Reviews (37)

Molloy Hits the Mark, But An Update Is Needed
After reading Dress for Success numerous times, I feel it is of great help in informing men on such topics as how a shirt should fit, how to tie a tie, how to get a suit fitted, etc. However, in the last ten-plus years corporate dress has changed more than in any previous period. The reader today has to keep in mind that the book was written in 1988 and as such should be considered in the proper context. Subsequently, it does not take into consideration the proliferation of casual attire in the business environment, and it predominantly considers how to dress like an executive, which may not be possible for an entry to middle level manager on a limited budget, even if clothing is bought on sale. The notion of borrowing to build a wardrobe also seems outdated. Today, society has become considerably more conscious of value and is less likely to drop large amounts on wardrobe. It is often hard to visualize what is meant by soft blue, light blue, midrange blue, dark blue, navy blue, etc. Some closeups of fabric swatches would help. As a college student, it would help if a whole chapter were devoted to college interviewing rather than a few pages.

All in all, the book is a great asset for any man, but an updated version would be of great benefit.

A Great Place to Start
After spending years in High-Tech in the suburbs, I recently took a corporate job in downtown. Upon accepting the position, I learned that the dress code was corporate, meaning suits everyday! I went home to my closet and let my eyes wander over my collection of khakis and golf shirts with software company names on them. The job started in one week. I found Dress for Success to be my saviour.

A lot of the criticism of the book seems to be that dress styles have changed over the years and the book needs an update, possibly a section on Dress Casual. Believe me, there are still many places where people wear suits everyday, and some of these people have a lot of power and money, and they have not gone out of business like the "dot-commers who wear sneakers."

Dress for Success helped me build a basic wardrobe. And I have received many compliments on suit combinations that are right out of the book.

Remember, Molloy is writing the book to help people dress for success, not fashion or fad. He has written the book for people who wear suits, not for people who work in environments that are dress casual and they never have to interface with anybody else.

I do agree with some of the other criticisms. He does gloss over some important things, (shoes, etc.,) and some of his methodology is sketchy. But after being thrust into the corporate world, I can tell you that his conclusions are eerily accurate. You can deviate from the general principles of the book, but I feel that you do so at your own peril.

Following up my 1999 review
I recently realized that my 1999 review is one of the featured reviews! Boy have I come a long way since then, but the concepts in Dress for Success have not changed a bit. It continues to be the best book to use to get started. I continue to advocate for the following adjustments though:

-Eliminate discussion of blends and only focus on natural fibers.
-Add a section on shoes.
-New photographs. Although some styles stay constant, some of the pictures are dated. Also, spread the photos throughout the book as the concept is being illustrated, rather than clustered in the middle. Perhaps some illustration of the wrong choices as well as the right ones would help.
-Broader discussion for college students.
-Updated price information.
-Some studies and information on business casual.

Get Success in Clothing
Get Success in Clothing

Cheung Yin Fan (50266271),
City University of Hong Kong,
Department of marketing

Description of the book

The purpose of ¡¥New dress for success¡¦ is recommending an executive and success look for all people in order to have a success future. John T. Molloy, who is the author, believes that a success dress is a sign of competence and class. The success dress is a kind of nonverbal language to express you and affect how other people react. Moreover, the dress will affect people¡¦s authoritative, power, credibility and social status. Therefore, dress plays an important role on influencing people¡¦s future.

Due to the benefit of the successful dressing, John T. Molloy has suggested a different kind of clothing combinations, which include suit, shirt, tie, accessories and etc, for different purposes and occasions in business field. It mentions that people should pay attention on ¡¥color, line, texture and style¡¦ to coordinate their clothing. Not only in the business field, but successful clothing (sportswear) also reflects people¡¦s ability to work and classify their social status in social field.

Comment for book

The book describes and recommends some successful dressing codes very well; however, there some parts need to be improved.

Some parts are good

Good dress code

Well coordinate clothing to make the successful look, it have a well-organized dressing combination code in different situation and different purposes. For example, in the job interview, the book recommends to dress gray suits, blue shirts and conservative tie because it can establish power, authority and get success in job interview.

Concern the women point of view

As the new knowledge business era, most women play an important role in executive and decision making positions. Therefore it is necessary to dress success to get the women¡¦s preference. And I totally agree with John T. Molloy that color of clothing can attract women. For example, the bright red ties can reflect the sexy feeling. Indeed, ¡¥red¡¦ color is what most women likes, and it also get a numerous attention from women. Therefore, if a man need to cooperate with a team of women or women executive, they are better to dress the bright red ties in order to draw their attention.

Some parts need to be improved

Need evidence support

To avoid the statistic information was stolen, John T. Molloy reject to show the statistic evidences to support his opinion. However, clothing is a subjective matter, if you do not have any statistic support that it will affect the persuasive power. Therefore, it is necessary to give out some evidences to support his point of view. For example, the evidence may relate to how many executive agree his clothing combination code and the interview dressing code.

Concern the culture

John T. Molloy describes the dressing combination code as color, texture, line and style. But I think ¡¥culture¡¦ is also an element on dressing combination. Dressing not only reflects personality and own authority, but also reflect his own country¡¦s¡¦ culture as a character.

Learning Insight

After reading the book, I learn that different dress code reflects their personality in different occasion. A well dressing combination code can help us to get success in future. When people choose their clothing for special purpose, they should consider their clothing habit, the dress requirement of the occasion, and image that they want to project in front of the public.

Using clothing as a tool to be a successful man
Actually, I read ¡§New Dress for Success¡¨ because there is an active learning program in my University. I need to read two books and have a book presentation with my partner in order to gain a specific bonus point. After reading this book from John T. Molloy¡¦s, I really learnt how to dress more success for a man. Although I am a girl, this book gives me some valuable information that is useful in my future life. It helps me know how to evaluate a men¡¦s clothing in business world, how to know a men¡¦s personality and upbringing by just pay attention on his clothing, and know how to evaluate an interviewee¡¦s ability by his clothing if I am an interviewer.

