In her first book, Overdressed, journalist Elizabeth L. Cline took a hard look at the fast-fashion industry and its high (often hidden) costs for consumers, clothing factory workers and the environment. Seven years later, she's back to share further insights on shopping sustainably--and how it can lead to looking better and saving money. The Conscious Closet, Cline's second book, is a smart, practical successor to Overdressed and a helpful primer on ethical fashion.
Cline begins with a "conscious-closet cleanout," urging readers to purge their closets and send their old clothes where they'll do some good. She sings the praises of clothing swaps and resale sites, and reminds readers to do their research before dropping their bags of castoffs into a bin or at a thrift store. Cline herself loves the thrill of both buying and selling secondhand items, though she admits it's not for everyone. But she does believe all shoppers can dispose of unwanted items in an ethical, responsible manner.
Once the closet cleanout is done, Cline moves on to "The Art of Less," which, not surprisingly, lays out strategies for buying fewer pieces and shopping more mindfully. "Everyone should be at least a little bit of a freak for fabric," she says, taking the time to lay out the origins, vital properties and drawbacks of seven key materials. She also covers other facets of garment quality, such as construction, fit and even warranty, providing a "quality cheat sheet" for readers to use on their own.
The next section, in a counterintuitive twist, is "The Art of More." This is where Cline indulges both her inner bargain hunter and her deep delight in bold statement pieces. She explores wardrobe rental services such as Rent the Runway and consignment sites like ThredUP, and reminds readers of the potential delights of good old-fashioned thrifting. She then turns her attention to truly sustainable fashion and its related habits: washing clothes less often and more gently, maintaining garments with basic skills (or calling in the pros), and supporting brands that make their clothes ethically and--crucially--pay their workers a living wage. Each section features a q&a or two with fashion industry professionals who speak about buying quality garments, giving old clothes a second life or taking a stand against sweatshops.
Practical, informative and fun, The Conscious Closet provides a plethora of helpful tips, sustainable brands to check out, and solid advice on not only shopping more ethically, but buying higher-quality clothes that will last. --Katie Noah Gibson, blogger at Cakes, Tea and Dreams
Shelf Talker: Elizabeth L. Cline's second book is a fun, informative guide to sustainable fashion and more mindful shopping.