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Fashionopolis (Young Readers Edition): The Secrets Behind the Clothes We Wear
A look at fast fashion and its impact on the environment and social justice, perfect for middle grade classrooms, now available in paperback
Did you ever think about where your jeans come from? How about the people who made your T-shirt, or what happens to the clothes you grow out of when you're done wearing them? The fabrics clothes are made of, the way they are designed and sewn and shipped around the world, and the way we consume them and get rid of them—every step in this process has a big impact on our environment, on the people who work in clothing factories, and on our culture. This nonfiction book shows us how the clothes we wear—and throw away—every day are made, and what that means for our planet and for people around the world.
Did you ever think about where your jeans come from? How about the people who made your T-shirt, or what happens to the clothes you grow out of when you're done wearing them? The fabrics clothes are made of, the way they are designed and sewn and shipped around the world, and the way we consume them and get rid of them—every step in this process has a big impact on our environment, on the people who work in clothing factories, and on our culture. This nonfiction book shows us how the clothes we wear—and throw away—every day are made, and what that means for our planet and for people around the world.
208 pages, Paperback
Published March 26, 2024
8 people are currently reading
166 people want to read
About the author
Dana Thomas
77 books119 followersDana Thomas is the author of Fashionopolis: The Price of Fast Fashion and the Future of Clothes, Gods and Kings: The Rise and Fall of Alexander McQueen and John Galliano, and the New York Times bestseller Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster, all published by Penguin Press. She began her career writing for the Style section of The Washington Post, and for fifteen years she served as a cultural and fashion correspondent for Newsweek in Paris. She is a regular contributor to The New York Times Style section and has written for The New York Times Magazine, The New Yorker, The Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times, Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, T: The New York Times Style Magazine, and Architectural Digest. In 1987, she received the Sigma Delta Chi Foundation’s Ellis Haller Award for Outstanding Achievement in Journalism. In 2016, the French Minister of Culture named Thomas a Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters. She lives in Paris.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 6, 2024
Brought up some really great information about environmental and human rights concerns in the fashion industry in a way that's accessible for elementary and middle grade readers.
Only issues were with the audiobook recording, which I borrowed from my school library. There were two tracks that repeated previous chapters, which was weird and left me wondering if I was missing two real tracks. Also, it's an audiobook, but the narrator read the pronunciation guides (which occurred frequently) even though she'd already read the word correctly, which ended up being incredibly annoying and redundant.
Only issues were with the audiobook recording, which I borrowed from my school library. There were two tracks that repeated previous chapters, which was weird and left me wondering if I was missing two real tracks. Also, it's an audiobook, but the narrator read the pronunciation guides (which occurred frequently) even though she'd already read the word correctly, which ended up being incredibly annoying and redundant.
March 16, 2025
Amazing! Makes me think twice about buying clothes and what to embrace for sustainability. I appreciated that the subtle offered several options or models of ways to save our earth and communities through fashion decision. Written clear, quick read with high impact
April 18, 2022
An important book for all readers interested in fashion and those committed to help save our planet, Fashionopolis looks at the chain that produces the cotton, silk or other fabrics, the dyers, the designers: haute couture, ready-to wear, fast fashion and reused clothing.
Most people don't know the amount of effort it takes to get the clothes they buy to the rack in the stores where they shop. Young readers will be surprised at the amount of clothing that is thrown out and ends up in our landfills. Did you know some synthetic clothes like polyester, will take at least five hundred years to decompose or that one in every nine workers works in the clothing industry?
Dana Thomas delivers facts and information to young readers that will get them thinking about the clothes they wear and what they can do to help stop contributing to landfills. What happens when there's no more room for landfills? The time is now to shop wisely, buy what you need, use it, donate it or trade it.
Sweatshops in third world countries produce much of America's clothing. Next time you buy something, look at the label. It likely will say "made in China," "made in India," or "made in Bangladesh." Foreign factories are free to set their own work hours and conditions. Pay is so low for a day's work that it's a crime. America's clothing factories are supposed to be regulated in conditions and hours, but again, the pay for a day's work is not a living wage and conditions are likely to be poor.
Thomas includes ideas for young people and their families to practice: including trading clothes with friends, washing your clothes less frequently; for example, if you wear a pair of jeans one time, chances are they're not dirty unless you spilled something on them. Other ideas include: fixing your clothes instead of tossing them out. If it's a small tear or missing button, it can be easily fixed at home. An idea anyone can practice is: use cloth tote bags when buying groceries and other things. Don't use the plastic bags from the store. Donate your clothes to Good Will or other charity. By changing a few things about the way we shop, what we buy and what we throw away, we'll be doing our part to improve our planet.
