The Little Black Book of Style by Nina Garcia - Enter to Win a Free Book!

Nina Garcia, Fashion Director at Elle Magazine and of Project Runway fame has one of the best eyes for style in fashion biz. In her new book,
The Little Black Book of Style (browse inside the book here), she dishes style tips and fashion sense in a book that not only gives you style inspiration, but also a glimpse into Nina Garcia herself. I loved reading the personal story Garcia paints on growing up in Columbia, how her fashion sense developed, and her fashion culture shock of the "preppies" when she arrived at an all girls boarding school in Wellesley, MA while in her teens. I also loved the Q&A interviews with fashion designers, stylists and models, including a great Q&A with Heidi Klum on how to dress for pregnancy. The illustrations by Ruben Toledo and the graphic design style of the book just make it all the more lovely to read. Nina Garcia, who spots amazing new fashion talent all the time, tells us that it's all about personal individual style, not about being perfect. Here, here!

If you are in NY, Nina Garcia will be having a special book appearance tonight at 6pm:

Barnes and Noble Bookstore @ FIT
227 W 27th St.
New York, NY 10001
google map link

Coquette will be giving out 5 copies of The Little Black Book of Style by Nina Garcia!

Just leave a comment to this post and give us a special style tip you love and live by, or why you love Nina Garcia and Project Runway. If you're stumped -- just simply say "hi!", it's that easy! (Please make sure you list your email address in the form fields.)

All comments need to be in by Midnight PST on Monday, September 24th. Winners will be announced here on Coquette on Wednesday, September 26th. Good Luck!

Comments

[Susan]

A style tip that I really like is - mix it up a bit. Things really shouldn't be all color co-ordinated after all.

[Ana]

thanks for the peek at the book! her work is inspirational!

[Abigail Battenburg]

It's so true that style isn't necesarily only about fashion--style is who YOU are! Being a person of excellence starts from inside of us first and foremost then we wear it on the outside!

[S.R.H amp]

J.R.HARPER - I hope you get this comment. I love Audrey Hepburn and I work in preschool. I wear 3-4 inch high heels every day. The trick is to find a great fit and make sure they are a comfort fit (christian louboutin is a god). It's how your carry yourself. Sure the other fat grumpy and rumpled teacher look at me with distain but..... oh do I feel (and look) good. Carry yourself girl!!!!

[Nana]

be yourself!
that way it's guaranteed that you'll feel and look confident. confidence can pull off any outfit!

[Shannon]

Edit, edit, edit! Daily on your outfit, make sure you're not trying to wear too many trends or accessories. In your closet, constantly weed out clothing items that you don't wear. I find that making yourself get rid of clothes you are hanging on to for whatever reason encourages you to be choosier about the new things you buy, and you then end up with a closetful of wearable, flattering things you love.

[claudette featherbottom]

wear clothes that fit your body and jive with your soul. Oh and great foundation garments can do wonders!

[jewel]

Your hair is one of the first things people notice. Don't neglect it! Even more important that a great handbag or killer shoes, your hair is with you 24/7 and goes with everything. Find a good stylist and get a cut and/or color that works for *you*. My mother always says: "When my hair's all right then I'm all right!" and I agree.

[Patricia Marinace]

I'm going "back to black", it's slimming, chic and easier to get dressed in the morning.

[Christine]

I work with children and I definitely need to amp my style. I am into classy (Audrey Hepburn, Jackie O)styles but I don't think that it will work with my line of work....PLEASE HELP!!!!! I need to find a way to get the job done and still feel like a fabulous woman!

any suggestions????

[J.R. Harper]

I tip that I know truly works is that style has nothing to do with money. With a child in private school, I don't have alot of money left over for extras. I have learned where you shop has no impact on looking stylist- it is how you put it all together that really matters. I have learned to pair things from Macys with things from JCP with things from Target and I get lots of compliments on how I dress. And people think I have spent tons of money...

[Nina]

In an environment where you want to be confident (i.e new people or new workplace) start with the basics. A simple white T or crisp white shirt (as mentioned above!) and then work from there. Accessorize around the simplicity. That way you can make a statement, feel comfortable and still feel like you! Don't try and make a mad change or direction at once...you won't feel confident and it will read all over your face. Just discovered this blog....love it! :D

[Nina]

In an environment where you want to be confident (i.e new people or new workplace) start with the basics. A simple white T or crisp white shirt (as mentioned above!) and then work from there. Accessorize around the simplicity. That way you can make a statement, feel comfortable and still feel like you! Don't try and make a mad change or direction at once...you won't feel confident and it will read all over your face. Just discovered this blog....love it! :D

[Sarah]

I borrowed a style tip from my husband; I wear the same color stockings as the trouser I am wearing in an effort to elongate my leg line. I have short legs (28-inch inseam).

