We know her as the dead serious judge on Project Runway. When it come to style and fashion, Nina Garcia is all business. But sometimes life calls for more than business dressing and for us average ladies, the world is not a runway or an editorial spread. In comes Nina Garcia’s new style guide! Nina Garcia’s Look Book: What to Wear for Every Occasion.

Garcia has already written two best selling books – The Little Black Book of Style and The Style Strategy. I own both and they are also really great books.

When I received my review copy, the first thing I looked for was Ruben Toledo’s delightful illustrations. His chic and stylish figures make me giddy.

Part art book, part reference, this plump guide (twice the size of her previous style books) reads like a friend’s advice – a friend that is SERIOUS about fashion and style. The first thing you will see, which I felt was very clever, is the inside cover illustrated with Ruben Toledo’s ladies and the corresponding page numbers where you can find each one.

The table of contents is organized by occasion: work, dating, day, night, holidays, life events, weddings, dream travel. This guide does not skimp. If you think you’re going to get age-old advice like dress sexy but not revealing for a date, guess again. Once section in the dating chapter is all about What to Wear When You Break Up with Your Boyfriend. How is that for specific? Any possible event is covered in this book, big or small. Thinking about that Halloween party? Yes, Nina has advice on that too.

My favorite part was the traveling section. I always struggle with what to wear on the plane. Here’s an excerpt:

Think dark colors and soft, natural, knit fabrics that move with you and feel good against your skin. A pashmina keeps you warm and toasty for napping on the plane and works as chic accessory once you’ve reached your destination.

But Nina Garcia is not all about rules. Each chapter contains anecdotes of famous rule breakers such as Josephine Baker and style quotes from style icons such as Lady Gaga who says “I’m just trying to change the world, one sequin at a time”.

Nina Garcia’s Look Book really reminded me of Edith Head’s How to Dress for Success. In fact, Nina Garcia quotes the famous Hollywood costume designer and style guru. The simple truth is that good style advice never changes. We just keep adding more occasions in which to think about our dress. This book is a modern resource for those of us that don’t have a seriously fashionable friend we can call and ask “What should I wear to the opera?”.

The only con this beautiful and fun book has is that it is a bit heavy, so it made it difficult to carry when I was traveling. But since it does read more like a reference/art book rather than a sit and read cover to cover book, I suppose I can sit on my sofa and look up all the answers to my dressing questions. Or I can just get a bigger bag!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who would like some guidance with appropriate dress for a variety of occasions, or as a gift to anyone who loves fashion or fashion illustration. The book retails for $23.99 and is available now!