What Not To Wear: Amazon.co.uk: Susannah Constantine, Trinny Woodall: Books

Amazon.co.uk Review

What Not to Wear is based on Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine's BBC television programme of the same name. The show has given a whole new meaning to the phrase "fashion victim": each week a member of the public (kindly nominated by their "friends") is done up (or, perhaps more accurately, done over) by Trinny and Susannah--a couple of Sloane-style gurus who are spikier than a pair of Manolo Blahnik stilettos. The pair mercilessly ridicule each poor specimen's dress sense until, browbeaten into submission, the unfortunate victim is forced to see the error of their sartorial ways. Ready to accept the experts' advice, the subject is then given £2000 for a wardrobe refurbishment. Infuriatingly, the diabolical duo is usually right and an astonishing number of ugly ducklings are duly transformed into swans.

Nowhere near as much fun as watching the girls at work but infinitely preferable to acquiring their advice first hand, this book provides an invaluable guide to avoiding fashion faux pas. Separated into chapters themed by body shape--"big tits", "flabby tummy", "short legs" and so on--it provides step by step instructions on how to choose flattering, fashionable cuts and colours. "Looking stylish", they unsurprisingly declare, "is as much about knowing what not to wear as it is about knowing what suits you." With lists of golden rules and an index of boutiques, this volume, surely one of this season's essential purchases, will have you hot to trot in no time at all. --Travis Elborough

Review

Several national newspapers profiled Susannah & Trinny over Christmas including THE OBSERVER, THE SUNDAY TIMES, DAILY TELEGRAPH, INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY, SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY. 'All hail to Susannah and Trinny, style icons turned superstars. For they at least, as we approach the new year, will be able to assure themselves: tomorrow belongs to me.' Virginia Blackburn, DAILY EXPRESS WNTW was 'The Digested Read' in THE GUARDIAN's 'The Editor' section 21/12. THEEVENING STANDARD recommended WNTW for the perfect christmas present for the 'woman who wears clothes'. The WALL STREET JOURNAL has also reviewed the book: '... we loved the book's jaunty practicality. Fat or thin, female readers will see themselves and their friends - and hopefully laugh instead of cry - if they pick up this little gem.' 'A wardrobe essential.' HELLO S&T have done interviews on: GMTV (ITV), RI:SE (CHANNEL 4), BBC BREAKFAST (BBC 1), PM & WOMAN'S HOUR (BBC RADIO 4), JO WILEY SHOW (BBC RADIO 1), THE STEVE WRIGHT SHOW (BBC RADIO 2), OPEN HOUSE WITH GLORIA HUNNIFORD (CHANNEL 5), XCHANGE on CBBC (BBC 2), BBC LONDON, THE WRIGHT STUFF (CHANNEL 5), FRED MACAULEY SHOW (BBC RADIO SCOTLAND); RTE 1 (Ireland) and a full day of regional radio. As well as their column in HEAT magazine they are now writing a makeover column inthe DAILY MAIL. 'The two rudest women on TV have produced a book to go with their next series. Phew! Now we can all benefit from their honest fashion advice without having to go on telly to be told how fat and unstylish we are. Not only packed with insider tips, this brilliant guide to fashion is good girlie fun.' MARIE CLARIE (Oct) We sold an amazing 143 copies of WNTW through EVEmagazine which ran big feature interview on Susannah & Trinny with a reader offer for the book in their October issue (also given away with THE EVENING STANDARD). RED, MARIE CLAIRE, SHE, WOMAN and HEAT have all featured the book. SUNDAY TELEGRAPH MAGAZINE ran first interview (25th Aug) followed by a huge feature in the DAILY MAIL, and interviews in the RADIO TIMES, the SUNDAY EXPRESS Magazine (interview with Trinny for 'In the Closet') EVENING STANDARD (big interview with Trinny on 4th Sept), ES Magazine's 'My London', the DAILYEXPRESS ('My Therapy' with Trinny), the DAILY MAIL ('Road not Taken' with Susannah), DAILY MIRROR (a big interview with Trinny and 'Hanging on the Telephone' with Susannah) SUNDAY MIRROR (Susannah & Trinny's fashion mistakes) THE SCOTSMAN, SUNDAY HERALD (GLASGOW), SUNDAY POST and WALES ON SUNDAY. CraigBrown has even satirised them in PRIVATE EYE! Tesco's website has also run areview and a competition to win signed copies. Trinny & Susannah have done very successful signings at WHSmith, Bluewater and signing/makeovers at Tesco in Manchester (26 Sept) Glasgow (17th Oct) and Newcastle (23rd Oct). Other bookshop events have included: WHSmith Brent Cross (14th Nov), Waterstone'sBentall Centre (21 Nov), Ottakars, Kings Lynn (28th Nov), and Borders OxfordStreet. The last few events are Books Etc, Canary Wharf and WHSmith Sloane Square (5th Dec) and Sainsbury's Cromwell Road (17th Dec). The girls went to LB

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55 of 56 people found the following review helpful

pocket sized book for shopping trips!!! 20 Jan 2005

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

I just wanted to mention, (I have all the Trin/Sus books), that yes, this book might be the same, but it's condensed and miniaturized so that you can take it with you shopping, as a reference!!! I guess the other reviewers didn't get that. I especially recommend tbeir newest book as well, it covers travel, makeup and color schemes. I think it's nice they use the same pictures, and the clothes portrayed are their own wardrobe, not all borrowed clothes from posh designers. Trinny and Susannah get a lot bad press sometimes, but after reading the books and watching the shows, I have to say that they are brilliant at what they do; camouflaging the bad bits and enhancing the best bits of our bodies.

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116 of 120 people found the following review helpful

A New Style Bible For Those Of Us Who Have No Idea! 15 Sep 2002

By hannah c

Format:Hardcover

I got hold of 'What Not To Wear' after watching the program on BBC2. Although these women are mean, they really do know what looks best. This book is like a bible to people who don't have any idea about their body shape or which clothing is best to flatter and look good!
The book is packed with photographs of both Susannah and Trinny showing the clothes which work best and which are the worst, and also explaining why. I think the book is fantastic, it has helped me overcome my extreme fear of shopping but also to understand my body shape, making me learn which clothing works best.
I'm so glad I have a copy, as now I wouldn't be without it. It has changed my whole approach to my appearance!

161 of 167 people found the following review helpful

What not to wear the rules 3 Jun 2004

By "flexyfriend"

Although the description of the book makes it sound like a continuation of their first book named simply 'what not to wear' it is in actual fact the same book. The rules and even pictures are identical, the only diference is that it has been condenced down into a smaller, possibly handbag sized book.

Dont get me wrong the first one was very good and useful and this one is probably a better buy than the first, but only for those of you looking to buy your first book. However those that already have the first one shouldnt bother!