Dressing Smart in the New Millennium: 200 Quick Tips for Great Style

by JoAnna Nicholson

One of America's leading image consultants outlines the do's and don'ts of dressing smart for all occasions.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1570231214
• ISBN13: 9781570231216
• Release Date: October 1999
• Publisher: Impact Publications
• Length: 216 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Read if you want to look FANTASTIC instead of looking good!!

I must say, I can't understand any of the negative reviews. This book is so vital to looking your very, very best. I have read it 2 or 3 times now and I use the tips/principles outlined in the book to go shopping. Before I read Joanna's book, people looked down on the way I dressed. To be honest, I was dressing in the same colors that my mother wears (and wearing some clothing cut in an unflattering way). These colors look good on her, but they wash me out, even though at first glance, our complexions look very similar. Now, people are always complimenting me and I get a lot of looks from men, including my husband. In fact, I buy his shirts now based on the color principles. I really don't think that there needed to be a color chart in this book because if you think about what looks really good on you already, that is the first clue to finding other clothes that would look good as well.Also, the same advice applies to knowing what kinds of clothes to buy in the future. If an outfit makes you look too heavy or otherwise bad, then there is some design element in that outfit that is not working for you. For instance, I am a fairly slim person, but I have wide shoulders and wide hips and large thighs. If I purchase a blouse or other top that is not tapered at all along my trunk (from under the arms to my hips), I look about 10 pounds heavier than if I wear a tapered top. I also do not wear flared pants for this reason. But I discovered this by analyzing what looked good on me and pinpointing why. So now, I kind of have "uniforms" that I wear because I look good in them. The concept of uniforms is discussed in a fantastic book, "Simple Isn't Easy" by Olivia Goldsmith. This book is not in print any more, but I would HIGHLY SUGGEST finding a used copy, because it will complement this book. Many of the world's best dressed designers wear "uniforms" because it is their best look. Tip: Here is how I determine if a piece of clothing might look good on me. I put my hand on the center of the garment to see how my skin looks next to the fabric. If the skin on my hand looks healthy and my skin and the fabric are not competing against each other for attention, then I will try it on to see how it looks. What I have found is that blues, pinks, purples, and reds that are of a medium tone (not pastel and not dark or bold) look best on me. I don't buy anything that doesn't enhance my skin color. As Joanna says, color is the first accessory, and its free!!! Also, I have freckles and wavy hair. That is somewhat of a visual distraction, so I normally do not wear blouses/tops that have a print. If I had straight hair with clearer skin, then I would probably look a lot better in prints. Joanna talks about who looks good in prints.I cannot recommend this book highly enough, along with "Simple Isn't Easy." Good luck to you all!

JoAnna Nicholson Plays Fairy Godmother to Your Cinderella

Back in my school days, I used to envy the girls in my class who had big sisters. Usually, these girls were avoiding the klutzy mistakes the rest of us made because their older sisters told them the pitfalls to avoid and what to do to be the coolest of the cool. In her book "Dressing Smart for the New Millennium," author and image consultant JoAnna Nicholson becomes that cool, hip and in-the-know big sister for those of us who are clueless about what looks fab and what looks drab, what looks chic and what looks cheap and what looks terrific and sexy as opposed to terrible and sleazy. And, the best news: Nicholson promises us that we don't have to be skinny little supermodels to look sensational. No matter what our weight, height, ethnic group or appearance, she has the fashion and make up tip to make us look like a million dollars -- and often, we don't have to spend a dime on our wardrobe to do it. She tells how to mix and match jackets and other separates so that one outfit can be worn a jillion ways and gives tips about how to look great even at the end of a busy day. Did you know that you can keep your lip color from wearing off at a meal? Simple: just use a lipliner pencil as a first coat underneath your lipstick; when the latter wears off the undercoating will show, making you look like you still have lipstick on. Why didn't I think of that? And by using shoulderpads and "pegged" skirts -- straight skirts that are narrower at the hem than at the hips -- you can look more slender even after the extra holiday pounds. Who should buy this book? You should, if, in the author's words, you wouldn't want your favorite movie star to see you as you are right now. She tells us not to leave the house in "grubbies," because you never know who will see us looking our worst. Nicholson says that even royalty has asked her what she does to look so good. After trying a few of her tips, and getting more compliments than ever before, I believe it. Before you go spend a mint on a new outfit, invest in this book. It could save you from making a fashion mistake. And, who knows, it could turn a few heads.

How to look wonderful every day (and night)!

This book will train you to be your own wardrobe and style advisor. Joanna Nicholson has filled her book with so many practical and sensible tips, that you will need to read it slowly. You will learn to walk yourself through each stage of the learning process that will transform you from Cinderella into Princess. It is NOT a quick read. Like a bible, it needs to be read a small section at a time, thought about, and put into practice. You will learn how to dress to suit your color-type, your figure, your life-style, your mood, and your budget. Oft-quoted but unflattering fashion myths are exploded, and common sense prevails. If you want to know why you can look great on some days and not so great on others, you need to buy this book. It will tell you how to achieve wonderful and stylish looks at all times.

The results I have achieved are greater than I EVER expected

JoAnna's book has opened a whole new world for me! I have read numerous books on 'dressing for success' and have found her book to be the most thorough (and entertaining) I have seen so far. Many of the 200 tips in JoAnna's book can be incorporated into your everyday lifestyle without additional effort. These tips can be utilized regardless of whether your lifestyle is casual, business casual or formal.Other tips will require more planning and effort than I really wanted to hear. But, I decided that I would do a 2 week 'experiment' and try to follow the thoughts in the 200 tips. The results have been unbelievable. I have received more compliments in the last two weeks than ever before. My self confidence has been the big winner. A huge opportunity has come my way at work just in the last couple of days. Hard work, networking and 'looking the part' all play a role.I was also surprised that I could achieve my 'million dollar look' w/ less than 10 minutes added to my morning routine.This book will help you find your best colors, organize your closet, prioritize your purchasing, and avoid spending money on things that you will not wear (leaving more money to spend on the things you need). Much of what is in the book you have heard before, but JoAnna's presentation creates a comprehensive reference that you will keep close by for a LONG time.

Clear and Comprehensive!

I am so thrilled to have Dressing Smart in the New Millennium as a resource for myself, my clients, and my students. As an image consultant and teacher, I appreciate having such a comprehensive book to explain how to use color, line, and coordination of clothing and accessories to enhance each unique and wonderful person's own special beauty. When I dress according to Joanna's guidelines, I receive such comments as "You look radiant!". These guidelines really work!