
Any book that recommends this kind of travel wardrobe is going to be a fun read! Today I’m parting with one of my copies of Hot Tips – in paperback, with the iconic Gia Carangi cover. (it was her only book cover, and some big fans of her absolutely covet this photograph…)

As with so many of the style books written in the 80’s, this one is a combination of timeless advice and laughably dated ideas. This is entirely illustrated with pencil sketches that aren’t terribly dated, and which in many cases make it clear that a timeless garment from this era could still be chic.
Just leave me a comment – anonymous is fine – and Thursday I’ll draw a random number and let you know who the winner is. I’ll keep you anonymous, if you don’t want your pretty face all over the Internet, I promise!
BIG MAJOR UPDATE – THIS IS DEFINITELY OPEN TO READERS OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES!!! I AM NOT SURE WHAT SHIPPING METHOD I WILL HAVE TO USE, BUT I WOULD NEVER LEAVE YOU OUT OF THE FUN…
Love vintage, love lifestyle books, LOVE your blog…..I was in my dermatologist's office and his nurse mentioned she followed your blog. Well, that ended up with both of us discussing your excellent talent. I would imagine your ears were really burning. Thank you for your wonderful ideas!
I adore "old" books with ideas that ring true throughout the ages. I have a few antique (over 50 years old) cookbooks and would love to add some fashion books to my collection. I've been intrigued by this book since the first time it appeared on your blog.
White socks !! What were we thinking?! Those gleaming tube socks are blinding me, and the way they twinkle and shine under my desk light… Still, would be a fun book to reminisce about my teen years.
Gia! Also, any book that recommends beige over black has a place in my heart.
As we look back and chuckle about many of the fashion items considered stylish in the 1980's it serves to remind us that the classics always make the best wardrobe choices. Thank you for your wardrobe and travel packing advice…it has helped me simplify what clothing is needed especially when on the go far from home and the closet!
Do you wonder what "fashion" of today will look like from the lens of 2040?
This would be a fun book to own. Please enter me! And thanks for offering it!
Looks like a fun read…but Classic and good quality never ages. Love your blogs!
I simply can't resist "reference" books! You never know what gems are waiting to be unearthed…
I loved, loved, loved this book. Unfortunately, my daughter loaned it to one of her college friends and I never got it back. Right now I am concentrating on losing weight and I'm shopping my closet only. Have gotten rid of
a bunch of too big/never fit right/don't love clothes and still have plenty to wear – especially with your ideas.
Hate to be stupid but what is a URL?
This looks like a great read. I love the 80's! :)
I'm in for this contest! Great info on this site everyday!
A URL is another name for a web page. It stands for universal resource locator. Dimitra
Please count me in!
I was in my late teens and early twenties during the 80's and the clothes of this era rather formed my mind set about the shapes and colours that suit me. I would love to have a reminiscent wallow with this book.
I loved shoulder pads and fuchsia in the 80's. Big hair and slim body were important assets then. The book looks like fun!
Please add me to your giveaway. Sounds like a good 'un!
Z xx
Ah, the 80s – the HAIR, the SHOULDERS, the COLOR! I'm still weeding out some that from my closet.
Count me in on this one! I've had this on my wish list at Powell's for a bit now with no luck :)
Oh Gia! Oh 80's! Oh the folks we lost… kind of a downer comment but I was there as I imagine many of us readers were… would love this, and I am such a fan of this blog. I check in every day! Thanks for all you do!
This actually looks very interesting! I like that travel wardrobe!
I'd love to win. I need all the fashion help I can get! :)
I love your site! your advice has really helped me simplify my wardrobe and life. Thank you!
Thank you for the many ways you continue to help me improve. You are my first read every morning. I'd love to win.
Deb in Kentucky
I miss the 80's. Freedom of expression abound!
Love you blog
I love the classics. If an 80s item still passes the test of time then you know it's a good investment. I would love to read this book. Your polyvore wardrobe suggestions are brilliant. I love your "Choosing a Scarf" series. I copy your style. Thank you for sharing!
I'd love to win this book – that is if your competition is open to international readers of your amazing blog!