In ¡§New Dress for Success¡¨, it talks about how to be a successful man by dressing your appearance and physical setup of your office. For dressing your appearance, this book includes content of how to use clothing to sell yourself for business purposes (includes suits, shirts, ties, clothing combination and accessories), how to use clothing to sell yourself in leisure time, in front of women executives, and for interview, etc. In these chapters, author explains how to choose a suit, shirt and tie, etc. steps by steps, and what are the best materials, color, patterns, and clothing combination of suit, shirt, and tie, etc. Moreover, this book includes an interesting chapter of ¡§How to dress for success with women¡¨. This chapter teaches how men dress to attract women and how to be more likable to work with women by dressing suitable clothing in working place.

Clothing really has a significant effect on the whole life of a man. Clothing is a sign of competence and a sign of class. It affects a man¡¦s personal image since it is a nonverbal language to express a man¡¦s personality and ability to do business. It also reflects a man¡¦s social upbringing and affect how other people react with the wearer. Therefore, clothing can affect a man¡¦s business indirectly. Thus, I highly recommended all business men to read this book in other to gain more knowledge of dressing and to be a successful by using clothing as a tool to sell himself.

This book teaches me very valuable knowledge that is useful in my social and business world. I believe that business men can find interest and gain dressing knowledge from this book. I hope that all the reader can be a successful man in future after reading this book. ... Read more

Book Description

In a nation recovering from economic turmoil, today's business men and women need every advantage to keep precious jobs and get new and better jobs. In the CHIC SIMPLE DRESS SMART books, veteran style mavens Kim Johnson Gross and Jeff Stone walk readers through the basics of building a work-appropriate wardrobe that provides a look of confidence and competence, and expresses personal style. Whether its buying the right blazer for a middle management position, or assembling the most versatile pieces for someone just entering the workforce, these savvy and informative guides provide the straight answers to how people can put their most positive image forward at work. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

a must for any working woman
This book is a must-have for women who are in the workforce. I have used this book as a resource for how to dress and how to plan my wardrobe effectively. I also lend this book to the younger women in my company who often feel that they don't have the capital to wear a top-notch wardrobe.

The book is very up-to-date and gives very simple instructions on how to plan your wardrobe based on your office environment (corporate to casual) as well as by your stage in your career. Unlike many other books, Dress Smart does not insist that you have an ever-increasing wardrobe, but insists on smart choices that offer versatility as well as flexibility, while being polished and smart. The casual guidelines are great, as are the quotes from various industry leaders. The back gives you information on all the clothes highlighted, so you can go to those retailers (or ebay) as needed. Of particular interest is the importance placed on good tailoring. Many people do not understand the need to tailor your clothes, and that is the detail that can make an inexpensive suit go over the top.

If you work where anyone will ever see you, then I recommend this book.

Untitled
I really love the Chic Simple books ... I find the photographs, text and lay out to be really inspirational and compelling on a daily basis i.e. we all have to get dressed each day, and these books (especially "What Should I Wear?" - my real favourite) have made it more fun for me to wear, and buy, my clothes and accessories. There is one matter about this new book which has disappointed me in only a small way, and that is that the authors have chosen to use certain photos and text from older books in this, their new book. I dislike paying for the same content twice. I also had very high hopes for this new book, the first new 'big' fashion/wardbrobe-planning book by these authors for some years now, and was a bit cheesed off to find the same images/text, apparently recycled. It's just a small thing, but it seems to me to be a little lazy on their part. That said, I'm still a fan of the book, and wish I'd had it years ago when I started my first job (I wear suits for work & this book really focuses on that look and how to 'polish' it or expand upon it). This would be a great book for a recent graduate, or for the library of a corporate employer looking for a simple yet thorough and elegant style guide for their staff.

Fabulous!
This book does an excellent job of getting you from nothing to wear to a closet of every possible wardrobe nessessity for the office. The organization is fantastic, going from one interview outfit and then starting a collection of business appropriate clothing based on four suits. Great book for someone getting a promotion, returning to work after a leave of absense, or a new college graduate.

Love the book
Although I do not work in a field that requires suits---I couldn't pass this book up. There may be a time I need to know how to dress for a business lunch, etc. The point is this book is a must have for all woman entering the work arena again or for young woman just getting out of college. The pictures are wonderful and the advice is perfect as in the other Chic books. I love this book..........

Great resource for work wardrobe
This book is broken down into three sections: the interview, succeeding in the job, and getting a better job. It fits anyone that works and give excellent advice. Of course, the pictures are a wonderful asset. This would make a great gift for any career woman. ... Read more

Book Description

Tens of thousands of professionals have attended David W. Merrill's acclaimed "Style Awareness Workshops" The goal: improvement of interpersonal effectiveness skills-inspiring better communication, improved productivity, and a more harmonious working environment.Students preparing for business, management, or sales careers can also benefit from Merrill's techniques, presented in Personal Styles & Effective Performance.Merrill's approach emphasizes the interrelationships between behavior and social style-encouraging students to consider how their own actions influence responsiveness from others. Those actions tend to be rooted in one of four primary social styles: Analytical, Amiable, Driving, and Expressive-which readers are invited to compare and contrast with their own styles, as a starting point for potential improvement.First published in 1981, Personal Styles & Effective Performance continues to be a popular resource for the self-improvement minded. By learning its lessons now, tomorrow's business professionals can have the edge in interpersonal effectiveness-one of the most important facets of a successful career. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

How to motivate people
The person who reads this book will be the most likely to succeed in any endevor where other people are involved. The ability to mirror someone's behavior and thus earn their confidence and trust is the skill that the reader will gain, if they take the concepts in this book to heart. All of the interpersonal skills a person has accumulated come together when applying the concepts of 'versitility'. It is the morter that holds everything together. Read the book that lays the foundation for all human behavior techniques and you will be able to effectivly motivate others to reach THEIR potential and help YOU get what you want. ... Read more

Book Description

The once useful formula of pinstripe suits, dress shirts, power ties, and leather wingtips no longer works. Chic Simple Work Clothes shows men and women how to dress in today's new world of work to commmand respect and ensure a professional bearing, and explains why the radically different new work style has developed. Full-color photos & illustations. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Fashion Advice for Beginners
This is the sort of book one gives to new grads, people re-entering the workforce, people starting a new job in a different company/region/field/etc. Lots of visuals, which is always a good thing in fashion advice books. Some of the printed info could have been better arranged. (The creators need to sit down with all three of Edward Tufte's books.) The type face of some pages was waaaaaay too small!

