Book Review: Style Stalking

Another book review!


I have just gotten back into a reading groove lately and have really enjoyed checking out my local libraries to see what cool books they have. I love how in Toronto you can go to any neighbourhood library instead of having to stick to just one! They also tend to have more current books than the library from where I grew up, which I am very thankful for.

Today's book review is going to be on Style Stalking, by Christene Barberich and Piera Gelardi. They are the Editor-in-Chief and Executive Creative Director of the style website Refinery 29. I don't visit this website all too often but it has had some posts and features that I've gone to through looking at Pinterest.

The aim of this book I guess is to dissect different elements of fashion and ways of dressing, and instruct you on how to wear them. Each section lays down the basic training, style moves, 1 piece 3 ways, rule breakers, how to wear it year round, Q&A and zoom lens. They cover 10 different style elements (denim, metallics, layering etc).

In a nutshell, this book is very visually pleasing, but that's about where it ends. The rules they tell you to follow for pieces are pretty common sense, for example, when mixing patterns make sure they have one colour that's in both prints. The year round page is probably the most helpful as it can tell you what pieces within that style element work for what season. The Q & A sections interview some prominent fashion people but only cover about three questions, which doesn't really give you any information on the person being interviewed and their style.

Also, all of the pictures are very current, relying heavily on fashionista bloggers and street style, which is great and all, but will lead to this book being irrelevant in three years. A girl with a sweater, oversized tutu skirt, neon Nikes and a loud clutch all work for today, but who knows maybe that will be a fashion sin next year. The photos are all great quality and do give me some styling ideas, but are just a little too trendy for my liking.

All in all, to sum up this book, it is like a Pinterest board in literary form. Tons of pretty pictures and very much a coffee table book, but not one to keep in your collection for years and years. I am glad I didn't buy this one and just rented it from the library!

Till next post!