In 2002, Melcher Media approached the editors of Lucky, then a new and wildly popular shopping and style magazine, about producing a book for them. Our challenge was how to make a fashion guide that wouldn’t fall out of fashion after a year or two but instead remain a perennial classic.

Our solution was a shopping manual that takes readers through the steps of building a timeless wardrobe piece by piece. Mimicking the magazine’s eye-candy appeal, we packed the book with more than 1,500 color photos and illustrations of must-have clothing items—from skirts, dresses, and tops to shoes, bags, and swimwear—and then showed readers how to combine them to make amazing outfits. We also offered plenty of how-to advice, including what to keep in mind when you’re in the fitting room, how to select pieces that flatter your body type, and tips for organizing and maximizing your closet. Profiles of “Lucky Girls”—women with impeccable style—provided further style information, while a shopping guide at the end highlighted some of the coolest stores in the country. The result: a New York Times best-selling, indispensable fashion bible that is still in print today.

Available at Amazon.