Welcome to the latest edition of Looks from Books, which aims to prove that you can look smart, while still being book-smart, too. Fashion inspiration can be found between the pages of your favorite stories, on well-designed book covers, and in your favorite characters… if you read closely enough.

This week, we’re taking inspiration from a recent film release to explore the realm of fiction created by a truly iconic children’s author, whose works are enjoyed by the young, as well as young-at-heart: Hans Christian Andersen. Read on to learn more about this author, as well as a few outfits based on his memorable works.

Cover image via Amazon

Table of Contents

Inside Cover

Hans Christian Andersen was a Danish author made famous for his iconic children’s stories, written in the 19th century.

From “The Little Mermaid” to “Thumbelina” to “The Princess and the Pea,” Andersen’s works are known worldwide for their characteristic whimsy, fantastic elements, and inventive use of such narrative details as personification and lessons of virtue. In fact, his works have been translated into more than 125 languages!

However, he was never exclusively an author for children; he was also known as a prolific author of many genres, including travelogues, plays, poems, and novels. Andersen was very popular with the literary set of Europe and was a close friend of Charles Dickens, who shared with him a profound regard for the plight of the lower classes.

A Fashionable Literacy

Disney’s Frozen movie poster || via IMDB

Andersen’s iconic stories have provided fodder for many media adaptations, from musicals and stage plays to feature films, including Disney’s most recent release, Frozen! (Psst – be sure to check out our post on fashion inspired by Frozen.)