True Whit: Designing a Life of Style, Beauty, and Fun – An Intimate Self-Help Guide with Personal Stories and Fashion Secrets

by Whitney Port

Fashion trendsetter, TV reality star, and clothing designer Whitney Port shares her own personal stories, beauty and fitness secrets, and tried-and-true advice on everything a girl needs to know to kick-start her life of style. Intimate, honest, and straight-to-the-point, True Whit is Whitney Port revealed!

Genres: Fashion, Nonfiction, Chick Lit, Coffee Table Books, Autobiography, Biography, Memoir

226 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2011

Reviews

[Lindsay · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think this may be an OK book to give to someone who is graduating high school, but as a 26 year-old woman, I found this book to be a bit silly. (As is the fact that at this age I'm even watching shows such as The Hills/City).

The photography is horrible--HORRIBLE, and I found it strange that in so many photos of her outfits, she is barefoot. But once again, I think there are certain bits in this book that could be helpful to someone much younger, such as tips on interviewing and encouragement for beginning your business.

I also think it would appeal to the younger set (15-21) who look up to reality stars/celebrities. I will give kudos to Whitney Port for making a name for herself in a positive light rather than by breast implants or a crippling drug addiction.

[Chris Dietz · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an independent woman living in New York city, I found this book extremely helpful. Who knew stripes with polka dots is a fashion faux-pas? I sure didn't! Many a time I've been booed out of a job interview, only to realize that my use of chanel and old spice was a no-no! The grace (and wit ;) ) Whit brings to every page is simply fabulous. If I could be half the woman Whit is someday, I would be incredibly happy! Five stars :) !!!!

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Silly and light time capsule of a specific population at a very specific time. Confounding photograph and name dropping choices make it all the more random. Wondering who a book is for, who edited the book, who enjoyed it during its time (a time I remember well enough), is not something that I could engage in with a book less forgettable and ephemeral than this. And I like wondering about those things.

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked this up in the library thinking it was a fashion book. I watched a couple episodes of The Hills years ago and remembered the author as a likable side-character.

It turns out that this is an advice book for 20-somethings just starting out... The author addresses everything from interviewing for jobs to decorating your first home. One "home decorating" tip: Keep a condom in your nightstand, so it is always handy. Umm, thanks.

The many photos are pretty to look at, but I’d skip the words. Getting life advice from someone who has been alive for about 2-seconds is laughable, even if she was on an MTV reality show.

The author also describes her style influences ad nauseum in the narcissistic way that is common among the younger facebook-reared, must-share-everything-to-everyone generation.

[Rachel Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whitney is always fabulous and down-to-earth. I love her. I did find it odd that she was shoeless in a lot of the photography, though.

[Dana Al-Basha | دانة الباشا · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think one of the first reality series I absolutely loved and still do is The Hills, I loved The City as well but not as much as The Hills because my favorite is Lauren.



Whitney Port is a cutiepie, she is beautiful like a model but I don't like her taste or style, buying this book confirmed this to me.



She is cute, kind and hardworking but she doesn't have what it takes to design in my opinion, I prefer what she styles more.



The design of the book was weak, there wasn't enough professional photos, the writing wasn't edited, but it was cute.



The book goes about everything, from lifestyle to fashion, there is even some recipes and beauty tips.

[Pamela Hubbard · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was a bit disappointed in this book. I followed Whitney Port on "The Hills" and "The City", and while she wasn't my favourite character, I was still a fan. I thought this book would be similar to Lauren Conrad's "Style" (which blew me away!) but it was not even close. The book seemed like it was aimed to 15 year olds, even though Whitney wrote it for the mid-twenties and up audience. The quality of the photos was awful, like Whitney took them in her bedroom with her phone. I really didn't learn anything of value from the book (unlike Lauren's, which I purchased and have re-read!).

