Frugal Fashionista Bookshelf: 'The One Hundred'

I have never watched 'Project Runway,' but I know it has it's devotees.  My reality television leans toward anything starring Drew and Jonathan Scott on HGTV.  I love watching them buy real estate and then tear it apart, but I know there are some of you who would rather watch aspiring clothing designers get torn apart :)

Nina Garcia is a judge on 'Project Runway,' and she was also the fashion director at Marie Claire.  She has written several fashion books, the most recent being 'The 100.'  If anyone is going to write on what 100 pieces most fashionable women should have in their wardrobes, I guess it would be someone with Ms. Garcia's credentials.

I borrowed this from the library, and I honestly wouldn't recommend buying it.  It's a fun book to have in the bathroom (AKA my reading room) and peruse at your leisure, but once you're done with it, unless you had some burning question that sent you back to the library to check it out again, a once through is probably enough for most of us.

Some things Nina lists, I wholehearted agree I must have.  Ballet flats? Yes, definitely.  Animal print?  In as many things as possible.  Pencil skirt and Spanx?  Yeah, and probably worn together!  It was nice to see that my burning desire for Frye Harness boots was validated (but alas, unless I find them resale, that over $200 price tag will sadly prevent me from ever owning them).  Also fabulous that my love of old concert tees are a fashion must.  I loved that she included 'Mad Money,' in an amount of $50, to be slipped in a discreet pocket of your handbag and used when you find that perfect vintage piece and the store doesn't take a debit or credit card.  Unfortunately, on Planet Erin (where reality crashes down with a bang regularly) that $50 would be gobbled up at the grocery store before you could say, 'what vintage find?'

I was particularly interested in what she had say regarding hoop earrings.  She went into detail about how the thinner versions looked more luxe and expensive.  That eliminated any more hoop earring purchases that didn't look quite 'right.'  It's possible to buy a $5 pair of hoop earrings at Walmart and have them look pricey, now that I've read Nina's advice.

I would say about half the items Nina lists are good to have on hand.  There are others which are a bit pretentious, but then, she IS on the forefront of cutting edge fashion.  I think I can still die happy if I never have a Pucci blouse, a caftan or good champagne.  At my age, I have lived a perfectly good life without fishnets.  Missoni knits?  Meh.  I WOULD like an investment bag, but as I've said before, unless that Louis Vuitton tote bag shows up at Goodwill, it, like the Frye boots, will remain a far away dream.

 

'The 100' is a good book to check out at the library.  Those of you who list a safari jacket and a valid passport as a must in life?  You might want to buy it :)