Nina Garcia's 100 List
September 16th 2008 07:31
Nina Garcia's The One Hundred
and my comments on which items you really should have!
Nina Garcia has a book coming out in October called The One Hundred which is her list of must have fashion essentials. The Insider Column reviewed it in the weekend paper.
Here's my advice and comments on which items are worth having and which you dont add!
This blog will cover the first 50 items on her list with the next fifty in a sequel.
My viewpoint? Nope I'm not a paid up fashionista who can spend hundreds or thousands of US or OZ dollars on fashion but I have some sense of style as an artist and plenty of shopping experience.
Item One: A-Line Dress. ONLY if it suits your body shape!
Two: Animal print? What Scarf Dress Tights? Optional Decoration
Three: Ankle bootie well if she means ankle boots yes since with ankle boots you can avoid the whole aaaargh my boot cut jeans are in the wash problem. Plus they go with skirts and pants and tights!
Four: Aviators. Sunnies yes cos if they are authentic the UV filters will stop you squinting and squinting maketh wrinkles!
Five: Ballet flats. Are you a dancer? If not you dont need them! See 21.
Six: Bangles. OKAY but make sure the colors complement your outfit !
Seven: Belts. A variety please ranging from sashes to thin leather!
Eight: Bikini only if you're very fit but still have boobs.
Nine: Black Opaque tights. Absolutely yes! and have one shiny party pair and another plain non shiny pair. You can wear these to they gym or shopping or work!
Ten: Blackberry. Oh please Nina you may be rich! Most of us are not!
Eleven: Blazer. Only if its tailored and suits your breast shape.
12: Boyfriend cardigan? Shudder not a fashion item! For warmth and comfort not fashion.
13: Brooch. Make sure the pin part is made of a good wire that will not pierce too big a hole!
14: Cable knit Sweater. If you can afford one in REAL wool.
15: Camel colored coat. Only if you're very blonde or very dark!
16: Cape. No goes in and out of fashion like yo-yos! Only buy if from a European designer and its wool or silk and well cut to drape properly. AND WATER PROOF!
17: Cashmere sweater. Can you afford the real thing? If not get a light wool knit or a good long sleeve cotton kint.
18: Charm Bracelet. Only for teenagers and people who can afford real silver or gold charms to attach to it.
19: Clutch. For evenings and the theatre yes but a hand shoulder bag is better. Straps give you something to grab onto so you can use it as weapon to beat off muggers and the wrong kind of date!
20: Cocktail ring. NO. A ring is a ring. They should be plain but good gold or silver with one small well cut gem or flashy with a semiprecious stone.
21: Converse shoes. Apply this remark to all entries about shoes and sandals.
Avoid very high heels or very low flats. Your feet NEED support. Just buy what flatters your foot shape and size without giving you blisters. You do not need to buy designer shoes specially if they're from the sort of the designer who wears them HIMself.
22: Cosmetics Case .Sure have one at home but unless you are a professional makeup artist or a model dont carry it around the street!
23: Cuff Cuff what cuff links?
24: Denim jacket Definitely for fun but not for work!
25: Diamonds studs See Ten
26: Driving shoes See 21
27: Espardilles As above
28: Evening gown. Do you get invited to go to the opera or ballet or theatre and its a premiere night then yes.
29: Exotic Skin Are you being cruel Nina?
30: Fishnets. NO NO NO!
31: Riding boots. Unless you ride you will look pretentious! Avoid.
32: FUR! Did you kill it yourself because it was eating your livestock or inherit it! Do you live in a polar or high altitude environment? Okay you can wear it ethically!
33: Gentlemen's hat. Does it suit your head shape?
34: Gloves. Yes leather cotton and wool. If leather silk lined if you can afford it for comfort!
35: Havaianas what. See my remarks on shoes or whatever these are?
36: Hobo bag. See 19.
37: Hoop earrings. Only if they suit your facial shape.
38: iPod See Ten.
39: Investment bag. Yes cos if genuine the stitching and the bag will last longer.
40: Jeans YES Flaming obvoius! But dont try to squeeze into skinny jeans if you're the wrong shape please!