[Erin]

Style Tip:
Dress to impress! Wouldn't you rather be overdressed and looking fabulous when you're caught off guard by an event or person than looking like a shlub and having to cross to the other side of the street before they see you?

[james]

Give yourself 24 hours to think about buying something. Believe me, it's the best tip I can offer. I do this with everything; I never impulse buy, which leads almost inevitably to regretful purchasing. Ask the sales clerk if you can put it on hold for a day, and take the time to think on it. Is this something you need for a certain occasion? Will you get a lot of use out of it? How much will you have to sacrifice price-wise for it? Does it fit your personal style? If you think it works for all the above, get it. If not, call the store and tell them you've changed your mind so they can return it to the sales rack.

And make friends with the sales associates at your favorite stores. I've done this, and they let me know when sales are coming up, when items will be discounted, if they have my size available. In one shop, they're keeping me in wide-leg pants for life. They know what works for me, and they haven't been wrong yet. It makes my shopping a breeze.

[Kate]

Manalo Blahnik said "about half my designs are controlled fantasy, 15 percent are total madness and the rest are bread-and-butter designs." I think you have to have that little bit of madness to make a style truly your own :)

[mikitoru]

The beauty tip that gets me through my days is this:

ALWAYS ALWAYS have FABULOUS earrings. Not only are they usually the first things to catch ones eyes (as they are eye level), but it means that if you feel like you are having a fat/ugly/just not together day, then at least your earring will draw attention away and to them so others won't notice as much :D

[annie]

my favorite style tip ever is so simple: wear what you love! :) stop caring what others think and just be happy!

[Brittany]

I really believe that layering tops can not only add color to your wardrobe, but also help slim you! It just adds a little depth and excitement. :)

Also, personally I think patterned fabrics with odd assymetrical designs or a ton of large polkadots, etc make you look larger and are just tacky.

Finally, I believe you can sacrifice "a bit" (term used loosely LOL) of comfort for a great outfit. ;)

Goodluck everyone!! xoxo

[Jillian]

Here are some tips that I really do live by :)
1. Layering tops can help disguise a larger abdomen. 2. Do not let your pant leg, below the knee, get bent inward toward your shin, while wearing flats. 3. When wearing heels, a higher arch is more flattering to your feet and legs. This is why I suggest buying heels that are no shorter than 3 inches. Longer feet need higher heels.

[Emily]

Don't overdo accessories. I love accenting an outfit with a spectacular pair of shoes or with a necklace or earrings. But I never use more than 2 bold accessories at a time.

[Jennifer]

A blazer always pulls together a look to make it less casual and more chic. When in doubt about what type of blazer you should put on just grab a black blazer and almost instantly your outfit has a chic feel to it.

[Elyse]

Nina Garcia is a goddess! She always looks perfect on Project Runway. Her comments on the designers and the clothes are always spot-on. I need this book desperately...

[Thien-Kim]

Buy 1 great pair of black shoes that look fabulous with jeans or dressed up! I just picked up my pair for the season. I love them!

[Ann M]

Hello

[Judi]

One classic outfit is a white shirt, dark jeans or khakis, a navy blazer and ballet flats. You can add color by wearing a chic scarf around your neck or a headband. You can never go wrong by wearing this outfit.

[Tami]

Have a signature . . .I love my heavy silver bracelet --- my mother-in-law gave me many many years ago. I wear it everyday!

[Angela]

When in doubt, wear black is my tip. I love black and I am trying to wear more color. But when I'm in a hurry, I always grab something black.

[Barbie Casasus]

Style is about who you are and how you carry yourself. Fashion is the icing on the cake.

[Mandarine]

Spend the extra money on good quality staple pieces for your wardrobe. Jeans, sweaters, trousers, a good coat and some classic tops are worth investing in. If you take care of them they can last years. They will fit better and be more flattering. Personally, whenever I put on a garment I put lot of thought into buying I feel great about my outfit that day. But you shouldn't limit yourself to buying only expensive pieces either. Once you have a collection of nice pieces you can update your look with more current pieces from places like Forever 21.

[emma castillo]

My tip:

when in doubt : wear black and throw in some gold jewerly
* have always a great pair of sandals that matches with everything...
* love yourself and walk like you mean it.

[Denise]

Accessorize! An outfit can stand out with strategically planned accessories!

[Jennie]

I think the best style tip would be to have good posture. Standing up straight conveys confidence and makes people look slimmer/taller.

I'm 5'2, so I live by this!

What good is your expensive outfit if you're slouching?

PS - Love, LOVE your blog!! =)

[Lauren]

The best style tip that applies to everyone is to know your own body and to learn what works on your body. Just because I love a top or the way a certain style looks on a friend or a celeb does not mean that it will be flattering to me. The key to style, whatever your size or shape, is to know what works for you and to work whatever that look it the best way you can.

