Effortless Style

by June Ambrose, Richard Buskin

So you probably won't be attending your own movie premiere or collecting a Grammy Award this year. That doesn't mean you can't look like you're ready for the red carpet and fawning paparazzi. In Effortless Style, June Ambrose, the celebrity fashion stylist and designer who's shaped the looks of some of the biggest names in entertainment -- including Jay-Z, Missy Elliott, Kelly Ripa, and Mariah Carey -- reveals the industry secrets that can help anyone exude genuine star power, regardless of body type or budget. The key to looking and feeling like a celebrity lies in defining your own unique style and adapting it to each situation. The result is a look as natural as a second skin. In clear step-by-step instructions, Ambrose shows how people can improve the way they present themselves to the world, whether it's for a first date or an important meeting, and in turn boost their overall mood and self-confidence. Using examples from her work molding celebrities' images, she teaches women (and their men) how to define and enhance their look, with chapters devoted to topics such as knowing what clothes work for each body type, how to accessorize like a star, the importance of tailoring clothes so that an off-the-rack suit fits like a custom-made Armani, and much more. She offers tricks of the trade -- from choosing the perfect lingerie to handling bad hair days -- and provides a welcome list of wardrobe essentials and perennial fashion don'ts. With this must-have style guide every woman, whether girl next door or top executive, will be able to unleash her inner VIP -- effortlessly.

Genres: Fashion

176 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Leena · Rating 3 out of 5]

I collect style books - I don't know why, probably because I want to see how many times it is possible to say, "If you have a pear-shaped body, wear an A-line skirt". Well, what if you are a raspberry, like some comedian said? That's why I'm also writing my own style guide called "Life is Too Short For Neutral Colors" where must-have items will be like red leather jackets and advice for work will only consist of pictures of scrubs and uniforms because every single style guide always and forever neglects us working class women. Office schmoffice. But I digress. About this particular book: have you ever started liking something despite yourself? That's how this book was to me. It took me about 4-5 years to get to the page 14. Then one day I was going to the big city with my husband and told myself I should finish this book because it's silly to read several books at once and never finish one. And to my amazement, this author's style and advice grew on me during that trip. Maybe it was because it was a welcome diversion from telling my husband, "Don't drive over that person! Don't drive into that pole!" - yes, backseat driving can be really annoying so maybe anything else beats it. Or maybe it was just her brazenness and the way she stuck to her guns and vision and naming names, both celebrities and products (what's up with that obsession about the Judith Leiber purse?). In the accessories chapter, she actually recommends buying fake handbags if you can't afford the real thing. Now now, I would never say it because the whole fake industry has societal consequences you don't want to support but there's something jaw-droppingly bada$$ about putting that kind of advice into print. And using double-sided tape to get your dress to stay on when you are gyrating on the dancefloor. Sure, unrealistic, but the distance from the real life is entertaining and endearing all the same. Some maintenance advice was even useful, like how to clean various spills. The bottom line: there's no way I would follow everything in this book. Besides, for trying to be of-the-moment, it's also dated, being some 10 years old. But I appreciate this woman coming forward and saying what she wants and means to say.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

I haven't read that many style books but even so there was nothing new in this for me. Unless "get your man to wear his suit jacket with his khakis" (which can't possibly work for most traditional suit jackets) or "mascara goes bad every 2-3 weeks" (really? I'd heard months) counts. And I don't think it does. Glad this was a library book.

And I agree with those who think there should have been pictures. Maybe my suit jacket issue would have been dealt with if there had been. But I doubt it.

[Becky Long · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is useful as a basic style book, but if you are looking for anything revolutionary, look elsewhere. The book is preoccupied with celebrity style - not too surprising since the author is a celebrity stylist - and comes off as more of an opportunity for name-dropping rather than an opportunity to help the rest of us develop our own unique look. That said, if you look to celebrities for your style inspiration, this book may well prove invaluable to you.

[Racheleden]

I love June, and I think this book is a great style intro. Lots of clarifying ideas here. She simplifies everything and breaks down what works and what doesn't. Some of it may be too obvious. but overall, I think it's a handy and easy read. I just wish it had photographs instead of illustrations. Nothing compares to seeing June and her clients working it.

[Yasjencon · Rating 1 out of 5]

this is the worst out of all the fashion books that i have read lately. it is very vague and the tips suck!

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great. I know so little about fashion but am in a workplace where dressing well wouldn't hurt! I take it with me every time I go shopping!

[Geneva · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the worst style book. Poor recommendations. What kind of style book doesn't have pictures or at the very least good illustrations to give examples.

[Maria · Rating 1 out of 5]

waste of time.