Closet Confidential: Style Secrets Learned The Hard Way By Winona Dimeo-Ediger
When I first found out Winona of Daddy Likey was going to be publishing a book, I was very excited for her and just as excited to read it. I'm a fan of her blog for her wit and pragmatic yet fun style, so I anticipated that the book would be a great one. Now that I've read it, it has exceeded my expectations. Winona is a genius! Straight up. She's like the lost Sedaris sibling of fashion. I can tell you with complete honesty that I believe this book is a MUST HAVE for fashion novices, and experts will love it too. The guide is exhaustive but not exhausting--Winona has the gift of educating while entertaining, and is even able to define shirt collars in a way that is interesting and hilarious. With her down-to-earth voice and sense of humor, she gives advice on how to shop for clothes that flatter your figure, what to wear for certain occasions, and easy-to-follow recipes for layering. Peppered throughout are anecdotes about her personal fashion choices, missteps, victories, and of course, the style lessons she learned the hard way.
Closet Confidential: Style Secrets Learned the Hard Way is available now from Sasquatch Books, and I'm giving away a copy for free (not mine, of course, a new one)! Just leave a comment and tell me:
What is your style secret?
I'll be choosing a winner by random on November 23. Good luck!
48 Responses to “Closet Confidential: Style Secrets Learned The Hard Way By Winona Dimeo-Ediger”
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cute nail polish!
the book looks awesome! I really enjoyed Victoria beckaham’s fashion help book too. Wouldn’t it be AWESOME to make a living off writing about clothes?!
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My style secret is just to avoid trying to have “style.” I wind up with what I wind up with. I’m sure this isn’t even remotely stylish.
that sounds like my kind of book!
my style secret it- mixing cheap (forever 21, h&m) stuff with my designer stuff- it totally looks well polished without having to spend a fortune
Woww,I didn’t know she came up with a book. that’s so cool and I would want a copy of it
Hmmm,my style secret would have to be no matter how simple an outfit is,always accessorize ! I always feel it would make all the difference to any outfit <3
Aww I love Daddy Likey and Winona!!! My style tip? Mix it up! Play with what you’re wearing! And don’t be afraid of what other people will think – they are either jealous or naive.
My other one is to wear all of your favourite pieces of clothing. All at the same time! You might look… interesting (see above) but you will enjoy it!
I totally want this book now!
My style secret … When you see someone that has great, original style, let them know. Throw them a compliment. Then move on. Don’t try to copy that person … realize that what makes them have great style is because it’s THEIR style. Develop your own and the good thoughts will come your way.
That’s so exciting!
My style secret is to be simple and bold: have one piece (amazing shoes, a big necklace, a colourful scarf) that pops the outfit and treat the world as your runway.
I don’t know if it really counts as a “Style” secret, but I always spray perfume onto my hair. This way, every time I flip it I give off a nice perfume smell.
I don’t think I have a style secret dammit,
other than bright tights can save the simplest of outfits from being boring.
Ooh, I love how your nail polish matches the book! Good call
My style secret is probably baby powder. It keeps my hair from being greasy and adds a lot of volume too (my hair is curly/wavy but fine). I just started using jojoba oil and I have a feeling that might become one of those “secrets” (that I’m all too happy to tell anyone who asks!) too!
That’s such a cute picture of you!
Thanks for the book rec. I really want to check it out!
My style secret is: color is the organizing principle. When I wake up in the morning, the first thought is always: what color do I feel like? Everything else just falls into place with that answer.
Sparkly lip gloss. Pretty much any outfit, no matter how gross, looks better if you’re wearing sparkly lip gloss.
my secret is to trust my intuition and stick to things i really really like! also, i tend to build outfits around black and white and then add color.
thanks for the opportunity to win!
Great tips, everyone! Keep ‘em coming! xx
Heather – For sure!
enc – Maybe it’s eclectic style.
kimmie – Good one.
Valencia – Your outfits are always cute!
