The Bombshell Manual of Style
Posted Aug 30, 2010 at 15:20 CEST in Books.
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The Bombshell Manual of Style by Laren Stover is one of my very favourite books, perhaps even the favourite. It’s just so much fun to read and so glamorous. It’s not actually a manual, I probably wouldn’t have liked it if it was, but rather describes the characteristics and habits of the typical bombshell, with some famous bombshell examples. It covers everything from what perfumes bombshells wear to where they go on vacation and has lots of little tidbits of information about famous bombshells of the past and present. The illustrations are very cute but I kind of wish there were photos in it as well, especially when a photo or a scene from a movie is mentioned and there is nothing to illustrate it. I got this book last Christmas and I’ve already read it through two or three times, and I’m always picking it up to read a passage here and there.
It’s almost the perfect book, but I have some small problems with it. I don’t like how sometimes it will state something as a truth without elaborating at all on why, like why wouldn’t a bombshell carry a quilted Chanel bag or wear vanilla perfume? I would like to know. Several times they also write about things bombshells supposedly don’t do or wear, when I can instantly think of at least one of the bombshells used as examples in the book who does or wears exactly that. It’s all very tongue in cheek but I still find these things a bit annoying and wish they would have just written ”most bombshells don’t do this”. Another silly little thing I just can’t get over is that in one chapter it says that when and if bombshells hike, they do it in heels. Perhaps Jayne Mansfield would have done something like it for one of her publicity stunts but otherwise I can’t believe any of the famous bombshells mentioned would ever do anything so stupid.
Apart from this it’s just a fantastic book and I wish I could find more like it. If you have read it and have any tips on books with a similar feel I’d love to hear about them!
9 comments on “The Bombshell Manual of Style”
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Ana
I think bombshells would totally wear vanilla perfume.
But I think living in young artist communities eschews my ideas of fashion and sex appeal.
Lauren
I have this book too; I like it, but I agree that it should be taken with a grain of salt. the thing that stuck out the most to me was the part that talks about interviews:
“When asked to take a seat, the Bombshell will never sink into the chair offered if the interviewer is still standing, but will perch on the edge of the arm rest.”
yeah good luck getting a job looking like all you’ve got to offer is your good looks.
Sanne, gt-sanne.blogspot.com
This is my favourite book too, and I’ve also read it 3-4 times, and will definately read it again (and again and again). And I agree with you on your small complaints, those are exactly what I’ve noticed too. E.g. they mention bombshells will never wear high heeled slippers except for lounging - but I can think of several bombshells always wearing high heeled slippers everywhere. I’ve writen to the authors(s) and asked them to write a second book, in which they could incorporate the bombshell style into modern life, state modern bombshells and their modern style. I don’t think everybody dare to wear vintage. I do, and I always get a lot of compliments. :)
Johanna, johannaost.com
A modern bombshell book would be great! Although I think the fashion tips in this book are quite adaptable to modern style since they’re mostly “timeless” classics.
Kristen Behlings
Those actions all sound to me like something the author thinks a typical American would do. Stereotypical Walmart-shopping soccer moms and high school girls wear vanilla cologne splash. Matronly administrative assistants as well as trust fund princesses carry quilted Chanel bags. I suspect the author is trying to separate the everyday from the unique, and possibly even the contemporary from certain eras.
P.S. The hiking in heels thing is tongue-in-cheek, I suspect; however, what they may be trying to say is even when a bombshell is getting dirty, she is at the height of style and femininity.
Johanna, johannaost.com
Thanks for the insight, I wasn’t aware that those were typical American things. Of course the entire book is very tongue in cheek but it still irks me :) Otherwise it’s absolutely fantastic though.
rebecca, myspace.com/asaar
I associate vanilla with blandness, it’s sweet, safe, and utterly boring. everyone can eat it, but it doesn’t make them go crazy with desire. In swedish there’s the expression vanilla sex (vaniljsex) for example, which is routine gentle sex without surprises. A bombshell should be more complex, provocative, and challenging. Her scent, as well as her personality. should have mulitple notes. For example, Jayne Maynefield wore My Sin and Brigitte Bardot wore Jicky.
Batsie
Hi Johanna,
I was looking up photos of Vampira on Flickr and found your incredible Halloween costume photos… Wow! Just amazingly beautiful! Anyway just had to check out your blog (LOVE it!) and I noticed your post on “The Bombshell Manual of Style”. I had this book too, and liked it, but I found it’s absolutist demands on style adherence too restrictive (and the book had a catty tone to it, to me anyway). I do love “style manual” type books, and my three favorite are:
“Audrey Style” by Pamela Clarke Keogh
“Be Marilyn: A Glamorous Guide to Living Blonde” by Gailyn Addis
“Boobs, Boys, and High Heels” by Dianne Brill.
The last book by Dianne brill is my absolute fave, I read it a couple of times a year for a glamour “pick-me-up” when I’m feeling blah. I love Ms. Brill’s positive and inclusive writing style, as she feels all women, no matter what size, age, imperfections, etc., have the ability to be bombshells (or reach “Babedom”, as she calls it)…
Anyway, just my two cents!
Johanna, johannaost.com
Thank you! And thank you so much for the book tips, I will definitely look them up.
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