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What Not to Wear
BEST FRI: S WON'T TELL YOU THE TRUTH...
BUT TRINNY & SUSANNAH AREN'T YOUR BEST FRI: S.
"Blondes and shiny fabric equals hooker."
"The top is a disaster. Unless you're four years old."
"No one looks good in a track suit-not even Madonna or J-Lo."
"Cropped pants make any woman look like a stunted man."
LOOKING GOOD HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH FASHION TR: S. IT'S ALL ABOUT WHAT NOT TO WEAR...
"We're not shy of making criticisms," says Susannah. "But we wouldn't say, 'You've got a great fat butt-end of story.'"
What Not to Wear is a book of hands-on advice and straight-talking guidance that is all about personal style-dressing for your body shape and personality. So what's your problem?
€ Big Boobs € No Boobs
€ Big Arms € Big Butt
€ No Waist € Short Legs
€ Flabby Tummy € Saddlebags
€ Short Neck € Thick Legs
TRINNY & SUSANNAH WILL TELL YOU WHAT TO TOSS, WHAT TO BUY, WHERE TO FIND IT, AND HOW TO WEAR IT.
BUT TRINNY & SUSANNAH AREN'T YOUR BEST FRI: S.
"Blondes and shiny fabric equals hooker."
"The top is a disaster. Unless you're four years old."
"No one looks good in a track suit-not even Madonna or J-Lo."
"Cropped pants make any woman look like a stunted man."
LOOKING GOOD HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH FASHION TR: S. IT'S ALL ABOUT WHAT NOT TO WEAR...
"We're not shy of making criticisms," says Susannah. "But we wouldn't say, 'You've got a great fat butt-end of story.'"
What Not to Wear is a book of hands-on advice and straight-talking guidance that is all about personal style-dressing for your body shape and personality. So what's your problem?
€ Big Boobs € No Boobs
€ Big Arms € Big Butt
€ No Waist € Short Legs
€ Flabby Tummy € Saddlebags
€ Short Neck € Thick Legs
TRINNY & SUSANNAH WILL TELL YOU WHAT TO TOSS, WHAT TO BUY, WHERE TO FIND IT, AND HOW TO WEAR IT.
160 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2003
9 people are currently reading
267 people want to read
About the author
Trinny Woodall
14 books39 followersFashion advisor and designer, television presenter and author.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
October 6, 2012
Contains a few good ideas for dressing your body type that I'll definitely take away. I thought the abrasively honest tone was funny.
BUT:
-Trinny, wear a bra!!!! Nipple show is NOT sexy, knock it off!!
-They should have included other models. I noticed that some of their "what (not) to wear" outfits sometimes contradicted each other in different chapters, depending on what they were trying to emphasize/hide, yet it was still the same person! In one chapter, Trinny shouldn't wear an A-line coat due to whatever (her "stumpy" legs, I think), but because of her supposed "saddlebags", she's shown wearing a similar coat in the "what to wear" column in the saddlebag chapter. I also found it rather ridiculous that she was the model for 'big bum'. (It is not big.) In some pics she tries to make it bigger by standing with her feet further apart. :-/
-Some of the "right" outfits looked absolutely hideous.
-It was lame how in some of the "wrong" pics they wore exaggeratedly bad and ill-fitting versions of what they shouldn't wear, slouched, frowned, etc. Of course that looks bad!
A good book to flip through, borrow, or check out from the library, but not necessarily own.
BUT:
-Trinny, wear a bra!!!! Nipple show is NOT sexy, knock it off!!
-They should have included other models. I noticed that some of their "what (not) to wear" outfits sometimes contradicted each other in different chapters, depending on what they were trying to emphasize/hide, yet it was still the same person! In one chapter, Trinny shouldn't wear an A-line coat due to whatever (her "stumpy" legs, I think), but because of her supposed "saddlebags", she's shown wearing a similar coat in the "what to wear" column in the saddlebag chapter. I also found it rather ridiculous that she was the model for 'big bum'. (It is not big.) In some pics she tries to make it bigger by standing with her feet further apart. :-/
-Some of the "right" outfits looked absolutely hideous.
-It was lame how in some of the "wrong" pics they wore exaggeratedly bad and ill-fitting versions of what they shouldn't wear, slouched, frowned, etc. Of course that looks bad!
A good book to flip through, borrow, or check out from the library, but not necessarily own.
