Book Cover Fashion Police: Fancy Dress

Please join us in welcoming our newest contributor, Sarah Reeves! Sarah owns Plain Ivey Jane, a fabulous boutique in Austin, and we're thrilled to have her fashion expertise here at FYA. Now, when do we get our shopping montage?

There is a heavy trend these days toward fancy gowns and dresses on YA book covers, and after the umpteenth one you’d think the people designing the covers would think twice about what the girl is wearing. Lord knows the girl thought about it a hundred times! As a member of the Fashion Cover Police, it's my job to investigate these crimes of couture and try to solve them with some fashion savvy.

The YAYs:  I love the use of a Mandarin collar and the detailing. I think when wearing black, detailing is great because black can be very basic. Also, the makeup with this dress is great. Smokey eyes and a light lip look powerful with a dramatic dress.

The NAYs:  She’s over accessorizing. No one wears a choker with a Mandarin neckline! You’d never wear anything that close to your neckline. They could have opted for a very long contrast (white) necklace that hits mid-breast or no necklace at all and instead gone with chandelier earrings or black pearl studs. That choker would have to be mid-neck with the rise on that collar. I mean, really, it’s science people!

Since I’m a Redhead, I’m constantly working to reverse the Ginger stereotype especially in fashion. With the help of Emma Stone, I think we’re finally getting somewhere and then a cover like this enters the world…

The YAYs: I love that they chose a neutral shade for the dress and the empire waist looks great on her figure, though I’d advise her to go up a size. There’s no way she could last all night with her chest being flattened like that.

The NAYs: This dress is so fantastic why would you dumb it down with a VELVET GREEN sash. Oh as a redhead can she only wear green, really? No! The designer wouldn’t have put such a harsh color with this romantic sheer dress. It should be paired with a lilac, pale pink, or any other softer color. Don’t tell me she can’t wear those colors (as I flip my lovely red hair). Also, this sash should be in silk, as it should match the soft hand of the dress. Velvet = Gross (unless it’s used in a jacket).

The YAYs: I love the back neck detailing and drape of the gown. It creates a lovely allure (but is in need of some tailoring).

The NAYs: The cut of this dress would be completely shapeless in the front and give no waist. It should be more tailored at the hips so it doesn’t look like she’s wearing a toga. There’s a reason the toga fell when Rome did. A long draped look is a hard one to pull off unless you’re very thin or very pregnant. She could possibly belt it at the hips with a gold chain belt and blouse the top a little to define her figure.

The YAYs: This white dress looks like a great summer go-to.

The NAYs: I would recommend a basic slip underneath. With any white dress, you cannot go wrong having a fitted slip underneath so that if you get thrown in the water, no worries- your slip will ensure that no one sees your unders.

The YAYs: I love the idea of this romantic dress...

The NAYs: ...But no one would ever wear tulle on the outside of their dress, unless you’re a two-year-old wearing a tutu. That is perfectly acceptable and awesome. I’m a fan of tulle but it should never be the outer layer. I mean, next is she going to wear her t-shirt reversies and inside out? She’s basically wearing an undergarment.

The conclusion of my Fashion Police investigation is that no one is really paying attention to what the woman is wearing on the cover. And on what planet does a woman not think about what she’s going to be wearing?? C’mon people, think before you create a cover. We’re paying attention!

Feel free to drop me a line if you have fashion questions or need advice on what to wear, pair, mix, match, or leave in your closet. And if you have a cover that requires Fashion Police help, let me know! Can’t wait, cheers!