This “Covers of the Week” highlights hilariously bad fashion choices that make these romance covers look so bad, they’re good–in the best way possible. They’re funny and make us smile.
Theme: Bad Fashion Choices That Are Hilarious
Some romance covers dazzle the spectator with exquisite vintage clothes and gowns. The fabric shimmers, and you can see the intricately designed details. Regrettably, the covers we chose this week are full of amusing fashion faux pas for both men and women.
These bad fashion choices may make us cringe, but they also make us laugh. In a way, they make us appreciate the time and effort that went into designing these covers. So, the next time you come across a romance book with a hilariously bad fashion cover, take a moment to appreciate the cover designer’s sheer ingenuity and daring choices.
These are hilarious to look at, and we hope you enjoy them as much as we did!
Covers
Last week, we got an early start to our Covers of the Week; this week, we’re a little late. Hopefully, these questionable wardrobe decisions will have you smiling.
For Monday, April 10 to Sunday, April 16, 2023, our theme is contemporary romance covers with hilariously bad fashion choices.
From Left to Right, Top to Bottom
- The Hood, Carin Rafferty, Harlequin, 1992, cover artist TBD
- Her: Her short, spikey hairstyle with frosted tips, plus the monochromatic green suit with shoulder pads and pleated Z. Cavaricci pants! That’s peak style from 1986 to 1990, but sadly out-of-style in 1992.
- Him: Slicked-back mullet with curls at the bottom, a pleather biker jacket, and the tears in his jeans are in just the right spots. But his hand are in his pockets–and still no bulge?
- Days to Remember, Donna Grundam, Dell, 1984, cover artist TBD
- That heroine is staring in awe at the hero. It’s probably because she hasn’t seen a White dude rocking a ‘fro like that since Bob Ross. And it’s flowing in the wind! But where’s the stache to complete the look?
- Business As Usual, Linda Wisdom, Silhouette, 1984, Robert A. Maguire cover art
- I love how this guy accessorizes. The matching green headband and wristband and the teeny running shorts are sharp. The mustache is just the chef’s kiss! But without a matted pelt of hair on his chest, it’s missing something, don’t you think?
- Emily’s Daughter, Linda Warren, Harlequin, 2001, James Griffin cover art
- The poofy veil that keeps going, the floral overskirt, the long lacy underskirt… How could a wedding dress that’s not from the 1980s go so horribly wrong? Maybe Emily’s daughter designed the gown? It looks like something a tween would come up with.
Your Opinion?
What do you think of this week’s theme of hilariously bad fashion mistakes on contemporary romance covers? What’s your favorite “worst” look?
Do you have a recommendation for a future Covers of the Week theme? Let us know, and we’ll try it out.
As always, please drop a comment, and let’s talk romance.
I won’t swear on a stack of holy books, but I seem to recall hearing or reading somewhere that the horrific wedding dress on the cover of Emily’s Daughter was part of some reader contest Harlequin ran at the time? Yep, a reader designed the dress and yes, that was the winning entry. Supposedly. Again, I don’t entirely trust my memory on this one…
Oh my. The headband guy is so horrific, I can’t even stand to look at the cover. But that wedding dress is fascinating in its hideousness.