Secondhand Stories: Thrifted Fashion Books as Christmas Gifts, Coffee Table Classics
Each fashion lover’s book is sourced secondhand for maximum sustainability effect this holiday season.
The most meaningful gifts don’t need to be new or expensive. This holiday, give the gift of books with fingerprints, glossy fashion histories and paper that has traveled through time.
Selected Fashionable Coffee Table Classics:
Gift: Accessible Luxury
Vendor: Various secondhand sellers
Price: $8–$30
Coffee-table fashion books are the unsung heroes of holiday gifting: big, glossy, glamorous — and incredibly affordable when found secondhand. Titles like “Coco Chanel and Her World” by Edmonde Charles-Roux, “Gucci: The Making of” by Stefano Tonchi, “Tiffany & Co.” or archival photography collections look luxe without costing luxury prices.
I love these because they speak to the joy of styling — books as décor, as art, as small monuments of taste. And when thrifted, they come with a story: once someone’s pride and display piece, now ready to begin again in a new home.
These are ideal for best friends, sisters, creatives, homemakers or the impossible-to-shop-for person. Stack two or three, wrap loosely in tissue, tie with a silk scarf (also thrifted) and you have a gift that feels curated, elegant and memorable.
Where to Buy:
Op-shops (Vinnies/Salvos)
Etsy vintage sellers
Instagram resellers: @thriftbooks_au, @book_hunt_oz
“Little Book of Chanel by Lagerfeld” (by Emma Baxter-Wright):
Gift: Compact Coffee-Table Classic
Vendor: Norsu Interiors, various secondhand sellers
Price: $10–$34
There’s a particular pleasure in gifting something small but stylish, and “Little Book of Chanel by Lagerfeld” fits that sweet spot perfectly. Its minimalist black-and-white cover, linen texture and archival Chanel imagery make it feel like a pocket-sized treasure. This is the sort of book that sits beautifully on a bedside table or nestles into a curated stack on the coffee table, quietly elevating a space.
I found my copy secondhand, the way all good finds arrive: unexpectedly, between shelves of forgotten gems. That’s why gifting pre-loved books feels intimate — they already carry a history. The edges softened, the cover slightly matte from another home, another owner, another chapter of life.
Wrap it in black ribbon or pair it with a single thrifted pearl hair clip for a nod to Coco’s iconic styling.
Where to Buy:
New: norsu.com.au
Secondhand: Local op-shops, Depop, Marketplace, Vinnies/Salvos, AbeBooks
“Chasing Harry Winston” (by Lauren Weisberger):
Gift: Light, Sparkly Holiday Read
Vendor: Various secondhand sellers
Price: $6–$12
Some gifts are meant to feel light — like a prosecco-fizz moment wrapped in paper — and “Chasing Harry Winston” is exactly that. Written by Lauren Weisberger, author of “The Devil Wears Prada,” this novel is fun, fast-paced, and full of friendship drama, romantic mischief and New York glamor. It’s the kind of book you give someone who needs a break, a laugh or a reminder that life can be messy and sparkling all at once.
I found my copy secondhand, tucked between rom-com DVDs and pastel chick-lit paperbacks.There’s something lovely about gifting a book that already made someone else smile thereby passing joy forward in a sustainable loop.
This is a great pick for new mums needing escapism, friends going through big life changes, sisters who love a good rom-com storyline, or anyone who wants a beach read with personality. Pair it with a thrifted bookmark or a mini hand cream, and you’ve got a sweet, affordable and feel-good gift.
Where to Buy:
Vinnies / Salvos / Brotherhood stores
Secondhand indie bookstores
Facebook Marketplace & Depop
AbeBooks / World of Books
“Grace: A Memoir” (by Grace Coddington):
Gift: For the Fashion Dreamer and Creative Spirit
Vendor: Various secondhand and independent sellers
Price: $6–$25
Some books feel like meeting someone for the very first time — and “Grace: A Memoir” is exactly that. Coddington’s life story unfolds with the same gentle drama and imagination she brought to decades of Vogue editorials. From her days modeling in London to her orange-haired, sharp-eyed ascent as one of fashion’s most influential creative directors, this memoir is warm, candid, funny and beautifully human.
Finding this book secondhand feels a little magical — a reminder that fashion history doesn’t always live behind glass or in archives; sometimes it sits quietly on a shelf in an op-shop, waiting for the right pair of hands. For $6, this was my definition of a thrift treasure: rich with industry insight yet wrapped in a charming, illustrated cover that feels like a keepsake.
This makes a perfect gift for: fashion creatives, Vogue obsessives, emerging stylists or photographers, anyone who loves a life story told with humor, grit, and glamour and friends who need inspiration during big life shifts.
Pair it with a thrifted scarf as a bookmark, or wrap it in kraft paper with a red ribbon and a single flower — very Grace.
Where to Buy:
Vinnies, Salvos, Brotherhood shops (often priced $4–$8)
Independent secondhand bookstores
eBay, Marketplace, AbeBooks
Fashion archive resellers
About the Author: Montess Hughes is a writer and community-minded creative, newly exploring slow fashion and secondhand culture. Māori from Aotearoa, she is based in Melbourne and captures her love for storytelling, books, op-shop wandering and everyday beauty. She writes poetry, personal essays and community pieces, and enjoys capturing small magic in photos and words.
Photo Credit: All images courtesy of the author.