fashion Archives - Awful Library Books

T-Shirting

July 13, 2021 Holly Craptastic Crafts and Hobbies 11 comments

T-Shirting: A Do-It-Yourself Guide to Getting it On Your Chest
Platt
1975

Submitter: I had high hopes from the cover this book might be a groovy book that, when put out on display might get someone to check it out. But alas, its one of those disappointing craft books with bad black and white images.

Holly: Fair warning before you scroll down: two of these images are potentially NSFW. One is a t-shirt model with “special skills” (image 6 below). This might have been a cool book in 1975, but I agree with Submitter: black and white images are just disappointing in a craft book. I want to see those chest handprints in living color (image 3 below…NSFW…).

Hippie Crafts

July 12, 2021 Holly Craptastic Crafts and Hobbies 14 comments

Hippie Crafts: Creating a Hip New Look Using Groovy ’60s Crafts
O’Sullivan
2005

Submitter: This book has not circulated since being purchased back in 2005. From the looks of it, I can see why! Maybe Mary can delight us in some of her 60’s threads.

Holly: Mary is cool, but not this cool.

Mary: I am quite certain I sported a few similar items, but I am going to say no to the vests in the 5th picture. Some of these should have stayed put in the 1960s.

1980s Fashion-Now in Plus Size!

December 21, 2020 Mary Kelly Looking Good 3 comments

The Lane Bryant
Fashion Math Make-Over
The Complete Fashion Guide for Women Size 14 and Up
Lulow and Geddie
1987

If you are looking for some 1980s fashion ideas, your wait is over! Since there isn’t a lot of fashion help for the over size 14 crowd, it is nice that this book exists. However, it should probably be weeded by 2020.

All your 1980s favorites are here: shoulder pads, bulky/long sweaters, overly permed hair, dropped waists, high waist pants, weird sleeves, etc. Such a sad time for fashion.

I am still trying to figure out the math part of the the title.

Women and Beauty from Sophia Loren

November 9, 2020 Mary Kelly Looking Good 5 comments

Women and Beauty
Loren
1984

I am a big fan of Sophia Loren, and my parents introduced me to the movie Houseboat (1958) with Cary Grant. She always seemed ageless to me and I would imagine this book to be a good choice in the early 1980s. I think the publishers were after a book that would show that even though you might be over 40 (gasp!), you can still look good.

Blanket Fashion

October 19, 2020 Mary Kelly Craptastic Crafts and Hobbies 20 comments

Quilted Clothing
Laury
1982

As a half-baked fan of sewing and quilting, I can appreciate the skills that these examples show off. I can also appreciate that they are warm enough for the toughest winters. I recognize that my uniform of dresses and cardigans for work hardly make me a fashionista, even among librarians. I still have to say no to wearing a blanket.

Girl Lessons

November 14, 2018 Mary Kelly Ladies only! 15 comments

Here’s How Schreiber 1967 This is one of those special books that tells you how to be a girl: appropriate hair and makeup, sewing, entertaining, diet, decorating, and gift wrapping. These are skills that will really pay off when you

Wearable Wood

November 5, 2018 Mary Kelly Craptastic Crafts and Hobbies 15 comments

Easy Wearable Projects for Wood Shapes Seelig 1986 I should probably admit some bias here. Decorated sweatshirts are only for kindergarten teachers and children’s librarians. Think of it as a uniform. No one should be out clubbing in these monstrosities

Hot Tips for that 80’s Professional

August 3, 2018 Mary Kelly Looking Good 21 comments

Hot Tips 1000 Fashion & Beauty Tricks Stein 1981 Aside from the fact the fashion is way out of date, and the illustrations are not great, this kind of book is a great idea. Dressing professionally was a big deal