Highly recommended grade 6 and up.
Most people don't know the amount of effort it takes to get the clothes they buy to the rack in the stores where they shop. Young readers will be surprised at the amount of clothing that is thrown out and ends up in our landfills. Did you know some synthetic clothes like polyester, will take at least five hundred years to decompose or that one in every nine workers works in the clothing industry?
Dana Thomas delivers facts and information to young readers that will get them thinking about the clothes they wear and what they can do to help stop contributing to landfills. What happens when there's no more room for landfills? The time is now to shop wisely, buy what you need, use it, donate it or trade it.
Sweatshops in third world countries produce much of America's clothing. Next time you buy something, look at the label. It likely will say "made in China," "made in India," or "made in Bangladesh." Foreign factories are free to set their own work hours and conditions. Pay is so low for a day's work that it's a crime. America's clothing factories are supposed to be regulated in conditions and hours, but again, the pay for a day's work is not a living wage and conditions are likely to be poor.
Thomas includes ideas for young people and their families to practice: including trading clothes with friends, washing your clothes less frequently; for example, if you wear a pair of jeans one time, chances are they're not dirty unless you spilled something on them. Other ideas include: fixing your clothes instead of tossing them out. If it's a small tear or missing button, it can be easily fixed at home. An idea anyone can practice is: use cloth tote bags when buying groceries and other things. Don't use the plastic bags from the store. Donate your clothes to Good Will or other charity. By changing a few things about the way we shop, what we buy and what we throw away, we'll be doing our part to improve our planet.
Highly recommended grade 6 and up.
May 15, 2024
I didn’t know I borrowed the young readers version, but I read it anyways. Unfortunately, it felt very surface level. One instance really bothered me - the author talks about cotton picking, and talks about how great it was that the cotton for one brand was hand-picked, versus by a machine…ARE WE REALLY GOING TO GLOSS OVER SLAVERY!?
October 26, 2022
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
I find fashion fascinating. Frustrating, but fascinating. I’ve never really moved past the Seventeen Magazine August, 1982 edition in the way I dress, which is probably why I had no idea that in the 1990s, the fashion industry changed so drastically, with “fast fashion” taking over. (I’ve never even heard of Zara.) Luckily, that was about the time that I started buying all of my clothes at thrift stores.
In this young readers’ edition of the 2019 adult nonfiction book, we get a good overview of the history of the fashion industry, and descriptions of how it has changed over time. These changes are not usually good for workers and the environment, but there is some light at the end of the turtleneck. A lot of excellent concepts like supply change and mass production are described for readers who might have a very faint idea of what these are.
Considering that in 1980, 70% of the clothing bought in the US was made here, and that figure is now under ten percent, there has been a huge shift in the way clothing is made, transported, and even worn and discarded. Companies like Levi’s, who for many years centered itself on local philanthropy, discarded these practices and moved manufacturing to developing nations where conditions were horrific for workers and wages were low. While this company has tried to return to better practices, many companies have not.
This book deftly mixes historical statistics with interesting interviews with people involved in the fashion industry. From company owners like Natalie Chanin in Alabama who practices local sourcing for everything involved in producing her products to Sarah Bellos, who grows indigo, to fashion designers like Stella McCartney, Thomas uses her contacts in the fashion industry to delve into a large number of topics and show how the fashion industry could be more sustainable and better for workers.
There are so many interesting things in this book that it is hard to list them all. The writing style was quick and engaging, and my only small quibble is that, for younger readers, it would have been nice to have a few more pictures. The tips at the end on how readers can change their habits in order to effect changes are fantastic. Pair this with Klymkiw’s and Haninson’s Fashion Conscious: Change the World with a Change of Clothes, which has a bit more information about mending and creating clothing.
Middle school students, especially now, are not terribly concerned with fashion, and are usually a bit more concerned with the environment. That makes Fashionopolis a great choice for young readers, so that they can understand what goes into the manufacturing of clothing and how this impacts both people and the environment before social media lures them into the culture of consumerism.
I find fashion fascinating. Frustrating, but fascinating. I’ve never really moved past the Seventeen Magazine August, 1982 edition in the way I dress, which is probably why I had no idea that in the 1990s, the fashion industry changed so drastically, with “fast fashion” taking over. (I’ve never even heard of Zara.) Luckily, that was about the time that I started buying all of my clothes at thrift stores.
In this young readers’ edition of the 2019 adult nonfiction book, we get a good overview of the history of the fashion industry, and descriptions of how it has changed over time. These changes are not usually good for workers and the environment, but there is some light at the end of the turtleneck. A lot of excellent concepts like supply change and mass production are described for readers who might have a very faint idea of what these are.