April 12, 2010
This book was atrociously bad - not worth the 30 minutes it took me to skim it, and definitely not the couple of bucks I paid at a library sale.
The authors' tone is disturbingly negative about everyone's bodies. The blurbs accompanying each example are poorly edited. The clothes are all dated, which is no mean feat considering that this was only published 8 years ago. Ugly, unattractive clothing does not support your style argument!
Perhaps most appalling of all, Trinny obviously hasn't learned that a chest that doesn't require support and shaping can still need coverage. And, holy hell, does she ever need some coverage.
For a much better read and more reliable advice, try Closet Confidential: Style Secrets Learned the Hard Way.
The authors' tone is disturbingly negative about everyone's bodies. The blurbs accompanying each example are poorly edited. The clothes are all dated, which is no mean feat considering that this was only published 8 years ago. Ugly, unattractive clothing does not support your style argument!
Perhaps most appalling of all, Trinny obviously hasn't learned that a chest that doesn't require support and shaping can still need coverage. And, holy hell, does she ever need some coverage.
For a much better read and more reliable advice, try Closet Confidential: Style Secrets Learned the Hard Way.
August 10, 2017
I read this when it first came out and it really helped me develop my own sense of style for every occasion. I still read it to this day. It's like having a personal shopper on your bookshelf. You never have to worry about the authors being nice and telling you the truth. Love the full-color photographs. A must own for any fashionista!
My Rating: 5+ stars
My Rating: 5+ stars
December 7, 2009
I recommend this book to: no one. It wasn't very good. And I would have thought this even if I hadn't been reading Stacy London and Clinton Kelley's book "Dress Your Best" at the same time, as that book is 100 times more helpful and made this one look even worse by comparison.
While it didn't completely lack anything useful, here were my beefs with it:
1. There were way too many words that I didn't know, with no explanation or accompanying photograph. I don't know if they are words from the British language, or the Fashion language, but I didn't speak them. Clinton and Stacy's book, luckily, has a glossary in the back with pictures and definitions, so I could look up what I didn't know from this book in the good book, theirs.
This is frustrating. Tell me what the heck these things are: drainpipe jeans, bias cut skirt, hacking jacket, funnel coat, slash neck, magic panties (those sounded cool), kaftan dress, shift dress, etc, etc... Without even a picture, I have no idea. (On the same topic, they would write a paragraph on, say, flared jeans, but show a photograph of the author's body cut off at the knee. Wouldn't it be more important to show the bottom half of her body, since that is what the page is talking about? I would be fine with them cutting their heads off.)
2. The only two models are the two authors. So the skinny one modeling clothes to hide a big butt is lame. Yes, SHE thinks she has a big butt, but in reality she does not. Hire some models, dang it.
3. Speaking of Skinny Girl, she has no boobs and does not, thus, wear a bra. I know this because I could see her nipples in every photos. Seriously, did they not have a heat in the photo studio?
4. On the left side of the page, they show the worst clothing example for a certain body type, on the right side, they show the best. On the "worst" side they would slouch, face the camera straight on, and make a frowny face. So no matter what, they looked bad. On the right side, they would smile, strike a pose, and stand up straight. That was annoying and distracting.
5. While flipping through the book (before I understood the format of worst clothing on the left, best on the right), I would see an outfit and think, "Oh, yeah! That does look terrible." Then I would realize that this was their example of the very best outfit for this body type. Seriously, some of their "best" outfits are hideous. HIDEOUS! I am not joking.
If your library already has this book, then it's worth checking out and glancing through, but never, ever spend your own money to buy it. Unless you're British. Then maybe you'll like it.
While it didn't completely lack anything useful, here were my beefs with it:
1. There were way too many words that I didn't know, with no explanation or accompanying photograph. I don't know if they are words from the British language, or the Fashion language, but I didn't speak them. Clinton and Stacy's book, luckily, has a glossary in the back with pictures and definitions, so I could look up what I didn't know from this book in the good book, theirs.
This is frustrating. Tell me what the heck these things are: drainpipe jeans, bias cut skirt, hacking jacket, funnel coat, slash neck, magic panties (those sounded cool), kaftan dress, shift dress, etc, etc... Without even a picture, I have no idea. (On the same topic, they would write a paragraph on, say, flared jeans, but show a photograph of the author's body cut off at the knee. Wouldn't it be more important to show the bottom half of her body, since that is what the page is talking about? I would be fine with them cutting their heads off.)
