How to Get Dressed: A Costume Designer's Secrets for Making Your Clothes Look, Fit, and Feel Amazing Kindle Edition

This author truly thinks outside the box. A must-have for anyone who wants to look like a million dollars on a dime budget!Oh! I received the book in a VERY timely fashion--unlike my view. :)

I’m recommending this book to all of my friends—even for those who say they never have time to read a book! I just tell them that the glossaries and the index at the back are incredibly useful--the stain glossary alone makes this book an excellent purchase. Alison gives us remedies for fixing a long list of icky stains (cigarette ash? candle wax? blood??) and the details are specific and the methods practical. The fabric glossary abounds with details about fabric that allows you to take care of your fancy or expensive duds yourself with little risk to your investment whether it is financial or emotional.Who knew about the myriad uses of safety pins—and did you know they come in black?! I didn’t, but I’m going to buy some as soon as I can. Have you ever heard of a tool called a belt hole punch? Alison puts this versatile tool to uses even its inventor never dreamed of! Those are a couple of unusual examples, but her book is stuffed with advice about the simplest, most effective and fast remedy for any type of situation you and your clothing might encounter. She touts the cheap and easy method when it will serve, but when nothing else will do she gives you the skinny on the more demanding and/or expensive method. Since her bedrock is the sensible and inexpensive method (organize your tights and stockings using the cardboard tubes from toilet paper and paper towels), when she does recommend something more expensive I believe it’s the best idea—I’m definitely adding a fabric steamer to my Wish List!When Alison talks about her experiences on set or prepping for a show, she is discreet and never mentions an actor’s name or show (which makes your brain spin trying to figure who did that thing she just described as an example of what not to do). I wish I could watch her in a reality series, or a behind-the-scenes kind of deal—I would definitely tune in! She has a dry funny way to illustrate her point, like the time she advises us on the dangers of including towels in the dryer with clothing because they produce “a special kind of lint that attaches itself to your wardrobe forever, like lice on a first grader.” I couldn’t stop laughing—Texas women have such a funny wry way of illustrating their point (think Molly Ivins or Ann Richards).Alison’s style is breezy, confident and practical even when she talks about caring for a luxurious fabric like peau de soie—I bet she even pronounces it correctly! Alison is like your best friend’s older sister—you put her on a pedestal and drink in the words, ready to try anything she advises because she obviously knows the very best way to do everything. This book is a gem, everyone should own a copy!

The how-to content of this book can probably be found in the books and crannies of the internet. However, I loved it because the book is an amazing curated, comprehensive resource for learning about techniques I didn't think of and would probably have messed up many times and trashed many pieces of utterly destroyed clothing before finding something that worked. That, in itself, is far greater value than I paid for this book.The physical book itself, however, is falling apart after reading it partway through. The pages are sturdy, so I can still rebind it.The other reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is that the book doesn't say it's for women. It has one small section about assisting a male friend with men's formal wear, and the rest of the book is catered to stereotypical (but a wide range of) female bodies, fits, and tastes.

Read the entire book on a long flight (well, skipped the part addressing large boobs cause I'm a AA baby, and have been called Olive Oil). Now I know why wrap dresses SUCK on me and will not waste my time anymore (she explains styles for body types).First of all, the author is awesome and someone I'd want to be friends with. As a daughter of an immigrant mother from a 3rd world country, we (my 2 sisters and I) learned ZERO about anything she is talking about in the book. Fast forward and I am blessed with a life that includes leather goods (including my beloved manolos) silk, cashmere etc (in humble amounts). I had zero idea one was supposed to maintain goods, but I always suspected that I was "doing it wrong." I never seemed to look as polished as others, and lots of questions were answered as to why. (note: you do NOT need luxury goods to look good as she attests, and addresses virtually everything in your wardrobe).This book gives CLEAR direction as to how to look put together (whatever that means to you) without the ridiculous rules like "a french woman would never" that I've read in other books. I'd just think WHY NOT?? And also why would I want to look like everyone else. The goal of the book is not to conform to some invented standard but to embrace your own bad self.Now that I am a "lady" (33) I'm interested in portraying a "serious" look. As a classical pianist we are required to dress professionally, although my attempts would wind up looking like Kate Middleton (looks good on her- but for me too corny). By brainstorming the true elements of my personality I have a clearer idea of what to look for when shopping (elegance with a surprising twist of rebelliousness :)) Gotta shock audiences once in a while.If you have spent a lot of time and money on purchasing items but are generally unhappy with your wardrobe, read this book! Thanks for writing it! Alison if you're in NYC I am happy to give you free piano lessons :)

This book was a Christmas gift for a family member who is into fashion.

Have just started to read this and I am really enjoying it. Would recommend.

Great purchase. Many tips I would have never thought about to achieve a great fit.

No puedo agradecer lo suficiente a la autora por esta joya! Indispensable, tips muy prácticos para lucir excelente

Si quieres trucos para mantener tu ropa es interesante, pero no te ayuda a escoger un estilo ni trucos para combinar distintas prendas