Figuring Out Fashion

myshelf.com

The subtitle of this book is balance your wardrobe and your budget, and this describes what it is about in a nutshell. If you want to avoid overspending and ending up with a closet full of outdated unflattering garments, then this book might have the answers. After the introduction, it is divided up into three sections: theory, practical and revisions. Learn what staples every wardrobe needs and what you can do without. Think about your favorite brands and use the internet to find out where to buy them. Making both local stores and the internet work for you is a thread running throughout this book. Theory topics include decluttering, finding out the looks that are flattering to your figure type, shopping through the year, choosing accessories and hairstyles, sensible vacation packing etc. The practical section is filled with ways of updating old fashioned garments, altering, dyeing or totally changing existing items, and even making clothing out of things like duvets or uniform workwear. Obviously some sewing knowledge is essential for this section, but the projects are mostly fairly basic and are illustrated with simple and colorful diagrams. The revision section is short and mostly about looking after clothes, such as washing tips, how to put items away for later, and all about the clothes moth. At the back is a section of websites in the UK and US so you can find out how to get sale clothing, obtain vouchers, look for discount villages of shops and read blogs. I like the workbook approach to all this; it is relatively easy to get on with most of these tasks straightaway, and it certainly got me thinking about my own closets and shopping habits. There is also a lot about being green and responsible; very much a book for today.

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Sewing World

July 2016

Is your wardrobe full of unworn impulse purchases and expensive mistakes, clothes that don't fit well or with details that don't flatter?  Fashion stylist Jay Hunt links fashion theory to financial planning to show how a healthy bank balance and a stylish wardrobe can co-exist. Theory sectoins explain the basic calculations you need to master; how to review your current wardrobe, working out what suits you, how to plan a capsule wardrobe for the seadns and your budget to understand concepts like cost per wear, andf judging when quality counts. This combined with step-by-step examples of simple inexpensive ways to rework, revive and refreshing existing examples.