Claire – Great advice! I totally agree with the first one and am intrigued by the second one!
Cecilia – Maybe a little inspiration here and there, but I agree, it’s best to cultivate originality.
miss morgan potts – Love it!
Miss Sofia – Ohhh, I’ll go ahead and count that. It’s a good tip!
daisychain – You and me, we’re on the same page.
Michelle – Believe it or not, it was purely coincidental!
EmilyKennedy – Thank you! That’s a really interesting way to get dressed. You could keep a record of it and record your moods that way!
Amanda M. – Lip bling.
grace – Trusting your intuition–that’s a good one. I always think if I’m not sure of an outfit then I won’t be comfortable.
My secret – wear what ever you choose with confidence! If you have confidence you’ll never look out of place.
And a first date, reunion, sophisticated partt etc is NOT a good time to pull out that item of clothing that’s been sitting at the back of the closet that you ‘really should wear more often’. There’s probably a good reason you don’t wear it, and being reminded why when you’re trying to impress is bad bad bad!
I agree, that is a totally cute picture of you Annie.
Grant’s Style Secret: Belt muct match shoes – no matter what. I have belts for all of my shoes, boots, sneakers and even my flip-flops. Matchings is essential, as it ties the entire ensemble together in a really simple way.
Good luck everyone
Xx
My style secret is choosing clothes that fit my body, and fit together. I love synergy in an outfit. My other is big chunky docs that throw a feminine outfit off and give it a refreshing shake up.
I think a fantastic bag helps to – unfortunately this is an area I’m REALLY lacking in at the moment ):
oo this would be perfect reading material for a long haul flight, don’t think i’d get much sleep in though!
my style secret is to always have a ‘safety option’ (right now it’s a velvet mini dress and faux fur vest) in case the outfit i have chosen the night before turns out to look ridiculous once on – it allows me to be more adventurous with my outfits because if it turns to crap i won’t be left panicking at the last minute!
xx
Oh wow, I would love to read her book, the blog really makes me laugh! I hope this is open to those in the UK but guessing probably not.
Well anyway my style secret is to be yourself and let your personality shine through. If you don’t feel comfortable in something, it won’t look stylish so wear what you love and love what you wear.
You crak a lacking with the giveaways aren’t you!
What’s my style secret?
It’s all about how you feel – confidence, you can be wearing the most expensive dress but if you feel like a sack of potatoes you will look it. On the other hand you can be wearing a $2 thrift find and rock it out just because of your attitude.
(Also a good bra always helps everything!)
Hey lovely! I gave you an award on my blog.
Peek A Boo! xx
I haven’t changed my style in ages, my secret style would be if i changed a tie, lol!
my style secret is to have at least one outfit that makes you feel pretty. no matter whether you’re having a fat day, a bad hair day day, an i want to sit around in my pajamas day, whatever.
xo
Kelly
Aaagh, totally want the book.
My style secret? Sexy underpants. If you are wearing sexy underpants, you can wear whatever you want on top and YOU will still feel FOXY.
My ‘style secret’ is loving my body so much that whatever i wear looks amazing, haha!
I love Daddy Likey, and I can’t wait to read the book.
My style secret would be to make sure things fit! Comfortably. Clothes can still be structured and give you shape but leave room to breathe, and it always makes me feel so much prettier to have clothes move with me without squeezing or tugging.
if you try out enought crazy outfit ideas, one of them at least is bound to work. and even if it doesn’t work now, it probably will soon
When you don’t know what to wear, go for a full black or grey ensemble and just bling up your hands as much as you can: green polish, bangles, crazy rings, all at the same time. You move your hands all the time so you’ll be flashing colour around your body and face all day.
I have a wide variety of scarves and jackets. It doesn’t matter if I’m wearing a wifebeater and shorts, if I toss on a scarf or one of my jackets/blazers, I look pulled together without really trying too hard.
Great review!
My style secret? Lots of black (slimming!) with bursts of of bright colors! Gotta have some color.
Hi!
