For some people, fashion and style books make for a great addition to coffee tables or add an aesthetic touch to their libraries. There are numerous fashion-focused books that allow readers to gain a broad insight into the history of fashion, fashion industry, how it works, fashion trends to follow or avoid, and many other intricacies of the world of fashion.
If you are a fashion enthusiast, style guru, fashion blogger, model/actress, or simply an avid reader who likes to read from anything to everything, you’ll find it hard to put these books down.
Folks, the market may be full of fashion books, but here is a list of the best books on fashion that will up your personal style by two hundred times!
FYI, thanks to AI imagery software, we’re able to create very specific fashion and hairstyle examples to illustrate the points being made. In some cases, imagery is exaggerated to hammer home the point.
1. The Woman I Wanted to Be
One of the most loved and fashion-forward women of her time, the fashion designer and philanthropist, Diane Von Furstenberg, gives a sneak peek into her extraordinary life in this book. From her lovely childhood to her affectionate family, building her own career to overcoming a life-threatening disease like cancer and even dedicating herself to women empowerment, Diane shares it all!
Her writing style is expressive, passionate, and honest. The one best take away from her brilliant book is the important reminder to “every woman” that “she can be the woman she wants to be.”
2. The Sartorialist: X
This fashion-based book is for all those people that are into style, fashion, photography, and observing people. Scott Schuman pays a tribute to the versatile and brilliant street style of New York as he captures everyday styles found on the streets today.
The book is chockfull of images of both men and women that caught Schuman’s attention on the streets of New York, London, and Milan. The pictures of common people from all over the globe are the celebration of diversity at its best.
To get daily style inspiration and up your everyday fashion, this book should be definitely on your read list.
3. Gods and Kings – The Rise and Fall of Alexander McQueen and John Galliano
This hardback reminds the harsh reality that not everything that glitters is gold. While many may think that the fashion world is rainbows and butterflies, it is not quite so.
The book takes the readers back in time, two decades ago, when fashion moguls of the time – John Galliano and Alexander McQueen – took it upon themselves to modernize the fashion world, and they successfully did so. But the fame was short-lived as both fell from grace due to the extreme pressures of the industry.
The acclaimed journalist – Dana Thomas – tells the true story of Galliano and McQueen just as it is which makes it quite an endearing read!
4. The First Book of Fashion
Curious to learn about the history of fashion? This book might just be what you are looking for.
The First Book of Fashion talks about the elaborate, sartorial world of the sixteenth century (Renaissance Period) and how people at that time had a deep relationship with their clothes.
The extraordinary insight will give you a fresh perspective on fashion and style. And it is highly likely that by the end of the book, your new fashion goal may just be “one has to dress to impress”.
5. Parisian Chic: A Style Guide
There is no denying that Parisian women are effortlessly gorgeous. There is something about the way they exude timeless allure and charm that every woman feels inspired to be just like them. Do you want to know their style secret? Get Parisian Chic: A Style Guide today!
The acclaimed celebrity model – Ines de la Fressange – reveals profound secrets of how to achieve the ultimate Parisian’s sense of style. In an easy-to-understand language, the book discusses all the do’s and don’ts for dressing up like a Parisian. The charming photographs make the book all the way more interesting.
6. Vogue Weddings: Brides, Dresses, Designers
Every girl dreams of her wedding day, at some point in her life. And every girl wants her wedding to be perfect. Isn’t it? Vogue Weddings: Brides, Dresses, Designers is a good place to start with if you are planning to design your wedding gown.
The book is filled with gorgeous photos of wedding dresses, serving as the ultimate inspiration for your own unique wedding attire.
Vogue Weddings also features personal wedding stories, fashion portfolios, and bridal photo shoots that will give you several classy ideas to incorporate into your own big day!
7. Decades: A Century of Fashion
If your love for vintage clothing knows no bounds, this book is just for you.
Decades: A Century of Fashion is a mind-blowing showcase of the decades-old fashion. However, the commentary on fashion is not only restricted to good old days. In a witty and humorous tone, Cameron also shares his perspective on the twentieth century fashion.
There is no better fashion idol than Silver to shed light on both vintage and modern fashion as he is well-known for his glamorous boutique in LA where Hollywood celebs flocks in to get classic vintage couture for themselves.