2. The only two models are the two authors. So the skinny one modeling clothes to hide a big butt is lame. Yes, SHE thinks she has a big butt, but in reality she does not. Hire some models, dang it.
3. Speaking of Skinny Girl, she has no boobs and does not, thus, wear a bra. I know this because I could see her nipples in every photos. Seriously, did they not have a heat in the photo studio?
4. On the left side of the page, they show the worst clothing example for a certain body type, on the right side, they show the best. On the "worst" side they would slouch, face the camera straight on, and make a frowny face. So no matter what, they looked bad. On the right side, they would smile, strike a pose, and stand up straight. That was annoying and distracting.
5. While flipping through the book (before I understood the format of worst clothing on the left, best on the right), I would see an outfit and think, "Oh, yeah! That does look terrible." Then I would realize that this was their example of the very best outfit for this body type. Seriously, some of their "best" outfits are hideous. HIDEOUS! I am not joking.
If your library already has this book, then it's worth checking out and glancing through, but never, ever spend your own money to buy it. Unless you're British. Then maybe you'll like it.
February 4, 2011
This is one of the great books to have as a resource for clothes. I think at least once a year when going through your clothes to give away and for sure before you buy new ones check this out so you know what not to wear!
April 20, 2019
I found this book to be so helpful when I was learning to dress in flattering ways after I gained a good bit of weight. I've loaned it to many friends, too. I hate the silly expressions the author's wear in their "not" clothing, but the examples are great and helpful. Plus - no body shaming here.
June 28, 2019
Picked up a signed copy, no less, at the tube station book swap. This pair’s modus operandi seemed to be that by being vicious about their own bodies, it was fine to take a swipe at everyone else’s. I question the editorial decision to keep in the jibe at the late Princess Diana’s “ghastly shift dresses” that “made her look very mannish.”
February 22, 2016
I have avoided giving this book a review for 3 months now since it is such utter rubbish! First of all it is highly offensive with the most appalling language. Do these women usually work on the factory floor or what? They sound like drunk hooligans.
Secondly, they don't seem to understand that most of us have several "problem" areas, not just ONE. In that respect, the book is not helpful what so ever. To give an example. I can't boast anything but a cup size 70A/32A. They say that I therefor must only wear shirts and tops without sleeves. This is in chapter two. Then in chapter three, talking about not too skinny arms, I am absolutely supposed to have sleeves on all my outfits!
Then if you have a timeglass figure, like I do, they tell you to never end anything above your behind (but they use the foul word of course). Well, Clinton and Stacey in "what not to wear" say the total opposite. Show off your timeglass figure, make sure you end things above your bottom so that attention is paid to your waist instead!
It gets worse, these to women say that a short person like myself must wear long coats, dresses, and flared legs to look taller while Stacy and Clinton say that a short person must not wear things below the knee, to show that one does have legs! Even if they are short! On the pictures in this book, the short women look like Christmas trees without legs!
After 8 pregnancies, my tummy is not as flat as it used to be, and now they suddenly tell me that I must wear short jackets and things that end at the waist.
I must say that this book made me feel like an alien, a monster, that there is something wrong with my body. I might add that I am a petite, 5'3", woman that wears British size 8 or xs on top and size small on the lower regions. In other words, we are not talking big here, BUT this book made me feel like a big, fat, elephant that ought to go and hide in a closet somewhere since there is nothing suitable for my obviously weird looking body! I am throwing my book away and am glad I bought it used for only a penny!
Secondly, they don't seem to understand that most of us have several "problem" areas, not just ONE. In that respect, the book is not helpful what so ever. To give an example. I can't boast anything but a cup size 70A/32A. They say that I therefor must only wear shirts and tops without sleeves. This is in chapter two. Then in chapter three, talking about not too skinny arms, I am absolutely supposed to have sleeves on all my outfits!
Then if you have a timeglass figure, like I do, they tell you to never end anything above your behind (but they use the foul word of course). Well, Clinton and Stacey in "what not to wear" say the total opposite. Show off your timeglass figure, make sure you end things above your bottom so that attention is paid to your waist instead!
It gets worse, these to women say that a short person like myself must wear long coats, dresses, and flared legs to look taller while Stacy and Clinton say that a short person must not wear things below the knee, to show that one does have legs! Even if they are short! On the pictures in this book, the short women look like Christmas trees without legs!
