Entertain yourself while working on your tan with these fun fashion books.

Fashion Inside Out by Daniel Vosovic
Season Three Project Runway finalist Daniel Vosovic has written a book that doubles as a great tool for the aspiring fashion designer, and a great read for the casual observer. He discusses inspiration, construction, the business, and styling while interviewing all manner of fashion industry professionals, including big names Tim Gunn, Todd Oldham, Diane von Furstenberg, Heidi Klum, Nina Garcia, and Fern Mallis. The engaging text is accompanied by a plethora of beautiful photographs. A must have for any fashion library.

100 New Fashion Designers by Hywel Davies
This enormous, beautifully photographed volume is jammed with profiles on one hundred new, up-and-coming, and avant garde fashion designers. Some of our favorites: Louis de Gama, Manish Arora, Modernist, Osman Yousefzada, Peter Pilotto, PPQ, Heather Blake, Hall Ohara, Cathy Pill, Bo Van Melskens, Alena Akhmadullina, Finsk, and Chris Liu.

Forgotten Fashion by Kate Hahn
Part fashion book, part humor book, Forgotten Fashion reads like a history of fashion – but it is all faux. The made-up collection of fads and style movements starts at the turn of the century, with “Ticker Tape Trim.” Other favorite faux fads include “Picasso Patchwork,” inspired by the artist’s Cubist period; Fuschette, a line of juniors leggings and oversized tops promoted by the eponymous girl band; Gilded Pinstripes, with 24-karat striped suits; and “Safari Pajamas,” whose slogan was “Every night a honeymoon; every day an adventure.” A fun read with a frightening number of styles that aren’t too far off from real fashion.

Green is the New Black by Tamsin Blanchard
“Green fashion” and “eco-chic” are not just buzz-words in the industry. Blanchard’s book offers the ins and outs of dressing with an eco-conscious. From DIY outfits to green weddings; eco holidays to ethical jewelry, this book shows you how to shop, dress, and accessorize green. In addition to tips, tricks, and how-tos, there is a nice-sized directory of green and ethical clothing, shoe, accessory, and beauty companies.

In Step With Fashion: 200 Years of Shoe Styles by Norma Shephard
It’s shoe porn, but it is educational. Arranged chronologically like a catalogue of fine art, it is page after page after page of shoes. Each is accompanied by date, designer, and history if known. The best parts are the really old shoes, from the 1800s into the 1940s. It might inspire unfulfillable lust, though – I am obsessed with a pair of 1920s art deco booties. The modern shoes from the last 20 years are far less impressive – mostly inexpensive shoes from the juniors department (nothing wrong with that; they are just not nearly as fun to look at as thousand dollar, over-the-top, never-could-wear-them-but-still-adore-them Roberto Cavellis).

Lucien Lelong by Jacqueline Demornex
This gorgeous coffee table book chronicles the life and career of French couturier Lucien Lelong. His career spanned three of the most influential fashion decades in modern history. He was amongst the first to diversify into luxury pret-a-porter, accessories, and perfume. He married Russian royalty. And this draping and structuring was unmatched. This dense book combines an in-depth look into his life and career, with an extravagant selection of sketches, artwork, personal photographs, and editorial photographs. A stunning designer whose pieces define glamour.