Image via Complex Original
It's inevitable that people will judge you by the bound hardcovers that rest on your coffee table. Those oversized books, filled with glossy pictures and marked by outrageous pricetags, say more about your interests than you may want them to. But why not use that judgmental power to your advantage?
So maybe you don't own anything from the latest Supreme drop or your high fashion game is pretty weak. With these fashion Bibles, anyone who crosses your doorstep will take one look at your literary spread and think you are a fashion god. From books on streetwear to tomes on the most iconic fashion photographers of all time, here's a list of 25 Books That Will Make You Look More Stylish Than You Actually Are. Your secret's safe with us.
Louis Vuitton: Art, Fashion and Architecture
Authors: Marc Jacobs, Jill Gasparina, Glenn O'Brien, Taro Igarashi, Ian Luna, and Valerie Steele
Buy it on: Rizzoli Bookstore
Price: $85
This book includes Louis Vuitton’s most important collaborations with various artists, architects, designers, and photographers.
The Sartorialist
Author: Scott Schuman
Buy it on: Amazon
Price: $20 - $395
Scott Schuman gathered photographs he captured of well-known fashion figures as well as style-savvy people he met on the streets to create The Sartorialist. Inside is a collection of different fashion tastes across the globe.
Dressing the Man: Mastering the Art of Permanent Fashion
Author: Alan Flusser
Buy it on: Amazon
Price: $35
According to Alan Flusser, dressing well is not all that difficult. In Dressing the Man, Flusser offers a step-by-step guide on how to look stylish.
TOM FORD
Authors: Tom Ford, Bridget Foley, Graydon Carter, and Anna Wintour
Buy it on: Amazon
Price: $80 - $120
Tom Ford was one of fashion’s greatest icons long before Jay Z titled a song with his name. This book is a complete timeline of Ford’s designs, from Gucci to Yves Saint Laurent. The edition looks into Ford’s clothing and accessory designs as well as his vision for his brand.
Opening Ceremony
Authors: Carol Lim and Humberto Leon
Buy it on: Opening Ceremony
Price: $65
Opening Ceremony brings together the best emerging American talent in fashion. The book also includes original photography by Terry Richardson and artwork by Alexander Wang.
Cult Streetwear
Author: Josh Sims
Buy it on: Amazon
Price: $20
Cult Streetwear shares the stories of the people behind legendary brands, such as adidas, Nike, and Obey.
Louis Vuitton / Marc Jacobs
Authors: Yves Carcelle, Helene David Weill, Beatrice Salmon, Pamela Golbin, and Veronique Belloir
Buy it on: Rizzoli Bookstore
Price: $85
This book reveals how Louis Vuitton and Marc Jacobs turned a small fashion workshop into one of the most successful and well known brands in the world.
A Bathing Ape
Authors: Nigo, Ian Luna, and Akio Iida
Buy it on: Rizzoli Bookstore
Price: $60
BAPE is one of the most sought after youth brands in Europe and the U.S. This book looks into its many accomplishments, ranging from patent-leather sneakers to its increased popularity among hip-hop celebrities like Pharrell Williams and Kanye West.
Inez van Lamsweerde/Vinoodh Matadin. Pretty Much Everything.
Authors: Penny Martin, M/M(Paris), Michael Bracewell, Olivier Zahm, Bruce Sterling, Antony, and Glenn O'Brien
Buy it on: Taschen
Price: $1,000
This three-book collection comes with two books full of photographs by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin. The third book is filled with interviews with the artists and descriptions of the photos.
Fuck Yeah Menswear
Authors: Lawrence Schlossman and Kevin Burrows
Buy it on: Barnes and Noble
Price: $15
Originally starting off with a blog, Lawrence Schlossman and Kevin Burrows decided to gather their knowledge on men's fashion and publish a hilarious guide to menswear. Its trademark voice lives on in the form of men's style site Four Pins.
Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty
Authors: Andrew Bolton, Solve Sundsbo, Time Blanks, Susannah Frankel
Buy it on: Amazon
Price: $30
This book is an in-depth look at Alexander McQueen’s career from the very beginning. It includes his most iconic designs and reveals how he adapted to the fundamentals of Savile Row tailoring.
