GRACE & STYLE

A comedian and actress gives her slant on the world of fashion.

In the introduction, Helbig (Grace’s Guide: The Art of Pretending to Be a Grown-up, 2014) delves into the very real eating disorders and body image problems she’s faced in her life, but the majority of the book is a cheeky look at “one of the most hilarious subject matters in our society: beauty and style.” With an off-the-wall sense of humor, the author gives readers her take on a variety of fashion do’s and don’ts and provides lists of what certain types of clothing, hairstyles, sunglasses, handbags, and other fashion accessories say about a person. For instance, if you’re interested in wearing a pair of jeans on a first date, Helbig provides a variety of descriptions based on the cut of the denim: “Skinny jeans means you’re hip, you’re cool, you’re fashion forward, and you’re full of guacamole and self-doubt….Flared jeans mean…well, I don’t know that anyone who wears flared jeans would actually buy this book….Straight jeans mean you’re gay.” Sometimes the humor jumps the line from funny to borderline ludicrous—e.g., the author’s suggestions of what not to wear on a night out or at work, which include recommendations like pizza and/or cookie dough, car parts, jetpacks, live snakes, meat, and board games. Despite the tongue-in-cheek nature, Helbig manages to slip in some practical thoughts under the “Mom’s words of wisdom” sections, which should satisfy those who purchase the book in hopes of learning something useful about fashion. However, readers are forewarned at the end of the introduction that this book is not an “actual style guide,” a statement that bears repeating. This is a humorous book on a subject many in society take seriously. For those who enjoy Helbig’s sense of comedy, they are in for a great ride.

A witty and entertaining jab at what’s in vogue in makeup, clothing, and fashion accessories.