Joan Crawford (My Way of Life Cover Art Tee/1971)

Joan Crawford — My Way of Life Tee (1971)

Before celebrity lifestyle books became a publishing industry, Joan Crawford wrote the blueprint.

Published in 1971, My Way of Life is part memoir, part etiquette guide, part decorating manual, and part masterclass in uncompromising personal standards. In its pages, Joan Crawford dispenses advice on everything from entertaining guests and organizing a home to fashion, work ethic, beauty, and the proper way to fold a towel.

The book has become legendary not because it's ordinary—but because it isn't. Crawford's insistence on discipline, order, and impeccable presentation reads today with an intensity that's equal parts inspiring, hilarious, and unmistakably Joan. Every page reinforces the carefully cultivated image she maintained throughout her life: elegant, determined, and always in control.

For classic film fans and LGBTQ+ audiences alike, My Way of Life has achieved cult status. Whether embraced sincerely or appreciated with a knowing wink, it remains one of Hollywood's great celebrity books—a fascinating glimpse into the mind of one of cinema's most iconic stars.