Another thing. This isn't really a book for women. The section containing advice for women is just thirty pages out of a total of 174. (hmm.)

Still, I'm glad I bought it a few years back. It has lots of good, basic info on clothing construction, fabric, color, classic style, etc., none of which has dated at all.

(Actually, I think I need to re-read it.)

not much content for the size
The first thing you notice is the avant-garde wannabe type setting which distracts from the message. Then you notice there is a ton of "fluff" in the book. Quotes from books written in the 1940s that are supposed to convey what fashion was like back then and stuff like that; I didn't buy this book to find out about the history work fashion through this century.

The book does have some useful information when it starts talking about fitting clothes and finding quality. However, Josh Karlen's "The Indispensable Guide to Classic Men's Clothing" does a superior and more comprehensive job in this department.

The best part of this book is when it starts talking specifics about ensembles. Unfortunately the captions that go along with the pictures often lack details that are necessary for a clueless shopper. If I had a clue I probably wouldn't be looking in this book. What kinds of slacks are those? What color are they? What fabric are they made of? I know that I need to find my own what suits my own style and tastes but give me something to at least start with!

The downside is that this kind of information -- displays of men's clothing ensembles -- can be found in magazines like GQ for a fraction of the cost of this book. If you want to learn more about some of the "theory" of fashion look to another book. If you want more "concrete" examples then leaf through this book at the bookstore...and get a subscription to GQ.

a visual treat, with a focus on quality clothes
This book boasts the catchy, elegant chic simple layout, with fully accessorized outfits laid out against a white background. The focus is on classic (and expensive), quality clothing (cashmere twin sets, Chanel flats, $300 Hermes scarves)-- but you could copy the ideas using less expensive basics. The idea is to pare down your wardrobe to the essentials, accessorizing the essentials to look polished & perfectly put together. The text is interesting, filled with quotes from movie stars and other famous people, with witty comments about the clothes, what one leans in business school, etc. However, you'll probably be drawn to the photographs and captions the first time through. Only about a third of the book is devoted to female attire, so if you're a woman, looking for advice about women's wardrobe concerns, you might be better served looking elsewhere.

Inspiring Outfits
I really like how the Chic Simple books have no models. Looking at super trim men and women could have taken away from the real purpose in these books. While I can't exactly duplicate each outfit at Walmart, I can use these pictures as guides. Each outfit may not be your "style," but you can pick and choose which clothing and colors will make you look your best, and go from there. One day I'll be brave enough to carry the Chic Simple books around with me when I'm shopping!

A good book, it could have been better
This was an okay book, I really felt the information could have been presented in a better way.

Someone felt "cute" layout and font changes on every page would make a good presentation style for this book, I found that it made information difficult to track and the overall style was confusing. Once I was able to decipher the information, it was very good, and very helpful!

One additional warning - the majority of the book was dedicated to male attire. Women had their own section, but, it was a chapter (with assorted extra nuggets of information elsewhere), not a full half of the book. ... Read more

Reviews (43)

Look at successful women in business
There is a lot of negative reviews of this book. Apparently women don't want to accept the cold truth about business dressing. Business people make judgements on first impressions. Molloy has studied the habits of executives and tells us what they think. If you look around at women CEOs and and the like, they are dressed just like Molloy describes in this book. They played the game and got to the top. They didn't complain that they couldn't wear certain things--they just did it. In his book he tells you if you don't believe him test it yourself. Dress your way and make notes of how you are treated and the level of respect you receive. Then dress his way and compare the results. Try it--it could be an eye-opener. The only thing this book lacks is photos, otherwise it is a very informative guide.

The Way to Dress Successfully in the Workforce
I thought the book New Women's Dress for Success was very interesting and helpful. This book has helped many women realize that the way they are dressing for work is not appropriate. Molloy explains the different fabrics, colors and accessories that will help women to dress for success. Some aspects of dress that seem obvious to some many not be as obvious to others. For example, wearing natural makeup, not dressing too sexy and wearing a jacket are overlooked by many women in the workforce. These dress codes will help women in interviews and to gain more respect and power at the workplace. I found this book very intriguing because I am interested in the business world and Molloy's suggests mostly likely will be very helpful to me in the future. As a high school senior applying to colleges, I can use Molloy's advice about dressing appropriately at college interviews. This book has given me a greater awareness of the importance of woman's dress today and I will be more aware of how my appearance reflects who I am.

factual
For women who love serving the fashion machine, this book is useless. But for women who want to know how to dress to break into the "good old boys" network, who want to rise above their upbringing, or want to stop being treated like bimbos and trash, this book is priceless. Molloy's research into what sort of colors impress juries and potential buyers is incredibly useful. He even tells you how to dress to be a successful doctor. I find Molloy incredibly sympathetic to the needs of real women, including large-size women and particularly women of color.

TELLS THE TRUTH ABOUT FEMALE/FEMALE HARASSMENT
This book is a gem if only due to the fact that Molloy tells the truth about modern women in the workplace. MANY WOMEN ARE JEALOUS OF BEAUTIFUL WOMEN, AND THEY WORK AGAINST THE CAREER ASPIRATIONS OF THOSE WOMEN THEY ARE ENVIOUS OF.

One need only listen to the numerous catty comments that women make about other women, and one can see that WOMEN are the ones actively working to keep other women from success. Therefore, very beautiful women are accused of having slept with the boss, using their looks to get ahead, or any number of nasty things that may not be at all true! Some women actively attempt to ruin careers and reputations just based on the good looks of the women they are insanely envious of. This is a very serious problem for professional women, and it is just ridiculous that men are always accused of creating a "hostile and offensive environment" most of the time, when women are much worse to each other.