After 8 pregnancies, my tummy is not as flat as it used to be, and now they suddenly tell me that I must wear short jackets and things that end at the waist.
I must say that this book made me feel like an alien, a monster, that there is something wrong with my body. I might add that I am a petite, 5'3", woman that wears British size 8 or xs on top and size small on the lower regions. In other words, we are not talking big here, BUT this book made me feel like a big, fat, elephant that ought to go and hide in a closet somewhere since there is nothing suitable for my obviously weird looking body! I am throwing my book away and am glad I bought it used for only a penny!
May 14, 2011
These girls are the best! They don't say wait until you've lost 5, 10 or 50 pounds to look good. Like Allure magazine they operate under the premise that every woman can look her best. Without dieting, surgery or exercise.
March 13, 2008
I guess I'm into self-help. Heaven knows I need it. Gives great advice on what the thin folk can wear and what we buttery folk should stay away from (or wear.)
October 14, 2009
I loved this! It is really nice to be able to see what different cuts fit with your body type. I will never wear tapered pants again! LOL
Read
September 9, 2023was 50 cents at the gp library sale, very sobering to read at 27 yo!!
Read
August 21, 2011Oh, this was fun to read or maybe I should say view since it was mostly pictures! I see I am doing some things right but of course still need much improvement.
I found the use of food analogies for what you might look like in certain styles very amusing - breasts that look like lumpy custard and arms like sausages. For some of us, food is the very reason why we must resort to clothing as camouflage in the first place.
It's interesting that Trinny & Susannah do differ somewhat in their advice from their American counterparts Stacey & Clinton. I can't say I've ever seen anyone in the US wearing a dress over pants & I'm thinking that might not work well in the warmer regions here.
Yes, I too agree that a little more on accessories would be nice, especially hair and make-up which wasn't mentioned at all. LOL, I really need help with hair!
Thanks for sharing it - very enjoyable and I think a mini shopping trip is now in order! :=D
Ok, I just had to tell everyone this! -
I had a dream last night that I was picked for What Not To Wear and I was in a store buying clothes with my $5,000 credit card (so it must have been the US version). I found lots of stuff that looked good and fit the rules and I didn't worry about the prices. I got to the check out counter to pay and discovered that my purchases added up to $5,690 (I remember that number very specifically!), so I was over the $5,000 on the card. I didn't know what to do and then I woke up!
LOL.... What do you think this means?
I found the use of food analogies for what you might look like in certain styles very amusing - breasts that look like lumpy custard and arms like sausages. For some of us, food is the very reason why we must resort to clothing as camouflage in the first place.
It's interesting that Trinny & Susannah do differ somewhat in their advice from their American counterparts Stacey & Clinton. I can't say I've ever seen anyone in the US wearing a dress over pants & I'm thinking that might not work well in the warmer regions here.
Yes, I too agree that a little more on accessories would be nice, especially hair and make-up which wasn't mentioned at all. LOL, I really need help with hair!
Thanks for sharing it - very enjoyable and I think a mini shopping trip is now in order! :=D
Ok, I just had to tell everyone this! -
I had a dream last night that I was picked for What Not To Wear and I was in a store buying clothes with my $5,000 credit card (so it must have been the US version). I found lots of stuff that looked good and fit the rules and I didn't worry about the prices. I got to the check out counter to pay and discovered that my purchases added up to $5,690 (I remember that number very specifically!), so I was over the $5,000 on the card. I didn't know what to do and then I woke up!
LOL.... What do you think this means?
April 10, 2022
PODCAST is here :)
Accompanying their BBC television series what not to wear, this book includes Susannah and Trinny's personal 'must have' directory of stores and boutiques across the UK. Follow their golden rules for perfect dressing and Susannah and Trinny can help turn you into a gleaming example of confidence and style, no matter what your size, shape or age.
Sweet memories :) What a path down the rabbit hole... more about it in the podcast podcast.
Overall I'm happy to re-read the book and refresh my memories, yep, there is still space for improvement. Advise is still solid, some chatty style not always (but well, we all evolve), I think anyone should check it out, there is for sure some ideas you can take and incorporate ;)
3 purring kitties on the Tower Bridge (just like that).
First sentence: Looking stylish is as much about knowing what not to wear as it is about knowing what suits you.
Last sentence: Vickie for What Not To Wear.
