Style by the book

Fashion speaks louder than words.

What we wear and how we wear it are ways of saying something about ourselves instantly, without saying anything out loud.

As a natural introvert, this appeals to me.

People may ask themselves: Do I take myself seriously all the time, or can I be whimsical? Am I creative or more utilitarian?

Conforming or contrary?

Do I love all things new, or am I more nostalgic?

Would I rather stand out, or am I more comfortable blending in?

These are questions that—even if not asked openly—are answered by what adorns our bodies.

Our chosen style can be much more direct than written or verbal communication. And we carry these messages around with us everywhere we go. All day. Every day.

Going to a job interview? A date? A party? Lists of “must-dos” for these events invariably include advice on what to wear, and perhaps more importantly, what not to wear.

Clothes are important to you—whether you read GQ and InStyle or not.

I used to not trust fashion for the fact that it is always changing. Different seasons bring about favored colors or patterns, and faster than a new-iPhone frenzy, that trend is out and a fresh one is in.

This is a nice little money-making scheme, I thought. Of course, at hundreds of billions of dollars annually, according to most estimates, “little” would have to be considered sarcasm or at least some sly social commentary on models’ shrinking waistlines.? Like other industries, it is a more global, interconnected enterprise than ever before, from producers to consumers.

What’s trending in Europe doesn’t take years to catch on in the U.S. anymore. Thanks to Instagram and Facebook, it takes days—even hours.

The two strongest currents flowing through this month’s issue are fashion and books—what we read and how we view this evolving concept called a library.

On the surface—or on the cover, if you will—the written word and clothing are as different as Dickens and DKNY. Yet both are in similar states of flux.

Walk into the local Barnes & Noble. The first thing you will see is the towering obelisk of the Nook e-reader display. Clearly, the nation’s largest book retailer wants shoppers to know the direction in which things are really headed.

What we read and what we wear—or wish we could wear—are actually quite similar. Look at any recent New York Times bestseller list. Beyond the mechanics of language used in hit books, the stories resonate; they work their way inside our heads. Why?

Because we all thirst for powerful narrative, for stories with a beginning, a middle and an end, for tales that reveal within their magical mélange of words and ideas something deeply inspirational, enlightening or even convicting.

Style tells stories, too. Our stories. So throw on your favorite comfortable outfit and settle back with a good read this month, whether it’s on an e-reader, a laptop or in the pages of a book or magazine.

Through literature, like fashion, we long to be changed—constantly. And we always will be.