Ready to Wear: An Expert's Guide to Choosing and Using Your Wardrobe

By Mary Lou Andre

Book Overview

Most women feel like they can barely find their shoes in the morning-let alone pull together a stylish, snappy ensemble for the day. Mary Lou Andre is here to help. An expert in wardrobe management and fashion consulting, she shows her clients how to find their own style-and make the most of what's already in their closets. And in this illustrated guide, she explains her effective wardrobe organization system and simple style strategies to help every woman get out the door faster-looking better than ever.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399529535
• ISBN13: 9780399529535
• Release Date: March 2004
• Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
• Length: 282 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 7.4" x 9.2"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 12 and higher

Customer Reviews

A fantastic fashion reference book

This book was fantastic. It answers so many of the questions we all ask ourselves everyday. What to wear and what not to wear. After reading it once, I still refer to it often and use it as a "text" book to be sure to keep myself and my wardrobe organized and in fashion. Mary Lou Andre has found a way to convey this information in an easy-to-read and easy-to-implement manner.

I loved it

I found this book to be extremely refreshing. Not only is it full of practical information, it also teaches the reader how to appy this information to their own life. I felt as it this book was talking directly to me. As I went through the steps outlined in the book, I felt as if the author were with me. The book anticipated my questions and offered guidance when faced with difficult wardrobe management decisions. I have recommended this book to numerous friends and we all found it to be a pleasant surprise. After years and years of fashion books focused on a small population, this book talks to everyone. It allows the fashion weary to start slow and build a complete, versatile wardrobe. I especially like that so much of the book begins and stays at home. As you know, so many of us would like to start over, but this is not practical. By shopping in our own closets, my friends and I were able to become reaquainted with pieces that have not lost their style or value. These pieces have taken on a second life. Thank you for a wonderful book.

Ready to Wear: An Expert's Guide......

I loved it! This book is a an easy read, and organized approach to dressing well. I've been a stay at home Mom for many years. Resently, I accepted a job as a Sales Associate for a major department store. Needless to say, my wardrobe needed major updating. I didn't know where to go for help. An Expert's Guide to Choosing and Using Your Wardrobe, gave me the tools I needed to improve my own wardrobe and the confidence to help my clients with their selections. This book is an excellent reference which I will continue to use.

A must have for women...

I love this book..It has great information on organizing your closet, updating and refining your wardrobe, and making your closet filled with "ready to wear" outfits and separates. It was written by a professional wardrobe consultant and stylist. The great thing is that her tips can be tailored to each individual..be she a professional working women, stay at home mom or combination of the two. Her chapters on closet organization were the best..its easy to see how your closet can get crammed and filled with seldom used things..like your prom dresses, wedding dress, off season coats etc. She is correct when she says that you use only 20% of your wardrobe..and motivates you to get rid of the 80% that is cluttering your closet. It made me want to revamp my whole closet!! Less helpful, were the chapters dealing with styling for your figure type. But that is hard to do in written form for most women. We need concrete examples...its better to just go to the store and try on bunches of stuff and see what works for your body shape. Also included in the book were worksheets and lists to help you write down your style and things you need. I didn't find these very useful but i certainly appreciate the idea. All in all, I found this book to be very helpful..i have already culled out many clothes in my wardrobe that don't work for me and I appreciate having extra space in my closet. Plus, I look forward to shopping trips where i can be more selective of what i choose. Great book!!

Shop in Your Closet First!

Mary Lou's book is full of wonderful tips and is very user friendly. I suggust reading it and then setting aside a week-end to play tough-love with your current wardrobe. Start by shopping in your closet first(You will be surprised to find some exciting clothes that you forgot you had!) This book will guide you through an exciting process of finding your own style. By using Mary Lou's guidelines, you will always have a wardrobe that is organized, polished and "Ready to Wear".Karen E. Costa, Fashion ConsultantMattapoisett, MA