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Theology of Style: Expressing the Unique and Unrepeatable You
Every outfit we choose holds the power to express our unique personality and identity as cherished children of God. This truth goes beyond mere clothing; personal style is a divine expression of our unrepeatable identity, reflecting the fact that we are made in God’s image . In Theology of Expressing the Unique and Unrepeatable You , author Lillian Fallon draws from her experience in the fashion industry to delve deep into the profound truth that what we wear is far more than just fabric on our bodies―it is a radiant statement of our unrepeatable identity, a tangible expression of being made in the image of our Creator. A speaker and writer on the intersection of personal style and faith, Lillian Fallon guides readers on a transformative journey to recognize and celebrate the power of personal style to help us know our value as unique and unrepeatable daughters of God .
Through a combination of heartfelt anecdotes, humorous stories, and profound insights from St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, Theology of Style offers Catholic women practical guidance for developing their personal style and answers a series of key questions that often arise when discussing personal style, clothing choices, and
Within these pages, Catholic women will uncover the incredible significance of style as a tool for understanding their purpose, recognizing their worth, and building an intimate relationship with God. Readers will gain a deeper understanding of how they can align their personal style with their faith, embracing their divine identity and glorifying God in the process .
Through a combination of heartfelt anecdotes, humorous stories, and profound insights from St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, Theology of Style offers Catholic women practical guidance for developing their personal style and answers a series of key questions that often arise when discussing personal style, clothing choices, and
Within these pages, Catholic women will uncover the incredible significance of style as a tool for understanding their purpose, recognizing their worth, and building an intimate relationship with God. Readers will gain a deeper understanding of how they can align their personal style with their faith, embracing their divine identity and glorifying God in the process .
129 pages, Paperback
Published September 7, 2023
36 people are currently reading
231 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 9, 2025
This was a nice book but fell a little short for me. I’ll preface by saying I love following Lilly on Instagram and want to support her! However, this book felt like it needed more time and editing. It is very short, to begin with, and even with its brevity it felt repetitive. There were sections that felt like she restated the same paragraph several times in a row, and even one time I noticed two back to back sentences that were nearly identical. There are sections I wish she had expanded more as well. To be clear, these are editing and structure issues, not writing issues. Lilly’s writing style is enjoyable and she dives into some deeper theology while still using a relaxed tone that felt approachable. I think this book would have benefited from a much longer writing and editing process.
As far as content goes, Lilly has some unique takes (in the Catholic world) that I think make her point of view so appealing. Her focus on style as a not-vain pursuit, the importance of avoiding fast fashion, and her perspective of “modesty” as humility and self-awareness rather than hemline rules are very refreshing. At the same time, there are some residual perspectives that I still find off-putting. For example, the idea that men “inherently” prefer navy, khaki, and grey because of their “masculine nature”…rather than highly restricted straight male conditioning of the last 150 years…is frankly ridiculous. Men have just as much capacity and appreciation for beauty and color and style as women, they’ve just been told it’s not an ok thing to be interested in. Not to mention stores for men don’t sell anything other than navy and khaki and grey…
A few points aside, I found most of Lilly’s perspectives to be healthy and well-rounded, and appreciated all of her research and clear love for the topic. I just wish she had had more time to flesh out the work and a better editor!!
As far as content goes, Lilly has some unique takes (in the Catholic world) that I think make her point of view so appealing. Her focus on style as a not-vain pursuit, the importance of avoiding fast fashion, and her perspective of “modesty” as humility and self-awareness rather than hemline rules are very refreshing. At the same time, there are some residual perspectives that I still find off-putting. For example, the idea that men “inherently” prefer navy, khaki, and grey because of their “masculine nature”…rather than highly restricted straight male conditioning of the last 150 years…is frankly ridiculous. Men have just as much capacity and appreciation for beauty and color and style as women, they’ve just been told it’s not an ok thing to be interested in. Not to mention stores for men don’t sell anything other than navy and khaki and grey…
A few points aside, I found most of Lilly’s perspectives to be healthy and well-rounded, and appreciated all of her research and clear love for the topic. I just wish she had had more time to flesh out the work and a better editor!!
