Thursday, November 6, 2008

Book Review: Freakin' Fabulous

Freakin’ Fabulous: How to Dress, Speak, Behave, Eat, Drink, Entertain, Decorate, and Generally be Better Than Everyone Else, by Clinton Kelly

This review is a reprint from the latest edition of Jennifer Skinner's Wardrobe-Wise.

Leafing through Clinton Kelly’s new book, my eye landed on the quote, “ If you don’t have fit, you don’t have style. End of story.” And I was hooked. Amen, say I!

This is no mere tome on style. This is a hilarious and yet factual romp through all areas of personal expression. Clinton Kelly acknowledges that your image encompasses far more than just appearance…although your appearance is the first thing others will see and judge. How you speak and behave, how you eat and drink, how you decorate and entertain all contribute to your overall image. And Clinton Kelly spares no barb in giving you the information that will give you a leg up in all these areas.

Of course, my primary interest was in the wardrobe section, the first in the book. If I was hooked before, I was in love when I read about his experience with French style:
“Then, by the time Friday rolled around, I noticed something weird: People were wearing the same outfits they wore on Monday! I had never witnessed anything like it. It seemed the people of this strange, foreign land cared more about quality than about quality. How un-American! They actually paid more for clothes that fit them well and wore them more often. They didn’t care if someone from the office saw them in the same outfit twice in the same week. Mind boggling!”

For anyone with a collection of style books already on their shelves, this one probably won’t have much new to offer in the way of wardrobe advice. But what it does have is a ton of witty commentary, oodles of pictures, and lessons in such things as grammar, picture hanging, proper use of utensils, cooking for guests, decorating your home, and much, much more. If you’re interested in making the very best impression, check out Freakin’ Fabulous by Clinton Kelly. You’ll have a grand ol’ time learning how to be “generally better than everyone else.”


16 comments:

RobFromGa said...

Jenn, great review.

Tomorrow we'll be hearing Suzanne Somers speak here in St Louis. She's made a bit of money selling jewelry and fashion items on QVC ver the years, she's quite a businesswoman and salesperson.

I'll try to get a picture and aske her about her closet…

Seize the Day,
Rob
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Anonymous said...

Jen, great review. thanks

Philip Graves said...

A great quote and a great review, thanks.

I agree entirely about fit. Most men seem to really struggle with this; in part because we're such different shapes and our smart clothing (especially suits) MUST fit well to look good. I'm a huge advocate of having one tailored suit rather than two off-the-peg that hang and gape and squeeze.

Philip Graves
Consumer Behavior Expert

Lisa M. McLellan said...

Did you mean to say they cared more about "quality not quality" or was that a typo?
I couldn't do it - the same suit twice in a week - no way. Sounds like a great book.

sabrenafaire said...

Love the name of the book! Great review. I think Clinton Kelly has great advice.

I've also learned a few things from watching "What Not To Wear" with my daughter.

David J Parnell said...

Sounds like an interesting book! Thanks for the review.

David J. Parnell | Communication Expert
The Communication Expert Blog

Robert Kaufer said...

Thanks for the review Jennifer

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Kevin Hogan said...

excellent
www.kevinhogan.com/blog
kevin

JohnWShoemaker said...

I would avoid any book that had both the words in this title...Freakin and Fabulous!

Intuitive John

Unknown said...

Jenn,
Thanks for the great review!

Scott Bell

The Road Warrior
www.scottalexanderbell.com

Matthew Shields said...

Hi , Jenn
Great Review of the book
Happy Trails
Matthew Shields
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Jennifer Skinner said...

Rob- Splendid! Let me know what she says!

Philip- You betcha. Tailoring is so essential.

Lisa- Ooops! You are correct, it should be quality over quantity. I must have been very tired...

JohnS- At least it's not "Freaky" and "Fabulous" lol

Jennifer

Midlife Dating Expert, Singles Workshop Conference Speaker said...

I love romps!

All the best,

April Braswell

Online Dating Expert, Romantic Relationship Coach, Romance Coaching

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Lena Milukh said...

I think I'd go for quality,not quantity.It's better to have smth that would last,than just every week or so buy another fluff.
"I'm not that rich to buy cheap things." - as smb has said
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Cindy Eyanson said...

Great post!

Cindy

Cindy Eyanson Online

Anonymous said...

Jennifer,

Great review. Thank you for this information.

Darryl Pace