Blog: 5 Books About Fashion that Will Educate, Inspire, and Make You a More Informed Consumer

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It's almost summer, my favorite season! Which means that it's time to finally lay back, relax and break open a new book. I didn't know it until I did a deep dive on Amazon a few years ago, but the fashion industry has a plethora of resources and reads that do everything from educate to inform and inspire. While they're not exactly beach reads, I'm sharing some of my favorite books about fashion design, consumer behavior, trend research, and more: 

1. Getting Dressed: Clothing and Imitation in Clothing and Everyday Life by Carrie Yodanis. Though I'm still working through this book, I have to say it was one I was very excited to read. In it, Carrie Yodanis, an Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of British Columbia, explains that although we often think the way we dress is a result of our own personal identity, there are still several social influences at play including race, class, and gender that shape our personal style. Imitation, conformity, and how we dress and why are the main themes of this book. Check it out on Amazon. 

2. Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion by Elizabeth Cline. In this book, Elizabeth Cline discusses the monster that is fast fashion and how it has changed the way Americans dress and how they value clothing. She also breaks down how cheap clothes are impacting us environmentally, economically, and more. Take a look inside or purchase it on Amazon. 

3. The Incidents: "Insert Complicated Title Here" by Virgil Abloh. Designer of Louis Vuitton Men's and Off-White and friend of Kanye West, Virgil Abloh hosted a lecture at Harvard University about his personal design shortcuts, "cheat codes," and how he created his iconic quotation mark branding or "personal design language." However you may feel about him or his designs, there is no doubt that he is one of the most iconic fashion designers of the present. As a fellow artist, it is interesting to see one of the most well-known African American designers of this time sharing his processes and artistic thoughts. Even if you're not a fan of his, this is still worth the read if you love fashion design or are looking for artistic advice. It's a short book and is available on Amazon. 

4. How to Research Trends by Els Dragt. This book has been vital for me in starting my career path in trend research. Within the first two chapters, you'll soak in so much information. I recommend it for anyone interested in trend forecasting or research, or even if you're a fashion enthusiast who'd like to know how the trends you consume are developed. It is ready for purchase on Amazon. 

5. Ways of Seeing by John Berger. While this isn't exactly a fashion book, John Berger offers his perspective on art and art criticism. I'm also still working through this book (one day I'll finish them all, I promise), but so far it has proven to be an interesting take on we view art and therefore, evaluate it. Originally a televised series on BBC in 1972, it was formatted into a book soon after. It's very affordable and available on Amazon. 

6. The Conscious Closet by Elizabeth Cline. Journalist Elizabeth Cline returns for her second book with a 322-page how-to for the fashionable consumer about how to consume consciously. She touches on everything from capsule wardrobes to building an ethical closet and how to keep up with trends while still being environmentally aware. The kicker about this book is that it hasn't been released yet. Look out for it on August 20th!