Considering that in 1980, 70% of the clothing bought in the US was made here, and that figure is now under ten percent, there has been a huge shift in the way clothing is made, transported, and even worn and discarded. Companies like Levi’s, who for many years centered itself on local philanthropy, discarded these practices and moved manufacturing to developing nations where conditions were horrific for workers and wages were low. While this company has tried to return to better practices, many companies have not.
This book deftly mixes historical statistics with interesting interviews with people involved in the fashion industry. From company owners like Natalie Chanin in Alabama who practices local sourcing for everything involved in producing her products to Sarah Bellos, who grows indigo, to fashion designers like Stella McCartney, Thomas uses her contacts in the fashion industry to delve into a large number of topics and show how the fashion industry could be more sustainable and better for workers.
There are so many interesting things in this book that it is hard to list them all. The writing style was quick and engaging, and my only small quibble is that, for younger readers, it would have been nice to have a few more pictures. The tips at the end on how readers can change their habits in order to effect changes are fantastic. Pair this with Klymkiw’s and Haninson’s Fashion Conscious: Change the World with a Change of Clothes, which has a bit more information about mending and creating clothing.
Middle school students, especially now, are not terribly concerned with fashion, and are usually a bit more concerned with the environment. That makes Fashionopolis a great choice for young readers, so that they can understand what goes into the manufacturing of clothing and how this impacts both people and the environment before social media lures them into the culture of consumerism.
August 4, 2025
I didn’t set out to read the young readers edition of Fashionopolis, but, despite the annoyingly condescending tone (yes, I know it’s written for children, but, really, do we have to speak so condescendingly to children??), I'm ultimately glad I read this blessedly abbreviated version of the book as I don’t think I could handle any more of this neoliberalist tripe.
If you’re planning on reading this book, I would recommend reading the first three chapters which describes the major issues with the fast fashion industry, those being 1) waste (pollution in clothing production, pollution in transporting clothing and materials used in making clothing, and disposal of clothes in general), 2) unsafe working conditions for those who work in fashion sweatshops, factories, farms, etc., and 3) exploitation of those who work in said sweatshops, factories, farms etc.
The rest of the book consists in kissing the asses of fashion businesses and world governments. Um, the government is not coming to save you, particularly not the fascist U.S. government, and businesses are definitely not going to save you. The reality is, the fashion industry should not be producing any more clothing. Like, at all. The earth already has enough clothing to go around.
Please research fast fashion, but don’t fall for neoliberalist propaganda.
If you’re planning on reading this book, I would recommend reading the first three chapters which describes the major issues with the fast fashion industry, those being 1) waste (pollution in clothing production, pollution in transporting clothing and materials used in making clothing, and disposal of clothes in general), 2) unsafe working conditions for those who work in fashion sweatshops, factories, farms, etc., and 3) exploitation of those who work in said sweatshops, factories, farms etc.
The rest of the book consists in kissing the asses of fashion businesses and world governments. Um, the government is not coming to save you, particularly not the fascist U.S. government, and businesses are definitely not going to save you. The reality is, the fashion industry should not be producing any more clothing. Like, at all. The earth already has enough clothing to go around.
Please research fast fashion, but don’t fall for neoliberalist propaganda.
November 6, 2022
I sometimes find that re-issues of adult nonfiction for young readers is absolutely brilliant and even reads as if it should have begun for that audience. In this case, the quality follows a more usual track, meaning that the complexity of an adult subject/research is made accessible, but works best with a very specific interested audience and/or discussions led by a knowledgeable person.
This is a must-read for teachers and librarians who are often aware of young people (males and females) who see themselves as influencers, tik-tok stars, fashion designers, trendsetters, etc. They can pursue those goals more effectively and responsibly by having an informed knowledge base about the socio-political forces at work behind the fashion industry, as well as the consequences of fast-fashion.
This not only traces those elements, economics, and social shifts over time, but also engages with change-makers who are generating planet-friendly solutions for the future. This would be a tremendous recommended reading ( or main text) for use in garment classes, environmental studies, planet-protection groups, etc.
This is a must-read for teachers and librarians who are often aware of young people (males and females) who see themselves as influencers, tik-tok stars, fashion designers, trendsetters, etc. They can pursue those goals more effectively and responsibly by having an informed knowledge base about the socio-political forces at work behind the fashion industry, as well as the consequences of fast-fashion.
This not only traces those elements, economics, and social shifts over time, but also engages with change-makers who are generating planet-friendly solutions for the future. This would be a tremendous recommended reading ( or main text) for use in garment classes, environmental studies, planet-protection groups, etc.
