Cheap Chic

Can you tell people you have a movie blog when you haven't written in it in about a year and the last time you did write you wrote about music and this time you're gonna write about fashion? That's just a rhetorical question...


This post will be a bit like a college English paper - lots of block quotes and some plagiarism. (Am I outing myself?) Apologies!

I bought Cheap Chic a few years ago. It was the most expensive book I ever purchased, pretty funny for a book called Cheap Chic. But it was worth it because it's out of print and it dishes out some of the best fashion advice I've ever read. Mind you, this is all from 1975 (or earlier, at time of writing)

"The basic concept of Cheap Chic for both men and women is to have a few clothes that make you feel good rather than a closetful of mismatched fashions....We've become spoiled in America. Surrounded by mass manufacturing and mass marketing, we stuff our closets with masses of mistakes...Find the clothes that suit you best, that make you feel comfortable, confident, sexy, good looking and happy...and then hang onto them like old friends."

God this is so good. And there's this:

"The most basic element of Cheap Chic is the body you hang your clothes on...Take a look at your body -- front, side and back. Are you content with what you see? Is your skin clear and healthy?... It isn't important if you breasts, hips, or legs aren't those you would see in a fashion magazine...What matters is that you get acquainted with them as they are and treat them with care and respect."

Most days I just avoid the mirror. And when I do look in it, I say something along the lines of "this is as good as it's gonna get, S!" But maybe 2013 will be different...

Here's how some of the Table of Contents reads:
First Layers, Classics (Interviews with Diana Vreeland and Yves St. Laurent)
Second String Classics (Interview with Fran Leibowitz, among others)
Antiques: Shopping the Thrift Store

There's also an interview with Betsy Johnson and a score of other civilians and fashion insiders.  Some of the advice is dated, but the spirit, the spirit is spot on.

Caption reads: Cher, wearing a pair of jeans that fit the way jeans should fit.

She looks so modern. So beach ready.

Studio 54 what up

 This outfit is perfect. From the square toe boots, to the OJ gloves. I love it all.

Fran says: "It comes down to the idea that I don't like my clothes to make me stand out. "
 I love anonymous dressing. The idea of a uniform.

In case you can't see; "Ching dresses down his black cashmere sweater with suspendered jeans while Sibao looks traditionally discreet." Um, Sibao does not look traditionally discreet at all. Sibao looks like a BABE!

This picture is in the "office wear" section. "Uniform chic -- the black T shirt and pants with classic pearls and a Guatemalan bag."

 My favorite quote from this interview with Yves St. Laurent : "A woman can feel very sexy in a chemise, as she can feel very sexy in jeans. It depends on the person. If she thinks she isn't sexy she will not be sexy."

Sorry for picture quality. Had to use the iPhone.

I love this book. It came at a really pivotal time for me, when I was contemplating quality, quantity, uniformity, and craving a uniform. 5/5 Stars. A+. Whatever rating system we're using these days. I love it, like an old friend.