Simon Doonan: You do not have to dress like a “ho”

If you read this blog and/or shop at J. LaMore, chances are you are a fashion-savvy person. You probably understand the power of a great, figure-flattering dress; can justify wearing killer shoes even when they kill your feet and know that having your own personal style can do wonders for your confidence. Some people do not know these things, however, and I direct these people to the book Eccentric Glamour by Simon Doonan, the Creative Director for Barney’s New York.

The book is not only a style manual, but also a commentary on a culture that Doonan believes has become saturated with “slutty dressing and porno-chic…typical TV boobs’n’Botox makeovers that force every woman to look the same.” Instead, Doonan champions what he calls “eccentric glamour,” which calls for every woman to find her own personal style that is not influenced by what society deems as “hot or not.”

Doonan’s writing is charming and hilarious, and, being a glamorous eccentric himself, he is able to give sound advice on how to go about making yourself your most glamorous you. An excerpt from the introduction:

“Why wouldn’t you want to be one of the fabulous people, the life enhancers, the people who look interesting and smell luscious and who dare to be gorgeously more fascinating than their neighbors?”

He then goes on with an anecdote about how he once decided to dress as Queen Elizabeth II for no reason. He stresses to the self-conscious and conformists that, “even if you walk down the street wearing a gold leotard with your lesbian aunt Sylvia’s mauve nylon fanny pack cinching your midriff, nobody is judging you. Some people may not even notice you. Most people will be enjoying you.”

The book goes on with how-to’s and profiles on those whom Doonan proclaims the glamorous eccentrics of our time: Tilda Swinton, Dita Von Teese, Iman, Lucy Liu and others.

Overall, the book is a highly entertaining read and it instills you with a renewed sense of self-confidence and an assurance that the bright red dress with feathers (or whatever eccentric piece you may own) sitting at the back of your closet that you bought on a whim, but never knew you could actually pull off, is meant to be seen. Obviously, the part of you that had to have that dress is just the glamorous eccentric in you waiting to emerge.

Part of the reason we love fashion is that it allows us to express ourselves. Ultimately, self-expression is what Doonan advocates where “conformity is the only crime and dressing down the only faux-pas.” If you want a quick read, a good laugh and some unique style advice, pick up this book!

Eccentric Glamour: Creating an Insanely Fabulous New You

Simon & Schuster

Paperback, $10.20 @ Amazon

For more of Doonan's hilarious antics, see his website.

Mandy

Creative Director