Either I have read too many books on how to dress because I found nothing new here or the book simply failed on so many levels. Let me count the ways. First, it was very hard to find anything applicable to me here. I am not pregnant, a new mom, a working mom, a business traveler, a woman of color, or over 50, and even though I work, I work in health care where we wear uniforms and nothing that is ever said about business wear in these books applies to us. Secondly, even if you rename the body shape system and use historical figures instead of apples, it does not change the pedestrian information that did not say anything beyond the basics. Thirdly, there is a very fine line between witty and snide, and after a while the cute comments started to seem more insulting than funny. Saying things such as "...you will look anal retentive. Unless you're applying to work at a library, this is not a desirable trait" only reinforces tired old stereotypes. From a book which claims to uplift women of all backgrounds, shapes and ages, this is highly disappointing. Besides, if we were all beautiful and perfect just as we are, like the book claims, we wouldn't need manuals like this. Practice what you preach, or don't preach it.

On a positive side, this book addresses dressing for church or other spiritual occasions which has only garnered very passing mentions in any other style manual I have read. This is original. I also liked the last chapter about inner beauty which I found true and insightful: we want to cultivate relationships with people we like, not necessarily people whose style and looks we admire.

Ultimately, I think this book can be helpful for people who have not put much thought into their dressing yet, or people whose life situation is far different from mine, and can identify with the chapters mentioned above. For anyone else, especially the more experienced home stylist, this book does not offer very much to build on.

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