September 7, 2024
Great read! I think Thomas does a wonderful job of highlighting the issue of fast fashion with multiple examples including both anecdotes and statistics. Then she does the same as she explores different ways in which the system can be changed. I like that she spends much more time on systemic solutions rather than consumer ones. And I think she also did a great job curbing a very depressing topic by highlighting the ways in which changes are already happening.
I find it interesting that this is marketed as “Young Readers” edition. It was pretty meaty! Even as a college-educated adult, I actually appreciated the clarity, the helpful pronunciation tips, and the lack of assumption that the reader is already informed on concepts like supply chains. Maybe instead of differentiating based on age, these types of books should be differentiated based on knowledge level. The adult version could be for “Enthusiasts” and this version could be “101” or something similar.
I find it interesting that this is marketed as “Young Readers” edition. It was pretty meaty! Even as a college-educated adult, I actually appreciated the clarity, the helpful pronunciation tips, and the lack of assumption that the reader is already informed on concepts like supply chains. Maybe instead of differentiating based on age, these types of books should be differentiated based on knowledge level. The adult version could be for “Enthusiasts” and this version could be “101” or something similar.
November 4, 2022
This was an interesting look at the seamy underside of the fashion industry, but I kept bumping up against unexamined axioms. Like, I don't think all jobs belong in the US -- a factory moving somewhere else isn't necessarily a bad thing, and free trade does a lot more good than bad. Sometimes it's nice to have cheaper things! Yet there the text assures me that prices won't drop, just evil corporations will rake in more profit. Except when they go bankrupt.
So I'd be reading along, enjoying learning about colored cotton or bad faith standards in Vietnamese factories, and suddenly I'd see something that I didn't really trust and it would kind of spoil things. Maybe I'd like the original version better.
So I'd be reading along, enjoying learning about colored cotton or bad faith standards in Vietnamese factories, and suddenly I'd see something that I didn't really trust and it would kind of spoil things. Maybe I'd like the original version better.
March 5, 2022
I did learn things and the book could be a starting point for someone not currently political at all, but the proposed solutions are myopic and underwhelming. For the most part, we're basically encouraged to reduce, reuse, and recycle--an odd response after the author (although I'm not sure how faithful the adaptation is to the original) has laid out the problem has a lot to do with corporate greed and NAFTA.
June 28, 2024
Very interesting book. I learned a lot. I plan to read the full version as well to see what they left out of this one. One of the statistics that surprised me the most is that apparently an article of clothing is worn about 7 times before being discarded! One of the big things the book suggests people do is wear clothes longer. If everyone did that it would make a big difference and it is so simple everyone can do it!
June 20, 2022
Very readable and interesting journey into the fashion industry, past, present, and future. Fabric production and dying, sewing and manufacturing, and design are all examined closely with regards to sustainability and ethics. Tips at the end offer young readers (and more mature ha ha) opportunities to change the way we purchase and wear clothing.
February 26, 2023
Story of Stuff would love this book, and so do I.
Things do not magically appear on shelves -- there are great deals of suffering and ruining behind *very much of it*
With some good thinking and less impulsiveness, things could be better for everyone everywhere. Evening out power is a start consumers can make
Things do not magically appear on shelves -- there are great deals of suffering and ruining behind *very much of it*
With some good thinking and less impulsiveness, things could be better for everyone everywhere. Evening out power is a start consumers can make
May 6, 2023
This was an eye-opening look at the fashion industry and the harm that fast-fashion is doing to people and the environment. The young readers version does a good job of explaining things in detail, but not so much detail to make it boring. Highly recommended for ages 10+, especially those interested in fashion and the environment.
April 8, 2024
Very fascinating book. I was very interested as I read about fashion and the impacts it has on the environment and the people making clothes and fabrics. I like the idea of circular fashion. Since this is a YRE I felt like a little more info on how to recycle clothes or where to buy inexpensive but better brands would be useful. Overall good read and I’m curious to learn more.
May 12, 2023
Who is the audience? 50 copies in the library consortium, none checked out. The copy with the highest circulation count has 2. Perhaps better incorporated into a classroom.
Very bland. It could have been a vibrant book with great pictures and illustrations, but instead it is text heavy.
Very bland. It could have been a vibrant book with great pictures and illustrations, but instead it is text heavy.
March 24, 2022
I learned so much about how the clothing industry affects the environment. As consumers we need to be conscious of sustainable and circular choices with fashion.
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September 11, 2024changed my perspective on EVERYTHING
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April 24, 20252025A-Interesting to me, but unsure if middle schoolers would find intriguing.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews