Books are often considered a thing of the past thanks to the rise of digital alternatives, but coffee table books have become increasingly popular, particularly among fashion enthusiasts, as they provide a visual and tactile experience that’s simply not possible to replicate with a screen.
As such, there is an overwhelming number of fashion coffee table books on the market which can make it tough to know which ones to add to your stack. We’ve made life easier by selecting a few of our favourites! Whether you’re a fashion lover, or simply looking to add some style to your coffee table, these books are a must-have for anyone who wants to deepen their appreciation of fashion.
For those in a Rush | Our Top Three
2. Best for Historical Style
Best Fashion Coffee Table Books
When it comes to choosing fashion books for your coffee table, you’ll firstly want to consider your personal interests in the subject, followed by aesthetic tastes. Look for books that showcase designs, styles and themes that appeal to you, as well as ones that have a high quality finish that will look visually-attractive on display. Here’s our list of 21 top fashion coffee table books:
1. Vogue and the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute
When it comes to choosing fashion books for your coffee table, you’ll firstly want to consider your personal interests in the subject, followed by aesthetic tastes. Look for books that showcase designs, styles and themes that appeal to you, as well as ones that have a high quality finish that will look visually-attractive on display. Here’s our list of 21 top fashion coffee table books:
Pros
- Warm tones
- Would suit traditional homes
Cons
- Dark colours and intricate cover wouldn’t suit minimalist homes
2. Dior: The Legendary 30, Avenue Montaigne
If you love designer fashion books, then you’ll love this one from the classic French fashion house Dior. This sophisticated book, designed in a minimal palette of grey and gold, would look beautiful atop a simplistic white coffee table; it delves deep into the House’s history after recently celebrating its 75th anniversary.
Pros
- Simple colour palette
- Historical book
Cons
- Can’t be used to add a pop of colours
3. Little Guides to Style: The Story of Four Iconic Fashion Houses
These delicately coloured books offer an insight into four of the most famous designers in the world. They are perfect for creating a fashion-themed stack on a small coffee table as these aren’t large coffee table books.
When it comes to how many books should be on a coffee table, we would always recommend odd numbers, with three being a popular choice, so you could always save one for use in another place.
Pros
- Pastel tones add subtle colour
- Perfect to make a stack
Cons
- Small size won’t work on larger tables
4. Louis Vuitton: The Birth of Modern Luxury
Add warm luxurious brown tones to your coffee table with this fashion book on Louis Vuitton. So much more than a book to look pretty on your coffee table, this read explores the history of the sophisticated French brand, exploring what made it the fashion giant that it is today.
Pros
- Warm, neutral tones
- Large enough for decorative items to be place on top
Cons
- Wouldn’t be suited to a cooler-toned room
5. The Complete Costume History by Auguste Racinet
Perfect to adorn the top of a coffee table in a period or traditionally-styled home, the original version of this book dates back to 1876. Providing a real insight into 19th-century style, this is a fascinating fashion book for the coffee table in wonderfully muted tones that would suit many different colour schemes.
Pros
- Good for period homes
- Informative, historical fashion book
Cons
- Wouldn’t suit modern styles
6. Africa Fashion
Explore how independence and political reorder inspired a cultural renaissance across Africa in this beautiful book exploring the continent’s incredible fashion scene. This book offers inspiration whilst also looking attractive on top of a coffee table with its cool raspberry cover.
Pros
- Thought-provoking book
- Gentle colour pop
Cons
- Pink tone won’t suit all colour schemes
7. Nike: Better is Temporary
For the sports fans amongst us, this book explores some of Nike’s most famous designs as well as exploring the brand’s impressive rise to the top. Not all coffee table books have to match, so add this to a stack that needs a colour pop as its zesty hardback cover will add depth to the table.
Pros
- Bold cover
- Adds depth
Cons
- Colour won’t suit all rooms
8. Cartier in the 20th Century
Add a real touch of opulence to your coffee table with this exquisite book that showcases the Cartier jewellery archive. Perfect for a more luxe home, this book would look superb on top of a stylish and sophisticated coffee table, perhaps one sat in front of a velvet sofa resplendent with a beautiful throw.
Pros
- Luxury feel
- Adds a decadent colour pop
Cons
- Red won’t work in all homes
9. Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty
A captivating designer fashion coffee table book showcasing the career of the designer behind world-renowned London fashion house, Alexander McQueen. The imagery within this book will impress whoever flicks through it whilst the deep brown tone of the cover means it will sit well in many neutral style homes.