8. Lauren Conrad Beauty
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author and lifestyle and fashion icon – Lauren Conrad – shows you how to look and feel your best in Lauren Conrad Beauty.
The style icon – Lauren Conrad has dedicated years of her life behind and in front of the camera. And now she reveals all the beauty secrets that she learned from the beauty experts during her time in showbiz. In this guide, you will discover everything from tips for flawless makeup to maintaining good skin to a healthy lifestyle.
The accomplished designer offers tried-and-tested tips and tricks related to beauty that will elevate your everyday style to a whole new level.
9. Women in Clothes
Women in Clothes is not like any other book on this list. This fashion book comprises of an engaging conversation among women from all walks of life; whether they are single and young or old and married, famous and rich or anonymous and ordinary.
In this insightful book, they discuss the subject of fashion and clothing to a great extent. They put down their opinion about how their everyday garments define their personality and shape their lives.
The New York Times Bestseller, Women in Clothes is thoughtful and equally entertaining. The collection digs deep into the complex relationship of women with their clothes and how their values and daily rituals define their ultimate style choices.
10. Bright Lights Paris
Well-famed fashion publicist and brand consultant, Angie Niles, takes her readers on a memorable voyage to Paris with her tips and tricks unique tips and tricks to that serve as the perfect introduction to Parisian style.
If you want to get an insight into the mind of an utterly chic Parisian girl, this book will offer you that and more. Discover the amazing shops to splurge your money at, the great restaurants to eat and party, the cool places to hang out, and lots more. This book aims to help readers become the dream woman of Paris. It is so brilliantly written that you will feel like flying to Paris in an instant!
11. Mademoiselle
Every fashion-oriented woman must read Mademoiselle to get inspired by the life and work of Coco Chanel. After reading this book, you will surely come to the conclusion that over-the-top and elaborate style statement is not always the way to go.
Coco Chanel’s personal style was sleek and minimalist which she emanated with quite ease and confidence. The fame and fortune that she earned through her unfussy and elegant style is a source of inspiration to many. This biography will also shed light on her difficult childhood, her career, and the heartbreaks and tragedies that she faced in her life.
12. How to Get Dressed
Every woman, at some point in time, struggles with fashion choices, makes a wrong clothing decision, sports unfitted dresses, and whatnot. To avoid committing a fashion faux pas, it is advised to get your hands on How to Get Dressed.
This book is the perfect guideline for everything fashion-related. It gives profound advice on the essential undergarments that every wardrobe should have, the perfect clothes for every body shape, ways to tackle fitting issues, tips to organize the closet, and methods to thrift shop like a pro. This book is packed with pearls of wisdom that you don’t want to miss!
13. Everyday Icon
Several women in media and politics are under the impression that style and substance aren’t mutually exclusive. Kate Betts’ uses the living example of the first African-American Lady – Michelle Obama – to explain how style is bound up in your beliefs, values, and personality.
Everyday Icon will give you a fantastic tour of the personal style statement of Michelle Obama – the wife of the 44th President of the United States – Barack Obama. But that’s not it. It will give you insight into the behind-the-scenes of how she built her image according to the modern American style.
14. Rare Bird of Fashion
If you are looking for a fashion book with lots of beautiful and stylish photographs, Rare Bird of Fashion is what you should consider. This coffee-table book features stylish photos that scream avant-garde.
Every photograph comes with in-depth captions including designer names, dates on which the dresses were created, the type of fabric and accessories used, etc. The information makes all the photographs way more meaningful and memorable.
In here, you will also find an essay by Apfel in which she sheds light on her eternal love for fashion and style and illustrations of them through vintage photos.
The style statements portrayed by Iris are representative of who she really is, i.e., extraordinary!
15. Yves Saint Laurent: The Scandal Collection, 1971
Before you get this book, it is important to know what this novel is all about. Yves Saint Laurent: The Scandal Collection, 1971 recounts the time when haute couture collection was introduced to the fashion world. The collection featured mini dresses, square shoulders, platform shoes, and over-the-top makeup.
This unconventional collection didn’t sit well with the public, media, and fashion critics and resulted in outrage. Slowly and gradually, the haute couture style seeped into the everyday style of the masses and became a trendy street style.
This book presents everything that will help readers understand and copy this distinct fashion style – interviews, design photos, clothing sketches, print samples, and lots more.
