Seventeen Ultimate Guide to Style

May 30, 2011
Teens who eagerly devour the latest issues of favorite fashion magazines will likely do the same with this photo-centric style guide. Each section offers advice about constructing a particular lookâgirly, edgy, boho, classic, glam, or indieâusing essential layering pieces, followed by profiles of a "real" girl and a celeb (Ashley Tisdale, Vanessa Hudgens) who embodies that trend. Assorted "Look Book" images feature models and pedestrians in eye-catching outfits, plus shopping tips. Most readers will find that their preferences lie somewhere in between the categories, and Shoket encourages experimentation; a closing section devoted to finding flattering jeans, swimsuits, and bras for different body types will give readers a foundation upon which to build a unique aesthetic. Ages 12âup.

April 15, 2011

This highly visual and very pink fashion primer dissects six "style vibes" for teen girls, pointing readers toward wardrobe essentials, celebrity inspirations and shopping destinations for looks from "boho" to "classic" to "glam."

Each section in the guide explores a particular look, beginning with a photographic spread of "must-haves," each labeled and annotated (e.g. "QUILTED PURSE: The perfect piece—TRENDY YET TIMELESS"). Readers are led through spreads of suggested add-ons ("Pair a drapey cardi with a FLIRTY MINI for an extra dose of femininity!"), then introduced to young women whose fashion suits the chapter. A final "look book" spread shows celebrities, runway models and women in the street who exemplify the chapter's look. After covering "girly," "boho," "classic," "edgy," "glam" and "indie," the editors present two catch-all chapters, one guide to accessories and one to choosing jeans, swimwear, bras and underwear that hide and accentuate different body shapes. The book assumes an intermediate fashion vocabulary: The terms "ruching" and "capelet," for example, are not defined, though illustrations offer some clues. There is, as promised, variation among the styles, but the range of acceptable looks is still fairly narrow, and many tips focus on making oneself different but not too different.

A wealth of attractively-packaged information for fashion-conscious girls with some money to spend. (Nonfiction. 12-18)

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

September 1, 2011

Gr 7 Up- Seventeen has been a go-to source for generations of teens, and this offering does not disappoint. It focuses on six unique styles-"Girly," "Edgy," "Boho," "Classic," "Glam," and "Indie"-and shows readers how to put these looks together. Filled with great full-color photography and layouts, there's plenty to pore over. The text also includes accessory and fit guides to help customize the style best suited to one's figure and lifestyle. While this book is definitely for girls with money to spend, savvy young fashionistas will know how to create these looks for less.-Elaine Baran Black, Georgia Public Library Service, Atlanta

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.