Why D They Wear That

A narrative chronicle of fashion through the ages describes the outrageous, politically perilous, and life-threatening creations people have worn in different historical eras, from spats and togas to hoop skirts and hair shirts.

I'm Lily, a New York newspaper columnist, mother of two, divorcee of one and partner in crime to Michael, English professor, novelist and best friend extraordinaire. We've been friends forever -- well, since I nearly burned down our apartment building while trying to cook. Michael and I have weathered disco, bad fashion, bad perms, bad boyfriends -- for both of us -- my failed marriage, parenthood and writer's block.ÿ Laughter has helped -- and so have the martinis.ÿ But now we face our biggest challenge: the C word. And if I have my way, Michael will be giving up his freewheeling bachelor ways and settling down once and for all. Because I have some very specific wishes for who should take over parental duty when I'm gone. Of course, I refuse to take this lying down -- even when the doctors tell me to lie down and shut up. Because although I'm sick, I'm determined to wear my high heels and lipstick. I'm gonna look good or die trying, dammit.

First published in 1956, What Shall I Wear? is revolutionary fashion designer Claire McCardell’s collection of fashion wisdom and philosophy, and a vivacious guide to looking effortlessly stylish. This new edition of the sought-after classic features a foreword by iconic designer Tory Burch and a color insert of photos from McCardell’s collections. “The testament to great design, Claire McCardell’s dresses look fresh, contemporary, and desirable eight decades after they were made, as the Costume Institute’s 2022 exhibit In America: An Anthology of Fashion demonstrated.” —Nicole Phelps, global director, Vogue Runway and Vogue Business “Among the many surprises and insights I discovered in McCardell’s valuable book is that she wanted to call it Fashion is Fun. That may also be the secret behind her genius and enduring influence—she refused to take fashion too seriously.” —Cathy Horyn, New York Magazine “The first designer to create a cohesive vision rooted in the American lifestyle of ease, McCardell and her contributions as a designer and a woman in business are often overlooked. Tory Burch’s new foreword . . .puts this American treasure in her rightful place.” —Constance White, fashion editor and author of How to Slay: Inspiration from the Queens and Kings of Black Style “Claire McCardell’s guiding philosophy of dressing with ease in afunctional, fashionable American look was groundbreaking—and feminist—for her times. And it continues to resonate globally on the runways and in closets today.” —Booth Moore, executive editor, Women’s Wear Daily

Do you know why a chef's hat has 100 pleats? Or how many ways there are to tie a tie? Packed full of whacky facts and stunning clothes from designers and cultures around the world, this book is a must-have for anyone who has ever wondered why we wear the clothes we do.

"Celebrating the creativity of what we wear, this playful fashion alphabet introduces key terms for dressing and dressing up, from apron to zippers."--

It costs us not to look our best! Dressing poorly costs us interviews, first impressions, money . . . and a whole lot more. But you can look good all the time, asserts Amy E. Goodman, the magazine maven and style expert who’s a regular on NBC’s Today show. Her one-stop fashion and beauty book cuts through the information overload to teach you how to dress to impress whatever your age, lifestyle, or size—while staying true to yourself and your budget. Who can afford clothes and makeup that don’t fit or flatter? Since every piece needs to count, Amy uses snappy, clear comparisons to show how to regain control of your wardrobe and beauty shelf by simplifying your choices. Cleverly organized like a woman’s closet, wear this, toss that! outlines the 30 pieces of clothing and 30 accessories plus beauty basics every woman must own. Then Amy builds beyond the essentials, walking you through your closet, rack by rack, shelf by shelf, and drawer by drawer, telling you what to wear and what to toss. By sorting through the items you already have and taking inventory of what you need, you can build upon what you own and finally create the winning total look you’ve always dreamed of! Amy provides immediate style answers for real women: • 700 wear/toss items • Over 1,000 product suggestions • You-heard-it-here-first steals and deals • On-sale items to avoid regardless of price • Styling tips for every body type • The ultimate shoe guide: you’ll never question which footwear is right again! • 24 “save-me” products to rescue you from any fashion emergency Filled with candid tips from pro stylists and designers, along with Amy’s unfiltered guidance, wear this, toss that! will inspire you to invest in yourself, shake off the wardrobe blahs, and wake up your looks from head to toe. Step into your closet. Do you have: A ruffled tank that sweetly frames your faceor a blouse with overpowering ruffles? A long cardigan that graces over your curves or a super drapey wrap that resembles a blanket? A pencil skirt that lands just above your knees or a bell skirt that bunches at your middle? A cropped, straight-leg pant with a flat front or wrinkled, baggy cargo pants? A shade of red lipstick that says “bombshell” or one that’s says “I’m trying too hard”? If any of these questions make you cringe, then wear this, toss that! is your go-to guide. It’s for women of any size, age, or lifestyle who realize they just don’t like the clothes, accessories, or makeup they’re wearing and want to make a change. Almost instantly you’ll learn what works, what’s got to go, and why.

A sheep wearing a fluffy jacket, a zebra in striped pajamas, and a penguin looking dapper in a classic suit, are just some of the pictures in this book which teaches toddlers the importance of getting dressed.