A testament to the beauty of the central structure of the Connecticut farm
#530161 in eBooks 2010-05-01 2010-05-01File Name: B00G28UFUO
Review
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Best Book on Fashion and a great book about NYC in the 70sBy Astrochick322My favorite book. I wrote a blog about my love for this book several years ago and mentioned how I wish they would re-issue it. It has been OOP since the late 70s. Anyone who loves fashion needs to own this fantastic book. Also this book is a great time capsule about living in NYC as an artist in the 70s.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. ..a look back in time....By stephaniegot the original in 1975 when it came out and remembered it very well...glad I got it for nostalgic reasons; it just doesnt seem so revolutionaly; but as we in the work force were all wearing Jonathan Logan navy blue suits and bow-tie blouses; Im sure it was...made me feel very old.....3 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Product of the 70s Zeitgeist; there are Better Guides if You Are Not Looking For an Historical ReferenceBy Jennifer CalderoneLike all style guides; "Cheap Chic" is a product of its time and place. If you are interested in what the bohemians of New York City were wearing in the 70s; "Cheap Chic" is an excellent historical text. You will be able to witness; without irony; the advent of the puffer jacket; the ascendancy of the thrift shop; and the preppy; "crocodile" shirt presented as aspirational style; rather than a normcore staple. Again; without irony; shoulder pads and elevator shoes are recommended for men who are smaller and more baby-faced than they would like to be. Western wear for non-westerners and "ethnic" clothing on white people are considered classics; rather than costumes or cultural appropriations. On the subject of appropriation; there are even some cringe-worthy suggestions; such as watching "Soul Train" when you run out of story ideas; and one (white) mans professed preference for black ladies bottoms; the spirit of the times as it was expressed in individualism and sexuality in the 70s is definitely a theme of the book.On the other hand; if you are a savvy student of fashion and clothing; you will be able to read between the lines; discard the prejudices and assumptions of another era; and pull out of it all a sense of what it means to dress well in a casual; wash and wear world. This book represents a transition between the style of Betty Draper and the athleisure trend. Forty years ago; this book was probably revolutionary. Now; it is how we dress.If you are not sophisticated about clothes; are looking to economize; and are looking for a guide; this is not the book to buy. Instead; I suggest Ines de la Fressange and Sophie Gachets adorable "Parisian Chic;" available right here on . Published five years ago; it itself is getting a little rusty; but it prescribes a small wardrobe of useful basics to get you through any situation. It also doubles as a travel guide to Paris.