Nina Garcia's Look Book

Tuesday, 10 August 2010 13:34

The classic question, “What should I wear?” has stolen the spotlight from many an important occasion and other certainly more important questions—“Is he the right guy for me?,” “Will I get the raise?” or even, “Will I win the Oscar?” among them. And when Ralph Lauren shows up to a gala in a tux jacket and jeans, and guests arrive at an afternoon summer wedding in all black, it can be hard to navigate exactly what is, and isn’t, appropriate. And—a bigger question—is there any such thing anymore?

By Maghan McDowell; Photo by Mark Abrahams

Thankfully, and to great relief, the answer is yes—if Nina Garcia has any say.

In a response to some of the more frequently asked questions she receives, this Marie Claire fashion director, Project Runway judge and successful mom extraordinaire penned a guide to take away all that angst-inducing guesswork. In Nina Garcia’s Look Book: What to Wear for Every Occasion, out this month, Nina steps in with her no-nonsense tips on what to wear for, well, anything.

With illustrations by Ruben Toledo, she covers the basics, from what to wear to a job interview or to a first date, to something a little more complicated (and perhaps more unexpected), like what to wear to a wine tasting or to jury duty.

Nina’s book is like that no-nonsense, stylish best friend, and she’s available at a moment’s notice, saving the hassle of littering your bedroom floor with piles of clothes that just aren’t quite right. We suggest putting in your closet right between that LBD and that navy blazer.

This would make an excellent gift for that sartorially challenged person who always calls asking what to wear. Don’t worry; it’s nothing tired like “Don’t wear white after Labor Day” or “always match your bag to your shoes.” In fact, Nina acknowledges that rules are made to be broken—a trait that, in the fashion industry, is certainly one that pays off.

Now where did we put those jeans? We have a wedding to go to. Just kidding.

Nina Garcia’s Look Book: What to Wear for Every Occasion is out this month from Hyperion Books. Catch Nina every Thursday at 9pm on Lifetime’s Project Runway, now in Season 8. Follow her on Twitter here.

P.S. I bet you’re wondering what she suggested for wine tasting and jury duty. OK, since you asked:

• For wine tasting, something “worthy of vinification’s long history and lore,” in other words, think “eighties Armani”—tunics, wide-legged pants, sandals and a wooden bangle.
• For jury duty, think about blending in, with something simple, conservative and comfortable, unless you want to avoid jury duty, in which case you’d be advised to pair a leopard print with flashy eye shadow.