This post would not exist without the amazing ’80s and ’90s YA Novel treasure trove Cliqueypizza, where I found most of these book covers.
Today I texted my girlfriend “I look like Ramona Quimby today.” She texted back, “That is not unusual.” Now I present “tomboy fashion according to young adult novels.”
Look #1: Scruffy tights, leotard, sideways snapback
BEKDO Womens Basic Solid Long Sleeve Scoop Neck Bodysuit with Stretch, MOOCHI Women 80 Denier Semi Opaque Tights (Light Pink), Circa Mesh Black Snapback, black quilted slippers
You bet your ass you haven’t seen ballerinas like this before! See that sassy bitch with the hole in her tights and that sideways baseball cap who just wants to go home and hang out in a tree? The best way to add a little rough-and-tumble to any outfit is to scrape the knee a little bit. This is tricky in tights as a hole can quickly become a vicious run, but I’m sure you’ll figure something out.
Look #2: Sweatshirt, jeans and a pair of sneaks
Joe Fresh Slouchy Boyfriend Jeans, J.TOMSON Womens Basic Crewneck Sweatshirt, K-Swiss Women’s Belmont SO T Fashion Sneaker
This is a classic tomboy look. It’s comfortable and utilitarian, and perfect for when you are dreaming about living in a treehouse, wrangling a menagerie of household pets who are trying to eat you, or starting a small business with a budding fashionista named Claudia Kishi. Plus you can wear this outfit several days in a row without being too obvious about it. Just watch out for grass stains!
Look #3: Authentic Baseball Jersey, baggy light jeans, fierce attitude
Bad News Bears Jersey, Baseball Cap Hat 100% Cotton Adjustable Size Red. Tommy Hilfiger Bootcut Jeans, Mizuno Players Trainer Shoes
I don’t remember the plot of this book, but I’m gonna guess it’s about Kristy being upset that one of her girlfriends is going out with a dude. Regardless, Kristy is the luckiest girl in the world because she has a baseball jersey! I wanted one so bad. That’s the actual definition of “baller.”
Look #4: Big-ass t-shirt
Look this one is simple: a giant t-shirt. Then go to sleep, you’ve got pajamas on!
Look #5: Ramona Forever
Ladies Charcoal Trimmed Elastic Waist Black Athletic Shorts, Reebok “Ventilator” Sneakers, Dream Believe Achieve Tee
Ramona Quimby’s summer style was on point. She’s got a graphic tee, orange sneaks that match her shorts, and the same haircut as me. But what really makes the outfit is her confidence and smile. The smile says “yeah I’m the best-dressed girl in this house of mirrors, what’s it to you?”
Look #6: Casual Dress and Longstockings
Raised by pirates and friends with animals, Pippi Longstocking was an innovative homemaker and a fashion pioneer, able to lift horses in loafers.
Look #7: Red Hoodie, Jeans
American Eagle Artist Jeans, American Apparel Men’s Unisex Flex Fleece Zip Hoodie, Reebok Women’s Classic Sneaker, Mead Composition book
Harriet the Spy is super-busy spying on things and being the coolest girl in school, as well as sporting the classic Ramona Quimby ‘do. She kept it classic and simple, not attracting attention and flying under the radar, which is a useful skill to have as a budding lesbian.
Look #8: Surly Lesbian in Leather
Pistols Vegan Moto Jacket, Steel Beam Shirt, 501 CT Heyday Jeans, Wildfang Icon Tee, Sole Society Geometric Print Scarf
Lesbians in small towns who have secret relationships with allegedly straight girls are heroes to us all, but they must protect their tender vulnerable hearts in “don’t fuck with me” gear, like leather jackets. And um, red scarves that blow in the wind.
Look #9: Red Sweatshirt & Jeans
This is the most popular look of all the looks sported in all the books I read, which must mean that it was the coolest look. If you want to radiate that “I’m on a spy mission / I hate my family / “I started a small business with Fashion Icon Claudia Kishi” vibe, then you cannot go wrong with a red sweatshirt — NOT A HOODIE, JUST A SWEATSHIRT — and jeans. Cold? No problem — just throw on a classic white turtleneck underneath your sweatshirt (not a hoodie) and you’ll be warm enough to steal Bart’s baseball bat and Mallory’s heart. Who doesn’t love a nice old-fashioned turtleneck, am I right?
Look #10: Overalls
If your #1 Fashion Icon is Scout from To Kill a Mockingbird, then have I got the thing for you: OVERALLS. You can keep your good luck charm and a note from your BFF close to your chest and go get yourself into some trouble.
J Crew Factory Classic Button-Down in Flannel, Caterpillar Cat Kenzie Women’s Leather Work Boots, Moto Indigo Slim Overalls (Topshop)
Well, if you read this entire post, then I think you’re ready to enter the world of fashion!
I love current middle grade lit and all the exciting things happening therein, but the 80s and 90s were definitely an awesome time to be a youngin and read lots of Apple paperbacks. This is great, Riese.
i know, it was such a time to be alive w/r/t YA novels! I love all the old covers, too. i want to figure out some way to turn old YA bookjackets into some kind of wall art for my office because it’s just my favorite thing.
@riese http://www.suzannefalk.com/gallery.php?year=visions
Oooooo
I dressed like Harriet from age 8-18. This post just made me so nostalgic for my slow tree-climbing days of reading, eating grilled cheese and riding my bike in circles in the suburbs.
I actually rode my bike regularly on the real Klickitat Street in SE Portland when I was the same age as RQ and reading her books — constantly on the lookout for Ribsy, Henry Higgin’s dog lol.
Soooo this post was wonderful; thank you.
Too bad you left out a pic of your RQ outfit today; not too late! :^D
ugh so jealous of your klickkitat street life
This is the greatest fashion post I have ever seen.
I just love this (and you) so much.
I LOVE YOU AND THIS SO MUCH!
THIS IS THE REVOLUTION I CAME HERE FOR.
Harriet the Spy FOREVER
I just realized how much I need a pair of overalls and a red sweatshirt, damn.
YOU WOULD ROCK THOSE!!
Love it! Also, maybe I’m more fashionable than I thought.
HARRIET THE SPY MY FAVOURITE BABY DYKE! I spent about a delusional two years or so around the age of 12 being half me / half Harriet.
Same. Same. I had a notebook full of a drama and everything.
Hahaha! this is so amazing!
Very few things make me happier than a Dicey Tillerman reference.
Or that part in HP where the fact that Voldemort places no value in tales for children and the oppressed contributes to his downfall.
Three cheers for clothing for happiness and the downfall of patriarchy!!
Having last read the Dicey’s Song books as a kid, I only JUST realized that her last name is Tillerman, like tiller, because she is the person everyone relies on to steer the family in the right direction, PLUS she loves sailing
BRB have to go re-read those
Oh man, Ramona!! I fucking loved those books! And BSC, obviously.
“She kept it classic and simple, not attracting attention and flying under the radar, which is a useful skill to have as a budding lesbian.”
Word.
Oh man, I want so many of these clothes
Oh lawd 90’s me was a little baseball playing ballerina who refused to throw underhand and wore all of the looks down to the composition note except for Look #6.
Do I get extra points for the fact my overalls had a rainbow tab for the velcro pocket? xD
this is everything I’ve ever wanted