February 18, 2025
An interesting concept and read in general, but could have been shortened to an essay or two rather than this novella. The final section reads more like an advice/ self help book which was unexpected and definitely shifts the tone away from the theological/academic focus of the middle section.
August 13, 2025
Absolutley ADORED this book! As I’ve been exploring Catholicism this book & author came across my feed and it felt so fitting as I love style. I felt like the author captured so many thoughts I’ve had about personal style over the years and laid out so beautifully how personal style is a practice that we can use to express being made in the image of God. This was a super easy read that really inspired me and I loved how she pulled from theology of the body and letters to artists by St. John Paul II.
June 11, 2024
I think that every Catholic woman should read this book to truly understand their identity of their soul. Also, if you love clothing but you feel vain for wearing something that expresses your soul, this is the book for you to read (another great book to read right along this book is Worthy of Wearing by Nicole Caruso).
October 12, 2023
The way this book broke down and related Theology of the Body to clothing/our personal style was so well done. I felt like it covered everything from our own identity in God, the connection between our body and soul, the story of Adam and Eve, how as women we participate in the creative process naturally (and can be expressed through what we wear), and how our style can help us understand ourselves and our worth. Can’t wait to put this on my classroom bookshelf for my students to read!
April 21, 2025
I’d give it a five for actual content but a three for execution- this needed either a sturdier editor or a lot more research. Probably a great fit for teens though! And Lilly is, as always, so generous and hopeful in her handling of difficult topics.
August 27, 2023
Who knew fashion had so many layers! It’s not just about looking good, it’s about reflecting the divine and owning your unique flair. At least that’s Fallon’s refreshing perspective. I’ve never read a book like this before. It tackles fashion from a spiritual lens — but it’s also really practical. Basically: if you think that your love of clothes is something to be secretly shameful of, or that you’re just being vain, you need to read this. Fallon walks you through why having a fashionable wardrobe you love is more than looking good (though, it’s that too!). But it’s bringing your best self to life. And there’s real theology and philosophy behind it all.
February 24, 2024
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 because the conversations she raises are ones that desperately need to be had in Catholic circles.
First off, I love Lilly’s Instagram feed. Her thoughts and observations and humor are some of my favorite to read and return to. That said, this book suffers from the current trend of rushing a writer from 5-paragraph Instagram captions into 50,000+-word publications. Lilly’s messages and her insights are profound. A better editor would have helped crystallize them.
The book is repetitive and not particularly well-organized. It uses the same metaphors and quotes throughout pages and sections while also barely skimming the surface of relevant and interesting points.
For example, the modesty and reverence discussion is *fantastic* in its messaging and could have been made into its own section three times longer than the current format, where it’s buried within a header of “Personal Style and You.” She discusses problematic quotes from popes in the 1930s but doesn’t explain that the papal documents those quotes came from are not papal documents considered to have infallibility. She also doesn’t contrast the quotes from these popes with quotes from more recent popes.
I’m glad I read it and will continue to follow Lilly’s career, but overall this book felt rushed to press and like I was reading a second draft instead of a final product. I hope there’s a second expanded edition down the road that organizes, condenses, and expands the themes here.
First off, I love Lilly’s Instagram feed. Her thoughts and observations and humor are some of my favorite to read and return to. That said, this book suffers from the current trend of rushing a writer from 5-paragraph Instagram captions into 50,000+-word publications. Lilly’s messages and her insights are profound. A better editor would have helped crystallize them.
The book is repetitive and not particularly well-organized. It uses the same metaphors and quotes throughout pages and sections while also barely skimming the surface of relevant and interesting points.
For example, the modesty and reverence discussion is *fantastic* in its messaging and could have been made into its own section three times longer than the current format, where it’s buried within a header of “Personal Style and You.” She discusses problematic quotes from popes in the 1930s but doesn’t explain that the papal documents those quotes came from are not papal documents considered to have infallibility. She also doesn’t contrast the quotes from these popes with quotes from more recent popes.
I’m glad I read it and will continue to follow Lilly’s career, but overall this book felt rushed to press and like I was reading a second draft instead of a final product. I hope there’s a second expanded edition down the road that organizes, condenses, and expands the themes here.
