A sage syllabus for return to school

It’s back-to-school time, and kids across Maine are wheeling home backpacks full of books for their required reading lists.

In honor of yellow buses, bag lunches and homework, I’ve assembled a reading list of my own – suggested rather than required – that touches on grown-up subjects. Most of them are new releases, with a few classics, but these texts have much in common: shopping, fashion and general fabulousness. Enjoy! And if you need to pick up a stylish pair of reading glasses, so much the better.

For history, I’ve selected “A Guide to Elegance: For Every Woman Who Wants to Be Well and Properly Dressed on All Occasions” by Genevieve Antoine Dariaux (William Morrow, 2003, $14.95). The title and the Tiffany-blue cover say it all, really. If your idea of a style manual consists of Strunk and White, take a look at Dariaux’s timeless tome, which is as relevant today as when she wrote it in 1964. Among the French designer’s pearls of wisdom: Don’t confuse fashion with style (duh), and don’t shop with girlfriends.

It was enough to inspire the literary selection, “Elegance” by Kathleen Tessaro (Avon Trade, 2003, $10.95). In this ugly-duckling-becomes-a-slave-to-fashion-before-turning-into-a-swan story, Tessaro follows Louise Canova, an American in London whose luck

changes when she stumbles across Dariaux’s tome in a used bookstore. It’s a fun, quick read that proves that beauty is only skin-deep – true elegance comes from within.

This message rings true in my suggested reading for phys-ed (that’s physique education), “Figure It Out: The Real Woman’s Guide to Great Style” (Sixth&Spring Books, 2004, $17.95) From Geri Brin and Tish Jett, the editors of Figure magazine, this fantastic manual gives stylish, chic wardrobe solutions for women of substance. Brin and Jett have an eye for fashion, but they encourage readers to follow their own sense of style. The best advice: Ditch the “cringe-worthy fashion bombs” that lurk in the back of your closet – which women of any size could stand to do.

Speaking of advice, the religion portion of this curriculum has plenty of it. In “The Girlfriends’ Bible” (2004, Andrews McNeel Publishing, $9.95), author Cathy Hamilton lays out the commandments of friendship (and there are way more than 10). Among my favorites is a quotation from “The Book of Tiffany”: “This is the friendship Lord & Taylor has made. Let us rejoice and be glad for shopping.” Amen, sister.

Frugal decorators will rejoice at the tips in my home economics text, “Home Cheap Home: A Room-By-Room Guide to Great Decorating” (2004, Penguin Publishing, $19.95). Compiled by the editors of Budget Living magazine (don’t let the name deter you), this book is full of big ideas and small price tags. There’s a decidedly retro feel to many of the furnishings, so if Colonial is your style, you may want to skip this one, but if you like an eclectic mix, check it out.

For a more pared-down approach to decorating, I recommend one of the classics, “Pure Style” by Jane Cumberbatch (1996, Stewart, Tabori & Chang, $24.95). This democratic guide to home comforts blends old-fashioned and contemporary styles for a simple, elegant result. Highly recommended.

I’ll round the list out with another classic, “Three Black Skirts” by Anna Johnson (2000, Workman, $13.95) This is the perfect book for twenty- and thirtysomethings who are trying to balance it all: work, love, sex, motherhood and let’s not forget fashion. I love this book for its no-nonsense advice and its lyrical prose. Read it and reap.

That’s all for now, ladies. Read up. Satisfy your curiosity. Shopping can wait, really.

ShopGirl would love to hear from you! Send questions, comments or suggestions by e-mail to: kandresen@bangordailynews.net, by U.S. mail to: Kristen Andresen, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402-1329, or by fax to: 941-9476. Tune in to ShopGirl at 5 p.m. Fridays on WLBZ-2.