Retrodivas Fashion

The Bombshell Manual of Style

This isn’t really a manual, per se, but it’s an interesting read nonetheless. The author, Laren Stover, did an incredible amount of research on “bombshells” – think Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, Greta Garbo, and…Kim Basinger? Whatever – I think this research involved watching a lot of old movies and sorting out the style that these actresses portrayed both on the screen and off.

There is a lot of stereotyping in The Bombshell Manual of Style, but I found myself nodding along more often than not. The Bombshell Fragrances list is exhaustive and pretty accurate, as well as some of the “road tested” outfits. The illustrations are by the always-talented and extremely popular Ruben Toledo and is worth flipping through just for those.

It gives off a bit of “single lady in the city” vibe, but if you can get past that (decorate my apartment in pink and white? I wouldn’t do that even if I was single and living in NYC), the information here is quite good. It certainly encourages you to slip on some silk pajamas, grab some champagne and your toy poodle, and settle in for a read.

Unfortunately, all I had on had was a leopard print snuggie and two cats. But that’s okay – I think I’m still bombshell material.