[Nina · Rating 3 out of 5]

The truth about you is:

that I really would like to love you, but you are making it so damn hard. Yes, I’m talking about True Whit. The book that was written by Whitney Port. The girl from the reality TV show the Hills & later on the City. I wanted to read this book for a long time now & I decided to take it with me to Curacao. I wanted to read it because I really liked the cover, I like Whitney Port & love her style. I thought this would be a great book to read on the beach, something light and just fun. I brought the book two or three times to the beach with me & failed reading it. It wasn’t bad, but it was just not holding my attention! Then a couple of nights ago I finally decided to tackle it down and I finished reading it! Yes, I finished it.


I really liked the parts about her decorating her apartment with a budget, the pictures of her home and family, the books she reads (Yay!, books!) & her telling about her style and love for fashion. The parts that were boring were the parts where she gave us tips about security (like for example ‘always carry a cell phone!’. Things you already know.), her exercise and eating tips (like I really want to know what she eats all day.)

So it was sometimes a bit meh and sometimes a bit yay! I didn’t loved this book, I just liked it. It could have turned into love if she told us a little bit more about fashion and left the stuff we already know out of it.

[Alexis · Rating 1 out of 5]

Personally I thought this was going to be more of Whitney's story than advise that can be found in any given fashion magazine. It opens really well- but...
Really I was turned off by page 62 were she fills three pages of bitterness under the title Evil Coworkers- the whole time she is slandering one person. Even if this girl was evil she has no opportunity to defend herself here and boiling in old anger and trash talk is not a Whit-tey tip for dealing with people. The whole section seemed like a case of "the lady doth protest too much!"
Even as she shares bits and pieces from her past and friends and family most of these relationships were left underdeveloped. The most intimate relationships shared in the book were brief mentions about her friend Roxy, her sisters and her guy friend Ben. Ben got a little space to answer guy questions- but they were totally bogus, one was even insulting: "Why do guys do stupid things?" This question from a so called classy woman to her own friend- and she wants to teach younger women class? Yikes! She is so self absorbed she's even able to slip her bra size in on page 200! If you were truly looking for a story that would uplift, describe unique friendships and challenges- look else ware.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes you just need a pointless book to break the day up. And this book so was! The author is one of the girls from THE HILLS, Whitney Port and this was her style guide. Not just clothes, but a whole style for life guide for the 20-something gal! For something I barely care about, this book wasn't too bad. If you like her, then you'll love this book as it is so her, for the most part. There seem to be little adverts in it and a bit of talking about her life on the tv shows and they seemed a little forced, but she talked a lot about her family and parts we didn't see and that was my favorite part! I didn't know she was Jewish! And she comes from a HUGE family and she is smack in the middle. Crazy. There are some cute tips in here, but nothing you can't find online or figure out yourself.

A great library book but whatever they are charging, not worth it.

[Jessie Seymour · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is more of a self-help/growing up kind of book. Whitney Port (from "The Hills" and "The City") gives great advice on how to tackle your 20s with style and class. As a 20-year-old college student who will be moving into her own apartment in a month, I figured this book would help to calm my nerves and to give me some guidance as I begin the next chapter of my life.

Whitney talks about everything from decorating your apartment on a budget to creating a wardrobe perfect for you to dating and working life to keeping your body healthy. She covers what all young women want to and should know, and I strongly recommend all women to take a look at this book, especially if you’re in college and just starting your journey into adulthood.

[Stina · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was the first book I read in English and probably the first book I ever read outside of in school. I have strong dyslexia and had difficulties to read and remember in Norwegian so when I read this and actually kinda remembered it it started my reading journey. since then this book has been outdated In my opinion and there are probably many more books in this genre that is better.

I picked this up because the author was on The Hills and I liked that show so I bought this solely because of that, the book back then made me want to read more so I probably liked it much more back then I did this time around, this time I just thought it was ok / kinda bad.. more sutable for young teens than 20+ audience. sidenote : the photos and book setup wasn't good.

[Adinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is def a guidebook for many girls out there around or under twenties! From home sweet home chapter until designing woman, it wraps into one pretty also handy thing, my favourite sections are style, dating and hello gorgeous. I feel like we're connected and have the same perspectives over almost everything :D each page made me craving for more.. even though there were several bad quality photos & barefooted pictures but Whitney I've never thought you're not only talented in fashion and acting but you absolutely nailed it as a writer! I always knew that you have charming personality, with this book that really reveals...

