Forget trophy handbags, it’s all about trophy texts

You probably already know that fashion is in the grips of a literary love affair. Everyone from Miu Miu to Kaia Gerber has a book club, performative reading is de rigueur from Hammersmith to Hackney, and Jonathan Anderson’s vibrant iterations of the Dior book tote are still one of his most covetable creations.

The trophy text you carry is now officially as important an accessory as a great bag or statement coat. That’s why for Valentino’s spring/summer 2027 show in Paris this month, creative director Alessandro Michele gave guests one clear directive: bring a book.

The show, called Antibiblioteca, took place at the 19th-century Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève, which was transformed into a party venue complete with strobe lights and models storming between the tables and shelves. Invitees were asked to bring a book (new or from home) that would be donated to local libraries after the event.

The stars’ choices spoke volumes, not only about their literary tastes but also about how they present themselves. Colman Domingo took Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking (charming, irreverent), while fellow actor Naomi Watts brought Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre (classic, sophisticated, intellectual). Joe Alwyn, on the other hand, took James and the Giant Peach — an immediate ick and unshakeable ex-boyfriend energy.

Obviously, some would call this shameless act of judging a book by its cover vacuous and silly. After all, it doesn’t matter what you’re reading, so long as you’re reading. But, nevertheless, here’s what your autumn/winter read says about you…

‘Partita’ by Barbara Kingsolver

Amazon

A new release from a beloved Pulitzer Prize winner, with the benefit of a cover swathed in autumnal-hued stripes. Bravo! Like Sarah Jessica Parker, you’ve got your finger on the literary fiction pulse and probably have great taste in Fendi bags.

With Nothing Underneath

Take your style cues from the cover with a striped trans-seasonal knit from WNU (£170, Withnothingunderneath.com) or Reformation (big Miu Miu energy, slightly more accessible price tag).

‘Life of M’ by Rachel Cusk

Amazon

Nice try, but you’re a little behind the times. This teasing tale, allegedly about Natalie Portman, was everywhere at London Fashion Week — Rejina Pyo even hosted a talk about it – but that was back in September.

Ace & Tate

Life of M is a thrilling work of autofiction and a neat 192 pages, so get through it then move onto a more timely trophy text. It’s the sartorial equivalent of a fresh pair of sunglasses; to that end, try Ace & Tate (£125, Aceandtate.com) or Jimmy Fairly to avoid breaking the bank.

‘A Court of Splintered Harmony’ by Sarah J Maas

Bloomsbury

Look, the ombré-toned cover of the sixth instalment in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series isn’t going to win you must be respected regardless. The romantasy genre boosted UK fiction sales by some £550 million last year and turned a generation of horny women back to reading.

And maybe that cover illustration is retro enough to be almost cool? Whatever, you’re going to read this in milliseconds, possibly while wearing a nightie from If Only If’s latest collaboration with Harling Ross, so nobody will see it anyway. You go girl.

‘Switzy’ by Emma Cline

Amazon

Like the cover of Cline’s astonishing and deeply immersive literary exploration of dementia, you know how to make a statement without going overboard. This season, colour-pop knits in shades of royal purple and high-vamp pumps in cream or burgundy will keep your wardrobe of autumn/winter neutrals relevant.

Dior

And maybe, just maybe, you’ll splash out on that Dior Dracula bag (£2,750, Dior.com) one of these days.

‘Price & Prejudice’ by Jane Austen, with an introduction by Dolly Alderton

Amazon

The millennial woman’s messiah Dolly Alderton has given the millennial woman’s set text the Netflix treatment — as well as writing an introduction for this elegant new edition — so naturally you’re swotting up before it’s released.

Loeffler Randall

Like a fabulous pair of Loeffler Randall flats (£265, Loefflerrandall.com), you’ll always be cool because you don’t really care about trends but still want to look nice some of the time. Bonnets off to you.

‘Bitter Melon’ by Liv Little

Amazon

Carrying Liv Little’s second novel with you anywhere this autumn/winter is an immediate shortcut to looking good. Pair it with a matching green bomber (£139, Stories.com) and you’re good to go.

& Other Stories

A caveat: you must actually also read this tale of a father-daughter journey through Jamaica, which explores identity, grief and reconciliation.

‘Peck & Peck’ by Bonnie Garmus

Amazon

This is the season of Sézane’s Clyde trench (£275, Sezane.com)— and if it’s good enough for Sienna Miller, it’s good enough for any mere mortal. The only issue is you might get your coat confused with your friend’s identical one at your next book club meeting.

Sezane

It’s equally possible that you’ll mix up your matching copies of Peck & Peck, the new novel from Bonnie Garmus (of Lessons inChemistry fame). You know a good thing whenyou see one — trouble is, so does everyone else.