Books on Fashion


I read five books on fashion. These books obviously don't tell you what's on trend and what to wear now but rather how to think about your closet differently. I learned so many interesting nuggets. My takeaways from these fashion books offer a comprehensive view on improving personal style and wardrobe management. I reviewed more fashion books in this post. Here’s a look at the key principles from each book.


Wear it well : reclaim your closet and rediscover the joy of getting dressed - Allison Bornstein 2023

Personal stylist Allison Bornstein came to fame on tiktok in 2022. She created the Three-Word Method to discover and define your personal style. I spent a lot of time thinking about what my words are and I decided that my personal style can be described as Tailored, Effortless, Glam. Here are my takeaways from her book:

Looking good boosts confidence and enhances your day. If your closet doesn’t inspire you, it’s likely due to poor organization or lack of understanding about wardrobe care. Here’s how to transform your relationship with your clothes:

  1. Organize Your Closet: Sort items into three categories—“No” (doesn’t fit or you don’t like), “Not Now” (store separately), and “How” (loved items you’re unsure how to style). Arrange clothes by category and color for better visibility.

  2. Embrace Your Current Size: Avoid keeping clothes as placeholders for a smaller size. Celebrate and dress well for the body you have now.

  3. Use Practical Storage: Display sunglasses on trays, and keep jewelry in organized compartments.

  4. Plan Your Looks: Use Pinterest to identify your style preferences and try clothes on at home to see what works best. Avoid shopping for “goal weight” clothes—value yourself as you are.

  5. Invest in Quality: Good basics like a white t-shirt and well-made shoes are essential. Repair and maintain your items to extend their life.

  6. Style Tips: Belts can enhance your silhouette, while jewelry adds personality. Experiment with shoes and keep your looks simple yet stylish.

  7. Create a Wish List: Track items you want to buy to avoid decision fatigue.

  8. Document Your Outfits: Photograph looks to review what works and refine your style.

In summer she said she loves to wear silk pants and a tank top. I saw her say this in a youtube styling session once and that got me on the silk pant train and I have so many pairs now! If you have an article of clothing that you don't really find yourself wearing, she says to try building it into an outfit that's 100% in your comfort zone. 

Make a commitment that whenever you buy something new, you’ll take a few minutes to style it and snap photos, wearing it into your favorite formulas and looks. I do this with the Stylebook app.

Money can buy a lot of things but it can’t buy wellness and it cannot buy style. Dress with intention and wear your best clothes now. Life is short—enjoy your wardrobe and practice self-care through your fashion choices. 


Change Your Clothes, Change Your Life - George Brescia 2014

A seasoned stylist teaches a method of conscious dressing that begins with a powerful internal change.  The author loves color and says you should wear not just any color but one that looks good on you and goes with your hair color, skin tone and eyes. He says that "70% of what you're doing wrong can be addressed with a tweak to the colors you live in." For instance he says that "Brunettes should be careful of pastels and stick to saturated jewel tones that match the intensity of your hair." He provides a color wheel to show you which colors are complimentary to each other. I talk about color palettes in this post as I strongly believe in following them! 

The goal of this book was to remind us that we should wear clothes that make us feel amazing and that reflect who we are. All pieces in your closet should be a 10. He also recommends to photograph your daily outfits so you can remember how you styled your closet with shoes, jewelry, and outerwear. 

Your clothing communicates messages about your success, happiness, and confidence. To make a strong impression, dress with competence and poise, whether you're at the grocery store or a formal event. Great style isn't about what you buy but how you put it together—ensure your outfits fit well, use a flattering color palette, and integrate accessories thoughtfully.

Monochromatic outfits and heels can be slimming and elongating. Invest in quality accessories and shoes, as they greatly impact your look. Even casual wear should be styled well; avoid neglecting makeup and accessories.

Your closet should reflect your current life stage and aspirations. Regularly update your wardrobe, focusing on pieces that fit well and make you feel confident. Assess your clothes periodically—if an item wouldn’t catch your eye if seen in a store today, it shouldn’t be in your closet. Embrace luxurious fabrics and keep up with trends to maintain a polished appearance.

Incorporate these practices, and you’ll find that your sense of self-confidence and style will significantly improve.


You Are What You Wear, What Your Clothes Reveal About You - Dr. Jennifer Baugartner 2012

Dr Jennifer Baumgartner has combined her expertise in psychological counselling and therapy with her interest in fashion and wardrobe planning to create for herself a career as a specialist in helping women resolve long-standing issues in their lives.  It approaches the subject of wardrobe refurbishment from the point of view of crisis intervention and explores how women's wardrobe issues often reflect deeper psychological concerns. She connects fashion choices to psychological states, suggesting that compulsive shopping and clutter can indicate unresolved emotional issues like insecurity or dissatisfaction. Baumgartner combines her psychology expertise with fashion insights to offer practical advice on improving one’s wardrobe and self-perception. There are no pictures included but is an incredible book!

The book highlights how shopping can become addictive, serving as a temporary fix for emotional emptiness but leading to long-term problems like overspending and clutter. It emphasizes the importance of wearing clothes that fit well and reflect one's lifestyle and aspirations. Baumgartner advises periodic wardrobe assessments, suggesting that items should either be loved or let go, and encourages dressing well to boost confidence.

Additionally, she discusses the impact of clothing on self-image, advocating for a balance between fullness and emptiness in one’s wardrobe. Her approach blends psychological understanding with practical fashion advice, aiming to help women align their clothing choices with their true selves and aspirations.

She says to not  save your nice outfits for a party, wear them to the grocery store! And that jewelry can restore the pulse of a boring outfit if worn right. 


The Curated Closet: A Simple System for Discovering Your Personal Style and Building Your Dream Wardrobe - Anuschka Rees 2016

Is your closet jam-packed and yet you have absolutely nothing to wear? Can you describe your personal style in one sentence? Style writer Anuschka Rees presents a fascinatingly strategic approach to identifying, refining, and expressing personal style and building the ideal wardrobe to match it, with style and shopping strategies that women can use every day.  The focus of the book is about figuring out what your own style is, in terms of the things that you like, and then making sure that you align your wardrobe with your own tastes. And if you don't think you have your own style, several of the exercises in the book are designed to help you learn what your style is by examining your own outfits and identifying what you like about them and what you don't, and looking for fashion inspiration from others in magazines or online. This is more for a beginner or teenager.

Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion - Elizabeth L. Cline,  2012

The author promotes that we should build a meaningful relationship with our clothing by investing in well-made pieces rather than frequently buying cheap, fast fashion. She says that many people spend more on technology and coffee than on quality garments, leading to a cycle of buying low-cost items that quickly wear out or go out of style. Fast fashion retailers like Forever 21 and Zara flood the market with new styles, often imitating designer pieces, while luxury brands mark up their products significantly.

The author explains that most donated clothes end up being sold overseas or recycled, rather than directly helping those in need. Despite companies' claims of responsible sourcing, factory conditions often remain poor, and consumers should demand better practices. By focusing on quality over quantity and repairing items like shoes, we can build a more sustainable wardrobe that supports local businesses and reduces waste.


Related posts:

Fashion Books

Three Fashion Rules Everyone Should Follow

30 Wears Challenge





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