It’s 2020 - so who doesn’t know about TikTok? The social media app is insanely popular, blowing up in 2018 and having its number of users skyrocket from there. Tiktok brings a plethora of things to the table, but today, I’m interested in mixing BookTok and FashionTok. I present to you: pick a book, and I’ll give you a 2020s tiktok fashion trend!
1 | Lovely War (Julie Berry)
To date, Lovely War is one of my favorite romance novels. It’s full of both hardships and tender moments- and set in world war II, it’s vintage. The novel follows two relationships, one between a reserved pianist and a soldier, and another between an ‘it’ girl and a black musician. Though the novel describes the horrors and trials of war, its description of romance is timeless and gorgeous. Whenever I think of the book, I can picture paris honeymoons and women in vintage clothing twirling around with their partners. Henceforth, the fashion trend I am assigning to this book: milkmaid dresses! These dresses are both fashionable and freeing, with a square neckline and plenty of space for twirling skirts. It’s easy to imagine yourself in a 1950’s automobile with the wind in your hair and a book clutched to your dress in these dresses!
2 | Bunny (Mona Awad)
Bunny is a rollercoaster of a book. It’s a novel full of sugary language, pastel and bubbly sorority-esque girls, and yet similarly filled with blood and guts. It paints a gruesomely interesting picture for our protagonist and makes you want to read more on what these twisted girls are doing. Chock full of mind games and bright pink clothes, Bunny fits the Y2K aesthetic to a T! If you enjoyed any part of the Bunny girls’ fashion, you’ll love this early 2000s trend: it consists of lots of belts, flashy jewelry, bright tones, and a mismatching of patterns. Y2K can be both feminine and masculine- it just depends on how you layer and stack the pieces!
3 | Tess of the Road (Rachel Hartman)
Tess of the Road is a coming of age and self development novel playing out in a glorious fantasy setting. Tess is a refreshingly down to earth main character and it was immensely fun to read of her adventures and gradual self realization. Watching her come into her own makes this novel another one of my forever favorites- it’s perfect for a slow day at the beach and reminiscent of going to a park with your friends and taking yourself out for a date! The fashion trend I chose for this book was mom jeans! These jeans are both fashionable but utterly comfortable- two traits that practically make up the essence of Tess’s character! I can imagine her lounging beside her window in a pair of these babies, wearing another quintessential 2020 trend, baggy shirts, and enjoying the morning sunshine.
4 | A Darker Shade of Magic (V. E. Schwab)
A Darker Shade of Magic is the quintessential fantasy book: multiple worlds, snarky characters, cold and icy supervillains who can freeze you with a single touch? V. E. Schawb’s worlds are intricate and inviting, and in this series, multi-layered. (Almost literally, since all these alternate Londons are lying on top of each other) And therefore, I suggest 2020’s fashion trend of….layering! I know, a little on the nose, but tell me you cannot imagine Kell with a black turtleneck and wicked sweater vest layered over it, holding a cool sword? And a leather jacket- it’s compulsory.
5 | If We Were Villains (M. L. Rio)
In a similar vein to ADSM, If We Were Villains is a perfect escapist fantasy for the forlorn scholar inside of you. Who wouldn’t want to go to an elite new England college and mooch off of your scandalous and mysterious group of rich friends? I imagine the novel in shades of black and brown, with slitted sunlight- like the euphoric, sleepy mornings after a particularly difficult exam. Even though this peace gets shattered later on in the book, it is still an essential piece of dark academia fiction- and pairs quite well with the fashion style too. All of the characters have a range of fashion sense, from stiff suits to Camilla’s flowy light academia-esque sundresses, but they remain dedicated to the dark academia aesthetic.
6 | The Wicker King (K. Ancrum)
From the first page of The Wicker King, you can feel August’s dripping and careless attitude. In fact, if you learned that he could do a flip on the skateboard, don’t tell me you would be surprised. This novel fits the aesthetic of indie/skater boy to a T; it has all the essential elements, hazy nights, baggy clothes, a considerable amount of emotional baggage, and floppy hair. It meshes well in comparison to Jack’s upbeat, jock personality and the contrast is quite frankly, delicious. I loved reading about the two’s ups and downs and was completely invested by the first chapter- if you plan on picking up The Wicker King, I suggest you buy a pair of baggy jeans once you finish it :)
7 | The Selection (Kiera Cass)
A fluffy feel good romance book, the selection is the epitome of summer flingers, high stakes love, and high pitched squealing as you pull an all nighter to finish the series; also, it is chock full of gorgeous dresses. The covers themselves are eye-candy and bring one thing to mind: corset tops. Although this style of blouse became popular after Bridgerton, they fit the royal ball aesthetic of The Selection perfectly. Wear one and you might just catch yourself a Maxon ;)