I have been in some of the finest department stores only to have the wonderful, articulate, elegant salesperson given a rude, verbal backhand from a coworker, and this was done right in front of me! I was so furious at one woman that I promptly complained to management and then wrote a nice letter commending the poor girl who had been helping me with such professionalism and grace.

Kudos to Molloy for exposing what modern feminists hate to talk about, the dirty little secret of feminism...SNOW WHITE/CINDERELLA SYNDROME in the workplace (female envy of attractive women).

Don't hate them because they are beautiful. Most customers prefer a beauty to a jealous shrew. Corporate America should promote the pretty ones and get rid of the unattractive troublemakers.

Other books that may be of interest to readers of "New Women's Dress for Success" are "Survival of the Prettiest: The Science of Beauty" by Nancy Etcoff and "The Substance of Style" by Virginia Postrel. Both books play up the importance of good looks, be it regarding a person or a product.

The hideous, jealous, backstabbing shrews of this world should just slink off into the dreadful holes from which they climbed forth...or try learning to become more attractive, as Molloy helps one do in this wonderful book.

Sexist and offensive
In reading Molloy's book, one could conclude that a woman who thinks that earning a graduate degree, working hard and developing skills is what it takes to get ahead is all wrong. No, what she needs to do (according to Molloy) is to obsess about her looks, starve herself if genetics did not endow her with a thin build and in general market herself as if looks are all that matter. After decades of women working for equality in the workplace, there are still people who think like this?! I believe that women deserve better than this book. True, the advice he gives on appropriate workplace attire is basically sound, but there are many other books out there that give advice just as good, without the sexism and size prejudice. ... Read more

Book Description

Alan Flusser, one of America's foremost menswear designers, knows fine clothes and where to buy them. He shares all this in his insightful and elegantly written treatise for the man interested in savvy attire. Tuck this volume into a corner of your suitcase and you'll be armed with a connoisseur's knowledge of the dos and don'ts of buying and wearing quality clothes and how much they should cost, from dinnerwear to casual sportswear. Open Style and the Man and learn about:

• what to wear when you shop and why
• the difference between a $395 and a $1,000 suit (and how to make sure you're getting your money's worth)
• what two words to look for on a costly dress shirt's label
• why the folds in a cummerbund should always be worn facing upward
• how to recognize sports clothes capable of providing stylish longevity

Turn to the author's 200 favorite men's stores spanning seventeen cities in eight countries' both celebrated designer flagships and tiny shops known only to a privileged few and discover:

• the little-known New York store that sells shoes that offer instant "cachet"
• where the fashion set goes for the best T-shirt

In Style and the Man, Alan Flusser has created the perfect traveling companion for those men wishing to expand their sartorial knowledge as well as their wardrobe. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Source of Valuable Men's Clothing Information
As other reviewers have noted, this book is really two books. One is a guide to the style of fine men's clothes, the other tells where to buy them. Most people will probably find the style information in the beginning the most useful part.

One reviewer thought that the author left out certain points of view on style issues. It is true, for example, that the author recommends only the four-in-hand tie knot, and not the questionable half-Windsor. I think that he makes a good case for the four-in-hand being better looking, anyway. You certainly won't go wrong following the author's conservative clothing advice.

There is good information on wearing difficult clothes properly, such as the bow tie, handkerchief, etc. The book also describes how to buy clothes and judge their quality.

I think that the style information could be expanded and spun-off into its own book. The shopping information could stand on its own as a travel guide quite well. I would reccommend this book, however. It seems to be the best of its kind.

A guide for all of us...
While it's true that Flusser's book contains a guide to some of the most expensive menswear in the world, it's silly to downgrade the book for that reason. By telling you about suit construction, Flusser makes it possible to buy good cloths inexpensively by showing you what to look for. Admittedly the second part of this book is a guide to "the best" available, but it's still interesting to read and instructional even if I'll never buy a suit in Milan (and I won't).

Terrible
What if you live outside of New York? This book isn't applicable for anyone outside "The City." Buy a book from John Bridges instead.

Overrated book
I bought this book a year ago, mainly because of its high ratings. But I was disappointed. I read it once and I found the style of writing outdated and the content not so useful: many addresses where you should buy things, but how useful is that? I don't live nearby these places, and I want to learn WHY you should buy certain things so that I can decide for myself what is good to buy and what not. Such info is given only very briefly.

An ageing shopping guide for dandies
If you're seeking information on how to tell fine menswear from bad, skip this book and go directly to Flusser's new one.

If you're a would-be dandy looking for information on where to buy men's furnishings around the world, buy the book (with a minor caution). Many of the stores in the U.S. have relocated and some have closed.

On the other hand, I've used it to find choices in London and Paris that I would never have known about otherwise. And once you've made the initial investment in the measurements, you can patronize many of these establishments by telephone.

A number of earlier reviews criticise Flusser for focusing on the finest quality and most expensive clothing in the world. It is, and he does. But for people who do or want to play that game, it's still the best source of information. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Okay, but nothing new here...
It seems that in our ever-increasingly casual society, we have lost some of our common sense when dressing for the office. This book has no surprises - there are no hidden secrets for compiling a work wardrobe - if we put a bit of thought into it, I'm sure most people could determine on their own that belly tops, sandals, frayed jeans, see-through blouses and poor grooming are potentially career-limiting moves.

The information in this book is pretty basic. Save your money - you can probably get this quality of advice from Mom - for free.

The ultimate guide to looking your best...
If you are looking for a comprehensive guide to making a positive impact through appearance, this is your book. I am a recruiter with a Fortune 100 company in the US, and a professional image consultant recommended this book to me when I originally began my position. As a person who was looking for solid guidelines around professional dressing, as well as a reference for others who are looking to improve their appearance, I have found no other book to be comparable.