41: Jewellery bags? Only if you travel a lot. If you're carrying jewellery to change into later wrap it in a silk scarf or get one of those silk purses or pouches they sell in Asian craft stores.
42: Kaftan. NO too ethnic the wrong way.
43: Khakis What shorts pants shirt? Only if it matches skin tones.
44: Knee boots: Useful for winter. Works with dresses and tights.
45: LL Bean tote bag. Just get any tote that's well constructed and has room for ALL your stuff!
46: Leather pants. Can you fit into them? Are they basic black. Yes for parties concerts and winter warmth and get silk lined. I cried when I realise I was too old to get away to with wearing a pair that wore out! If you get a good fitted pair you will love them to death fashionable or not. Same applies ot leather jackets!
47: Lingerie. Why? If your lover cant stand the sight of your naked body you shouldnt be having sex with them! For Underwear pants or bra silk or cotton or lyrca blend Moderate cut.
48: Little black dress. Yes and no. Do not wear a mini! Wear the right jewellery with it.
49: Little white dress. For summer yes.
50: Luggage. Get a good brand thats has adjustable straps so you can either carry it or tow it along. Check the internal pockets. Good internal pockets are more important than a designer name.
Okay thats the first 50 ! More in a couple of days!
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Comment by Anonymous
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Comment by Julie Vaux
Books Well Read
Strange Situations
The Purple Challenge
Comment by FashionQueen
Comment by Anonymous
Further, it seems to me that you don't have a great understanding of the Apparel/Fashion Industry, so writing a critique on a subject where you have little knowledge is a quick way to look uneducated. Nina's book is a great edit of classic and iconic pieces that are superb buys if your willing to save the money.
Of course, if fashion doesn't interest you, than her tips can easily be lost on those that have no idea what the industry is all about.
Comment by Julie Vaux
Books Well Read
Strange Situations
The Purple Challenge
Every single one of them?
If Garcia's List is an example then the fashion industry is just about encouraging people to waste money on clothes and other items that may or may not suit them so they can maintain the illusion of status and style.
I also find it disturbing that most of you self proclaimed fashionistas and style experts never seem to visit or comment on any of my art or bookblogs.
Style isnt just a knowledge of fashion and clothes.
The fashion industry only cares about the rich and the beautiful or those obsessed with such.
Where are the comments on my blogs about exploitation of outworkers?
While many of the items on this list are potential classics others of them are unnecessary luxuries.
Vanity is still a vice and trying to acquire every or most of th items on this list because a "Fashion expert" recommended them would be vanity!
When I review books I explain why you shold consider buying an itme or borrowing it form a library if you cant afford it and then have it to the reader to decide.
Buying every item in this list because its on a list by an 'expert" would be like some undergrad classics student with lots of money thinking owning every single Loeb and Penguin classic made them a classicist without actually reading the books!
No one needs every single item ...and many of those items are unneccesary luxuries not classics of anything.
Learn the difference between an essential and a luxury!
Comment by Amynata Silva
You are free to give your opinions and advices as to the items and who should buy them, but nobody wants to read that this or that is awful and shouldn't be worn. I don't even like cocktail rings and I was offended by the way you talked about them. Some people like them and they should be able to wear them whether you like them or not.
Comment by Anonymous
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Comment by Princesse
Secondly, if you're going to write a blog, and I don't care what the topic is --make sure you spell and punctuate correctly. I don't mind the occasional slang, but your use of 'cos'.... ask yourself, are you texting? If not, don't be a lazy bum. Type the bloody word entirely.
This sentence: 43: Khakis What shorts pants shirt? Only if it matches skin tones.
I could NOT understand at all.
Comment by Anonymous
ha.
Comment by Jessiemoo
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Anonymous
Also, boot cut jeans are the worst pants around. Burn them, don't use then as an excuse to diss booties. Because honey, you sound like a fat slob making excuses for yourself.
Comment by Anonymous
Actually I have to say that I have been interested in fashion for more years than you are old and for the first time when I read Garcia's book I understood what I was doing wrong and why I have "nothing to wear." Thank you Nina Garcia!
Comment by Anonymous