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The first book from Angie Cox of youlookfab.com

Style Nuggets: Practical inspiration for everyday style.

83 succinct pieces of style advice from personal stylist Angie Cox, drawn from thirty years in fashion and twenty years of writing youlookfab.com. Each one takes a minute to read.

Hardcover · 184 pages · Out now

The Style Nuggets hardcover, standing upright

Style Truths

  • Style is confident.
  • Style is variety.
  • Style is not an age.
  • Style is not a body type.
  • Style is practical.
  • Style is now.
  • Style is empowering.
  • Style is honest.
  • Style is subjective.
  • Style is about YOU.
  • Style is a skillset.
  • Style is a journey.
  • Style needs emotion.
  • Style is patient.
  • Style is not a competition.
  • Style is not fashion.

There are five sections of nuggets and the first is devoted to 16 truths about personal style.

About the book

Style can be learned. This book teaches it one two-page spread at a time.

Angie Cox has worked in fashion since 1992, as a designer, a retail buyer and a consultant, and later as a personal stylist in Seattle. In 2006 she started youlookfab.com, where she has written about style several times a week ever since. This book is the advice that has held up through all of it.

Each nugget is a statement and a short reflection on it. The subjects run from confidence and body neutrality to sustainable wardrobe habits, shopping well, getting fit right, and using colour and pattern to express yourself.

This is not a book about trends. It’s about understanding yourself.

It’s the kind of book you keep on the nightstand or in the closet and open at any page.

An open spread from the book. The left page is lime green and reads “Style is a skillset.” The right page holds the reflection “You Can Learn the Skills of Style.”
Every nugget is a two-page spread: the statement on a colour page, the reflection opposite.

Who it’s for

Whether you’re starting from scratch, refreshing a tired wardrobe, or just looking for a nudge.

  • Starting from scratch

    Start with the Style Truths, which set the mindset, then take the sections in order.

  • Refreshing a tired wardrobe

    Go straight to Edit, Organize, Refresh, then to Thoughtful Shopping before you buy anything new.

  • Looking for a nudge

    Open it anywhere. Every nugget stands on its own, and none takes more than a couple of minutes.

What’s inside

83 nuggets, organized into five sections.

The sections move from mindset to the details of an outfit. Read them in order, or dip in wherever you like.

  1. Section 1

    Style Truths

    What style is and isn’t. The mindset the rest of the book builds on.

    Including

    • Style is not an age.
    • Style is not a body type.
    • Style is a skillset.
    • Style is not a competition.
    • Style is not fashion.
  2. Section 2

    Style Principles

    Guidelines rather than rules, for dressing like yourself.

    Including

    • Never say never.
    • Focus on fit, not size.
    • Favourites over fashion.
    • Be the boss of your style.
    • Claim the classics.
  3. Section 3

    Edit, Organize, Refresh

    Getting more out of the wardrobe you already have, and getting out of a rut.

    Including

    • Think in capsules.
    • Repeat to maximize.
    • Edit your wardrobe.
    • The wardrobe size for you.
    • The rapid style refresh.
  4. Section 4

    Thoughtful Shopping

    Shopping with intention: fit, bottoms, bras, bargains and budgets.

    Including

    • Create a shopping list.
    • Decide at home.
    • Beware of the bargain.
    • Patient, picky and practical.
    • Let formalwear find you.
  5. Section 5

    Stylish Outfits

    Putting an outfit together: proportion, colour, contrast, shoes and accessories.

    Including

    • Wear your wardrobe.
    • Bookend your outfit.
    • Column your colour.
    • Footwear fixes outfits.
    • Play with patterns.

Sample nuggets

Six nuggets from the book.

A short bold statement you can remember, a few lines that make it practical, and three paragraphs to make it actionable.

  • Style is now.

    Dress for the body you have today. Don’t wait for some future version of yourself to arrive. You are fabulous right now.

    Style Truths

    Press to turn the page and read the reflection.

    You Are Fabulous Right Now

    As the famous saying goes, the only constant in life is change. This is true for our body shape as we gain and lose weight during our lives. And when our bodies change, we need our clothes to change, too. The right size and fit will increase our style quotient and make us more comfortable.

    Don’t hold off shopping while you try to lose or gain weight. Don’t wait for what may or may not change about your body in the future. If you are on a longer weight loss or gain journey, you’ll need a few small capsules of clothing to tide you over across a range of sizes as you approach your goal.

    Don’t despair when your body changes and your existing wardrobe is getting you down. When you get into the right size and fit, the result is instantly gratifying. Instead of internalizing bad feelings about your body, you’re filled with confidence and energy because you look and feel better in your clothes.

    13

  • Focus on fit, not size.

    The size on the label does not define you. Focus instead on how clothing drapes, supports, flows, moves and follows the contours of your figure.

    Style Principles

    Press to turn the page and read the reflection.

    Don’t Let the Label Define You

    Fit challenges are universal. Sizes are not standardized, and fits are inconsistent from brand to brand. Be discerning about the way an item fits your body. Go up or down in size, and shorter or longer in length to create the desired fit.

    The correct fit will achieve outfit proportions that showcase your figure in an attractive way. When something does not fit, it’s not your body that is wrong. It’s a question of finding a better fit, be that through a different size, item or brand.

    Choose from body-con, tailored, fluid and oversized silhouettes. A forgiving fit can be practical if your weight is fluctuating. Alterations can make the crucial difference. Pass on items that no longer fit. Feel comfortable and happy in the fits you choose.

    51

  • Think in capsules.

    Think of items and outfits in groups, and build a versatile, cost-effective wardrobe filled with fabulous outfit possibilities for every aspect of your life.

    Edit, Organize, Refresh

    Press to turn the page and read the reflection.