There are many aspects which make this book such an important resource for professionals:

1. The author provides specific guidelines around what items should be in a professional wardrobe, even going as far as to outline what quantities are particularly helpful of each piece of clothing.

2. The book is filled with "before and after" pictures, which allow the reader to see first-hand how the author's recommendations can make a startling appearance alteration.

3. To reflect the variety of workplace formality levels, there are six levels of workplace dress covered in the chapters. For those people who work for companies that have never successfully defined "Casual Friday", this book gives a lot of great hints of how to dress casual but still remain professional.

4. Two separate chapters outline accessories and generic grooming guidelines, and I have only found those hints in this particular guideline book.

5. For people looking to improve their wardrobe on a limited budget or a first job out of school, the author does not suggest spending a fortune on designer clothing. Rather, she suggests some key pieces to acquire first, and then others that can be obtained after your finances begin to improve.

Overall, I see the negative impact every day in my position from candidates who do not make the extra effort to go from "dressing up" to "looking professional". I strongly suggest that you make the $15 investment in this book, since it could help you to acquire the high paying career of your dreams!

An essential part of a working wardrobe.
This book is an excellent guide to dressing for the workplace regardless of where you work. I especially liked the sections on business casual (for both men and women). This section helped me to see that, though I am a manager in my firm, I was dressing like the delivery man. There are so many options for dressing these days and dress has become so casual that we lose sight of the impact that our clothing has on others and the subtle signals we send. The authors do an excellent job of demonstrating how important dress is, especially for women. And, it doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg to dress well, it just takes conscious buying and this book as your guide. If you feel like you are not making the impact at work and maybe in your life that you would like to make, get this book. Perhaps your appearance is sending a different message.

Finally, a book to show you how to look successful!
As a young woman entering the workforce, I recognized the need to make a strong first impression. What I lacked was the concrete rules to pull this off. This book is outstanding! Given to me as a present, it will surely serve as my dressing bible for years to come. I was especially helped by the dress/grooming guidelines given for specific occasions and the tips for creating a more polished overall look.

Just be forewarned that the women's photos show fashions which are about five years out of style, but the overall ideas are still applicable to everyday life. Men's fashions are a lot more constant so their section is still current.

Success is Yours in 30 Seconds--With This Book!
I am currently beginning my second career and needed the Zero to 60 information, now, to level the playing field. You may think, gee, this guy should know all the rules--but my first career was 25 years in the military. Susan Bixler and Nancy Nix-Rice have me confident that when I walk into the interview, I will have the external factors covered (the first 30 seconds)--they even give you hints on how posture, speak, and express the internal you--your knowledge, skills, and ability. I notice people much more now--I look for the suit and tie color, suit make, belts, shoe style, etc., to see the type client the individual is playing up or down to. If you're at all uncertain--this is your next book--you will not be sorry. ... Read more

Book Description

What are you saying before you speak a word? Does your nonverbal communication limit your effectiveness? In this enlightening guidebook, Sherry Maysonave shows you precisely how to commnad respect, inspire trust, and project personal power when you dress down for business. She emphasizes the silentbut potent - nonverbal aspects of clothing, demeanor, and body language. She reveals how nonverbal factors determine the responsse you receive from othersfactors that impact your ability to maximize success.

Sheery Maysonave puts an end to the confusion that surrounds casual attire in the workplace and social invitations requesting casual dress. In this groundbreaking book, she decodes the confusing catchall term "casual." For varied occasions, Sherry explains and clarifies two primary questions: 1) How dressed down is too casual? 2) How dressed up is not casual enough?

Using fascinating case studies, Sherry exposes the personal saboteur that works behind the scenes to undermine success. Personifying this conniving part of the human psyche, she introduces McSly, a friendly monster that seduces you into making choices that can disempower you. Sherry and McSly use real-life situations to show you exactly what casual apparel and what nonverbal communications sabotage or empower you and your career goals.

Sherry gives you key strategies for powering up your nonverbal communications and for taking control of your image. Using her expert tips, you can dress down with flair and confidence. Sherry's painless shopping strategies show you how to quickly examine clothing store inventories to find those garments that are empowering to you. Her secrets on creating wardrobe miracles are refreshing and exciting.

Sherry Maysonave brings needed clarity, sophistication, and wit to all dress-down issues in today's workplace. This inspiring, humorous, visually-rich book is the millennium's "How-To-Dress-Down-For-Success" bible. Log on to www.casualpower.com and find out how to enhance your personal power even more! ... Read more

Reviews (31)

"Casual Power" Reveals: You Are What You Wear
Sherry Maysonave's Casual Power, ostensibly a guide for business casual attire, transcends itself and emerges as a faithful guide to understanding how your appearance can affect your fate. Witty and humorous, the book is unapologetic in defining what is, and what is not, appropriate dress in the "new" relaxed business environment. Maysonave's shrewd advice is applicable to anyone interested in taking control of his or her own destiny. It is especially beneficial, however, to "self saboteurs" unaware of the influence or success they may be sacrificing because they overlook or underestimate the ramifications of their own appearance.

A worthy sucessor to John Malloy's advice
This book is a must have for anyone who doesn't wear a uniform to work.

Yes, of course, I have a personally inscribed copy, but that's not important. What is important is the information you'll glean--this book goes beyond usual the "change your look, change your life" advice. Sherry Maysonave also covers topics such as the nonverbal communication cues that convey power and authority (or lack therof)

From the best color combinations to pulling together a great casual look, even on a tight budget, this book is jammed with great advice. You'll be able to unjam your closet and pass up clothes that no longer meet your work needs. You'll save the price of the book over and over again by not buying those "McSly" favorites. You'll also save time every morning by not staring at a closet full of clothes that you can't wear to work.

BUY THIS TODAY!
From Joe Catal. Author of the book "Telesales Tips From The Trenches". As a national sales trainer, this book is a must for anyone who wants to get ahead at the job and their career. The majority of sales people I train don't realize how they're destroying their own success by the way they dress. This book will teach you exactly what you need to learn to have the image you want/need to succeed. One of the best books I've ever read in my life. Get it, you won't be disappointed.
Joe Catal.

