Lands' End Business Attire for Women: Mastering the New ABCs of What to Wear to Work

When I first saw this book I dismissed it as a sort of glorified Lands End catalog, but when I browsed through it I changed my mind. While it's true that the illustrations all feature products you could find at LE, they are generic enough to be purchased from any retailer who sells classic clothing. If your workplace has no rules at all, or if you are required to wear a uniform, you don't need this book. If you are looking for advice about looking, thinner, sexier, or more fashionable, this is not the book you want either. The author mentions right up front that the business outfits shown in the book are NOT intended to showcase the female form or be a vehicle for self-expression. For someone who wants to look appropriate and professional in the contemporary American business world, this book would be a useful starting point. If you are a recent graduate starting a career, or if you are an older person re-entering the work force, this book can give you the basics of building a casual business wardrobe. If you have read other books about the unwritten dress codes of American business, or if your employer has given you specific guidelines, you won't learn much that is new. However, if your workplace has a dress code that isn't clearly defined, but involves wearing casual clothing on a regular or occasional basis, this book is worth a look. (I mean that literally, the text is pretty flimsy, but the pictures will give you plenty of good ideas). Actually, the Lands End Guide covers a lot of the same ground as John Molloy's Dress for Success books, but his books are more text-based, with just a few illustrations. (Please see my review of Molloy's Women's Dress for Success book for more details). This one is mainly illustrations of clothes, with brief comments on how to shop for them, and why they are suitable for work. If you consider yourself a visual learner, or are pressed for time, this book covers the basics pretty well. It isn't everything you will need to know, but it would be hard to look inappropriate if you wear clothing similar to what you see in this book.

Enjoyed the book--something for everyone from new hire to veteran. Visually interesting, good descriptions, as up-to-date as possible. But Beware: Publisher needs a fact-checker. A prominent story about the Colorado Surpreme Court passing a dress-code for attorneys is bogus. It was an April Fool's prank in 2001 circulated by the Colorado Bar Assn. As this book was published in 2004, the author and others had 3 years to find the error prior to publication.