April 9, 2024
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. It’s a topic I didn’t know I needed. Fallon makes a strong argument for the theology of the body tied to personal style. She focuses in on identity and worth. Also one of the best explanations for modesty that I’ve ever read. It’s refreshing, inspiring, and easy to read. Highly recommend for all Catholic women!
December 13, 2023
Didn’t finish this book, I wanted to like it but it definitely could’ve been an article rather than a whole book. Love the topic however, it was very repetitive.
September 26, 2023
5 stars
To really understand the depth of this, diving beyond the surface of style and fashion, you have to read the book and be open to Catholic Church teaching on the body.
I first came across this book before it was even completed, and so, of course, way before it was published. A Catholic women's online magazine (The Young Catholic Woman) introduced to me to Lillian Fallon's writing through an article she wrote for their second issue of their quarterly journal VIGIL when they still had one before switching to entirely online. The way she talked about style, distinguishing it from fashion, and linking it to Pope St. John Paul II's Theology of the Body deeply connected with me and was all I need to be patiently waiting for this book that she hoped to write. I followed her Instagram and saw her celebrate finishing the manuscript, finding a publisher, sharing a cover, and then announcing the preorder.
I really enjoyed the book, and, without writing an essay on it, there's too much in it to really say in a simple book review. But I recommend reading it! It's short and impactful, and best of all, Catholic!
To really understand the depth of this, diving beyond the surface of style and fashion, you have to read the book and be open to Catholic Church teaching on the body.
I first came across this book before it was even completed, and so, of course, way before it was published. A Catholic women's online magazine (The Young Catholic Woman) introduced to me to Lillian Fallon's writing through an article she wrote for their second issue of their quarterly journal VIGIL when they still had one before switching to entirely online. The way she talked about style, distinguishing it from fashion, and linking it to Pope St. John Paul II's Theology of the Body deeply connected with me and was all I need to be patiently waiting for this book that she hoped to write. I followed her Instagram and saw her celebrate finishing the manuscript, finding a publisher, sharing a cover, and then announcing the preorder.
I really enjoyed the book, and, without writing an essay on it, there's too much in it to really say in a simple book review. But I recommend reading it! It's short and impactful, and best of all, Catholic!
March 7, 2025
As a Catholic who has always appreciated style and putting together outfits for myself and my friends and sister, I found this book to be very motivating, enlightening, and validating of my interests and who I am, especially in regard to self worth and self expression as it pertains to my identity as a child of God and unique body-soul composite created by God. The author’s passion for this project shines through in every section. I found the commentary of all the main points to be well thought out. I also thought the author did a great job describing the nuance that exists in the individuality of each person’s style and reason for dressing a certain way, especially in Part 3. The sources used for the philosophy and theology sections were interesting and utilized well, although I found myself wishing some were further explored out of curiosity and a desire to engage with the text more (but this shall be satisfied by exploring the JPII documents and other original sources).
March 21, 2025
This is a really cool topic to me, but the middle and last part of the book was so difficult for me to get through. I think mainly because it reiterated a lot of things I have read before and are already convinced by. So, I think this is a great book for someone who is entirely new to the TOB topic (it was more TOB than style).
I honestly think it would have been cooler to have made a really visual book -- patterns, colors, shapes, models, real examples!! The information I was hoping to find was on the last couple of pages, so I was a bit disappointed. I do follow Lillian on Instagram, and I always like her posts. I think the book would have been so much more interesting as a visual book. But I also understand that this is important information for people to know. I'd recommend it for younger girls like 15-18.
I honestly think it would have been cooler to have made a really visual book -- patterns, colors, shapes, models, real examples!! The information I was hoping to find was on the last couple of pages, so I was a bit disappointed. I do follow Lillian on Instagram, and I always like her posts. I think the book would have been so much more interesting as a visual book. But I also understand that this is important information for people to know. I'd recommend it for younger girls like 15-18.
November 4, 2023
4.5 stars. Hard to adequately rate this as it is written by a childhood friend. It was a fun read to see into her brain, passion, and faith. As a mother, it is a good read for how to encourage children to see themselves in their clothing choices and have them look inside first before dressing the outside. While, I didn’t agree with everything in this book, it was still a good read, particularly towards the end.
Way to go Lilly! You are an author, and a stylish one at that!
