This was such a great book - kind of like Stacy's (and Clinton's) show "What Not to Wear" but more personal and with much more detail. This is definitely a memoir, as Stacy begins with her own personal struggles - skin issues, self-esteem, eating disorders, and how she discovered the truth about style. She shares her observations with her "trademark" snarky humor and honesty, and that's what makes this book so engaging.

The foundation of the book revolves around Stacy's "start overs" of nine women who have various issues with self-esteem, health, lifestyle, and - of course - clothes. In a letter written to Stacy explaining why she should be selected for the book, each woman describes her problems with clothes, style, and fashion. Then Stacy meets with each one, has a heartfelt conversation and learns how they feel - often inadequate and judgmental about their bodies and themselves. Stacy's concept of style is that it's a form of self-expression and aspiration - a tool to see yourself differently and to feel differently. She explains how the women in the book (including her) are examples of what a shift in perspective can accomplish.

There are several photos of each woman: one "before" and several during fittings, and then the "after/reveal." Stacy's explanations throughout the process emphasize taking positive control of your image, to be honest with yourself, and to realize we can always improve. She explains why the final outfit works, how she can relate to each woman's issues - so personal and honest and thoughtful.

One thing she emphasized is how the world of style has transformative power. This was an encouraging and educational book - I didn't want to put it down. ( )

I What Not to Wear was made into a book, this is what it would look like. Fabulously well done, Miss London! ( )

I was expecting a typical style/fashion advice type book, but this is so much more than that. A significant portion of the book is really Stacy's memoir. It's reassuring to discover that someone who looks as beautiful and put-together as Stacy London has the same struggles and issues as the rest of us. I enjoyed the stories about Stacy and the other women more than the style advice. ( )

It goes into depth about some of the psychology of how we dress, indecisiveness, how the way we feel about ourselves and others' opinions and judgments of us influence how we dress, and why we choose (or refuse to choose) to give weight to those beliefs and opinions.

Stacy starts off spending time getting personal about her self-esteem issues and battles with weight and psoriasis as a girl, as well as her status as a never-married, childless woman in her 40s. I loved her candor and relatability.

As she takes 9 women through personal styling consultations, she reflects her commonality with many of their issues, and gives readers a cheat sheet for how to overcome such defeatist thoughts as, "I try on pants everywhere I go and nothing fits," or "I'm self-conscious about my __________ (fill in body part here)," or "No one looks like me." There are also resources at the end of the book that list Stacy's recommended list of stores and designers based on the issues described by the 9 women she styled in the book. ( )

Love Stacy and Clinton on What Not to Wear, so I was expecting a lot of what was including here. However, hearing Stacy's story of being a middle schooler with severe psoriasis was really interesting! She knows exactly what it's like to be uncomfortable in your own skin, and that gives her even more credibility than she had before. ( )