Last Minute Holiday
Use this holiday search engine to find late deals from the UK’s leading brand tour operators.

In Review

04 December 2008 03:40 BST

The Cheap Date Guide To Style by Kira Jolliffe and Bay Garnet

Bantam Press, hardback, 128 pages, £14.99, out now.

In a nutshell…

Retro. Novelty. Gift. Style. Guide.

What's it all about?

It's a cool read which claims to make clothes fun again and help you reconnect with your own inner fashion guru.

Who's it by?

The authors, Kira and Bay, are self-styled fashion queens who edit a cult magazine called Cheap Date and they are desperate for us all to approach clothes as a dressing-up exercise where instead of slavishly following trends and celebrities, we embrace the individual approach and wear some crazy combos.

It is all part of the new "yeah – I made it myself" fashion scene started by boho chic Sienna Miller where vintage and modified clothing rules supreme and high street is frowned upon.

The book mainly contains a collage-style almanac of different looks to emulate as well as brief inspirational banter and some tips from the stars who range from the perennially together Mischa Barton to the people's Kate Moss – Chloe Sevigny.

High in pictures, the book is one of those great Christmas gifts and is like a grown-up girl's Bunty annual.

As an example…

"Grey tracksuit bottoms are the ultimate in slouching-around comfort, far too slobby for life-pivoting job interviews. Yet, when you're looking clean, fresh and healthy, they brim with unassuming chic. These are easy classics to play with."

Other favourite classics include: tan hosiery, the black leather biker jacket, kung fu shoes, cowboy boots, mini kilts, Chanel handbags and black Capri pants.

What the other say

"Bay and Kira are the most genuinely stylish people I know" – Rachel Weisz

"Always fresh and modern, their style is super chic" – Matthew Williamson

So is it any good?

If you are a busy working woman just looking for some classic outfits which won't offend or cause shock then this book isn't for you. It's more a 20-something's guide to shopping in charity shops and putting things together to get maximum attention on a minimal budget.

Setting itself up in revolt to the Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie brand of size-zero style, the book is very British and has the eclectic feel which you imagine someone like Kate Moss would appreciate. However, as a guide to style the book contradicts its own onus on individuality and creativity so really the true chic people will be oblivious to the guide and out there wearing wacky ensembles already.

Buy it as a present for a teenager or as a fun table top alternative to Planet Earth but don't take the advice too seriously… there is never an excuse for tracksuit jackets.

9/10

Kate Lalor



"Just read 'Cheap Date Guide to Style'. Great pics, fresh alternative to ad-filled mags and slavish fashion followers bibles. Lots of inspiration, even for non-teens!! Even us oldies in our 30s! Wish it were longer though!" - Ilona Costelloe