The Pocket Stylist

by Kendall Farr

A celebrity fashion stylist reveals the tricks of her trade and shows women of all sizes how to pull together their own polished, individual look.

Genres: Fashion, Nonfiction, Reference, How To, Self Help, Sewing

197 pages, Hardcover

First published January 26, 2004

Reviews

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided that if I want to gift females in my family with fashion essentials, then I’d better get educated. The first book I read – by a fashion journalist – seemed rather thin on useful content. This book strikes me as solid, written by someone who not only is an expert, but also knows how to communicate and teach. The early chapters focus on form and silhouette, leading me toward a deeper appreciation of clothing balance, proportion, and line for various body types. Along the way, I picked up a few dozen other useful ideas about discarding, tailoring, storing, and buying. Like Antonio Centeno, the guys’ style expert I like, Kendall Farr emphasizes buying high quality essential pieces, but isn’t afraid to tell you to look for them at your local bargain store. And, yes, I’ve already scored a handful of deals on linen, cotton, and silk pieces at my neighborhood Goodwill. I’m still a novice, but suspect that this is one of the better books that I’m likely to find for female fashion advice.

[Catherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

summary = buy clothes that fit, and have a good silhouette. spend more on basics, and less on trends.

[Lindstromsteph Lindstrom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful hints to build a classic wardrobe for your body type.

[Onkar]

this is a fabulous book to read

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This does have a lot of sound advice but I feel this is the type of book that needs a new edition every ten or fifteen years in order for it to be really handy.

[beanbop · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had some useful information, but overall not the book for me.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It is small, so you can take it with you when you shop. The author explains what she, as a stylist does. Aside from dressing movie starts and personal clients, she also is hired by advertising agencies to dress any model you may see in the ad. This is a niche market I never even thought about.

There were some good tips in the book. My favorite was to take your waist measurement and your rise measurement. When looking for pants, bring along a tape measure and use it to decide if you want to narrow down to the correct size of pants. The front of the pants should be half your waist measurement. If the rise matches, you have a potential winner. If not, move up or down a size. Genius. She also solved the mystery of taking measurements. I've often wondered how tight to pull the tape. I learned for comfortable ease, always add the width of two fingers into your measurements.

[Irene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since this book is organized by body type, once you determine your body type, the amount of reading you have to do is greatly reduced. There are some illustrations, but much more text. Kendall Farr goes through some good common sense advice about how to build and maintain a wardrobe. She gives you shopping tips. One of my favorite tips was to always carry a small measuring tape in my purse. I know where different inseam lengths hit me. Now when I'm shopping, I save time by measuring the inseam on pants before I even go to the dressing room. And I always try on clothes before I buy them. She goes over every little place where clothes can pull, crimp, pucker or otherwise create unattractive looking situations on your body. When I'm in that dressing room, I'm scanning for those problems. This book is small enough that if you wanted to carry it in your purse while you shopped, you could.

[Gayle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new twist on the how-to-look-good book. Author Kendall Farr is a stylist and former fashion editor, and her experience shows. Her mantras are: (1) wear what is flattering on your body, and (2) everything has to fit.

The book is progressive. First, figure out your body type (A, B, C, D, E, or F), then clean out your closet, shop for what you need, and take your finds to the tailor for alterations. Farr coaches you through this process, helping you figure out what works and what doesn't. She winds up with a chapter on underclothing, and a chapter on accessories.

I really liked this book. I think it would be useful to me as I navigate my changing size, and hence, wardrobe. I may even buy this book. If I do, borrow it from me. If I can let it out of my hands.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this a few years ago and I think of it often. There is nothing revolutionary in here, nor does it tell you certain items to buy. The author basically gives encouragement and the reasoning behind why to wear styles that are flattering to one's body type (and what those styles are for said body type).

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a classic on style for me, I love the way Kendall talks about things. I always feel that we're having a chat over tea. Not everything in this book has been something I've taken verbatim and added to my life, but much of what she's said has been informing the way I think and shop for years. We are not the same person, but we share what counts.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I asked for this book for Christmas and really love it. I feel like I don't know what to wear these days and this book has great, grounded advice for specific body types. I feel like it's going to help me put together a workable wardrobe that keeps me from feeling like such a fashion schlub.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't agree with her idea of body types (there is much more than just a type A, B and C). However she shared a lot of things that I didn't know, I appreciate her opinions on fit and I also think that I could have a good time with her. ;) Overall it's a fun book that I pull out often.

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I have not (yet) implemented any of the recommendations, I think I generally found this book helpful. It didn't have as much advice for developing a personal style as I would have liked, but maybe there is no way to explain how to develop/cultivate personal style.

[Son · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good info for the unknown fashionista...labels are too expensive for my budget that she recommends, even if they were on sale. But that goes for almost all fashion books. Does contain valuable info!

[Treesa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Find your own style, but follow my style rules. Style is what looks good on you, but check these designers to see what's 'in'. Choose from a variety of brands, but don't wear 2 different brand labels together.

[Cindy Deister · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ultimate in styling to enhance the silhouette. I refer to this book over and over for myself and to help friends choose the cut and proportion of clothing while overhauling a wardrobe or shopping. The advice in this book is timeless.

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful, detailed.

[Linda Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I worked in the fashion industry for years. That makes me know only that "fashion" doesn't necessarily teach you how to dress to make the most of yourself. This book does.

[Carolyn]

Exellent advice, easy to use and small enough to carry around!

[Elizabeth (Betsy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great, simple book with great advice!

[February Four · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good if you are clueless in the fashion department and need some help starting out. Not as useful when you already have a settled style and are looking for specific-occasion help.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not really anything that I haven't read before, but I do think it's a good guide. Unfortunately b/c I'm so tall I can't use a lot of the tips for shopping in-stores :(

[Hillary Pate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting

[BookMouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good, but the author is very knowledgeable and throws a lot of information out there.

[Bobby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this book for the fact that it talks about different body types.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very helpful book. The author's advice is great.