Peplums and shoulder pads! Who could forget?!
I'll ship internationally – it might be a fairly slow shipping method, but of COURSE you're all included.
I love your blogs. I purchased the red Anne Klein wrist watch after seeing it here the other day.
Oh, and count me in on this contest!!!
What a great giveaway! Please count me in.
I’d be grateful if you’d consider me. Thanks for your thoughtful generosity! Jai in Orange
oh, it's a treat simply to see the reproduction of the illustration! But i'll throw my hat in the ring for a copy, too (heehee, and with me tossing a hat is no idle threat!) I love these old books, many of them (as you say) still have some valuable advice. Thank you! steph
Would you believe I still have this book from the 80s? I am racking my brain trying the remember the title of the one Image/color book that was very Christian based. Just cannot remember and have no idea how to search for it.
A comment for me, a comment for you, I like comments in a a big brown shoe. :)
I love this type of book. It would be great to add this one to my collection.
Thanks so much,
Catherine
What a great book! Thanks for including Canadians in your promotion.
would love to read such a book.. thank you for counting me in
I love your blog and your blasts from the past.
I come to work early to avoid traffic (it's winter here) and make my coffee and open your blog. Thanks, I love it. from South Africa
Love reading your blog, thanks for the chance to win ;)
Love the colours and combinations in this travel wardrobe, although I'd reinvent the styles to suit my figure and more casual lifestyle. Please enter me in the competition.
What a fun offer on your part! I adore fashion books!
This looks so fun! I was always sad I didn't have THE HAIR in the 80's — lucky for me, the 90's came along shortly thereafter. ;-)
Would LOVE to win this book and reminisce — thank you for offering it as a giveaway!
I haven't seen this one! I have a copy of the old French Chic that you mentioned last week. I also have Italian Chic. Did you have that one, too? They are all so much fun to read!
I thought I remembered the 80's pretty well, but not that tube sock/moccassin combo. Hope I win that book!
Oh wow, I didn't realize that was Gia Carangi. So interesting, I'd love to take a peek inside this gem of a book :)
I would love to put this on my wardrobe and fashion shelf.
Loved the 80's, my kids thought I was a flight attendant when I wore linen with brass buttons and epaulets. What fun.
I would like to have this book in my library as I collect all the books on fashion I can get my hands on, which is not so easy living where I live. I enjoy your blog a lot. Thanks for including those living outside US.
What fun! I am a 'fashionista' of a certain age and would love to win the book.
A contest open to Canadians? I'm in! I adore books like this – they give us such an opportunity to wallow in nostalgia.
With a heat index here in FL of 104, Hot Tips would be welcome :)
being born in the 80s I became consciously aware of how people dressed just as the 80's early 90's were going out and grunge came in. Since then there hasn't really been a time where dressing like you clearly put effort into how you dress has been in vogue. I love seeing people who have clearly put effort into looking good and would love this book to help further my own efforts. Especially living in Los Angeles I'm exhausted by all the people who put a lot of time and money into dressing as though they don't care. Chanel flip flops are a thing here.
Shoes change, bags change, hemlines … well, we all know about them. But good classic lines never go out of style. Isn't that part of what you are teaching us? Generous giveaway!
Great book cover! There is something so classic about the 80s style. Love the pin stripped menswear shirt, khaki pants, mocs all accented by the necklaces and belt to bring a feminine edge. The fashion editors always talk about easy elegance but this cover nails it! Fingers crossed that I win!
Also love your blog! You've changed the way I pack. Right now I'm in a flat in Germany for 2 weeks, on my way to Venice and then the States for 2 months. All my clothes fit in a carry-on. Thanks!
aarnold57 – I am a fan of yours, fashion and color – let me win please.
Would love to win this book!
I enjoy your blog and have used a lot of your ideas about timeless style and color inspiration. I travel 6 months of the year, and the packing tips are saving my back and my wallet. ;)
Anyone else sees a ressemblance with Stana Katic, of Castle fame?
Any help with wardrobe is desperately needed here :) Especially the travel section. Would love to win! Joey