I'll Drink to That: A Life in Style, with a Twist

Such a refreshing coming of age story, because it is atypical. This is an honest story about a woman's evolution. I love the candor and accessibility.This story makes me want to go to Bergdorffs for a fitting with Betty and lunch with her. I love her humility, sharing the lessons she learned the hard way as well as her intuition and the things she knew all along. Her story is an encouragement. This woman was nit afraid to grow, evolve, stretch...and worked had at reinventing herself well into her 80's. She is an inspiration. Always turn yourself out. Always evolve. And maintain classic principles and lines. Viva La Betty. cheers.

Betty Rocks!A refreshing bio with no holds barred, Betty actually wants me to learn how to shop and dress clients again. Only she can make a retail career be artistic, psychological and be full of wit, charm and chilling honesty. I love her daily routine of hunting and gathering throughout all the nooks and crannies of the store unearthing treasures hidden or forgotten by others. Her keen eye and brain leave no stone unturned and suddenly its all a wonderful sport. She progressed for a spoiled little girl to a woman on top of her game with sheer will and hard work. Those stories always appeal cuz there a lot of women out there who had no choice but to scurry up the ladder to forget their tears and carve a place for themselves in the business world. I completely relate to her climb and happiness in her world. THis book is an inspiration and a great read from a open and brave sister who beat the odds despite indulgent parents, a beastly husband and other hurdles. Betty, I love ya.

From poor little rich girl to miserable housewife to independent, chic feminist--with a Chicago backdrop and celebrity cameos. This 70+ year saga is an honest, raw, and sophisticated history thru the lens of as a personal shopper/solutions specialist at Bergdorf Goodman. It educated me on clothing construction, timeless style, and being my authentic self through the decades.

Fun to read in parts, especially the beginning, but overall a bit disappointing. Since I understand Ms. Halbreich is still working and part of the fashion world, I understand why she didn't want to expose much or say anything too controversial. But I was hoping for more insight into how things really work in the business (for example, are colors really coordinated several years ahead and how does that happen? how much of the trends are coincidence and how much are calculated?). I was also hoping for some practical wisdom and specific tips based on anecdotes about how to choose clothes and acquire style, what really matters and what doesn't, what designers are best for different women, who has style and who doesn't and why--advice for "everywoman" who loves style and clothes. What are the most important things she's learned? Specifically, I was left with the feeling that she has a near lifetime of current wisdom and insights which she was stingy in sharing.

Fascinating read. Growing up in a small Pennsylvania town, I was introduced and gained an appreciation for couture at my aunt's small women's boutique during the late 60's through the early 70's. She would buy and have clothes shipped from Nee York. It was always Christmas morning when she opened the boxes and boxes of tenderly packed garments, tissue paper everywhere. I've never seen clothes as beautifully crafted til this day. It's from that perspective that I can appreciate the merchandise the author had the good fortune to have at her disposal to give her clients style.The book is also an inspiration to anyone who's struggled to reinvent themselves or doubt their own natural talent, to gather the strength to face their fears, wrestle their fears, and achieve personal success.It's also a lesson about how doing what you love will provide you longevity and keep your work relevant.

Betty helped me shop for dresses at Bergdorf's only once, but she was so knowledgeable, kind and thorough, she made a lasting impression and I just had to read her story - she didn't disappoint. Her story is about a unique life in fashion which allowed her to save herself while offering expert help to others in choosing fashions to fulfill their lives.

I adored this book. I appreciate good fashion style, but I hate to shop for clothes and rarely do, but since I love a good memoir, I gave this a go. I liked the author's voice from the start. I also love all references to Chicago since I lived there for 60 years and went to school in Hyde Park. I remember Stanley Korshak's store and ate at The Drake often. And learning her mother ran The Oak Street Book Shop -- oh my! It was the first stop on my walk from home to the IC to go to school. So if you are from Chicago, you will dig that aspect. I also know Miami and New York, where the author spent significant time, so that was fun, too..The author was painstakingly honest, which always endears me to the writer. Her early life was one both of privilege and neglect. She was truly the stereotype of the pre-feminist era housewife for many years--not working, dependent on her husband for her weekly allowance, living in a small world of shopping, making herself pretty, and attending social events. I would have been popping pills like crazy. My mother was close in age to the author. When she was accepted to the University of Chicago, she was offered a great job (during WWII) which ultimately gave her a career. I feel lucky my mom had that opportunity and was brave enough to do the unconventional. I grew up thinking women were as smart and strong as men. But my friends' mothers were more like this author--living in the 1950's world of dependency on men.It seems to me Ms. Halbreich's soul journey in this life involved learning to be independent because ultimately, in New York, she had to. She was so brave!!! And became such a cool person, an artist really, and helped a lot of people. She became multi-dimensional and ultimately whole. Right on sister!!

A great book, really enjoyed it. If you're interested in fashion this has a good balance between an engaging and very human story with some funny anecdotes and puns. A really good read.

This book is amazing for all the fashion love here!

MERAVIGLIOSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SEMBRA DI ESSERE A NEW YORK CON LEI NEI VARI PIANI ... A SCEGLIERE I VESTITI !!! CULTURA.... PURE QUESTA è CULTURA!!!

In diesem Buch geht es um viele Dinge, Kleider, Style, Designer (oder eben nicht), mehr oder weniger (in Europa) bekannte Namen aus über 40 Jahren amerikanischer Showgeschichte, aber vor allem geht es um das Leben der Betty Halbreich, geboren in den 20ern des letzten Jahrhunderts. Wie sie aufwächst, überbehütet, eigentlich für ein eigenständiges Leben nicht ausgerüstet und sich dann schmerzlich ihren eigenen Weg suchen muss, als der von den Eltern vorgegebene Pfad eben nicht so verläuft, wie von jenen erhofft. Das Buch mag nicht hochstehende Literatur sein und wird allenfalls auch als Haushaltspsychologie abgetan ("viele kaufen Kleider um eine innere Leere zu füllen"), aber ich denke, dass dies hier auch nicht der Anspruch ist, sondern einfach Wahrnehmungen widergibt, welche die Dame in knapp 40 Jahren als Personal Shopper gemacht hat. Ich habe das Buch sehr gerne gelesen, es ist spannend erzählt, auch wenn ich mir für mich nichts als Stil-Empfehlung herauspicken kann, doch dazu ist es ja auch nicht gemacht. Lediglich die letzten ca 30 Seiten sind etwas verwässert, deshalb nur 4.8 Sterne, aber alles in allem sehr gelungen.

A very enjoyable read and a glimpse into a bygone era.