9 Books to Inspire Your Inner Fashionista This Fall

Picture this: you’re snuggled in a warm blanket with a cup of tea or hot cocoa, reading a great book about fashion that inspires your sense of style. Whether you’re a dedicated fashion enthusiast or dipping your toes into the captivating world of fashion, these nine books are a must-have for your cozy autumn reading list. From insightful biographies about fashion icons to imaginative fiction set in the world of haute couture, these books are sure to inspire you to clean out your closet and start shopping on consignment for your perfect wardrobe style.

1. The Gospel According to Coco Chanel by Karen Karbo

The Gospel According to Coco Chanel is a modern self-help book that includes “life lessons from the world’s most elegant woman.” This book delves into the secrets of French designer Coco Chanel’s life while exploring her philosophy on style, passion, success, and femininity. This biography provides a fresh perspective on Chanel’s groundbreaking influence in the fashion industry – including the little black dress – while giving practical tips to help you live your most beautiful, eccentric, and passionate life.

2. The Woman I Wanted to Be by Diane von Furstenberg

Diane von Furstenberg is most known for inventing the iconic wrap dress, but her influence on the fashion industry has gone far beyond a single silhouette. In the radically honest and contemplative memoir The Woman I Wanted to Be, Diane von Furstenberg reflects on her extraordinary life from childhood to career. Her candid storytelling – like how she overcame cancer, built a global brand, and raised a family– is guaranteed to inspire you in your own life.

3. The Beautiful Fall: Lagerfeld, Saint Laurent, and Glorious Excess in 1970s Paris by Alicia Draker 

The title of this book says it all. This biography travels back in time to the vibrant, decadent world of 1970s Paris, where fashion icons Karl Lagerfeld and Yves Saint Laurent reigned supreme… and competed with an intense rivalry. This book takes an in-depth look at these two fashion geniuses and how their tumultuous competitiveness transformed the fashion industry one design at a time.

4. Champagne Supernovas: Kate Moss, Marc Jacobs, Alexander McQueen, and the ‘90s Renegades Who Remade Fashion by Maureen Callahan

Champagne Supernovas gives the inside scoop about the 1990s, a decade of creative rebellion and groundbreaking grunge fashion. This nonfiction book explores the unvarnished tale of three of the decade’s most influential personalities: Kate Moss, Marc Jacobs, and Alexander McQueen. You’ll learn about how the ‘90s shaped these icons – and vice versa – with a front-row seat to how alternative fashion became mainstream and how art entered the fashion world in never-before-seen ways.  

5. The Devil Wears Prada by Laren Weisberger

If you’re looking for a fictional story with high-fashion vibes, check out The Devil Wears Prada, the bestseller that inspired the movie by the same name. This book is a behind-the-scenes satire about a formidable editor at a major fashion magazine. When a small-town girl lands a “dream job” as the editor’s assistant, she must decide if the glitz and glamor is worth losing her personal life. This fashion book is a must-read this fall if you want to indulge in something glamorous and humorous.

6. Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

Another bestselling book made into a movie, Confessions of a Shopaholic is about a woman who has a passion for shopping but can’t afford her too-frequent retail therapy. Her ironic job as a finance writer bores her to tears, and she’s constantly looking for her next big spend. This pick-me-up follows the escapades of a charming but flawed protagonist navigating life, love, and her insatiable appetite for style.

Maybe protagonist Becky should’ve bought preloved pieces on consignment to get all her favorite designers at a fractionof the cost!

7. The Dressmaker by Rosalie Ham

This fictional tale weaves together fashion, revenge, and small-town drama in a satirical narrative set in the world of 1950s haute couture in Australia. The Dressmaker is about Tilly Dunnage returning to her hometown as a skilled dressmaker, building a fashion business while navigating her small-town world (and a new budding romance). Her dresses create competition and jealousy in town, and revenge is served on a cold, dark platter. This book was turned into a movie starring Kate Winslet, Judy Davis, Liam Hemsworth, and Hugo Weaving.

8. The House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed by Sara Gay Forden

Fall calls for fashion… and true crime. And The House of Gucci has both and then some. This sensational, true story dives into the gripping saga of the Gucci family’s luxury empire, including power struggles, family dynamics, and the murder of Maurizio Gucci. This page-turner pulls open the curtain to the backscenes of high fashion, high finance, and the personal tragedies of a seemingly perfect family business. This book inspired the blockbuster film starring Lady Gaga and Adam Driver.

Want more fashion movies? Check out this list of 21 must-watch titles for fashion lovers.

9. The One Hundred: A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own by Nina Garcia

This is a must-have book if you’re looking to curate the perfect wardrobe. In this guide, fashion expert Nina Garcia (judge on Project Runway and NYT bestselling author of Style Strategy) outlines the 100 essential pieces every fashion-forward woman should own, including practical advice on styling these pieces. If you’ve been actively working to elevate your personal style, this list – complete with stunning illustrations – is a phenomenal resource. You should also check out our style tips blogs, which offer tons of the hottest fashion tips and tricks to take your style to the next level.

Fashion books to inspire you

Whether you’re seeking inspiration from iconic designers, practical styling advice, or simply a fun, fictional fashion tale to get you in the mood, these nine titles are a great place to deepen your connection to the fashion world. So grab your comfiest blanket, a delicious PSL, and let the pages of these books transport you into the captivating, creative world of fashion and style.

What are your favorite fashion books? Message us on IG @currentboutique to let us know your faves!