P.S. Be prepared to be beat up a little. This isn't a cutsy book. It's rough and to the point. I loved it!

Silly Stuff
This book is basically an apology for dressing like a slob. The author is very careful to deny this, and keeps making reference to the minefield of problems associated with the dressing down trend in business, but she never addresses the real issue: people dress like slobs at work because they WANT to, and because being comfortable is more important than anything else in today's society. Calling it "casual power" is just a joke. Get real!

The threads do make a statement after all.
Whether you are a pro at putting outfits together or a bumbling brut (me), CASUAL POWER by Sherry Maysonave will lend some insight into what's right and what's not in the world of business casual. I know a number of people able to string outfits together but making an impact or statement with non-formal clothing takes skill, taste and experience. Someone like me who has spent a small fortune on clothing to make it easier to put outfits together will really benefit from Ms. Maysonave's book. At the very least, I've made some progress in understanding clothing faux pas' and coordinating shirts, slacks, shoes and sport coats. And whether one wants to admit it or not, appearances do matter.

Casual (and perhaps Grunge) dress has long been the norm for high-tech environments. I consulted for a software company during the 90's that sported a dozen or so software engineers. These guys and gals had an unwritten credo to determine who could wear the most disgusting, outrageous T-shirt, on a daily basis. While it provided much-needed comic relief, it was tragic nonetheless.

For most men going casual, the challenge lies in locating the compromise between too stuffy and weekend slob. With the interpretation of casual so varied, Ms. Maysonave offers a general rule of thumb - remember there's a difference between casual dress and business casual dress. Additionally, no matter what one decides to wear to work, conducting business is the name of the game. For me, the need to change from "Dockers" casual to business casual came with too many unexpected client drop-ins and opportunities to meet new clients.

Regardless one's profession, if suit and tie aren't required, tasteful business attire is still appropriate and, in most circles, expected. This is particularly true of many of the successful individuals and those getting ahead in front of the trend.

CASUAL POWER is an easy-to-read book with many illustrations, color photos and tips to ensure success in dressing down powerfully. I highly recommend this book for most professionals, particularly those adhering to a casual dress code. ... Read more

Reviews (20)

Simply the Best!
I love this little book! The message is simple. Less is more! If you can pare down your wardrobe to figure flattering pieces that blend with the rest of your garments you will have an easy workable wardrobe. The authors suggest you shop your closet, not the stores. Which would you rather have a rack crammed full of mismatched clothes, or an orderly small selection of easy to find items that look GREAT on you! The authors give tips on how to pare down and make your clothes work for you! By following the suggestions given you will organize your closets, spend less money, and look better. They also give tips on caring for your clothes. The style of the book is easy and breezy. And its pocketsized, easy to tote in your bag. I love the authors sense of humor too. It can be hard to simplify even for the authors. I read in Vogue that one of the authors Amy Fine Collins had an incredibly vast shoe collection. So "Simple Isn't Easy" for most of us! But reading and rereading this book can help!

The definitive book on style
Over the years I've read almost every wardrobe and style book on the market, trying to find something that would help me feel comfortable in my clothing, without trying to turn me into a fashion plate (I'm allergic to the very concept). Then I found this little book, and I haven't read another book on clothes since. Anything and everything you need to know to find your OWN style and develop a simple pared down wardrobe that looks great is in here. Olivia and Amy walk you through everything from evaluating your current wardrobe, to finding your best look, to common pitfalls and fears. It's a little book, but every page is packed.

The common thread of simplicity (even if it isn't easy), is also applicable to far more than just your clothing. There's a lot of wisdom in this little book.

A COLLECTOR'S ITEM NOW, WHY?
I've heard so much about this book from adqaintances yet none of them have a copy. It seems they've all lent their copies out and never got them back. Everything I've heard is very positive and inspiring. BUT, REALLY, $64.37 (STARTING PRICE) FOR A USED MASS MARKET PAPERBACK? What on earth is so special about this book? Do you truly believe that someone is going to pay such a rediculous price for a used soft cover book? Come on now, this is NOT A RARE FIRST EDITION!!! There probably wasn't even a hard cover edition. I understand that the author died in the O.R. while having plastic surgery recently. Well, Dr. Robert Atkins also met an untimely death last year, but his books haven't sored to a such a ridiculous price! If there are so many women clamoring to get their hands on a copy, perhaps the publisher may be enticed into reprinting it.

It works.
Almost ten years have passed since I read this book. What I leaned from this book stayed with me since then. I naturally started following after the rules and it became my habit. Now, I never have to be late for work, trying to find which one to wear. What a relief. It took me almost ten years to follow the rules completely. It takes time to know which style you are most comfortable with, to know at stores which items you are going to wear for many years to come and which ones you won't before you buy them , and to be able to dicard the items you like but do not wear anymore. Recently, I found out that it is even more time-saving to have a tailor to duplicate my favorite suits or dresses. (They are not that expensive, considering I wear them twice a week for at least 4 seasons.)
When I moved out NYC, I left the book to the trash can with my other things, not knowing it is such a valuable book. I only read one time, but it is lasting in my mind forever. This is such a book.

Best of it's kind!
If you are looking for a book that will help you redefine your style while getting rid of garbage that we all hold on to for some reason- this is the absolute perfect book! Goldsmith goes through step-by-step how to pare down your wardrobe and only where pieces that look good on you. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Lacking depth
I am a firm believer in ongoing personal development, so I have continued to read and grow my perspective. Your Executive Image looked interesting because of attention given to clothing, space, gestures, etc...

Then I read it. Not all of it, but as much as I could before I realized this was a waste of time. For instance, the entire posture chapter could have been replaced with a single line: Posture is important as it conveys confidence or insecurity... The rest of the chapter reinforced this one point. Twenty minutes of time for a thirty-second concept. In some chapters, I didn't even see a worthwhile thirty-second concept (like the chapter on space).

Money could have been better spent elsewhere.

