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In addition to looking pretty on your coffee table and bookshelf, style books can inspire you to make improvements to your fashion taste too. In addition to pretty inspiration, they can offer you fashion knowledge and concrete techniques to dress stylishly. Whether you are looking to brush up on your personal style or you’re seeking some elegant fashion inspiration, below we have assembled a list of the 14 best fashion books.
1. The Little Dictionary of Fashion by Christian Dior
Our list begins with this little dictionary of fashion. It’s a helpful fashion book that advises fashion lovers on topics like what to pack on vacation, what to wear to a wedding, and how to walk gracefully.
This first book might have been written more than 50 years ago, but it has excellent tips on style basics. You will learn everything from the value of simplicity and personal style to developing a good fashion taste.
2. Kate Spade New York: All in Good Taste
Are you looking to add style not just to your wardrobe but to your entertaining as well? Not only is this the perfect coffee table book, but this New York Times bestseller provides excellent hosting ideas in a stylish way.
It is full of personal essays, charming anecdotes, and how-tos that offer a non-rigid approach to help you think of fresh and modern ways of entertaining guests.
3. How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are: Love, Style, and Bad Habits
If you are interested in the Parisian fashion world, then this is the book you have been waiting for.
Within its cover, four French women give a fresh take on what it means to be Parisienne: how they dress, entertain, and have fun.
Related: I Learned These 7 Foundational French Fashion Tips After Interviewing Parisian Women
4. The One Hundred: A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own
In this book, Nina Garcia, fashion judge from Project Runway, breaks down a must-own list of all the clothes every woman needs for a solid, stylish wardrobe.
Though this is an older book, it’s helpful if you’re looking to have a visual on the top 100 clothes a fashion celebrity thinks you should have.
5. The Curated Closet: A Simple System for Discovering Your Personal Style and Building Your Dream Wardrobe
Most women will agree that it can be a mission to discover their true style. Anuschka Rees has put together this ultimate guide of 100 closet must-haves.
The book presents a strategic and prescriptive approach to refining and identifying your personal style. It also has shopping strategies that you can use every day.
6. Parisian Chic Encore: A Style Guide
What better way to learn how to dress like a Parisian style icon than following advice from Ines de la Fressange, the iconic Parisienne, and Sophie Gachet? From elegant outfits to Parisian wardrobe essentials, this style guide consists of easy-to-recreate advice:
You will also learn about Ines’ 10-minute beauty routine to her countdown to a perfect Parisian dinner party. By the time you’re done reading this book, your life is going to be infused with the style and essence of Paris.
7. Love Style Life – Garance Doré
Take an interesting journey through Garance’s life- she started off as a French blogger and now runs her own beauty company. This book will give you a glimpse of her sharp wit and wisdom drawn from her travels. This charming book is not only a memoir but also a style guide.
You will learn everything from mixing J.Crew with Chanel to her fresh and appealing approach to modern fashion.
8. How to Get Dressed: A Costume Designer’s Secrets for Making Your Clothes Look, Fit, and Feel Amazing
Are you looking for the best way to wear clothes? Alison Freer’s styling kit is all you need to solve every single wardrobe malfunction. Her book will help you rethink your wardrobe like a high fashion stylist and make you figure out what’s in your closet work for you.
This magic bag of style tips also provides everything style-related. This includes making every garment you own fit better, the scoop on tailors, mastering closet organization, and the undergarments you actually need.
9. Yves Saint Laurent: Style
There is so much you can learn about style through the history of fashion, which is why you should consider adding this book to your collection. This book, in collaboration with Pierre Bergé, tells the story of how the French fashion designer changed the fashion industry with his haute couture designs.
He created arguably the most famous suit for women, called the “Le Smoking” tuxedo. You will also see the inner workings of over 160 of his finest designs and accessories.
10. Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion
This insightful book warns fashion fans about the negative impact of cheap fashion. The author also highlights the need for sustainable fashion by giving a profound take on consumerism and human rights.
You can follow the actionable tips from the book to avoid negatively impacting the environment.
11. The Lost Art of Dress: The Women Who Once Made America Stylish
Looking for a book that explores the fashion history of America? Then this American fashion book will be the one.
The book gives historical context on how style in the United States used to be more straightforward and fashionable, from the perspective of Historian and dressmaker Linda Przybyszewski.
12. L’art de la Simplicité: How to Live More with Less
Do you need to get inspired to live a minimalist fashion lifestyle? Look to this book to show you how to live with only 33 items in your closet for 3 months.
Written by author Courtney Carver, who also wrote Soulful Simplicity, she’ll show minimalist-style lovers how to declutter their wardrobes and dress with less.
13. A Guide to Elegance: For Every Woman Who Wants to Be Well and Properly Dressed on All Occasions
This elegant hardcover is a classic style book for helping women elevate their style with grace and poise.
French style guru Madame Genevieve Antoine Dariaux advises about everything from perfectly manicured nails to accessories.
14. Dior by Dior: The Autobiography of Christian Dior
This autobiography gives a comprehensive and captivating overview of the personal history of the fashion designer.
It also provides fascinating information about how he combined his love for fashion and hard work to create his atelier.
These 14 best books on style offer a good foundation for anyone trying to improve their style. They are also the perfect introductory education for anyone dabbling in the fashion world.
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