Trafford Publishing: Style File ™ Know-How

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Style File ™ Know-How

by Shelley Brown-Williams

118 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #03-1644; ISBN 1-4120-1266-X; US$22.00, C$24.95, EUR18.00, £12.50

Own your style! Share a fashionista's secrets and create your own fabulous look. Brimming with tips and tools for every woman to visually express her personal style.

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about the book about the author sample excerpts catalogue info

About the Book

STYLE FILE ™ KNOW-HOW marries style with knowledge in a fun, encouraging system designed for each and every woman. From chapters such as The Early Bird Is The Best Dressed Chick (how to shop smart), and The Many Phases of Eve (a wardrobe that works) to Current Colours™ (the always up-to-date colour method), this book will become the manual for personal style.
Simple, sassy and full of savvy, Style File ™ Know-How appeals to women of all ages, stages, sizes and lifestyles. A new found confidence will have women wondering how they ever managed without "stylefile smartz ©."
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Reader's Reviews
This book is brimming with good information and insights! The "Figure It Out" chapter on how to find the perfect fit and style, depending on your body type, is super smart. Entertaining and enlightening, Style File™ Know-How will save women a lot of money!
- Grania Litwin, Lifestyle and Feature Reporter,
Victoria Times Colonist
It does not matter what your current lifestyle is you are in this book. From highly professional to purely casual, you are going to look and feel better about yourself when you let Style File™ Know-How give you a hand. This book is filled with clear, practical and helpful information, all wrapped in humour and a sense of adventure.
- Lee Mackenzie, former News Anchor CHEK TV, Victoria BC,
Co-owner/operator of The Batik Butik Inc.
Style File™ Know-How provides many valuable tips not only for the fashion "novice" but for the "glamour queen" as well. I enjoyed and appreciated the down to earth, practical writing style and sense of humour. The travel tips have already been put to good use!
- Hilary Jordan, Special Events Coordinator,
High School Council Coordinator,
The Bay Victoria Downtown, Victoria BC

About the Author

Shelley Williams has been hooked on the high of helping women look their best since 1983. Early in her career, Shelley trained with Vogue Color Consultants and the London Image Institute.
Whether fashion consulting, dressing on air personalities or creating memorable fashion shows and seminars, Shelley has inspired thousands of women with her highly personable approach to style.
In 1994, after serving on the Commonwealth Games clothing committee, Shelley created and taught curriculum at an image consulting school. It was here analysis was about to be launched when Shelley decided, "Why stop at colour? Why can't women have ALL their fashion information?"

Sample Excerpts

The Many Phases Of Eve
It's the morning routine: tumble out of bed,put on the coffee, and stand under the shower jets hoping to wake up. Betcha I know what you are thinking! "What am I going to wear today?" The closet doors open - if only something great would just jump out and jump on (clothing, that is) and solve the dilemma.
Oh, no doubt you have a few great pieces.There is the designer black skirt still hanging with the tags on (you'll wear it soon; you're working on losing those last few pounds), a purple tank that just needs something to go over it, classy navy pants (must get them hemmed), yada, yada, yada.
Do I dare say it: "A closet full of clothes and nothing to wear!" You are a most incredible example of the female species if you have never thought or uttered this comment before. How does this phenomenon happen? We will answer most of these strange questions in our closet- cleaning chapter, Clutterless, but you will be pleased to discover there is a missing ingredient each closet desperately needs.
The missing ingredient: determining your Clothing Lifestyle(s),for the here and now. This allows you to create a wardrobe that works. Gone are the days when you were categorized as a classic, romantic, dramatic, trendy, sporty - bor-r-ring. How old-fashioned is that? You have occasions to be all of those in your life.
For some, romantic can mean pretty and pink, for others it can mean black and beautiful. You may feel sporty in jeans and a crisp white shirt, while your best friend loves a big sweater over tights. Classic may be a tailored skirted suit, but your colleague may prefer a trendy, cropped pantsuit.
So the last century concepts stay there. And did I mention, so does the term classic? Classy is the new motto - tailored or trendy - classy speaks pizzazz.
To have a wardrobe that works for you, your clothes need to reflect your daily activities.
The good news is, as you evolve into each new stage of your life your clothing transforms with you. The clothing you wore five years ago is, or should be, outdated. Chances are your clothing needs and styles will differ again, a couple of years from now.
You may retire from an executive position and have a closet full of suits. Hang on to one or two, because a suit is a staple in any wardrobe, but what is the point of keeping them all?
C'mon Eve, I want you to really think about this. You can try and give me a reason your closet reveals your life history, but for every reason, I will give you a rebuttal (and a referral to the Clutterless chapter).
Oh? Would some of your reasons be ...
I spent so much money on my suits.
Good, I bet you were polished and professional in your corporate days. Since you have retired, your occasions for suits are few and far between. Certainly keep one or two, but imagine how grateful a single, working mom would be, purchasing your suits at a second-hand store.
I won 't have anything to wear.
You are not wearing most of the clothes in your closet anyways; why hang on to mistakes that are creating confusion and clutter?
I might need them some day.
Define "some day". By the time your "some day" comes around, chances are your clothes will be out of style.
The following chart will allow you to list your day-to-day, week-to- week commitments for the next month, and sensibly examine your wardrobe needs. Career, kids, classes, clubs, gym - any or all of the above.

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Another dated notion was a generic list of what a basic wardrobe should include. According to whom? Each of us differs in our choice of lifestyles,careers,and interests (not to mention our shapes). How can we possibly give a one-list-fits-all?
Enter The Style File's Clothing Lifestyles - a refreshing new approach to determine your current wardrobe needs. No more plunking you in a category and leaving you there. This system changes along with the many phases of your life. Well, that is too darn easy!
Let's look at the five Clothing Lifestyles and see which one(s) fit into your current regime. Most women have a "business" lifestyle and a "casual" lifestyle. For some, the two may intertwine. There is no right or wrong - just what works for you.

Catalogue Information