Excellent Use Of Time
This book continues all the sound advice I have received from my parents while I was growing up. The material contained in this book is an excellent reference for any person at any level of employment. I have been able to easily relate parts of the book to past experiences.

Getting To The Top
If a business minded individual wants to successfully make it to the top of the corporate ladder, then this book is a must. The author explains in great detail exactly what it takes to achieve "Your Executive Image." To keep and maintain employment the right image is a must and the author takes you there and keeps you there. I give this book as a gift to all of my friends.

Pass on this one...
This book seems to be something that some marketing people threw together to make a quick buck, and it shows. I should have realized from looking at the cover that is it not really about "Executive Image" the people look more like game show hosts. I hate to be so critical but there seems to be very little content, and what is there is questionable. For example it advises the use of black suits (Funeral overtone). I also purchased John T. Molloy's New Dress For Success and I am very happy with it and its content, this book I am returning.

I'm throwing this book in the garbage
This book is a complete waste of money. There's hardly any advice in here at all (bringing to mind the famous Wendy's commercial, "where's the beef?"), and much of the advice is just plain wrong.

...

The author has this to say about polyester: "Polyester resists wrinkling, so it's great blended with cotton for shirts. A men's dress shirt in 65 to 70 percent cotton and 30 to 35 percent polyester gives the comfort of cotton with the ease of care and great looks of polyester." Huh? Polyester looks good? Is she kidding? Polyester is the ugliest looking fabric you can wear. I can spot one of those partially polyester shirts from a mile away, and it screams "cheap shirt."

The book covers several other topics, such as body language and etiquette, but everything is presented in a very cursory manner, leaving many gaps and unanswered questions. Illustrations, which are very useful in books about dress and etiquette (when it comes to describing a suit or a place setting, a picture is indeed worth a thousand words) are completely lacking. Although the book is 273 pages, it's printed in a large font and half the book is white space and blank pages.

So in conclusion, don't waste your money on this book. I'm throwing my copy in the garbage. No point of even wasting bookshelf space on it.

... ... Read more

Amazon.com

Ideal for the woman who frequently has nothing to wear in the morning (or, rather, has a closetful of clutter but with few coordinating outfits to be salvaged), Chic Simple Women's Wardrobe will prove a sanity saver. It's an organizational consultant in book form, as well as a tool for developing personal style by finding the most flattering fashions and accessories for your lifestyle and personality. How exactly do you fold and tie a scarf? Is it really gauche to wear black to a wedding? Which designers make pants that successfully camouflage wide hips? What's acceptable for "casual day" at work, and what veers too far to the sloppy side? Such fashion conundrums are solved in these inspiring, sumptuously photographed pages. Women's Wardrobe also features helpful guides for deciphering care labels and treating stains, plus etiquette guidance for dressing for events and different locations (job interview in Boston vs. Seattle; daytime vs. nighttime party). Addresses and phone numbers for stores, and mail-order catalogs for everything from nursing bras to cashmere sweaters are included. ... Read more

Reviews (32)

Good but not great advice for wardrobe building
This Chic Simple book is written for those who have a closetful of clothes but nothing ever to wear. It helps women pull together a total wardrobe and focuses on such key elements as:

*style
*elements of clothing (color, fabric, texture)
*clothes (underwear,outerwear,suits etc)
*care of clothes
*definitions/glossary of fashion jargon

The book is very well illustrated with full color pictures and drawing. It does not give specific advice and seems to be written more for those in the clothing business/fashion designers. But overall, i enjoyed this book.

Great photos, need more ideas...
I thought that the photos were great. I thought the text was very odd. The font sizes jumped all around and seemed to consume a page that could have been half used to illustrate the point instead of +20 font size. Artsy is fine. But if I want to get the simple idea, I want it simple -- not 'dressed' up.

When I think of a wardrobe, I think of work. So I didn't want to go into jeans too much. But I will check out Dress Smart and see if that complements this book well.

I did find the 'where' list in the back very helpful. I can visit the places and see what quality is and then shop around to find the best price.

Great source for classic advice
I bought Chic Simple Women's Wardrobe when it first came out, and had reason to pull it out again when my wardrobe needed a complete overhaul due to weight loss. To my delight, the advice and the styles contained within are as fresh now as they were eight years ago. If you're looking for good, basic advice on how to build a classic wardrobe, you won't go wrong with the Chic Simple philosophy, and this book is a wonderful embodiment of it.

Good, but not as specific as I was looking for
This is a good book if you often, as I am, finding yourself at sea either in clothing stores or in your own closet. It gives you an idea for a basic wardrobe on which to build, and then ideas for special occasions.
What I didn't like about the book is that it didn't have enough of the basic, this is what you should buy information. It talked a lot about types of fabrics and cuts, and things only fashion designers need to know. It is set up more like a coffee table book than a how-to.

when I read this book
the song "get a job" usually pops into my head, because most of the clothes (sans the summer beachwear) are for proffesional wear, and may be too formal for everyday (buisness casual is getting more and more casual). That said, this is the BEST fashion source book I have ever read because rather than focusing on the avant garde, it gives simple instructions on how to build a wardrobe, not imitate anything trendy, and I have seen many reveiws complain that this book is difficult to follow on a thrift store budget, but I regularly shop at the Salvation Army, and haven't experienced a problem finding simple cut black blazers and beige sweaters. (Anything you can find at the Gap you can find at the thrift store three months later) If you do want a good thrift store guide try anything by Rachel Ashwell, or the book Second Hand Chic.
But I think this book can save you money, because it does suggest that you look through your wardrobe for your favorite pieces and shop in your closet, mixing and matching what you already have. Finding new combinations of outfits really can be like having new clothes, it also suggests swapping accesories to vamp up something you already have. These options are much cheaper then running out to the store (even the thrift store) to get new clothes.
This book is also very well designed, with full color pictures and wonderful typography, but the best reason to get this book is the back section, it is true that this is not the flashiest part of the book, that there aren't even any pictures, but it does give a guide of what to wear based on where you live and what your body type is. It covers all kinds of body flaws and how clothes can help you hide them. (If you have a big bust, don't wear high pants with belts, etc.) At the very least, it helped me find a good suit for interviews. ... Read more