[Medina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was an okay book. Not bad, but also not extraordinary. Port included some good advice, such as not losing faith in yourself and taking care of your health, but overall I wasn't insanely impressed. A pretty big issue I had was with the pictures; several of the photos in the book were of poor quality and could have been done much better. The writing was fine; it felt true to the voice of Whitney Port and wasn't stiff, which I think was important for this book since it's meant to be a relaxed and fun guide for young women. Also, I liked that she included recipes and workout exercises. All in all, "True Whit" ranks somewhere around 3,5 stars for me.

[Ana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had very very high expectations from this book but ended up having a love-average relationship.
She gives away plenty of advice on many things including style, beauty, professional life, taking care
of yourself, designing etc. but I feel like I don't like her style nor agree with a few things. Overall it was nice to have a perspective. Learnt a few facts and things about her including her strained relationship with Olivia Palermo and she working at DVF (good coincidence as I am watching all episodes of House of DVF these days). Would recommend.

[Lexie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a fan of Whitney's and I'm definitely proud of all she's accomplished. It's just so easy to get distracted but Whitney has stayed the course and this book shows that.

I really I LOVED that when she suggests clothes, decorations, etc. that she frequently mentions bargain stores like Target and more. This way you really CAN get her style (or something similar) without breaking the bank.

I enjoyed this book and I definitely want to own my own copy in the future!

[Alona Perlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though this book is intended for people who are just starting out, I picked up some good tips from it. Whitney is smart, sweet and beautiful. I hope people don't keep taking advantage of her. I think Lauren Conrad is her true friend, at least from what is shown in the reality shows. Roxy is not trustworty at all. My only complaint is that the book ends too abruptly. I wish there was more information.... May be in the next book...

[Elizabeth Grey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked Lauren Conrad's book better

[Anisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very Whitney port.

[Tiffany Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book gave tips about everything i need to know about my room and parties and other great tips.

[Elpitha Efthimiadou · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick summer read to pass the time. The photography was terrible and so were some of the outfits !!!

[Julie · Rating 1 out of 5]

i'm not sure what exactly i was expecting when i chose this as my next "fun" read but this was more vapid, more egocentric, and more dumb than i ever could have imagined.

[Morgan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn't even finish this...

[Heidi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was very weird. The photos were strange and Whitney’s overall style is odd. I wanted to like it because she’s very sweet but I just couldn’t like it.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love The Hills ,and always thought Whitney was so nice on the show so I was excited to read this.I enjoyed it, but can't personally relate to a lot of the things she speaks about,like how to throw the perfect dinner party with ease,etc.Whitney has always lived in big cities ,so different experiences.
I think I enjoyed the section about decorating her apartment the most.
Also enjoyed the part about her fashion line .She has definite talent as a designer!

I think there are many helpful hints here for young women pursuing careers in large cities and big city life in general.

I would have loved to heard more Hills stories, but I understand that that was never supposed to be the focus or point of the book.

[Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

- Bring treats: always a good idea to bring treats for others to share once in a while (baked goods, valentine sweets): small gesture that would make others like you more

- (Miss Port also obviously doesn't like Olivia Palermo)

- Handwritten invitation is the way to go (over einvites)

- Number of people invited should be only 10 greater than the space could hold

[––––•(-•The Insomniac Book Hoarder•- · Rating 2 out of 5]

Whew... After an off again, on again reading relationship with this book, I can honestly say that I have finished/conquered it! To be honest, it wasn't all that bad; it wasn't all the good either- it was very much somewhere in between. I liked Whitney Port from the City and this book showed you some insight into her life (pictures here and there) , this book would benefit someone younger; possible early to late teens. Everyone else will read it and see that whats written is pretty much common sense, and or most day to day experiences. Its a pretty book, too bad a lot of the style pics and outfits she posted on the book she was pretty much barefoot..