The World According to Karl
Authors: Sandrine Gulbenkian, Jean-Christophe Napias, and Patrick Mauries
Buy it on: Rizzoli Bookstore
Price: $30
This is the ultimate collection of Karl Lagerfeld’s quick wit and wisdom on topics ranging from style to life to fashion.
Carine Roitfeld: Irreverent
Authors: Carine Roitfeld, Olivier Zahm, Alex Wiederin, and Cathy Horyn
Buy it on: Amazon
Price: $67
Carine Roitfeld is a fashion visionary known for pushing the limits with her subversive styles. This book is a visual timeline of her impressive career.
Supreme
Author: Aaron Bondaroff, Glenn O'Brien, KAWS, and James Jebbia
Buy it on: Rizzoli Bookstore
Price: $50
Supreme is the first monograph from the iconic streetwear brand. The book contains interviews, photographs, artworks, and designs that capture the brand’s visual history. This volume includes 16 years worth of contemporary street fashion and culture from one of New York’s most influential independent labels.
Making Things
Author: Issey Miyake
Buy it on: Amazon
Price: $40 - $130
Making Things was published to coincide with the exhibition “Issey Miyake Making Things.” The book includes an interview with Miyake as well as his designs.
Helmut Newton: Polaroids
Author: Helmut Newton
Buy it on: Amazon
Price: $39
This book is a collection of legendary photographer Helmut Newton’s test Polaroids from his greatest shoots.
Talking Fashion
Author: Jan Kedves
Buy it on: Amazon
Price: $25
Journalist Jan Kedves curated 25 in-depth interviews with notable figures in the fashion industry for his book Talking Fashion.
Maison Martin Margiela
Authors: Maison Martin Margiela, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Susannah Frankel, Andree Putman, and Vanessa Beecroft
Buy it on: Amazon
Price: $60
Maison Martin Margiela gives readers a peak into his life as a designer and the design process of his craft.
How To Be a Man: A Guide To Style and Behavior For The Modern Gentleman
Author: Glenn O'Brien
Buy it on: Rizzoli Bookstore
Price: $25
Glenn O’Brien’s How To Be A Man reveals 30 years of wisdom on men’s style and etiquette. The book contains over 40 chapters on topics ranging from grooming to dressing appropriately.
Pharrell: Places and Spaces I've Been
Author: Pharrell Williams
Buy it on: Rizzoli Bookstore
Price: $55
Whether it’s music, fashion, or design, Pharrell Williams is never lacking in creativity. This book includes contributions from many figures, such as Jay Z and Anna Wintour, as well as Williams’ details on all of his creative pursuits.
Ralph Lauren
Author: Ralph Lauren
Buy it on: Rizzoli Bookstore
Price: $135
For the first time, Ralph Lauren speaks candidly about himself, his art, and how his work has defined American style.
Rick Owens
Authors: Rick Owens, Francesco Bonami, Olivier Zahm, and Maria Luisa Frisa
Buy it on: Amazon
Price: $90
This book is full of images detailing all sides of Rick Owens’ work and takes a further look into his design process.
Hussein Chalayan
Editor: Robert Violette
Buy it on: Amazon
Price: $54
This book features internationally acclaimed designer Hussein Chalayan, one of the most innovative and conceptual fashion designers of this time.
Buttoned Up: The East London Line
Authors: Gert Jonkers and Jop Van Bennekom
Buy it on: Amazon
Price: $8
Buttoned Up: The East London Line explores the history of London style and features music, street style, fashion, portraits, and the visual culture of East London. The book focuses on the history of the button-up shirt and its importance in British fashion.
The Gentry Man: A Guide For the Civilized Male
Author: Hal Rubinstein
Buy it on: Amazon
Price: $18
Gentry magazine was a high-quality men’s magazine that covered music, art, sports, food, and, fashion. Hal Ruberstein collected the best of Gentry’s fashion history for the 21st century man.