Way to go Lilly! You are an author, and a stylish one at that!
December 11, 2025
This would be a great book for parents and kids to read - her practical explanation of Saint Pope John Paul II 's Theology of the Body - and how personal style is yet another wonderful expression of it... In particular, it is not a rule book - it is a common sense book so you can make your own unique choices!
Her discussion of what modesty is and is not, and her thoughts of how dressing too scantily & completely covered are two sides of the same coin are really thought-provoking....
Her discussion of what modesty is and is not, and her thoughts of how dressing too scantily & completely covered are two sides of the same coin are really thought-provoking....
May 2, 2024
Not a light read, but a compelling argument for developing your personal style! Lillian does a great job integrating the basics of Theology of the Body with her love of fashion to show how style is more than just skin deep.
October 4, 2023
This was overall a pretty good book on fashion and expressing your own personal style as a child of God.
January 19, 2024
Lilly, you’ve done an incredible job with this book and the amount of research is spot on!! A huge shoutout for mentioning lehenga choli, the Indian in me was very happy!! ❤️
February 14, 2025
Read this for a book club. An easy read that leads to good conversation - great for a group of girlies! ❤️💗
“Our identity isn't found in how we look, it's found in how we were made. But we are called to dress in a way that reflects how He made us.”
“Our identity isn't found in how we look, it's found in how we were made. But we are called to dress in a way that reflects how He made us.”
August 25, 2024
Desde mi infancia me ha fascinado la moda. Combinar prendas, ver las tendencias, colores, estampados... Todo con el objetivo de divertirse en el proceso y sentirse preciosa con el resultado. No obstante, en mi camino de fe, me sentía de cuando en cuando al sorprenderme pensando tanto en ropa, pues he llegado a caer en la vanidad, en no comprender el significado de modestia. Y este libro abarca todas estas inquietudes de una manera implacable. Con un testimonio de la autora, quien indaga en estas páginas en la profundidad de la teología del cuerpo de San Juan Pablo II, este libro habla no solo de moda, el límite de la vanidad, sino que también hace una radiografía de los conceptos de modestia y feminidad de una manera no solo comprensible. La autora evade los tópicos y ofrece una versión actual de estos temas y, además, muy humana. Lo recomiendo totalmente.
December 15, 2024
This book was such a beautiful and insightful take on the Catholic view of the human person plus style. Through bitesized pieces of John Paul II's Theology of the Body, Lillian shows how personal style can be a way for us to see God how he sees us. Personal style is meant to bring out the uniqueness of the individual, who God himself created to be unique, she explains, and so when we dress according to our personality and worth, we can connect with our maker.
Fashion is often stereotyped as vain, but Lillian explains that style can be a way to honor our bodies and our maker, revealing our unseen soul. "Personal style is evidence for the human soul," she writes.
Because Catholics understand human beings to be body and soul, clothing has the power to reflect that soul through the body, in the same way that laughter reflects an inner joy an comfort, or tears represent a sorrow and grief, she argues.
She goes back to Adam and Eve and discusses the beauty of femininity and masculinity, and the first biblical use of clothing.
Lillian also discusses the feminity of the Church and Mother Mary, explaining how their outer beauty reflects an inner receptiveness that draws us in, allowing us to make a home.
It's a quick read, but also something you can go back and reflect on. She lays out her argument in a very accessible way, while bringing in theologians like JPII, as well as other philosophers and thinkers. Definitely recommend!
Fashion is often stereotyped as vain, but Lillian explains that style can be a way to honor our bodies and our maker, revealing our unseen soul. "Personal style is evidence for the human soul," she writes.
Because Catholics understand human beings to be body and soul, clothing has the power to reflect that soul through the body, in the same way that laughter reflects an inner joy an comfort, or tears represent a sorrow and grief, she argues.
She goes back to Adam and Eve and discusses the beauty of femininity and masculinity, and the first biblical use of clothing.
Lillian also discusses the feminity of the Church and Mother Mary, explaining how their outer beauty reflects an inner receptiveness that draws us in, allowing us to make a home.
It's a quick read, but also something you can go back and reflect on. She lays out her argument in a very accessible way, while bringing in theologians like JPII, as well as other philosophers and thinkers. Definitely recommend!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews