How many times have you been strolling the aisles of a bookstore only to stop in your tracks because you see a beautifully designed cover? You turn it over, and the description on the back doesn’t seem that interesting. Still, you can’t look away from the gorgeous cover. You buy the book and take it home only to be endlessly bored by what’s inside. Of course, we should all know better – the old saying quite literally tells us not to judge a book by its cover. Some books are beautiful inside and out, and what’s even better is that you can use them for outfit inspiration! Here are some books that are fun to read, look at and dress like.
Table of Contents
What Is Not Yours Is Not Yours by Helen Oyeyemi
Products: Top – Bluefly; Leggings – H&M; Necklace & Earrings – Shoptique; Shoes – JCPenney
This collection of short stories is centered around keys. “‘Sorry’ Doesn’t Sweeten Her Tea” is the tale of a house full of locks. “Books and Roses” is about a secret library and the key to open it. The stories all blur the lines of reality and fantasy.
As you complete each story in the collection, you’ll begin to realize the twist within them all. Every story is so entertaining and enthralling you’ll want to speed your way through the entire book. The cover design is full of elements from each of the tales.
The ruffles on this fiery orange top are reminiscent of the flames on the cover. The black leggings are a reference to the shadow, and the turquoise accessories tie it all together with the cover’s background.
Emma by Jane Austen
Products: Dress – Boohoo; Headband – Topshop; Flats – DSW; Customizable Initial Necklace – Amazon
You’re probably familiar with Austen’s Pride and Prejudice — who hasn’t read it?Emma, however, often gets less recognition than it deserves. The titular character is a smart, sassy young woman who’s actually served as a model for the female main characters in many of today’s rom-coms. (Cher in Clueless is one such inspired character!)
The novel is a funny story about Emma’s failed attempts at matchmaking among her friends, all while slowly falling in love herself. The gorgeous cover from the Penguin Threads edition of the novel is the perfect tribute to this sweet, bright comedy.
This outfit is a sweet, girly ensemble befitting the romantic comedy it pays tribute to. The embroidery on the dress matches the needlework theme of the cover, and it pairs nicely with the delicate flat. The pink velvet headband is like the ribbon on Emma’s bonnet, and the initial necklace (available in whatever letter you want) is a tribute to the title – Emma’s name, of course.
I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson
Products: Skirt – Nasty Gal; Tank top – H&M; Boots – Amazon; Choker and earring set – Shoptiques
Don’t let the fact that this is a Teen/Young Adult book deter you from reading it. I’ll Give You The Sun is well worth your time.
Outgoing Jude and her quieter twin brother, Noah, are the closest of companions for most of their life. By the time they are teenagers, the artistic siblings have grown apart. Their family has gone through a period of change and sorrow, leaving them far from the friends they used to be. Half of the book is narrated by each twin, giving a unique perspective to the story that’ll have you reaching for your tissues.
The rainbow striped skirt is a clear reference to the rainbow lines radiating from the cover’s center. The white tank is for the neutral background, and the black accessories are for the text. Overall, it’s a fun, artsy look that represents not only the book’s cover, but the spirit of its two main characters.
Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler
Products: Jumpsuit – Boohoo; Heels – Amazon; Choker – Macy’s; Clutch – DSW
Tess is a young woman who’s just arrived in New York City and gets a job working in a restaurant. Seems like a fairly familiar premise, right? Sweetbitter is different in that it focuses on the world within the restaurant where Tess works. As she becomes more familiar with4 the New York restaurant scene, Tess discovers dark secrets she may have never anticipated. The story is a dramatic take on the typical coming-of-age in the city story, with an enticing romance to go along with it. Even better, the book is going to be a TV show on Starz!
This is a sleek outfit worthy of Sweetbitter’s New York City setting. The black jumpsuit makes as much of a statement as the text on the cover does, and the peach heels are a chic nod to the background. The wine-colored clutch and choker are for the contents of the glass. The velvet shoes and choker create an air of elegance to finish the look.
Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff
Products: Blouse – JCPenney; Jeans – T.J. Maxx; Mules – DSW; Watch – Kohl’s; Earrings – J.Crew
This critically acclaimed novel tells the story of one marriage over the course of 24 years. Lotto and Mathilde have a glamorous life together that is more complicated than it seems. It shows how two people in a relationship with each other can have completely different perspectives on that relationship. The book’s beautiful cover matches its deeply poetic references to Greek mythology, which made it a natural choice for Florence Welch’s book club around the time of the release for her film, The Odyssey.
The ruffles on the blue top and the swirls of the earrings call back to the ocean imagery of the cover. The white jeans and watch are as bold of a contrast as the lettering among the waves is. The dark colored mules are a note to the symbolic darkness of the waves, while tying in the blue color scheme.
What do you think?
Have you read a great book with a beautiful cover? Let me know in the comments below!