Scan barcode
kristennd's review
4.0
Fashion lit without guilt! Picked it up because it included Sandra Tsing Loh. Only recognized three or four other names, but particularly enjoyed Sherilyn Connelly and Nicole Georges. (In fact, I came across a Georges book two days after reading this and thus bought it.) There were definitely repeating themes and tones, but I was expecting that. Good balance of humor and anger. It helped that I'm about the same age of a lot of the writers, in terms of fashion memories.
brinnet's review
1.0
I must begin by saying I Did Not Finish this book. But I did get through the first good number or stories before I knew I could not go on.
A collection of personal stories of fashion frustration turned to seeming fashion acceptance.
These stories just didn't work for me and I so wanted them to. The vignettes felt angsty and hastily written. One or two stories like that would have been fine, but I read through the first five or so and they all felt so similar. A woman struggled with fashion and decides "Fuck it, I just want to be comfortable. Don't judge me."
I wish that just one of the stories (in the first half) had a woman who was initially frustrated, but then began to enjoy and embrace -- mainstream fashion. I understand that fashion is an expression of self, and part of that self-expression can be not wanting to participate in fashion or being judged. I'm totally okay with that. What bothered me most was that so many of these women were so frustrated, and I didn't feel true resolution. They just dealt with fashion.
And that can be cathartic for someone to read if they are also struggling with fashion. It's nice to know you're not alone in disliking something. It's nice to know you CAN reject fashion.This book might have resonated with me a decade ago. But this book doesn't show how to struggle and then thrive, beyond saying "Fuck it." The "acceptance" and success the women show allllmost feels like giving up. Repeatedly. Story after story. Even though it kinda is success. But it also kinda isn't.
And that's what really bothered me.
So I don't want to sound like I think all women need to be fashionistas. That's not it. I also don't want to suggest being "fashionable" can only look like one or two or twenty things.
I just wish the fashion failures and fashion fuck-its were balanced with some fashion fun and fabulousness.
So, I didn't like it. But you might.
Bottom line: If you're mired in fashion frustration, you may find some solace in these pages, but don't expect solutions.
A collection of personal stories of fashion frustration turned to seeming fashion acceptance.
These stories just didn't work for me and I so wanted them to. The vignettes felt angsty and hastily written. One or two stories like that would have been fine, but I read through the first five or so and they all felt so similar. A woman struggled with fashion and decides "Fuck it, I just want to be comfortable. Don't judge me."
I wish that just one of the stories (in the first half) had a woman who was initially frustrated, but then began to enjoy and embrace -- mainstream fashion. I understand that fashion is an expression of self, and part of that self-expression can be not wanting to participate in fashion or being judged. I'm totally okay with that. What bothered me most was that so many of these women were so frustrated, and I didn't feel true resolution. They just dealt with fashion.
And that can be cathartic for someone to read if they are also struggling with fashion. It's nice to know you're not alone in disliking something. It's nice to know you CAN reject fashion.This book might have resonated with me a decade ago. But this book doesn't show how to struggle and then thrive, beyond saying "Fuck it." The "acceptance" and success the women show allllmost feels like giving up. Repeatedly. Story after story. Even though it kinda is success. But it also kinda isn't.
And that's what really bothered me.
So I don't want to sound like I think all women need to be fashionistas. That's not it. I also don't want to suggest being "fashionable" can only look like one or two or twenty things.
I just wish the fashion failures and fashion fuck-its were balanced with some fashion fun and fabulousness.
So, I didn't like it. But you might.
Bottom line: If you're mired in fashion frustration, you may find some solace in these pages, but don't expect solutions.
meghan_is_reading's review
(not as good as Women in clothes) eek! still interesting if you're into that kinda thing
neurodivengeance's review
4.0
I really really enjoyed this book! Like some of the essays were shit but I fucking loved some of them - I have drawn hearts in the contents next to Michelle Tea, Felicia Luna Lemus, Cookie Woolner, Nicole J. Georges, Chelsea Starr, Trina Robbins, Sherilyn Connelly, Jewelle Gomez, Silja J. A. Talvi and Rhiannon Argo. It was so fucking awesome READING about STYLE and CLOTHES and SHOES and oh my god it's kinda like my perfect femme book. Also I'd not read *anything* by Michelle Tea before and I loved her piece so much, she writes like a dream, so I really wanna read more of her stuff. I have The Chelsea Whistle on my bookshelf so maybe I'll read that one soon. Yay!
More...