Pros
- Beautiful imagery
- Versatile coloured book
Cons
- Large size wouldn’t suit smaller tables
10. Yves Saint Laurent
Covering an exhibition of over 250 garments, this book offers a comprehensive retrospective into the life of Saint-Laurent. The minimalist cover in black makes it a versatile coffee table book that would be well-suited to most homes.
Pros
- Minimalist cover
Cons
- Black can overwhelm some spaces
11. Vanity Fair: 100 Years
Take a look at some of the best fashion looks of all time in this book that compiles 100 years worth of Vanity Fair history. A simple, understated designed cover means that this book will look super stylish on most coffee tables and adds some depth to the space.
Pros
- Simple but stylish cover
- Adds depth
Cons
- Black can overwhelm lighter colours on coffee table
12. The Crown in Vogue
Explore some of the most famous royal portraits and fashion looks with this book by Vogue. The cool neutrals of this book mean it will slot in easily on most coffee tables without overwhelming the space, looking great as part of a stack or on its own.
Pros
- Can be stacked or left singularly
- Cool neutral
Cons
- Might not work with some warmer tones
13. Valentino: Themes and Variations
Explore this famous Italian designer with a book that celebrates 45 years of Valentino fashion. The romantic style of this house is encapsulated perfectly on the cover, adding a playful, feminine touch to your coffee table that would look perfect with a flower arrangement on top.
Pros
- Soft, feminine design
Cons
- Pink won’t suit some colour palettes
14. Tom Ford 002
Known for his high-octane glamour, Tom Ford is an iconic designer who has worked with a roster of A-list stars. This is the second volume that sums up the latter years of his impressive career. The ultra-modern, minimalistic cover would suit a contemporary coffee table. For more depth, combine with some coffee table books that add a colour pop.
Pros
- Modern
- Simplistic cover
Cons
- Needs to be stacked with colourful books for depth
15. Fashion, New Edition: The Definitive Visual Guide
Covering the most important fashion periods in history, this comprehensive guide would look striking on a coffee table with its bold-coloured cover. The inside is just as appealing with dazzling photographs of fashion moments throughout time.
Pros
- Comprehensive guide
Cons
- Zesty cover wouldn’t work for more traditional homes
16. Vogue: The Covers
The ultimate flick-through book that’s perfect for the top of a coffee table, Vogue: The Covers features iconic covers, both past and present, from the magazine’s vast history. The cool blue tone of the book is a versatile but subtle shade that will suit many neutral homes.
Pros
- Cool blue colour
- Easy to flick through
Cons
- Low page count means it will need other books to be impactful
17. Ralph Lauren: In His Own Fashion
This fully-illustrated book offers a look at the career of the iconic American designer, Ralph Lauren. The mock check fabric cover would sit stylishly in a more traditional or farmhouse-style home.
Pros
- Suits traditional homes
Cons
- Dark cover colour might overwhelm smaller spaces
18. Little Book of Gucci
If you have a smaller space or don’t want to use a statement coffee table book, then try this small guide to fashion house Gucci. Although diminutive in size, it has a gold-toned cover to offer impact and would look great on top of a gold and glass tray with a candle on top of it.
Pros
- Warm-toned book
- Can be stacked with other items
Cons
- Couldn’t be used on its own
- Wouldn’t work for larger tables
19. Dior: Couture
Nothing quite says fashion like couture and this book sums up one of the most famous designers of haute couture, Dior. With stunning imagery of high fashion pieces, this book’s understated cover will also work well in more high-end living rooms with a premium, minimalist feel.
Pros
- Premium book
Cons
- Lacks depth
20. Chloe: The Complete Collections
Celebrating 70 years of collections, this book explores the development and influences of collections by Chloe. This carefully-curated book of images would look beautiful on most coffee tables with its cool beige cover. The premium, minimal aesthetic lends itself well to a wide range of coffee table styles.
Pros
- Cool beige colour
Cons
- High page count means any other books being stacked with this would have to be thinner
21. Chanel: Collections and Creations
You can’t have a stack of fashion books without including one on Chanel. Arguably the most renowned premium fashion brand in the world, this book comes in the brand’s classic monochromatic uniform which would look striking atop most coffee tables.
Pros
- Versatile coloured cover
Cons
- Low page count so would need other books to create a good stacking height
Summary
Fashion coffee table books are an excellent way of adding decorative touches to your living room. Don’t get distracted by the wide range of choices available. Think about the right books for your coffee table and consider your own personal interests as well as the overall aesthetic of the space.
Using stacks of coffee table books helps you to play with height and dimension in the room, as well as injecting some of your own personality onto your coffee table. Add candles or a vase of flowers on to smaller stacks or place singular books into coffee table trays for a stylish but practical addition to the room.