[Cindy]

Hi Coquette */:-)

Project Runway is such a fun and interesting show!! I feel so inspired by watching the designers - seeing them start with an inspiration and make a plan, gather their materials, create a piece and style it, and then share it on the runway. It is fascinating to observe the creative process from so many different points of view. Listening to the judges evaluate the designs is quite enlightening, especially Nina. She articulates her thoughts on fashion and presentation so very well.

I know it is a reality show so the producers need to spice up the story lines, each episode, by including lots of drama. Of course, that is great for the ratings and keeps everyone watching. I would love to see more of the actual construction of garments, and specifics of the process from start to finish, when creating a garment. (I guess that would make it more of a documentary.) Still, I enjoy the show very much. It's terrific.

Thanks for your blog! It's a source of excellent information and inspiration too!!

Bonne journee~
Cindy

[Natalia]

One style tip? It doesn't really matter what you wear as long as you have confidence and personality! Wear your clothes, don't let THEM wear YOU.

[Melissa]

My tip: Only ever buy things you LOVE. I know it's incredibly difficult to stick to, especially during sales time, but it'll mean your wardrobe actually has room to move hangers around and dressing in the morning is like strolling through your best friends instead of "ugh, I have nothing to wear!".

And if you can't afford to buy the thing you love, make it. Sewing isn't nearly as difficult or intimidating as you'd imagine.

[Kaia]

always wear underwear with a great fit

[Monica Dimperio]

Even if you're dressing down, always wear great shoes!

[O]

One thing I've learned and incorporated into my life from watching the fashion reality shows:
Get thee to a tailor! Spend a few extra bucks to have your clothes fitted to you. It makes such a big difference to have your clothes fit properly. Even expensive designer jeans will look cheap if your hem is dragging on the floor.

[pj]

good shoes. they pull your whole outfit together and last forever. but that also applies to purse. and winter coat. and trench coat. and easy to wear dresses. and jeans that make your butt perky and legs that go on forever. also crisp white shirt. but mostly, shoes, i must say. :)

[Amy]

As a mom of two young ones, my biggest style tip lately has been, wear a belt! If I throw on jeans and a (hopefully) clean t-shirt, that's one thing, but if I take the time to choose and add a belt then I look and feel put together, and might have the wherewithal to do my hair and throw on lip gloss before dashing to the bus stop! This doesn't always work, however... This morning, I dressed in clean jeans, belt, t-shirt, etc. and when I got to the bus stop, I looked down and realized I had walked outside in my Birks and ORANGE SOCKS! My only excuse is I spent 8 years living in Seattle :-) By the way, I love Rebecca's tip about trying on clothes.

[shopdiary]

i already have the book but i just dropped by to say that i love it. the illustrations by ruben toledo are beautiful!

[Jen]

When trying on clothes in the dressing room, move in all the ways you imagine you might need to while wearing them. Sit down, stand up, stretch, pick something off the ground, etc.

[Rebecca]

Only buy items that make you feel great about yourself. Whether it's a $15.00 t-shirt from Forever 21 or Chanel shades, life is too short to spend time wearing something that doesn't make you feel special!

[viv]

I believe that there are definitely mornings when we get up and decide that, after all the money we've spent on designer labels and energy spent on buying unique indie pieces, there is absolutely nothing to wear. We might as well own a closet full of burlap sacks (which actually might be pretty avant garde!).

For those days, everyone has to have a default outfit. "Default" may be a misnomer, because it's not something to automatically turn to when we feel rushed or lazy. It's default for only the days when we are dissatisfied with our clothing or feel unattractive wearing everything.

Most people feel frumpy in their chosen default formulas, and I think that's because they feel as if default is somehow equivalent to "casual" or "sweats day." That may not necessarily need to be the case... and, thus, here's my style tip (finally!).

I recommend that every woman finds a perfectly tailored, 100% cotton white shirt - a men's style dress shirt. Lucky tall women may find something off the rack, but otherwise, she should tailor it to fit her body perfectly. It should have darts to bring in the waist slightly, little to no detail so the shirt will never be dated, and it must look good untucked (i.e. doesn't go all the way down your butt, isn't baggy).

She should then buy a pair of premium denim jeans (not for status, but for impeccable fit) that complements her figure. It may not be within what she considers her budget, but it will be well worth the $150 (or $250).

And, finally, she should resist the urge to wear this White Shirt and Perfect Jeans combination frequently. That way, if she whips it out once every month on one of those days, she'll impress even herself.

[Maria Palma]

A style tip that I live by is to always wear what you feel comfortable in and not to wear things just because they're the "in" thing for this season!

[Jaileen]

One fashion tip I love and completely live by is to NEVER wear all neutral colors.Always accessorise to add color to an outfit and make it more fun.
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