Over the years, I’ve found that I generally dislike books which classify themselves as “style guides.” They all seem to dole out the same advice, prescribed for your specific hair/skin/body type. I always roll my eyes, thinking, “More hair and makeup tricks I’ll never use.” That being said, I am a sucker for an enticing book cover, so I was immediately intrigued by Caroline Cox’s How to Be Adored, in all its pink-and-flocked-velvet glory. The sub-title, “A Girl’s Guide to Hollywood Glamour,” was slightly off-putting, but I soon found the self-proclaimed style guide to be quite an entertaining compendium on all things glamour.
How to Be Adored covers all the bases, broken up into easy-to-read chapters. The book starts off as any style guide does, suggesting ways to dress to flatter your body type, dieting tricks in case you aren’t happy with your body, and hair and makeup tips from an array of Hollywood stars. Further in you’ll find gems like “Morning-After breakfast recipes” and marriage advice from vastly differing sources: Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, married 50 years, and Elizabeth Taylor, married nine times to eight men!
I loved chapter seven, “High Heels and Handbags,” which rhapsodized on Audrey Hepburn’s infamous ballet flats, and characterized the Sex & the City girls by the types of handbags they carried. I wasn’t so fond of chapter nine, “Seduction–Glamourpuss Style!” An entire section dedicated to “The Boudoir” detailed absolutely ridiculous bedroom decorating tips, suggesting “a pink satin throw and matching headboard” and “crystal chandeliers” to “set the scene for seduction.” I can’t think of a single man I know who wouldn’t gag at the sight of pink satin. The section following, naturally, was “How to Undress for a Man.” Really? Lingerie is great, but no man is impressed by panties which can be described as “antique rose French knickers trimmed with Valenciennes lace.”
Despite the occasional cheese factor, How to Be Adored is fun to read, full of excellent glamour quotes from old-Hollywood stars, new-Hollywood stars, and even royalty. If you count the days until each issue of Cosmopolitan or Glamour arrives in your mailbox every month, then this book will be great for you. Probably best savored pool- or beach-side with a pink cocktail in hand.
Oh, you can wear knee socks: just as long as you keep them out of sight under pants. Knee socks with miniskirts are adorable on teen girls and children, sad on real women. Instead, opt for sheer hosiery, opaque tights or fabulous (faux) tanned bare legs.
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