Goodreads Challenge 2022: 29. book
Accompanying their BBC television series what not to wear, this book includes Susannah and Trinny's personal 'must have' directory of stores and boutiques across the UK. Follow their golden rules for perfect dressing and Susannah and Trinny can help turn you into a gleaming example of confidence and style, no matter what your size, shape or age.
Sweet memories :) What a path down the rabbit hole... more about it in the podcast podcast.
Overall I'm happy to re-read the book and refresh my memories, yep, there is still space for improvement. Advise is still solid, some chatty style not always (but well, we all evolve), I think anyone should check it out, there is for sure some ideas you can take and incorporate ;)
3 purring kitties on the Tower Bridge (just like that).
First sentence: Looking stylish is as much about knowing what not to wear as it is about knowing what suits you.
Last sentence: Vickie for What Not To Wear.
Goodreads Challenge 2022: 29. book
June 7, 2017
I found this at a book exchange and picked up for someone else but decided to read it before handing it over.
On the plus side, they don't suggest women should lose weight or slim down and their suggestions offer a decent starting point for restyling your wardrobe.
On the negative, their 'humour' is offensive and serves to legitimise any and all negative things women may have thought about their bodies for example on the issue of sleeveless vests on big arms "do you really want the world to see your most hideous physical defect?" Errm it's an arm like any other, not a defect and maybe it's hot out! Jog on!
No-one needs that negativity. They would argue they are just saying what women already think, but what they are doing is reinforcing a very negative attitude and telling women it's not just you who thinks this but everyone who sees you (not true BTW).
The book would have benefited from a wider range of models too, as the authors don't always represent the body type they are discussing.
The fashions haven't aged well and the clothes look dated, not classic.
Finally, the advice is often conflicting for example large hips should wear A-line skirts but large bums should absolutely not wear them. How many people only have one or the other? If you carry weight on your hips you probably carry it on your backside too.
Don't bother, unless you enjoy being insulted.
On the plus side, they don't suggest women should lose weight or slim down and their suggestions offer a decent starting point for restyling your wardrobe.
On the negative, their 'humour' is offensive and serves to legitimise any and all negative things women may have thought about their bodies for example on the issue of sleeveless vests on big arms "do you really want the world to see your most hideous physical defect?" Errm it's an arm like any other, not a defect and maybe it's hot out! Jog on!
No-one needs that negativity. They would argue they are just saying what women already think, but what they are doing is reinforcing a very negative attitude and telling women it's not just you who thinks this but everyone who sees you (not true BTW).
The book would have benefited from a wider range of models too, as the authors don't always represent the body type they are discussing.
The fashions haven't aged well and the clothes look dated, not classic.
Finally, the advice is often conflicting for example large hips should wear A-line skirts but large bums should absolutely not wear them. How many people only have one or the other? If you carry weight on your hips you probably carry it on your backside too.
Don't bother, unless you enjoy being insulted.
August 21, 2009
I read this book last year, but decided to read it again. I'll be shopping for fall clothes soon and needed a quick refresher course as to what not to buy! After reading this book (last year) I realized that I had been buying and wearing the wrong clothes. While I'm still not a fashion expert by any means, I did learn a lot about what clothes I should be wearing. A lot of their tips have been very helpful. I bought some of the clothes they suggested for my body type and I did look better. And when you look better, you feel better too! I still have a closet full of "wrong" clothes for my body type, and do wear them at times. However, I plan to donate them soon ... after I purchase some "right" clothes.
September 28, 2011
While it has some valid fashion tips for those with odd bodily shapes, this book is a waste of time.
In the "worst" section they accentuate the worst clothing to wear by wearing clothing that doesn't fit, they slouch, slump their shoulders and arch their back. Not to mention the nasty looks they give the camera, and the way they hold their arms.
Then in the "best" section, they wear appropriate sized clothing while standing tall with their shoulders back. Big smiles and comfortable arm stances. The "skinny" one prefers to have her nipples erect while wearing no bra.
The most annoying thing about the whole book for me is the "skinny" one is a very unhealthy looking size 0 or 1. While the "fat" one, is at most a size 8/10. Really?! I'd shred this book if it was mine to keep.
In the "worst" section they accentuate the worst clothing to wear by wearing clothing that doesn't fit, they slouch, slump their shoulders and arch their back. Not to mention the nasty looks they give the camera, and the way they hold their arms.
Then in the "best" section, they wear appropriate sized clothing while standing tall with their shoulders back. Big smiles and comfortable arm stances. The "skinny" one prefers to have her nipples erect while wearing no bra.
