fashion Archives - Page 3 of 13 - Awful Library Books

Always in Style

March 16, 2020 Holly Be Pretty 6 comments

Always in Style with Color Me Beautiful
Pooser
1985

Submitter: Not sure which is more awful … that this book is still available at a library in our system or that one of my patrons requested it.

Holly: I think the “always” in the title is stretching it a bit! This book – this 1985 edition – is available at NINE libraries in Michigan. Whyyyyy?

The lady on the cover doesn’t actually look too bad, but I wonder what horrors await inside this thing? Anyone want to share some internal pics? (We’ll update the post if you do!) Also, I’m generally a fashion “don’t,” so don’t take my word for it that she doesn’t look bad…

Color Yourself

March 5, 2020 Mary Kelly Be Pretty 11 comments

Color Wonderful
Nicholson and Lewis-Crum
1986

This book is your basic 1980s flashback. Note the big hair and the blue eye shadow. One of the chapters is about “gentle” coloring, I am going to go out on a limb and say this doesn’t look too gentle. This particular book was sent to the bindery in the early 1990s. Obviously, we need to preserve those excellent hair and make-up examples from the 1980s.

Having one’s colors done by a “pro” was quite the trend. I never did figure out what season I was. We have posted some examples in the past. We will just add this to the pile.

Fashionable Quilted Vests

January 16, 2020 Mary Kelly Craptastic Crafts and Hobbies 11 comments

Classic Quilted Vests
Fons and Porter
1982

I am a fan of quilting and although I lack real skills, I can appreciate the skills and would love to make a quilt with any of these patterns. However, I just don’t want to WEAR a blanket as a fashion statement. In terms a fashion, these quilts are just a step above the sweatshirt makeovers we have featured all the time on this site. In fact, how about the combo of sweatshirts AND and quilting?

I am impressed with the skills. I just wish they had used their quilting skills for good rather than evil.

Mary

Sewing Casual Clothes

December 12, 2019 Holly Craptastic Crafts and Hobbies, Looking Good 11 comments

Better Homes and Gardens: Sewing Casual Clothes
1966

Submitter: My library holds an annual new book drive where we work with a local group who feed k-12 kids in food-insecure situations to provide a (hopefully) brand-new book to each kid over the winter break along with enough food to last them until school starts again. Unfortunately, sometimes we get donations that are weeded from other libraries, including this gem. I can’t imagine any current teenagers wearing any of this. For that matter, no one of my generation would have worn any of this either, and I’m getting old.

Holly: A book drive is not an opportunity to clean out your basement, people. Have a heart.

Let sweatshirts be sweatshirts!

November 21, 2019 Mary Kelly Craptastic Crafts and Hobbies 12 comments

Sweatshirt Remix: Transform Ordinary Sweatshirts Into Extraordinary Fashions
Quartermain
2009

I know I have griped and whined about sweatshirt fashion. Remember this post? Or how about this one?

Can we be done with trying to make sweatshirts more than just a sweatshirt? The beauty of the sweatshirt is comfort. Sweatshirts are supposed to be warm, comfortable, and what one wears to the gym, to do laundry, or when you are retreating from life. It is not cocktail attire, professional attire, or a “fashion choice”.

Fashion for Free

September 20, 2019 Mary Kelly Craptastic Crafts and Hobbies 9 comments

Fashion For Free
Allen
1980

I don’t know what to say. I think I can guess why some of this “fashion” is free. This cover picture takes the cake. Maybe it would have looked better in black and white.

Be a Professional Woman

May 7, 2019 Mary Kelly Ladies only!, Working 9-5 8 comments

The Extra Edge Success Strategies for Women Mitchell and Burdick 1983 Ladies, it is time to step up your professional look. Don’t worry about your skills, it is all about the look. This book has a bunch of quizzes and

Natty Man

March 11, 2019 Mary Kelly Be Pretty, Guy Stuff 18 comments

Fashion for Men
Esquire Magazine
1957 (original copyright)
1966 edition

Need to get that retro chic look from the late 1950s? This guide has all the details so you can look your very best.

I actually liked looking through this book. The details and the explanations are really interesting. If you have an interest in menswear or in retro fashion, this might be a good choice. I definitely think this has a place in a design or fashion collection. Yes it is dated and not exactly user friendly, but it is detailed and has some decent illustrations. Fit is the major theme of this book.