    Wardrobe Capsules for Your Life

    Wardrobe capsules break up your wardrobe into manageable chunks. There are mix-and-match capsules, category capsules, colour capsules, travel capsules, occasion capsules and activity capsules. Items are frequently used across multiple capsules.

    When you have a range of capsules that are suited to your needs and preferences, your wardrobe is easier to manage. It is clear how each item plays a role in different outfits, and in the various aspects of your life, creating stylish calm.

    Capsules promote mindful shopping. You know how each new item will fit in with the rest. Unnecessary duplication and wardrobe holes are prevented. Storage spaces are decluttered and more organized. Outfit creation is faster.

    69

  • Beware of the bargain.

    Don’t be swayed by sale prices. If you don’t love what you buy, you won’t wear it. That’s not a bargain. Assess a discounted item as if it were full price.

    Thoughtful Shopping

    Press to turn the page and read the reflection.

    Maintain Your Standards When Shopping the Sales

    Shop discounted prices, but be a savvy sale shopper. Shop with a plan and with intention. Do not be seduced by anything that does not work for you, does not have a place in your wardrobe or is difficult to style. Keep your standards as high as always.

    Don’t succumb to the fear of missing out. Relax into missing the bargain if you’re not entirely sure it’s the right thing for you. There is always something better and less risky just around the corner. Your wallet and wardrobe will thank you in the long run.

    You don’t need to buy everything on sale. If you love it, can afford it and can store it, consider buying it at full price. Especially if it sells out fast, fills a wardrobe hole, is unique or exclusive, or you need it for an upcoming event. You are worth full price.

    109

  • Wear your wardrobe.

    Don’t save your wardrobe items for some future opportunity. Left languishing in your closet, they are a waste of time, money and energy.

    Stylish Outfits

    Press to turn the page and read the reflection.

    Give Your Wardrobe a Workout

    Finding perfect pieces and brilliant bargains is rewarding and thrilling, but nothing beats the feeling of putting the items to work. After all, wearing your items is the point of creating a functional and stylish wardrobe in the first place.

    Don’t reach for the same outfits repeatedly just because they are easier to access or launder. Wear dressier items more often by combining them with a support act — denim, sneakers, flats or a crossbody bag — to create everyday wearable outfits.

    Your wardrobe is valuable. Wear it, don’t stare at it. Life’s too short to save items for good. Feel free to ration items that are super special or very dressy, but wear the heck out of the rest. Whittle the cost-per-wear of items down to nothing.

    133

  • Fashion must be fun.

    Personal style can be enjoyable at any age. Keep it lighthearted. Allow your outfits to delight you. There is only one fashion rule: Have fun with it.

    Style Principles

    Press to turn the page and read the reflection.

    The Only Rule: Have Fun with Fashion

    Wearing the aesthetics you like can make you happy. Shopping can be therapeutic. Dressing well can boost your self-esteem. Sharing opinions can be social. Even wardrobe management can be enjoyable if you’re into organization and analysis.

    Outfits can be creative expressions. An art form, especially if you make your own clothes. Budget can be a constraint that fuels creativity. Sometimes the most beautiful outfits use items that you’ve had in your wardrobe for years.

    Fashion trends can be fascinating as they emerge on the fringe and then filter into the mainstream. Let them inspire you as you express yourself through your personal style, creating outfits that make you happy. Have fun with fashion.

    45

Read one in full

One nugget, both pages.

Pages 22 and 23, from the Style Truths section.

Style is a skillset.

Style is intuitive but can also be learned. Practise and refine the skills you need to look and feel fabulous. The skillset will be yours forever.

22

You Can Learn the Skills of Style

Some people are innately stylish. They were born with an aptitude for the skills that make them stylish, and they master these skills over time. For others, it isn’t quite as instinctive or intuitive. Yet the skillset can be learned with great results.

When you learn the skills of style, you begin to understand why things work or fail. You can apply this knowledge over and over again, saving time and money, and getting more enjoyment from fashion. You can also pass the skills on to others.

Learn from style professionals, stylish friends, online style communities and your own experiments. Sometimes you learn the most from mistakes. Practice makes perfect, healthy habits form, and style becomes more innate and intuitive.

23

Illustration from the book of Angie walking with shopping bags and her two Yorkies
Illustration by Lisa Henderling

About the author

Angie Cox

Personal stylist · Founder of youlookfab.com · Seattle, Washington

My name is Angélique, but I go by Angie here in the USA. After a degree in psychology, I studied fashion. I got my first job in the industry in 1992 and haven’t looked back. I was a designer, retail buyer, and fashion consultant before moving to Seattle in 2003.

In 2006 I started a style blog called youlookfab.com, which grew into a kind and engaged social community. I became and presently am a personal stylist. I help my clients fine-tune their personal styles and effectively manage their wardrobes. I share what I learn from my in-person clients so that you can become your own personal stylist.

I live in Seattle, Washington, with hubs Greg, and Yorkies Sam and Jo. I’m as passionate about dogs, horses, art and tea as I am about fashion and style. I love to cook, travel, walk and practice yoga. I’m a city person at heart, but thoroughly enjoy outdoorsy adventures with Greg and the doggies.

First job in fashion
1992
Started youlookfab.com
2006
Client sizes styled, ages 16 to 88
0–40
Front cover of Style Nuggets: Practical Inspiration for Everyday Style

Where to buy

Order the hardcover.

In the United States, United Kingdom and Australia the hardcover is sold through IngramSpark, which prints and ships the book. Everywhere else it is sold through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other online retailers. The button takes you to the store for where you are.

Format
Hardcover
Length
184 pages
Size
5 × 8 in
ISBN
979-8-9946322-2-2
Published
2026

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