The most annoying thing about the whole book for me is the "skinny" one is a very unhealthy looking size 0 or 1. While the "fat" one, is at most a size 8/10. Really?! I'd shred this book if it was mine to keep.
September 25, 2009
I like that the book is broken down body issue (big boobs, large behind, etc) and that they tell you what to wear to make each area look better. When I was much younger I was very stylish and always fashionable. With all the changes over the years in my body shape I have found it much harder to figure out the right clothing pieces for me. Reading this book is giving me a guideline of things to look for on my quest to regain my stylish self.
February 22, 2009
Speaking of guilty pleasures, here is one of mine. I read this book a few years ago and I donated about 1/3 of my clothes after reading it (and I think I'm better off for having done so). Their shopping suggestions are a little out there, though. I wonder what percentage of their readers go to Chanel, Chloe, etc.??
March 20, 2010
This book has a simple, easy to grasp set of rules for different body types. You'd think it would be obvious to us what flatters our shapes and what does not, but after reading this book I have changed my ways. And as a result, I've been getting lots of compliments on my same old wardrobe AND people assume I've lost weight. I haven't. Thank you, What Not To Wear!
June 5, 2009
Great book to help you figure out what fits your body type. Didn't cover all issues, but you can get a lot out of what they did cover. Super helpful to see different women wearing the same shirt so you can see why something you love on your friend doesn't fit you the same way!
January 8, 2018
THIS BOOK IS FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFlUUUUUUCCCCKKKKKKKED so much women on women hate, body shaming and sexist views in this book. I can’t believe how this book is rated 3.5 stars bc it’s ACTUALLY FFFFFFFFlUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKED
January 26, 2009
A good way to really look at what your wearing. Whether or not it's fair people judge you by your clothes so it's worth using a mirror.
October 12, 2010
I think this means I have to chuck out my peacoat! I love reading tips for gals with huge boobs....
June 11, 2011
It was a good book to start off the basics. I'm not really into the european-go-without-a-bra theory...ever. But hey, it can work for some people. All in all a good quick read.
December 22, 2020
Found this in the hotel I'm staying in. I still don't know what to wear :(
July 21, 2021
oké.
Ik wist wat ik kon verwachten toen ik dit boek las, en het was exact wat je zou denken dat het zou zijn. Dus ik zou helemaal niet kwaad mogen zijn op dit boek, toch? En toch, goede God, wat heeft dit boek mij kwaad gemaakt. Wat een vreselijk onaangename mensen, die schrijfsters.
Ze hebben duidelijk geprobeerd om wat humor in het boek te steken, maar bij vrouwen die de gewoonte hebben hun bord leeg te eten, wekt een opmerking als 'dikke armen zijn de vloek van onze natie. De aanblik van die armen zijn deprimerend. ' vooral wrevel op.
Het is nogal makkelijk om 'body positivity' te preken in de review van een boek van Trinny en Susannah dus laat ik mijn 'elk lichaam is mooi' verhaal maar achterwege. Maar de manier waarop de schrijfsters over lichamen praten, is enorm denigrerend. Het is zogezegd geen probleem omdat ze over zichzelf vertellen, maar jammer genoeg is dat niet hoe het werkt.
Ze hebben ook een dingetje, waarin de één de ander bekijkt alsof ze alle respect verloren zijn voor die persoon als die eerste een 'verkeerd' kledingstuk aan heeft (mond lichtjes open, neus en wenkbrouwen naar boven getrokken). In eerste instantie maakte mij dat echt kwaad, maar naar verloop van tijd realiseerde ik dat dit het gezicht was dat ik de hele tijd trok terwijl ik het boek aan het lezen was, dus ik moet ze meegeven dat ze toch 1 reactie van mij wisten te voorspellen.
Ook zou ik Trinny en Susannah willen bedankten voor het complex over mijn hals. Een zone van mijn lichaam waar ik mij nooit eerder zorgen over had gemaakt (of zelfs bij stil gestaan had), tot ik een hals als 'uit esthetisch opzicht rampzalig' benoemd zag worden, een hals die er eigenlijk exact zo uitziet als de mijne. Is er dan zoveel verschil tussen halzen? Ik ben wel verward.