Book Description

In offices across the country, dressing casually for work is the norm, not the exception, every day of the week, not just Fridays. But what are the rules for business casual? How can men figure out what's appropriate and what's not, without sacrificing or compromising their personal style? Over the past year, GQ, The New York Times, and even Fortune Magazine have all offered advice and counsel about making this transition--but this worrisome and universal problem still poses a fashion challenge for most men. So how can today's businessmen dress without getting a dressing down? Dress Casually for Success. . .for Men answers those questions, and helps men figure out how to dress with authority, style, and comfort, without breaking the rules. It shows readers how to handle the new fashion edicts, guides them through the intricacies of fabrics, patterns, accessories, and colors, and ultimately will help them project just the right image at work and at play, from power lunches to job interviews, to business-related nights on the town. In today's offices and boardrooms, it's the subleties that can make or break a look. Complete with black-and-white and color photos, easy-to-use charts, and quick references for Fashion Do's and Don't, here is the first and only guide to going corporate casual with flair and confidence. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

not enough information to make it worth it
Luckily this book can be read in a sitting...big text and few pages. Too bad there isn't enough information to make it worth sitting long enough to read. This book commits the single biggest mistake that any fashion book can commit: it doesn't have pictures (especially color pictures) of the things it is talking about. Wonder what worsted wool gabardine is? I sure do! They give a definition but no picture is present for me to understand how this is different from some other kind of lightweight wool.

The book does a few guidelines about kinds of clothing to consider wearing and ways to care for them. However, we're talking about a few dozen pages of information. That's the kind of thing I would expect to find on a webpage for free.

The biggest problem is they don't offer a lot of guidelines and never seem to tell you what things you absolutely shouldn't do. So what you're left with is a few ideas but not really enough to build a wardrobe on. You'd do just as well browsing through a few GQ magazines while waiting in line at the supermarket and then heading to a nice clothing store to figure out what worsted wool gabardine is on your own.

Decent job on an obscure subject.
The first third or half of the book is a waste of time. But the rest makes it worth buying.

Most books only give a passing explanation on casual friday. This one analyzes it to death. They give names for four different types of casual dress, and give guides and even wardrobe lists for each of those styles. It definitely helped me figure out what image I want to present.

My criticism is that like many magazines, movie reviews, entertainment shows, etc, it hates to say "don't." There are too many "you could try this" or "some would prefer that" type answers, and it doesn't really tell about the gaffes people might commit. Also, more and colored photos would help, but most any book on the subject would likely have that same flaw.

I don't believe there to be a better resource on business casual dress, and to the Van Heusen group's credit they don't plug their stores much at all (aside from a few Bass Weejun mentions). Buy it, tear out the first 3-4 chapters, and be happy.

a good solid book
This is a good book for people who want to dress better at casual work places or, in my case, men who are looking to improve their style.

That's one of the problems: not a lot of good style books out there for men. This one does a pretty good job, showing illustrations to help you along and giving some key points.

Definitely worth a look. Also, even better, check out Carole Jackson's COLOR FOR MEN. I wrote a review over there, too.

This book offers good points for men of all ages and size
I thought this was a good reference book. It offers good points on casual dressing for men of all sizes. I have two jobs, one as a male dancer and the other as a real estate agent. I must wear casual dress wear and sometimes I just don't match. This book provided me with information on how to wear anything from jeans and tennis to slacks and sports jackets.

Keeping it simple
I work for a company that allows me to dress "business casual" every day. I have to admit that I was not sure what that ment, before reading this book. I have to say that many things in the book are "no brainers" when you think about them. The book is good because it brings it all together. It is a good guide to help you avoid the mines in the mine field called "casual business" ... Read more

Book Description

Studies have shown that people form their initial impression of you within the first 30 seconds: 55% is based on how you look; 38% is your presentation (voice and body language); and 7% is what you have to say. "A Woman?s Guide to Success: Perfecting Your Professional Image" can get you 93% of the way to making a positive first impression and unlocking the door to professional success. In a simple, yet thorough, step-by-step manner, Doris Pooser, author of the acclaimed Always in Style® book series, focuses on helping to improve your "total presentation"?the mix of verbal and non-verbal signals?in the workplace. From wardrobe planning and body language to business and dining etiquette, you?ll look good, feel confident, and be on the road to achieving your life goals and finding success in style! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Fabulous book
I just got a copy of this book yesterday. Doris Pooser's book takes you through everything from wardrobe, which addresses problems and issues specific to body type, to colors and etiquette. A must-read for anyone out in the business world -- or in life! ... Read more

Book Description

Whether its what to wear on a job interview, to the company's Christmas party, or on casual Fridays, having the right look can translate into career success.In this practical guide, men and women learn how they can use their workstyles to move up the corporate ladder.Features tips on how to get the most out of suits, look promotable," find inexpensive clothes, and more.Readers get advice on common fashion mistakes, figure flattery, and even what to wear whether theyre in New York or Tokyo.Information on key stylish and functional pieces that every wardrobe should have helps readers look like millionaires without actually being one. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Get down to the basics...the place to start
This book covers a variety of subjects, and a good way to start with the basic knowledge.If you don't understand the basics you can't build a good wardrobe and even hope to understand your style.It is what your mothermight have told you if you were paying attention to avoid the pot holes oflife ... Read more

Book Description

Provides the tools, skills and techniques to help people achieve their career, income and professional goals. Perfect for people looking for a job, new to the work place, or wanting to move ahead in their current career. Explains the business casual phenomenon. Gives expert advice on work place dress, image and behavior. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

If you Liked This Book:
Try this must read ! Best ImpressionsHow to Gain Professionalism, Promotion & Profit by Dawn E. Waldrop Available on Amazon.com

An excellent executive reference book
An excellent reference book for any executive to add to their bookshelf, written by the leading expert in the field ... Read more