If you’re a bear, a sex worker, a wrestler, a Wheelright, Viennese, a writer, a “sexual outsider,” or from New England — especially if you’re all of the above — you’re already a character in a John Irving novel. For the rest of us who lack a Dr. Larch or a Roberta Muldoon to help us through all of this world’s lunacy and sorrow, occasionally even the 16th read-through of The Cider House Rules isn’t quite satisfying enough. We’ve created sartorial interpretations of Irving’s best books to help us all, through fashion, express Owen-Meany-like profundity while also kicking ass like Jenny Fields.
“A woman half dressed seemed to have some power, but a man was simply not as handsome as when he was naked, and not as secure as when he was clothed.”
― The World According to Garp
“‘THERE’S ALSO DRESS SHIRTS, AND SHOES,’ Owen said. ‘IF YOU GO TO SCHOOL WITH RICH PEOPLE, YOU DON’T WANT TO LOOK LIKE THEIR SERVANTS.’ I now suppose that my mother could hear Mr. Meany’s prickly, working-class politics behind this observation.”
― A Prayer for Owen Meany
“Being afraid you’ll look like a coward is the worst reason for doing anything.”
― The Cider House Rules
Many thanks to the always profound Kelly Schmader.
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