16. It
Written by the global trendsetter and fashion icon, Alexa Chung, It, is a wide collection of her personal writings, drawings, and fashion photographs. The book does not only cover her opinions on fashion and style but also her candid thoughts on others just as important elements of life such as love and music.
The tone is charming and refreshing which makes every page worth reading. This is the ultimate book for those who want to find out about everyday fashion and aesthetics.
17. Always Pack a Party Dress
The lessons you learn from personal stories and experiences are always worth acting upon. And that’s what you will probably think of doing once you finish reading Always Pack a Party Dress.
Amanda Brooks delves into her personal experiences of times during her life in fashion – discussing both the highs and the lows – and inspires people to follow her advice. The addition of beautiful photos brings a nice flare to the aesthetics of the book.
In a sea of how-to style guides, Amanda Brooks, with her unique sense of fashion style, encourages women from all over the globe to discover and follow their own personal look, regardless of how eccentric it is.
18. The Cheap Chica’s Guide to Style
Whoever thinks that fashion is something only rich people can afford needs to think again. You can be as stylish as you want with just as little money on hands.
Unfortunately, not many people know the art of scoring high fashion on a small budget. There are tips and tricks to achieve that, my friends. And to discover them you got to read The Cheap Chica’s Guide to Style.
The best part? The book has fun style quizzes that will help a reader figure out their personal style!
19. Sustainable Fashion: Past, Present and Future
Today, eco-friendly fashion is all the rage and it is rightly so. Not many people know but the connection between fashion and environment dates back to the nineteenth century.
This book explores every production stage of the eco-friendly fashion from the cultivation of fibers to putting them together to shipping off the final product to markets. The book discusses all and the primary issue – animals used for clothing.
Please note that this book may not be for everyone; it appeals to eco-friendly designers, fashion students, fashion stylists, and scholars. The sustainable fashion is rich in history and clothing designs and this book surveys them all.
20. Harper’s Bazaar Great Style: Best Ways to Update Your Look
From Harper Bazaar magazine’s senior fashion editor, Jenny Levin, Harper’s Bazaar Great Style spills the secrets of the world’s most stylish women and how to discover your true personal style.
What makes this book a keeper is the versatile styles elaborately discussed for the readers. They aren’t some fad that may be gone tomorrow. Each and every style is practical and timeless, allowing the reader to pick one of them on any given day. But that’s not it. In addition to discovering your own personal look, the book also helps you to create a killer wardrobe and choose dresses that flatter your body shape.
21. Love Style Life
Best known for her fashion blogs, the French author – Garance Dore, has captured millions of hearts with her fresh and charming book “Love Style Life”.
Through her brilliant storytelling, photographs, and illustrations, Dore enlightens the readers on how to develop their own personal look and successfully navigate their career and love life.
22. Chanel Coffee Table Book
Want to get inspired by luxurious clothes, intricate designs, and stunning models? Chanel Coffee Table book is what you should invest in.
The book focuses on five main themes – the suit, camellia, accessories, makeup, and fragrances. And tackles with how they have been reinvented and redesigned from time to time again.
23. Louis Vuitton Coffee Table Book
Originally published in 2004, Louis Vuitton Coffee Table Book is the first fashion book to discuss the rise of his critically acclaimed luxury brand. The book demonstrates Vuitton’s love affair with fine designs and archival art. The new edition features a discussion on crucial subjects such as shoes, jewelry, and automobiles.
If you are interested to learn about the company’s glorious history with the addition of new chapters and stunning photographs, go for this book.
24.Tom Ford
Written by the world’s greatest fashion icon, Tom Ford is best known for his luxury houses Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent. His book, Tom Ford, features the entire design work of both his notable brands.
Besides that, the book is packed with Ford’s infinite wisdom such as “I think you have to have a personality at a brand – otherwise, it’s just clothes”.
25. Alexander McQueen Book
Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty is the homage to the most influential designer of his time, Alexander McQueen.
This book examines the highs and lows of the designer’s career, his provocative designs, and the intricate technicalities of his special collection – haute couture. Alexander McQueen also features technological advancements that he worked on to achieve his impressive art.
That’s a wrap on the best fashion and coffee table books of all times. Which one do you like the most? Hard to pick one, right?