Ook zou ik graag nog even een 'plothole' (of hoe je het zou willen noemen) van het boek benoemen. Ik heb en een korte hals (blijkbaar), en dikke bovenarmen, en een dikke buik, en een dikke poep, en kleine borsten. Wat moet ik nu aandoen? Het advies spreekt zichzelf nogal tegen, aangezien het blijkbaar niet mogelijk is om gebreken te hebben die variëren tussen 'ziet er uit als een jongen' en 'ziet er uit als een zak cement' ?
Geen zorgen, Trinny en Susannah, ik ga gewoon verder met het dragen van mijn korte rokjes, vrolijke jurkjes en comfortabele shirts. Vergeet niet te ademen als je me die afkeurende blik geeft.
Ik wist wat ik kon verwachten toen ik dit boek las, en het was exact wat je zou denken dat het zou zijn. Dus ik zou helemaal niet kwaad mogen zijn op dit boek, toch? En toch, goede God, wat heeft dit boek mij kwaad gemaakt. Wat een vreselijk onaangename mensen, die schrijfsters.
Ze hebben duidelijk geprobeerd om wat humor in het boek te steken, maar bij vrouwen die de gewoonte hebben hun bord leeg te eten, wekt een opmerking als 'dikke armen zijn de vloek van onze natie. De aanblik van die armen zijn deprimerend. ' vooral wrevel op.
Het is nogal makkelijk om 'body positivity' te preken in de review van een boek van Trinny en Susannah dus laat ik mijn 'elk lichaam is mooi' verhaal maar achterwege. Maar de manier waarop de schrijfsters over lichamen praten, is enorm denigrerend. Het is zogezegd geen probleem omdat ze over zichzelf vertellen, maar jammer genoeg is dat niet hoe het werkt.
Ze hebben ook een dingetje, waarin de één de ander bekijkt alsof ze alle respect verloren zijn voor die persoon als die eerste een 'verkeerd' kledingstuk aan heeft (mond lichtjes open, neus en wenkbrouwen naar boven getrokken). In eerste instantie maakte mij dat echt kwaad, maar naar verloop van tijd realiseerde ik dat dit het gezicht was dat ik de hele tijd trok terwijl ik het boek aan het lezen was, dus ik moet ze meegeven dat ze toch 1 reactie van mij wisten te voorspellen.
Ook zou ik Trinny en Susannah willen bedankten voor het complex over mijn hals. Een zone van mijn lichaam waar ik mij nooit eerder zorgen over had gemaakt (of zelfs bij stil gestaan had), tot ik een hals als 'uit esthetisch opzicht rampzalig' benoemd zag worden, een hals die er eigenlijk exact zo uitziet als de mijne. Is er dan zoveel verschil tussen halzen? Ik ben wel verward.
Ook zou ik graag nog even een 'plothole' (of hoe je het zou willen noemen) van het boek benoemen. Ik heb en een korte hals (blijkbaar), en dikke bovenarmen, en een dikke buik, en een dikke poep, en kleine borsten. Wat moet ik nu aandoen? Het advies spreekt zichzelf nogal tegen, aangezien het blijkbaar niet mogelijk is om gebreken te hebben die variëren tussen 'ziet er uit als een jongen' en 'ziet er uit als een zak cement' ?
Geen zorgen, Trinny en Susannah, ik ga gewoon verder met het dragen van mijn korte rokjes, vrolijke jurkjes en comfortabele shirts. Vergeet niet te ademen als je me die afkeurende blik geeft.
May 23, 2018
I thought this book was so fun when I was in high school. I brought it back from my parents' house recently thinking what a fun one it would be to stick in a Little Library box. When I glanced through it about a month ago I realized how much younger the women seem to me now, and how much of the language is super shamey. I have always valued an honest and snarky approach to stuff like this, and as a reader in my late teens I didn't take the advice too seriously... it helped that the ladies were older than me and it seemed to show in their tastes. However, I guess coaching young girls has made me a little touchier. There are a lot of kids in my neighborhood and I keep thinking about how a young girl might read, say, the following sentences about why a woman with big arms shouldn't wear a sleeveless tank: "Do you really want the world to see your most hideous physical defect? Hide the buggers, for goodness sake." I get it, the whole point of the book is to show how you can choose what to accentuate and what to not on your body, and I like that it doesn't insist that you love your body when you flat-out don't sometimes. AND I get that it's a book about fashion. But I just recently heard a woman in her 40s talking about her body issues by saying, "I almost never wear a tank top because it feels like a punishment to the world for having to look at my arms". Ugh. This book contains the type of information that could be read with a dose of humor, then worm its way into the zeitgeist of a girl/woman's brain as rules that shouldn't be broken. It feels a tad threatening.
