Despite the vast supply of fashion content online, there’s still something special about the printed page. Even as we research (and ultimately archive) more fashion knowledge online, there’s some things that simply aren’t available digitally. The internet may be an unparallelled resource, but there’s little doubt that some of the best information on your favorite designers, subcultures and brands are found only in books.

Visiting your local bookstore can reveal dozens of amazing titles, but these eight essential books will serve as valuable additions to your already expansive fashion-focused bookshelf or coffee table. Some of the books on the list are now out of print and command prices well above their original retail price while others are readily available; but all of them have a compelling story to tell.

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