What Not To Wear Part 2: For Every Occasion: Pt.2

In their very own inimitable way, i.e., gleefully rude way, they point out the sartorial pitfalls women can make on such humdrum activities as working in an office and hitting the beach to meeting your boyfriend's mother for the first time, attending job interviews, weddings and school carol concerts. (The trick with the latter is to avoid red and black clothes, fishnets and scarlet lipstick at all costs. Unless of course you want your outfit to scream "I am slutty, available and a bad role model for my children", in which case, apparently, they are bang on and you may seek out the maths master who eyed you up on sports day, safe in the knowledge that another notch on the bedpost is yours for the asking.) "The moral here", they say, "is to consider the occasion more important than yourself". And, in case you were in any doubt about thongs, whatever the occasion a "crusty, worn-out cheesecutter is not a pretty sight", if you really must flash your knickers, they sagely advise, invest in a thong that's decorative, preferably sequinned, "rather than a barren triangle of grubby nylon." Buy this and ensure that you manage to keep fashion faux pas at bay. --Travis Elborough

Reader Reviews:

The Rules Vol 2 for Special Occasions in Pocket Form (1/2 people found this helpful)

I wish they put this out first or perhaps miniaturised ALL their books given their indispensability on Shopping Trips.
Given that I am a devotee of Trinny and Suzzana and unhesitatingly recommend them to all and sundry I wish their numerous Publishers would consider such a move in the First instance. Then shrunk books could be a standard item and only those hard nuts like me could have the standard size books as well.

Some very useful info, but several irritating flaws (5/5 people found this helpful)

My feelings about this book are mixed, but I suppose the best way to sum up my opinion would be to say that despite it having several flaws, I still found it very useful and don't intend passing it to the charity shop any time soon.

While the first 'What Not to Wear' tie in book focussed on dressing to disguise unappealing anatomical features, this second volume gives advice on dressing for various special occasions. It's a good basic idea, as most women (and the book is only for women - there's nothing for guys here) will identify with the problem of trying to decide what to wear to an interview, wedding, or even on holiday.

The occasions chosen rather typify my main problem with the book; its target audience is too narrow. It's aimed at middle aged, middle class women, which is a shame when one of the strengths of the TV series was the appreciation that women of all ages and social circumstances can have difficulty choosing clothes. In fact, many middle aged women have more idea of what to wear to particular occasions than younger ones, who might never have had to attend a wedding before, for example.

The selected occasions are weddings (winter and summer are usefully covered separately), two types of job interviews (first job and returning to work), work wear (for PAs, executives and bosses), school events, summer holidys, winter holidays (this means skiing), and partying. There is also a chapter on underwear and on 'work to play' - ways in which work outfits can be easily transformed for the evening.

Each occasion is further broken down into sub-classes; usually smart, trendy and casual, depending on the occasion type. For each, there is an example of a bad outfit and a good, annotated with simple explanations of what does/doesn't work, and a humourous 'what it says about you' comment at the bottom of each. These are quite amusing, but again betray Trinny and Susannnah's upper middle class mindset. Interpretations of dress will differ greatly between individuals, and the examples given thus seem rather irrelevant to me and my life, as they must to probably the majority of readers. There are overall tips sections at the end of each chapter, which are generally useful, and directories listing clothes shops.

Despite it's shortcomings and irritations (including the silly poses/facial expressions used by the authors when modelling the 'bad' outfits - when it would surely make the point better if they remained netural), there is a lot of useful information in this book. Like all advice, it should be taken with a pinch of salt and tailored to the individual. Though you're not going to be able to go out and buy the exact 'good' outfit for each occasion, even just looking at the pictures can provide some good ideas.

If nothing else, the book reminds us of the importance of dressing correctly and the (often false) impression that our appearance can give. This isn't about looking like a supermodel, it's about wearing clothes that suit the occasion and the person, and give the positive impression that we would wish for. Whether we mean to be or not, it's human nature to be influenced by how people dress and knowing this is the first step to making it work in our favour. Social conventions concerning dress can also be a minefield, and so this book is welcome from that point of view.

Overall, it's a good idea and there's plenty of use here if you're selective about what advice you take. It would be strengthened by addressing a wider audience and including more occasions - funerals would be a particularly helpful one.

At the end of the day, like them or not, when it comes to clothes, Trinny and Susannah are usually right.

funny, clever and extremely useful (6/8 people found this helpful)

bought this book thinking it was the hardcover edition so was surprised when a silver slimline diary sized(9x18cm)version arrived. However I'm now pleased as it's a far more portable size, fits into a bag easily for shopping or reading on the bus. I'm a huge Trinny fan so laughed my socks off all the way through at her piercing observations on social behaviour.

Not only is it hugely entertaining but its also extremely insightful and useful - A "Mrs Beaton" on good dress sense and social etiquette

Cheated (13/15 people found this helpful)

Otherwise same old formula with a bit of additional information on cosmetics - which is sadly way out of most people's price range.

Colour information was also vague and very brief. It seems like they just made a few notes after reading a color me beautiful book.

I feel cheated that I have bought basically the same book twice and my copy is on it's way to the charity shop.

For beginners in fashion but not more (4/4 people found this helpful)

This is a book that very clearly demonstrates the very, very basics of style, so it might be useful for ladies that completely have no clue what fits them and what doesnt and what to wear for different occasions. Others, who already have some understanding in clothes and style might get some ideas just by browsing through the book in a bookshop, buying this book for them would be a waste of money.

Susannah Constantine, Trinny Woodall

Editorial Review: