Book Review: The Style Strategy – A Less is More Approach to Staying Chic and Stylish

Have you ever found yourself facing a closet full of clothes and yet there is nothing to wear? Is your closet stashed with clothes and fashion pieces you rarely have worn? Are life´s pressures stopping you from pampering yourself?

This happened to the most of us. We tend to acquire lots of stuff and yet unable to maximize each item that we bought. We are also often bugged down with responsibilities that we forget to enjoy and have fun. This is how the book The Style Strategy – a less is more approach to staying chic and shopping smart by Nina Garcia comes in.

“The Style Strategy” book evolves around three core questions – What do I have, What do I need and What do I want.

At the beginning of the book Nina Garcia breaks down the steps on how to conduct inventory of your closet. Which clothes have to stay and which have to go? You have to identify which clothes you often or rarely use. She gives tips on how to clean up your closet with fun. This covers the what do I have DNA of this guide.

Then she proceeds to the next question – what do I need? Just the basics! It´s surprising, you actually need just a few in your closet to become stylish. After cleaning your closet you´re able to identify which of the basics you already have and which basics you haven´t. She´ll tell you how to shop smart by giving ideas on what pieces you should invest, which luxuries you can fake, how to find inexpensive alternatives to the not necessary, how and where to steal a deal and tips on how to take care of your investments.

You probably think you already know the difference of “cheap” and “inexpensive” and what is a “bargain”. Nina will give you a thorough explanation of what characteristics constitute a cheap or inexpensive product and what is a great bargain.

What do I want? Every gal wants to indulge on something beautiful and glam once in while. This book will also teach you how to get what you want for less. Moreover, part of what a girl wants is pampering herself. By giving yourself little treats and doing some fulfilling activities that are more important than shopping, you fill that list of “what a girl wants”.

“The Style Strategy” is sprinkled with inspiring quotes from fashion icons such as Tim Gunn, Michelle Obama, Michael Kors and Lord Chesterfield. It also includes beauty tips and fair trade and other tricks.

Here are 12 common questions that are answered in the book:

1. What are the qualities of a good shoe?
2. How to shop smart?
3. What are the must-have shoes?
4. Which trench coat is the most versatile?
5. What are the characteristics of the perfect white shirt?
6. Which trousers are the most universally flattering?
7. Which blazer suits best your figure?
8. How to accessorize an LBD?
9. How to pick the right sweater/cardigan?
10. Which denim jeans are best for your self-esteem?
11. How to shop your lingerie?
12. How to live a luxurious life at a budget?

Why I Love this Book?

I found “The Style Strategy” a great read and a good fashion guide because of its overall party theme and straight forward approach to simplifying your wardrobe and getting the best of what you have. It tells me that expensive clothes and a wardrobe full of clothes and accessories aren´t a requirement in dressing up with style. It also reminds me that with today´s economy, it´s imperative to dress up with style and to look like a million bucks for less.

What Cons Did I Find in the Book?

I found that a few style principles mentioned in the book aren´t new to already savvy fashionistas such as the list of basic wardrobe essentials and how to style an LBD. However, the same principles will greatly help the young or late bloomer fashionistas and will still serve as an inspiration and reminder even to the savvy ones.

Who is Nina Garcia?

Nina Garcia is the fashion director of Marie Claire, a star judge of the hit Lifetime reality series Project Runway, the author of three bestselling books on style, and serves as Target’s 2010 Style Expert. Prior to her work with Marie Claire, she worked as Fashion Director at Elle, and prior to that held positions at both Mirabella and Perry Ellis. Garcia is relied upon as a fashion authority and has participated in numerous television interviews, most recently appearing on The View and The Today Show, among others.

How to Get The Style Strategy Book

The Style Strategy is available at Amazon.com at a discount. Originally $15.99, the book now sells for only $6.24.