A book could be the sexiest accessory you could carry right now

Once upon a time, literary nerds on fashion streets were an instance not unlike a bull in a china shop, but the tide is shifting. Like readers of Emily Ratajkowski's or Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis literary works, dressed in a basic oversized t-shirt, baggy jeans and white sneakers, a copy in hand, an iced matcha latte in the other, the addition of a piece of literature speaks volumes (pun intended).

An impeccable exemplification is Jacob Elordi walking towards his car in a fleece jacket with a bold leopard print design combined with contrasting olive green sleeves, straight-fit jeans, holding an iced coffee coupled with seemingly Arthur Miller's memoir, Timebends. In a similar vein, Dua Lipa colour coordinated a simple back dress with Patti Smith’s memoir Just Kids as she posed with it for her book club. Or just recall Stranger Things, A Quiet Place actor Joseph Quinn walking on the streets with Fantastic Four co-star Ebon Moss-Bachrach wearing flared bottom jeans and a simple shirt— a look that went viral in certain circles. Not because of the combination but for the copy of Lynne Tillman’s Weird Fucks peaking out of his back pocket.

A New York Times story from 2022 alleged the presence of book stylists, whose sole full-time purpose would be to coordinate books with attires. Celebrities have supposedly been hiring book stylists to curate what reading material to carry or be seen with, to project a certain image. In paparazzi images or social media posts, these books are not mere props. They signify something profound and multifaceted. Times are such that the edifice of one's persona does not solely rest upon beauty anymore — the perception of wit and values weigh equally. Carrying a book is an instant statement of intellect and a marker of being cultured. It's a form of non-verbal communication about one's passions, principles, and prowess while maintaining an air of mystic intrigue. Most importantly a book in hand stirs conversations and fetches attention, which is the ultimate currency of today.

For instance, in 2019 when supermodels Bella Hadid and Gigi Hadid were papped holding Stephen King's The Outsider and Albert Camus's classic The Stranger respectively, they served as dialogue fodder polarizing the internet on whether the models read the books or just employed them as fashion elements. Tripti Dimri also indulged in this new concept, coupling an Agatha Christie mystery novel with a sari. At another juncture last year, Jacob Elordi was spotted rummaging through a bookstore at Sydney airport, while a book peeped out of his cargo pants pocket.

Over the past few years, books have slowly crawled out of shelves to sit on vanity tables. In an era where personal branding is becoming paramount for cultivating professional success and social cachet, accompanying your fit with a book gives a subtle yet potent message. A hardbound vintage classic with gothic air like Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier for an autumnal flair, or light contemporary vacation reads like Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid for a breathable, flowy beach look or a semi-ripped historical fiction book with ageing pages to accompany your cottagecore aesthetic— are a sure plus to your aura points.

Infusing intellect to your aesthetics enhances your overall appeal which may end up helping you find your potential partner with compatible wisdom. According to a New York Post story, about 95% of women treat reading as a green flag in their partners. Well, a multitude of men seem to have understood the assignment differently. Recently, videos ebbed across social media depicting groups of men in vintage, artsy, and intellectual-presenting styles — oversized jackets, plaid shirts, scarves, and sunglasses. They conspicuously display books, which are often feminist literature that ranges from Sally Rooney’s Beautiful World, Where Are You, Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique to Emily Ratajkowski’s book of essays My Body.

Seen from a distance, these specimens are what you would call the mythical man written by a woman. But the devil in the details opens room for speculation. Constantly fidgeting and incessantly projecting the book covers — ‘reader’ does not seem to be their middle name. This trend appears to be an attempt to capitalise on the 'soft guy era' trope popularised on social media a few months back, with men striving to present a more sensitive image to appeal to women — albeit through a thin veneer of literary appreciation. Whether women are impressed or not is a different question, these men have impeccably assimilated books into their fashion diet.

The overlap of fashion and literature is not just ornamental. Numerous fashion icons from showbiz have stepped ahead to foster their book clubs and reading communities. A few weeks ago, Dua Lipa shared a picture of her holding 'Bad Habits' by Alana Portero on her Instagram, her monthly pick for her book club Service95. In the caption, she describes the book as 'one that reminds us of the often painful and treacherous reality of growing up Trans.'

Oprah Winfrey's book community is a pioneering example of celebrities transcending into literary engagements. Sonali Bendre's book club is one of the very few celebrity book clubs in India. Other Indian celebrities including Sonam Kapoor and Sharvari are often seen sharing their current reads over Instagram stories. Recently, Alia Bhatt debuted as an author herself with her children's book—Ed Finds A Home—projecting her newly embraced motherhood. This intersection of fashion, literature, and celebrity influence has become a powerful tool for building cultural relevance and fostering a sense of intellectualism among fans.

“There’s an air of luxury around the act of reading: it takes time to get through a book,” says David Owen, co-founder of publisher Idea Books. Thus, when celebrities associate themselves with books they make a statement of unhurried confidence while offering a window to their advocacy.

Many harbour resentment that the accessorisation of books, at times devoid of literary motivations, reduces their worth to that of a handbag and is a pretentious pursuit. But aren't we all trying to cast ourselves to the world in a good light? Perhaps, adding books to one's wardrobe is not a mere embellishment but an exercise in building perception. Books act as silent ambassadors of one's personality and curating which ones to carry in public empowers us to choose the narrative we want to present. Inculcating books into one’s style arsenal bridges the gap between fashion and substance by simply democratising the act of intellectual signalling.

Also read:

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