5 Books You Can Read About the Fashion Industry and Sustainability by The Cozy Stylist

By: Lindsey of The Cozy Stylist Blog

You may have found this post because you want to learn more about how damaging the fashion industry is to our planet, you want to know more about fast fashion and slow fashion, or maybe you are on your own journey of building a sustainable wardrobe. Whatever the reason, you are here because you want to uncover more information about how our clothing is manufactured and ultimately ends up in your closet.

I have a job in fashion. I see firsthand how damaging the industry is to workers, our water and the planet. There is a ton of information on the internet about these issues, but I am assuming you want to know more! I’m glad you have found this post because I believe that the books listed below will help you. They are all books that I own and have personally read at least three times each.

Note: This post includes affiliate links, and I will earn a commission on any sales.

Fashion in the media

If you have already been reading news articles, watching YouTube videos, and/or reading other blog posts about sustainable fashion, I urge you to watch some documentaries as well. My personal favorite is The True Cost on Netflix. It’s an eye-opening film that shows you the very real process of how our clothing is made in third world countries.

Although I know a great deal about fast fashion and how to have an ethical wardrobe, I am still always learning and curious about what is currently going on around the world. I like to read to get a better understanding of other people’s stories on the topic and find out more about the status of the fashion industry.

I’m still super curious about what’s going in the world. I find reading allows me to get a better comprehension of the challenges the fashion industry is facing. So, whether you are just starting on your journey or are an ethical fashionista, here are my six recommendations for must-read books on sustainable fashion.

Wear No Evil by Greta Eagan

This book is one of the best books to read about wanting to change your purchasing habits and your wardrobe. This book will teach you the signs to look for when buying clothing and help you make informed choices. First, she makes us aware of the ugly sides of the fashion industry and why change is needed so badly now. Then, she shows us where our power lies and that we can contribute to eco-friendliness and sustainability by providing a road map for green shopping.

She tells us that just because you want to wear sustainable fashion does not mean that you have to lose your style. Greta provides style tips on how to dress for every event and occasion with ethical clothing choices. There’s also a bonus list at the end of the book that provides numerous names of ethical companies and brands that you buy from.

To Die For by Lucy Siegle

Lucy Siegle believes that it is indeed possible to be an “ethical fashionista,” simply by being aware of how, where, and by whom clothing is manufactured. This is an intense book that will help you understand the global epidemic of unsustainable fashion, taking stock of our economic health and moral accountabilities to expose the pitfalls of fast fashion. Refocusing the debate squarely back on the importance of basic consumer rights, Siegle reveals the truth behind cut price, bulk fashion and the importance of your purchasing decisions, advocating the case for a new sustainable design era where we are assured of value for money: ethically, morally and in real terms.

Overdressed by Elizabeth L. Cline

Cheap fashion has fundamentally changed the way most Americans dress. Stores ranging from discounters like Target to traditional chains like JCPenney now offer the newest trends at unprecedentedly low prices. And we have little reason to keep wearing and repairing the clothes we already own when styles change so fast and it’s cheaper to just buy more. Cline sets out to uncover what we are doing with all these cheap clothes, and more importantly, what are they doing to us, our society, our environment, and our economic well-being.

Slave to Fashion by Safia Minney

You may not know this, but some of the people who made the clothing that you are wearing or have in your closet was made by slaves or hardly paid garment workers in third-world countries. Slave to Fashion will open your eyes the modern slavery in the fashion industry and showcase the dark reality of how your favorite pair of jeans came to be. The book also provides you with practices that consumers like you and major companies can use to help eradicate the problem.

6 Steps to a Sustainable Wardrobe by Summer Edwards

For those of you who have done your research and are ready to take action on creating a sustainable wardrobe, I urge you to read this book. In six easy steps, the book will guide you to change your behavior, desires, and habits. She will raise your awareness of your harmful shopping behaviors and then give you helpful advice on how to declutter and simplify your wardrobe. Finally, she will help you build new habits towards a sustainable and timeless wardrobe. This book gives you definitely a doable “how to” on committing to sustainable fashion and lifestyle.

Lindsey’s thoughts on fast fashion

According to Lucy Siegle, every year around eighty billion pieces of clothing are produced worldwide. Because of fast fashion, we all feel the need to constantly buy new garments and refresh our wardrobes.

Clothing occupies a huge space, not only in your wardrobe but also in garbage bins and recycling centers. And, while recycling is a great option, it is not the solution. In Europe, it would take 12 years to recycle 100 tons of clothes with the current technology. The best and only way to enroll in a sustainable and slow fashion is to buy less and better.

About The Cozy Stylist

Lindsey is the author of Cozy Stylist lifestyle blog that talks about all aspect of fashion, home décor, travel and other lifestyle topics. Follow her on Pinterest! 

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