From the Page to Our Closets
By Elana Katz
Shop this article: https://bookshop.org/lists/beauty-readin-magazine *affiliate linkSometimes reading a book is for the plot, sometimes it’s for the characters, and sometimes it’s for… the outfit inspiration? It’s true, some authors do such a great job of creating characters who feel so recognizable that it’s easy to want to live in their worlds and in their closets. We asked the Readin’ community which book character’s closet they’d love to steal if they could. Short of being able to step into the pages of a book and actually steal a character's wardrobe, these readers rifled through their own closets to create their interpretations of their favorite character’s style.
Morgan of @booksandlooksss – Poppy from People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
I would say the personal style I would love to steal and strive to replicate is Poppy's from PWMOV. Like Poppy, I am an avid thrifter and I try my best to style pieces that you wouldn't think would go together. I love to be sustainable in fashion, whether that is thrifting, crocheting garments, or renting pieces with Nuuly. The thing that I respect the most about Poppy is her boldness and ease in choosing specific pieces to wear. She lets her creativity soar by mixing vintage and new styles to create the ultimate look no matter where she is or what she's doing. I aspire to be someone who isn't afraid of color (other than pops of red) and bold patterns with my outfits like Poppy. :)
Sherriece of @booklifeisthebestlife – Aaliyah from Curvy Girl Summer by Danielle Allen
The first book and character that came to mind for me was Aaliyah James from Curvy Girl Summer. She knew how to dress her body and also took risks some may say a curvy, or “plus size,” woman shouldn’t take.
Alyssa of @littlespookysmut and Jessica of @wear.what.you.read – Teddy from Lost and Lassoed by Lyla Sage
Alyssa: Teddy is such a confident character, and her closet reflects that! I love how she isn’t afraid to show off her personal style and wear sequins while riding a mechanical bull!
Jessica: In scrolling through the last two years of reads, a couple of books came to mind for this: Claire’s pinup inspiration and Delilah’s general cool vibe in Delilah Green Doesn’t Care by Ashley Herring Blake, Cindy’s shoe collection in If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy, Amelia’s entire pop star closet in When in Rome by Sarah Adams, or even Kenya’s cosplay closet from The Love Con by Seressia Glass. But in the end, I kept coming back to my first instinct, Teddy from Lost and Lassoed by Lyla Sage. I’m a thrifter/bargain hunter at my core, and I keep beloved pieces until they fall apart in my hands, so I loved seeing that same attitude towards clothing in Teddy. Have I been scouring secondhand stores for months for my own fringe jacket? I’ll never say (yes). When it comes to thrifting, I’m a huge fan of unique vintage denim, what I call “earnestly tacky” sweaters, and outerwear. So for my Teddy Anderson-inspired look, I have some vintage Rockies jeans from Poshmark, a red suede moto jacket I got secondhand from my sister-in-law, and a Britney Spears tank top because I know in my gut Teddy is a fan. I also went with some on-the-nose cowboy boot earrings because I will always dress on the theme, and I feel like Teddy would be the same.
Kayli of @pawneepubliclibrary_ - Parisa from The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake
Along with protecting the Library of Alexandria, Parisa Kamali from The Atlas Six will have to protect her closet from me. Not only would her wardrobe allow me to live my dark academia dream, but with the dark color palette and chic silhouettes, I’d feel ready to take on the world!
Mari of @digiiireads – Lucy from This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune
I’m pairing my outfit with This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune, a story set on Prince Edward Island. The book has a breezy, sun-soaked feeling that feels so much like this vibrant yellow dress I’m wearing from Rent the Runway. The color alone makes me think of golden summer days by the water, and the lightness of the fabric carries that effortless, sunny vibe. It’s the kind of dress that feels laid-back, fun, and refined, so it’s perfect for a summer romance. Prince Edward Island is a favorite getaway for so many, and this outfit captures that same sense of carefree energy!
Angela of @shelf.obsession – Noah from Outdrawn by Deanna Grey
I wanted Noah’s style from Outdrawn. She wasn’t afraid to be feminine or what other people may consider “cutesy.” She wore her nickname of “Pastel” with pride and embraced her love of pink in her glasses, sweaters, dresses, and shoes. I especially loved that she was a tall FMC and still wore heels.
Erica of @finalvalleygirl – Amanda from The Mirrors Series by Danielle Barlette
I’m a clotheshorse with a love for vintage, so it’s probably no surprise that the character whose closet I want to raid the most is… also obsessed with fashion. And from thirty years ago. Amanda, from the lesser-known YA romance series Mirrors by Danielle Barlette, is an aspiring fashion student who is thrust into the glossy and glam (and occasionally hectic) world of the high-end department store that carries her aunt’s exclusive line. She has a distinct knack for finding cool and interesting pieces and adding little personal touches to really make her outfits her own— something I try to do, as well! I decided to challenge myself to recreate one of her outfits, and turns out I had most of the pieces already— including an oversized vintage sweater from the 80s. Amanda is my book-style twin, clearly.
Janni of @theladysparks – Halle of Daydream by Hannah Grace
I would love to have the chance to raid Halle’s closet from Daydream. She is a soft and creative girl who embraces her femininity, and I feel like she would also embrace color. Our vibes align, so I feel like her style would reflect exactly what I want out of my own wardrobe.
Emily of @ems.book.shelf_ – Bitter from Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi
Bitter from Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi because painting in overalls is so Tumblr-2016-core, and I would feel like such a main character if I did that. In fact, when I was painting my house, I thought about getting overalls to do just that.
Stephanie of @litandthecity – Magnolia Parks from Magnolia Parks by Jessa Hastings
Give me everything in Magnolia Parks’s closet! From the clothes to the shoes and accessories, Magnolia displays sophistication, confidence, ambition, and elegance. Think Blair Waldorf and Charlotte, what a perfect mix!
It’s no surprise that bookish creators know how to use their creativity to channel the book characters they love. Let this be an inspiration – even though your favorite character’s closet isn’t a real place, you can still dress like a main character!
