could dance so much in his shoes.
There were a lot of incredible stories like that in the book that I think that fashion aficionados in particular would enjoy. For me, I enjoyed parts, but was bored in other areas. I also got a bit tired of what seemed like constant name-dropping. If I were more into fashion, I think I would have enjoyed this more. Regardless, it was an easy read, and I loved the great pictures interspersed throughout.
Note: I received this book for free through the Penguin First to Read giveaway program.
I don't mean to beat a dead horse, but I don't know much about fashion. I like to look nice, but don't know the names of many designers, besides those brands that I can get at Target, Kohl's, and Macy's. That being said, I'm not sure if the author is a big name or not, but she certainly seems to have either really good luck, really good connections, or both. She had some incredible stories that you almost couldn't believe - and I don't mean that in a rude way, like I'm speculating that their aren't true. I don't doubt their authenticity at all. I just mean that some of these stories are crazy. For instance, the maître d' of her parents' favorite restaurant introduces her to a photographer she greatly admires that happens to be dining in the restaurant, and she manages to land a job with him out of it. In another instance, the person who owns the art gallery she had just sent a resume to just so happens to walk into the shoe shop she's in and starts a conversation with her. OR - better yet - she goes to a weekend wedding and sees the girlfriend of a college friend, who brings her to this great shoe shop (Christian Louboutin's). She splurges on a pair of shoes to wear to the wedding, where Christian himself is a guest who befriends her and dances with her all night because he can't believe she could dance so much in his shoes.
There were a lot of incredible stories like that in the book that I think that fashion aficionados in particular would enjoy. For me, I enjoyed parts, but was bored in other areas. I also got a bit tired of what seemed like constant name-dropping. If I were more into fashion, I think I would have enjoyed this more. Regardless, it was an easy read, and I loved the great pictures interspersed throughout.
Note: I received this book for free through the Penguin First to Read giveaway program.
June 8, 2015
I received Always Pack a Party Dress as part of a Goodreads giveaway.
Part memoir, part self-help, and part fashion book, fashion director Amanda Brooks shares how she made her way from a successful career in the glamorous world of fashion to a rural farm in England, where she now lives with her husband and children. Always Pack a Party Dress is a collection of her experiences and the wisdom (both professional and fashion) that she has gleaned from them.
It's a very interesting mishmash and a quick read. I found Brooks a very likable narrator and her stories and career trajectory very entertaining. That said, I think there was one giant elephant in the room, one that she either did not mention or was not conscious of, and that was the enormous privilege she was born into. Often she'll write off a major job or internship as happenstance, but from an outsider's perspective, it was far from that. Her parents were friends and associates (or at least acquaintances) of many of the artists and designers that gave her her first leg up in the industry, so just happening to run across Patrick Demarchelier in her parents' favorite NYC bistro, who then offered her an internship, or being able to call on favors from Diane von Furstenberg (after Brooks dated her son) isn't the miraculous aligning of stars it appears to be. I mean, if you have connections, use them, I guess, but at least be straightforward that your privilege played a not inconsiderate role.
Still, a very interesting read from a relatively young woman who has lived a very colorful life.
Part memoir, part self-help, and part fashion book, fashion director Amanda Brooks shares how she made her way from a successful career in the glamorous world of fashion to a rural farm in England, where she now lives with her husband and children. Always Pack a Party Dress is a collection of her experiences and the wisdom (both professional and fashion) that she has gleaned from them.
It's a very interesting mishmash and a quick read. I found Brooks a very likable narrator and her stories and career trajectory very entertaining. That said, I think there was one giant elephant in the room, one that she either did not mention or was not conscious of, and that was the enormous privilege she was born into. Often she'll write off a major job or internship as happenstance, but from an outsider's perspective, it was far from that. Her parents were friends and associates (or at least acquaintances) of many of the artists and designers that gave her her first leg up in the industry, so just happening to run across Patrick Demarchelier in her parents' favorite NYC bistro, who then offered her an internship, or being able to call on favors from Diane von Furstenberg (after Brooks dated her son) isn't the miraculous aligning of stars it appears to be. I mean, if you have connections, use them, I guess, but at least be straightforward that your privilege played a not inconsiderate role.