Then again, maybe this is all a function of today's P.C. culture. There is some decent advice about how the lines of clothes work, even if a lot of the fashion is dated now. I didn't internalize the message too much (this fat-armed busty lady wears tanks and chunky sweaters whenever she damn-well pleases!) so maybe I should give others the chance to do the same. And, when it comes down to it, the book is fun to look at. That seems to be what it's going for anyway.
Then again, maybe this is all a function of today's P.C. culture. There is some decent advice about how the lines of clothes work, even if a lot of the fashion is dated now. I didn't internalize the message too much (this fat-armed busty lady wears tanks and chunky sweaters whenever she damn-well pleases!) so maybe I should give others the chance to do the same. And, when it comes down to it, the book is fun to look at. That seems to be what it's going for anyway.
December 8, 2024
I'm old enough to remember watching the show. While Trinny and Susannah's mean humor toward each other doesn't appeal to me, they did offer great advice to the people on the show and helped a lot of women feel great about themselves while looking like an improved version of themselves.
This book could have been better with models that better fit the criteria. For instance, Trinny does not have a large butt; her butt is in proportion with her body. Just because a person doesn't like a physical feature doesn't necessarily make it a bad thing. Ironically, the colors on many of the clothes, especially those on Susannah, made them look bad. Color was never touched on. Also, for the short neck, I thought it odd how none of them realized that Susannah's short, straight her and colors that washed her out drew more attention to how wide her neck is. It wasn't a good look. Also, I'm not sure why Trinny was chosen as having the ideal body. I chalked it up to their class and during that time being super thin was in.
Personally, I like Stacy London and Clinton Kelly's approach better. They were compassionately honest and had better overall style. They were better with picking colors that complemented their clients' skin color and working with different body types. I also liked that they also focused on men. Also, both Stacy and Clinton have more personalized style than either Trinny or Susannah seem to have to me.
This book could have been better with models that better fit the criteria. For instance, Trinny does not have a large butt; her butt is in proportion with her body. Just because a person doesn't like a physical feature doesn't necessarily make it a bad thing. Ironically, the colors on many of the clothes, especially those on Susannah, made them look bad. Color was never touched on. Also, for the short neck, I thought it odd how none of them realized that Susannah's short, straight her and colors that washed her out drew more attention to how wide her neck is. It wasn't a good look. Also, I'm not sure why Trinny was chosen as having the ideal body. I chalked it up to their class and during that time being super thin was in.
Personally, I like Stacy London and Clinton Kelly's approach better. They were compassionately honest and had better overall style. They were better with picking colors that complemented their clients' skin color and working with different body types. I also liked that they also focused on men. Also, both Stacy and Clinton have more personalized style than either Trinny or Susannah seem to have to me.
October 8, 2023
Big boobs no boobs big arms big butt.
Yes, we have been fascinated by what Trinny Woodall & Susannah Constantine can do with "what not to wear.” After watching the TV program, we are ready to graduate to the book, one that we can carry with us or mark what to look for.
The nice thing about this book is it applies common sense. If you already know this then it is nice to have a book confirm it; if not, then you have something to resell with.
My only disappointment was that they only tackle women in the book. But I can live with that. Now everywhere I go I say, "Ah-ha you did not read the book.” I figure I will be slapped one day.
The book itself is well designed with plenty of photographs between the explanations and of quality paper. There are ten sections on what to do for shortcomings or longcomings for that matter. One does not have to have these attributes to appreciate them and adapt to what not to wear.
Yes, we have been fascinated by what Trinny Woodall & Susannah Constantine can do with "what not to wear.” After watching the TV program, we are ready to graduate to the book, one that we can carry with us or mark what to look for.
The nice thing about this book is it applies common sense. If you already know this then it is nice to have a book confirm it; if not, then you have something to resell with.
My only disappointment was that they only tackle women in the book. But I can live with that. Now everywhere I go I say, "Ah-ha you did not read the book.” I figure I will be slapped one day.
The book itself is well designed with plenty of photographs between the explanations and of quality paper. There are ten sections on what to do for shortcomings or longcomings for that matter. One does not have to have these attributes to appreciate them and adapt to what not to wear.
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