Whose "budget" are these people on?

I LOVE looking at house decorating and personal style books.

I never take any of their suggestions. I'm too lazy, and I'm too cheap. But I do get a kick out of what professional designers think it means to be "on a budget." Case in point: Isaac Mizrahi's new book How to Have Style. Now, this is a neat, slim little book that actually offers some good pointers. Mizrahi met with and photographed several different women with specific needs; e.g. how to have style...on a budget. How to have style...when traveling in business. And so on and so forth.

But the "on a budget" part? The woman in that section's outfits ended up costing $300 to $400 bucks. To me, that is hilarious. And it's not just because I work at home (although I was always pretty casual at work too). It's because I've been shopping at used clothing stores and online outlets for so long that the mere idea of spending more than twenty bucks tops on a pair of pants and a top is completely foreign to me. Also, consider this line: "her bra becomes a feature of her outfit." I'm sorry. Whenever I think about showing my bra off to the public, I think of that episode of Seinfeld where Elaine gave a bra to her chesty friend who never wore one, and then her friend wore nothing BUT the bra. In fact, I consider it a public service NOT to have my bra be a "feature of my outfit."

So it was a fun book to look through, but of course I'm not going to follow any of the suggestions. Which is okay. For me, that's not really the point of these books. That said, I don't really know what the point of these books is for me. Seeing how the other half lives? Learning how the grown-ups dress?

Comments

[lesbrarian]

When I'm in a thrift store-- and as far as clothes are concerned, there isn't any other type of store-- I'll usually put a garment back on the rack if it gets as high as four dollars. Two dollars per item is more my style.

Except, of course, for the bras, which goodness knows I do not wear as outer apparel, but which do cost an arm and a leg. Except that I haven't been able to find any bras that fit, not for any price, meaning that these days I am wearing $86 bras that don't fit right. And $2 jeans and hand-me-down boots.

[Jessica]

I'm the same. I've been known to appear in entire outfits that cost $7, including the shoes. Yet I love reading fashion and style books. I don't know whether to laugh harder at Glamour and Cosmo, or the faces of my friends when they find out I read them.

The greatest thing about these fashion writers is that they seem determined to pretend that such things as corporate dress codes or the necessity to walk or sit down do not factor in to average women's lives. Which is a Don't - wearing athletic shoes outside, or trying to walk four miles in strappy sandals?

[Sarah]

What - you mean you don't work your sources to capture the "it" bag of the season (approx $1500)? Trust me - $400 is NOTHING in some of those magazines, which just goes to show you . . . . something. Me, I used to wear suits and heels to work, years ago. Now the LLBean catalog and the Eddie Bauer clearance section are my best friends.

[Citizen Reader]

Lesbrarian!
I couldn't agree more. I stay away from the "Retro" racks at my local used store, because they charge more for those...
Don't even get me started on bras. That's the other problem with making them a "feature of my outfit"--none of mine fit, either, although mercifully I didn't pay $86 for them. I have basically no shoulders so the battle of the sliding bra strap is one I'm fated to lose...

Jessica:
$7! Now that's a goal! I'll admit, when I buy shoes, I don't buy used--I'm getting so old I need shoes with a bit of a cushion.

There's LOTS of ways to laugh at Cosmo and Glamour, aren't there? I also devour Esquire and GQ on a regular basis---this may be too much information, but that's my eye candy (okay, fully clothed porn) of choice. They show off some nice suits in GQ.

Interesting point about "average women's lives" and fashion--I saw the new James Bond over the weekend, and all I could fume about was the unfairness of women's dress clothes for spy work. When James gets into a fight after a fancy dress party, at least he's got on decent shoes and a jacket (in case it gets cold). His poor female counterpart had a tiny slinky dress on (no warmth there) and high heels (no good for running).

[Citizen Reader]

Sarah,
Oh, I was suitably impressed that the outfits got as low as $300 in this book. Still, completely unrealistic for my lifestyle. And thousands of dollars for a bag? What do these people do for a living???!? (And how can I get their jobs, is the important point.)

[The Laundress]

Oh what excellent timing,

finally I actually have a book you review in my hands. Haven't done more than flip through Mizrahi yet, but plan to peruse it this week. Love fashion mags and style books, though you would never know it-- I wear orthopedic shoes and long, long skirts and cardigans, all very librarianish. No jeans here.

My current favorite fashion book: Christopher Hopkins, "Staging your comeback: a complete beauty revival for women over 45" (I know, you are way too young for target demographic, but stay with me). This guy loves women. He dedicates his book to his mom. He does such a fine, flattering job of finding the beauty in his models and just celebrating them. No big bucks needed, just Christopher's impeccable taste.

I never heard of him before, but he has a catchphrase "The make-over guy" with the registered trademark symbol next to his name. Just discovered he has a blog too:
http://www.themakeoverguy.com/blog/

plus before-and-after's here:
http://www.themakeoverguy.com/hopkins-makeovers-gallery.htm

I thoroughly study "Mens Fashions of the Times" too, WHY is this stuff so fascinating? What is the fun? I don't get it either, but certainly do it.

[Citizen Reader]

Laundress!
I'm totally with you on the orthopedic shoes. I'm starting to feel at least 45, so maybe I can learn something form Christopher Hopkins...thanks for the tip!
I'm glad I'm not the only one checking out mens' fashions. God knows I don't expect Mr. CR to follow them (no one around here has enough money for that) but they are fun to look at (and the models aren't bad either!).