“We need to see the workers of the fashion industry as the whole people that they are and, just like when you eat a meal at a restaurant knowing someone took the time to prepare it, and made it special for you, we should do the same with every piece of clothing that we own.”

Over my years of Dressember advocacy, I’ve learned more about the fashion industry and what goes into my clothes. My biggest lifestyle change has been to almost entirely halt my clothing purchases and wear what I own, which is more than enough and certainly a privilege. What do you do when you love clothing, but you know the industry is broken? Worn Out is a great overview of how fashion is a complex industry in need of reform in ethical practices, environmental sustainability, and legislation. The consumer, corporation, and lawmaker all need to play a role in reforming fashion.

The author comes from a background of reporting and editing in the fashion industry, and for much of the book, I had a hard time with that perspective because it seemed like she benefited from the industry (free clothes, tickets to runway shows) even though she witnessed exploitative behavior on so many levels (abuse of power, inhumane working conditions). Eventually, she left her editorial corporate jobs, and I think she holds the tension well. She loves fashion, and she wants to make it better, and I respect that.