What Not to Wear for Every Occasion : Part 2: Amazon.co.uk: Susannah Constantine, Trinny Woodall, Robin Matthews: Books

Amazon.co.uk Review

What Not to Wear Part 2: For Every Occasion, the second tome from those Sloane rangers--or re-arrangers--of style, Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine, is based on the revised version of their hit BBC television series. Having tired of forcing ordinary mortals and celebrities to reassess their everyday dress sense, or lack of it to be precise, the harridans have gone specific. Here the pair offer a chapter-by-chapter, photo-illustrated guide, replete with closing checklists and a directory of boutiques, on what to and, more importantly, what not to wear on particular occasions.

In their very own inimitable way, i.e., gleefully rude way, they point out the sartorial pitfalls women can make on such humdrum activities as working in an office and hitting the beach to meeting your boyfriend's mother for the first time, attending job interviews, weddings and school carol concerts. (The trick with the latter is to avoid red and black clothes, fishnets and scarlet lipstick at all costs. Unless of course you want your outfit to scream "I am slutty, available and a bad role model for my children", in which case, apparently, they are bang on and you may seek out the maths master who eyed you up on sports day, safe in the knowledge that another notch on the bedpost is yours for the asking.) "The moral here", they say, "is to consider the occasion more important than yourself". And, in case you were in any doubt about thongs, whatever the occasion a "crusty, worn-out cheesecutter is not a pretty sight", if you really must flash your knickers, they sagely advise, invest in a thong that's decorative, preferably sequinned, "rather than a barren triangle of grubby nylon." Buy this and ensure that you manage to keep fashion faux pas at bay. --Travis Elborough

Review

'Having joined in Carol Vorderman's very funny but undoubtedly waspish condemnation of Trinny and Susannah earlier this year ... I now find myself warming to them having read extracts from their new book telling us all what to wear. What I find engaging is that they are just as rude about their own figures as they are about everyone else's...' (Richard & Judy DAILY EXPRESS (13/9/03) )

'The week just wouldn't be complete without... Looking good. Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine have another book out for mere mortals who struggle to look good every day. (WNTW2) guides readers through the clothing minefield, helping them to avoid gaffes galore. The hardback has even more hot tips.' (SATURDAY DAILY EXPRESS MAG (13/9/03) )

'...rather better than the first book - there are superior tips and some pieces of information that immediately lodge themselves in your head...The pictures are funnier too...' (India Knight EVENING STANDARD (15/9/03) )

'Boost your style cred by reading one of these fashionable new books... The accompanying Bible to the third TV series. Fashion's favourite twosome give tips/barking orders about what to wear on that all important interview/date/wedding.' (IN STYLE (Oct '03) )

'They're back on TV for another series and here's the new book to accompany it. This time the redoutable pair we love to hate focus on every special occasion you might have to frock up for. From job interviews to different work environments, various kinds of holiday destinations to school functions, hot dates and weddings - you name it they demonstrate how to dress appropriately and feel so much more confident.' (WOMAN & HOME (Oct '03) )

'So if you don't know how to dress for a winter wedding or get in a sweat over what to take on holiday - this is your style bible. If you're dating again after many years out of it, there's a section on what to wear to look seductive, without looking cheap! Brutal but effective.' (CANDIS (Oct '03) )

'Soon to have the best-dressed babies in Britain, the mums-to-be have released their second style bible, modelling fabulous and dubious outfits (just like they do in real life!). (HOT STARS - OK MAGAZINE (25-31 Oct '03) )

'Once again, Trin and Suz have balanced being informative, honest and entertaining to provide us with a fab fashion bible. And the faces that Trinny pulls are priceless.' (HEAT (8-14 Nov '03) )

'It pains me greatly to admit that this is a good book. Like the TV show, it's full of funny, hissing, bitch wisdom... It's surprisingly engrossing to see for the nth time what the fat one and the skinny one look like in different outfits, and the photos reveal their genuine pleasure and skill in the play-acting and dressing up that they've managed to turn into a career... you too can learn how to con your boss/love-rival/potential partner into thinking you've actually got a nice figure.' (INK magazine (Dec 03) )

'An invaluable addition to even the most confident dresser's wardrobe.' (WOMAN (Dec 03) )

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Customer Reviews

2.8 out of 5 stars

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33 of 35 people found the following review helpful

Dont let them get your back up - useful tips enclosed 25 Sep 2003

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

Okay, most people love to hate this pair. I am not going to debate this point, even though I don't. I think people tend to assume that they are telling you exactly what clothes to wear. The title leads us to believe this. Be a bit more open minded people - please!! If you look through the book and perhaps ignore certain fabrics you may not like, and see through this to the underlying facts and tips, you will realise that many of them are sound good advice, which dont always stop you wearing what you want, they just help you make the most of your body/situation. I am impressed - their message is a fresh one from the fashionable world, that in order to look good - we dont have to stick ourselves in the latest trend even if it really does not look good on us (hmm... anyone sick of seeing flabby bellies rolling over the top of hipster jeans that are too tight yet?), instead we should wear clothes for our body types, or with circumstances/occasions in mind. Simple etiquette and self awareness! Perhaps all you loathers of the pair cant face the fact that they have a point - you might look ridiculous in the fashions you cant bring yourself to ditch. Be original in this world of fashion lemmings - have some style and some self-respect and follow sound advice!! Besides the pictures are kinda funny!

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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

Not as good as the other two 18 Sep 2003

By Bookworm1973

I like their programmes, and the other two books, but to me this really missed the mark. Labelling outfits with specific events made even more clear than before how far out their ideas are from those of most people I know - and as I'm 30 and live in in England, I can't be too far out of the target audience!

These outfits are more trendy than I am, but not trendy enough to be inspirational if you're into that kind of look.

72 of 78 people found the following review helpful

It's not what yu say/wear it's the way that you say/wear it 11 Oct 2003

By Miss E Woods

With Susannah and Trinny I think there is sometimes the danger of reviewing them and not what they are actually saying. I put these two in the same group as Simon Cowell - it's not what they say, it's the way that they say it. Simon Cowell is rarely wrong when he slate people on POP IDOL. Rude, he may be, but he is rarely wrong. It's the same with S&T. They won't pull any punches.

Get passed that, and what you have to admit is that these two women (who are actually EXTREAMLY nice and polite when you meet them) do actually know their stuff and do know what they are talking about.

When you flick through this book all you see in the WHAT YOU SHOULD WEAR sections are pictures of how you want to look (except, as has been noted in previous reviews, in the Wedding Section. What were they on when they thought up those ideas???) But, in every other section, the what to wear clothes give great inspiration for creating a look that is both classic and timeless and yet can be fun and funky at the same time. It really does give new ideas on new combinations that you may not have thought of before. Flicking through the book you find yourself going Oh and Ah and Why didn't I think of that before???

What is best about the clothes in this book is that (posh accents aside) S&T are women like you and me. They appreciate Topshop as much as Gucci, and the clothes in this book reflect this. There are high street clothes and all of the clothes and ideas really are WEARABLE. REAL clothes and REAL outfit ideas for REAL women. I'm 23 and I found outfit ideas I loved, and so did my Mum who is....

We have to get this in perspective. What you wear is not the be all and end all, but as S&T are trying to make us aware, there is a certain confidence which comes with feeling you look good. If you feel you look good, and you know people say you look good, even though you shouldn't judge your self worth on what other people think, it helps you cope with any pressure.

So, this book should be reviewed like it's authors: apprecaite it, have fun with it, but don't take it too seriously.

If nothing else, have reat fun laughing at WHAT NOT TO WEAR !!!