Become Your Own Stylist: 13 Must-Read Books Recommended by Top Stylists

Fashion and style, while closely related, are not the same. Flipping through the latest fashion magazine might not always provide the guidance you need. Sure, you could consult a professional stylist to help you revamp your wardrobe and shop for trendy clothes, but eventually, you’ll need to stand on your own two feet and make your own fashion choices. To help you navigate the world of personal style, we’ve gathered recommendations from top stylists on the best books about fashion and style.

Katerina Akulenko’s Recommendations

The “Vogue On” Series

These are high-quality publications with beautiful covers, thick pages, and stunning visuals. If you’re new to the world of fashion, this series is a great starting point. Each book is written by a different author and focuses on a specific fashion house or designer. Personally, I recommend the books on Coco Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent. Reading this series will give you a parallel education in fashion history, designer inspirations, and beautiful collection photography. It’s a captivating read.

“Grace: A Memoir” by Grace Coddington

Grace Coddington served as the creative director of American Vogue for many years. She is a fascinating and enigmatic figure in the fashion industry. Few know that she began her career as a model and even graced the cover of Vogue. I searched for this book for a long time, as it was instantly sold out everywhere. Finally, I got my hands on it and am currently reading it.

I appreciate the honesty in these memoirs—it’s truly valuable. Alongside Grace’s biography, you’ll learn about the history of American Vogue. This book is more about inspiration than education.

“The Smart Wardrobe” by Annushka Rez

If you’re looking to understand how to organize your wardrobe and find your personal style, I highly recommend “The Smart Wardrobe” by Annushka Rez. This book isn’t about fashion trends; it’s about discovering your unique style. It offers a wealth of theoretical information and practical exercises. The book emphasizes mindful consumption and how to buy clothes that last.

“The Art of Color” by Johannes Itten

I must warn you, this book is quite complex and may require reading it twice to fully grasp its concepts. However, if you’re afraid to wear bright colors, or if your wardrobe is dominated by black and you’re unsure how to incorporate color, this book is for you.

Artist Johannes Itten explains what color is, how it works, and the different color combination schemes. I believe everyone has a sense of color, but not everyone has an intuitive understanding of it. You can start by using the schemes Itten suggests, and over time, you’ll develop an intuitive sense of color.

“The Basic Wardrobe” by Anastasia Lopatina

This book offers a brief guide to individual style and how to organize your wardrobe independently. It’s perfect for beginners who want to understand their wardrobe but don’t know where to start. The book is written in simple language and doesn’t delve into deep theoretical knowledge. Nevertheless, it will help you understand your style using common sense and reasoning.

Ruslana Karakhoeva’s Recommendations

“Chanel: An Intimate Life” by Lisa Chaney

Let’s start with the most logical approach: studying the fashion industry through the life of the person who stood at its inception. When we say “fashion,” we think of Coco Chanel, and vice versa. This association is ingrained even in those far removed from the world of fashion. Despite the numerous biographies written about the great Mademoiselle, I highly recommend the one by Lisa Chaney. The lack of dialogues and the book’s size might seem daunting, but the dynamic plot and abundance of interesting facts about Chanel’s life will keep you engaged.

“Alexander McQueen: Blood Beneath the Skin” by Andrew Wilson

I waited six months for this book to be released and another month to finally get my hands on it. But it was worth the wait, and it has earned a special place in my library. This book tells the story of one of the most provocative and talented designers of the last decade. You’ll journey from McQueen’s birth to his final days, experiencing the pain that marked much of his life. It won’t be easy, but this experience is necessary to deeply understand the DNA and meanings of this fashion house and appreciate Lee’s exceptional genius. He elevated fashion to the level of performance art and turned his life into a battle with his own demons.

“Ralph Lauren” by Kathleen Baird-Murray

I have a special attachment to this book because it holds sentimental value. If I had to choose one book from my entire library, I would pick this one. It’s symbolic that I acquired it during the 50th anniversary of Ralph Lauren’s career.

In this series, the focus shifts from the designer’s personality to their work. It’s perfect for those deeply immersed in the fashion industry. The book offers a deep analysis of collections, the history behind the brand’s most iconic pieces, and is beautifully illustrated with archival Vogue editorials and photos from the brand’s significant advertising campaigns. It’s also aesthetically pleasing to hold.

I also have a book from the same series about Hubert de Givenchy and plan to collect the entire collection.

“The A to Z of Style” by Amy de la Haye

This is a style alphabet by fashion historian Amy de la Haye. It’s essentially a collection of quotes from fashion world stars, from Christian Dior and Gianni Versace to Kate Moss. The book spans a vast historical period from 1850 to the present day, offering diverse perspectives on the fashion industry. It’s available in Russian, but I highly recommend the original English version for maximum enjoyment.

“50 Dresses That Changed the World”

As the title suggests, this book features 50 iconic dresses. These dresses, described in the book, are exhibits from the famous London Design Museum. Here, the dress symbolizes femininity, reflecting the attitude towards women, cultural development, and societal changes across different time periods. Despite its surface-level analysis, the book will interest anyone fascinated by fashion history.

“Building a Fashion Brand: From Armani to Zara” by Mark Tungate

No matter which fashion course you take, this book will undoubtedly be on the recommended reading list. In fact, it’s a must-read if you want to pursue a career in the fashion industry. Written in the last 20 years, it’s the best book on the subject. It approaches fashion not as an art form but as an industry. It’s a massive marketing machine, and this book will teach you how to navigate its mechanisms.