Still, a very interesting read from a relatively young woman who has lived a very colorful life.
April 14, 2015
I'm struggling with this review as much as I did with this book. This is a big, huge book that covers everything the author could think of saying about her twenty some odd years in the fashion-high society worlds. Some of what she has to say is very interesting: poignant, well organized and compelling. Other bits are entertaining, observant and best-friendish, delivered in a manner that makes you really feel that you were right there with her going through her snapshots and mementos. It's when she puts in her magazine spreads about her home decor or her choice of hair care products that I lost interest and wondered why I was reading the book. Really I wondered why anyone would read the book. Those sections really suffered from a lack of humor but should never have been in the book to begin with; it was just too much. It was über cool and exhausting. If only she had edited her book as well as she edited her outfits. I received this from Penguin's First to Read program.
May 20, 2015
Copy through Penguin's First to Read.
This book is a biography with a few fashion tips thrown in. I'm not big into fashion, but tried to keep an open mind while reading. I felt like this was Amanda's journal. She writes about all the awesome things she has done and all the awesome people she met and influenced her. Their didn't seem to be much of a struggle in her life until the last few pages of the book. I'm not sure what we were supposed to take away from this book besides maybe that the path you think you should be on isn't always the best? (Since she went from photography to fashion) The pictures didn't do anything for me....and there were A LOT! I think it is a good book if interested in getting into the fashion world.
This book is a biography with a few fashion tips thrown in. I'm not big into fashion, but tried to keep an open mind while reading. I felt like this was Amanda's journal. She writes about all the awesome things she has done and all the awesome people she met and influenced her. Their didn't seem to be much of a struggle in her life until the last few pages of the book. I'm not sure what we were supposed to take away from this book besides maybe that the path you think you should be on isn't always the best? (Since she went from photography to fashion) The pictures didn't do anything for me....and there were A LOT! I think it is a good book if interested in getting into the fashion world.
January 24, 2016
If you're obsessed with the fashion world and enjoy a little high-society voyeurism, this is an entertaining must-read. It gives some background and fleshes out the details of Amanda Brooks' life and career for those who are fans of her blog or instagram or just photos of her style in party columns and paparazzi photos. If you're highly sensitive to people perhaps trying to downplay their privilege by explaining HOW CHEAP they got that Celine coat that was still more than the monthly food budget of a family of four, you might want to pass. To her credit, I think Brooks was trying to avoid the Gwyneth Paltrow trap of representing her affluent lifestyle as is, without apology, and being beat up for it in the press. But it's clear Brooks has lead a charmed life, which is fun to read about.
July 16, 2015
The downside to this book was that it made me want to go shopping... For very expensive things. I picked this book up thinking it was going to be something completely different and was very pleasantly surprised to find that it was a memoir and a style guide. I loved it for what it is. Amanda has lead an unrealistically (but true) amazing life. You find yourself often thinking that she's been quite lucky to have had the experiences that she's had and yet you feel as though she really remains humble throughout it all. I loved getting a glimpse of her life and her style and now I have to go shopping.
July 15, 2015
More of a coffee table book than anything else, and that is a good thing. I enjoy picking up this part autobiography/part how-to-be-a- fashionista book and reading a chapter at a time. It reads like an extended issue of Vogue, only with the author's perspective free from Anna Wintour's editing. Good for fashion nerds like me, and while I haven't met Kate Moss, Johnny Depp, and Madonna (and my first fashion show wasn't Chanel in Paris), I associate with some of Amanda's trials and tribulations as a woman in her 20s working in fashion with NYC as her home base.
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