I was surfing around and got to this blog
and thought this woman looked a bit like you.
http://www.glamour.se/blogg/jonna/
Do you agree?
Kram (hug)
Anna-Lena
I like to come up with themes and dress around them. The day is a lot more fun if in your head you’re a 60s flight attendant or in a 70s girl gang.
dearest annie,
i noticed that you and i are both in the running again for the weblog awards. i just wanted to wish you good luck and tell you to keep your fashionable fingers crossed that no one nominates That Website That Obliterated the Competition Last Year. Crap, should i even write that? I dont want to give anyone any bright ideas. Those giants crushed everyone into oblivion last time. perhaps this time we’ll have a fighting chance!
Found you on Daddy Likey! (:
my style secret is pretty much not thinking it way too much. If it took me more than 20 minutes to figure out what to put on, then it’s just not worth it!
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Ms Constantine – Sounds like you might have learned that second one the hard way too!
Grant – White belt and white shoes could look very mod. I’d love to see you as a total mod!!
Joanne – Oh yeah, the Docs and feminine dress–such a great trick. I should try that more often.
hannahlizabeth – I’ve been hunting all over for a velvet mini dress! And faux fur vest! If I came over I would totally borrow your safety option.
Style Eyes – Her book is just as funny! You’ll love it.
Charlie – It’s true. And Winona talks about the good bra tip!
Syd – Thank you so much!! xx
Richard M. – Lol..
Kelly – Hm, I wonder what mine would be…
saturdayjane – Nice!!!
Paige – Lol, that’s hot!
Rebecca – Oh, yeah, this is a big one for me. I can’t stand being uncomfortable. I’m always tugging at collars and sleeves.
Nina – I’m guessing you’re a trend-setter. I like that!
Jen B – Solid advice!
Kit – My friend Mary does this too. It instantly transforms her to stylish! I think you’re right.
Jules – You stole my secret! Lol… Well, mine is lots of GRAY with a burst of bright color, but, we’re on the same page.
Anna-Lena – Thank you! I love her style.
Jenni – Whoah! I want to see!
Mrs. M – Thanks! I’d be happy just to make finalist again, but it /would/ be nice to not get /so/ squashed this time. I guess we’ll see. Best of luck to you as well! xx
Azul – Sweet! Hope you visit again!
Pretty scarves worn in different ways. They make plain-Jane outfits fun.
My style secret is to wear only what flatters me. So much of what is “in style” doesn’t look good on my body, so I don’t even bother. If something is flattering to your body, it will look great no matter how stylish or trendy. (Proof: I wore one of my grandmother’s hideous old coffee-stained pink dresses to here Irish wake and everyone thought I looked super-hot. Weird.)
Style secret: don’t buy anything new.
Sounds like a book worth checking out!
Aw! I would LOVE to receive a copy of this book, it sounds amazing! My style secret would probably be to expand your shopping horizons! Forget paying full price for clothing at the shopping malls (that everyone and their best friend will probably be wearing anyway), and instead take the time to trawl through vintage and second-hand stores, peruse Ebay, visit markets and garage sales and raid your boyfriend’s/parents wardrobes for inspiration! It’ll guarantee a style that’s a LOT cheaper and far more original.
xoxo
Mine is-something doesn’t have to look good on others,but it should definitely suit YOU.
A pair of dangling earrings doesn’t hurt either!
My style secret is skirts! As a college girl, most of my friends live in jeans.
My style secret is…having a particular color palette (grey, navy, black, white) & sticking to it. It’s insane how much mixing & matching you can do. Also, I’m obsessed with clean lines & perfect fits– it has to look very flattering otherwise I’m not buying it.
i love wearing contrasting colors! Purple and green is probably my favorite to wear together, they play off each other so nicely and gives whatever you’re wearing a great “pop”
My style secret is a pair of tall boots, they can make any look more classic or punk…whatever in between.
Great answers! Thanks, everyone! I’m shutting it down now and will be announcing the winner.