What to Wear and Why: Your Guilt-Free Guide to Sustainable Fashion

by Tiffanie Darke

It's time to rethink what clothes we buy, wear, and toss out, knowing that we can have a positive environmental impact while still looking good and dressing well. Reportedly, the clothing industry produces 80 billion garments a year, employs 15 percent of the world's population, exploits labor, and seriously pollutes the environment. However, we as consumers have the power to make a difference with the clothing choices we make. In What to Wear and Why, top fashion writer turned sustainability activist Tiffanie Darke sheds light on the unsustainable practices and immense environmental impact of the fashion industry and presents a compelling argument for why transformative change is urgently needed. Drawing on her extensive fashion experience and expertise, Darke offers practical guidance on how we as consumers can make a difference in the industry's environmental impact. What to Wear and Why also celebrates those who are already doing so, from environmental activists to sustainable fashion pioneers, giving us examples of how fashion sustainability can work in the real world. Whether you're a fashionista who cares passionately about sustainability, an environmental advocate seeking to learn more about the impact of fashion, or simply someone who wants to be a part of the change, What to Wear and Why is your go-to guide to a more sustainable future.

Genres: Fashion, Nonfiction

262 pages, Hardcover

Published September 3, 2024

Reviews

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Frankly, while the statistics in this book are helpful, and the information about how different fabrics are made is useful, it is both too broad and to specific to be that interesting.

Firstly, it really covers the whole spectrum of clothing, from agriculture to recycling. The issue here is that nothing is explored at any real depth, which leads to more questions that answers - if the carbon offset program is “broken” as the authors describes, what would allow folks to fix it? Or, if it is the consumers job to ask questions of the companies from which they buy their clothing, how can they know who to trust, and who does the author see as trustworthy? If we are supposed to wash our clothing less to prevent microplastics, are there also clothing wash methods that would help this?

But then, it’s also very very specific, both to US modes of living and to a level of fashion consumption that really doesn’t reflect the lives of anyone I know (the most common “new” place to buy clothing among the people I tend to talk to is either thrift stores, Costco or quince, none of which are mentioned). It expects a level of consumption, disposable income and fashion interest that just isn’t reflected in the daily lives of most people I know.

And the idea that we should be drying only one in 6 or 8 of our loads on the line is ridiculous and US centric - there is no reason why we can line/rack dry the majority of our laundry as they do in places like the UK.

Overall, while I found a lot of in the information interesting, I found myself skipping past her recommendations and suggestions because they almost never felt relevant to my life.

Also, it’s fashion, and therefore it needs more pictures.

[eyes.2c · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Carrie Bradshaw has a lot to answer for”

Darke has nailed it with this look at overconsumption of fashion, the ginormous amount of waste, greenhouse gas emissions, products made from materials that won’t disappear for years, slave labor in places like China and Bangladesh, and us as consumers mindlessly buying more and more with little thought to the impact on the world.
Time to fess up. I’m a hoarder. I have vintage clothes collected in the 70’s, clothing I adore that I can’t use and find hard to give away. I did find a home for a 50’s dress I loved, but that’s just one piece. How to repurpose clothing I don’t want to see dumped in Africa. That wonderful slashed to the waist velvet ball gown, and bolero jacket cut on the bias that had been a friend’s grandmother’s worn at a mayoral ball in the early 1900’s. I can’t let that go to someone who won’t love it. Yes, in the 70’s I wore it and felt fabulous.
I’ve taken a stand and won’t buy directly from Shein or Temu, supported by questionable labor and the People’s Republic of China. If you think world trade domination is not their focus I have news for you.
But what about Bangladesh, the horrific fire of Dhaka, that brought into focus what our grab for fashion, our throw away fashion knockoffs, is doing on a global scale.
I underlined so much of this book it looked like a redacted Wikileaks pages. That was before shoes even raised their head. Oh my 🤦‍♀️
My question to myself is I know what Darke is saying, I applaud her research and agree, so can I act on it or am I, like Carrie Bradshaw, going to ignore the ugly underbelly, the truth of the fashion industry. Can I reclaim an ethical stance? It’s not about guilt, it’s about the well being of our planet, and I might go further to say the stewardship given to us of this wonderful world that we humans seem bent on destroying. Capitalism and communism are seemingly aligned on this overwhelming production of clothing, although each comes from a very different perspective.
Maybe I can start with what doesn’t fit me anymore. Ouch! That will hurt! Do I need ten various track pants, joggers? No, but can I wean myself away from the insidious hold textiles and clothing exerts on me. I’m like a smoker or gambler trying to give up bad habits. It’s hard,
I’m trying to take Tiffanie Darke’s words to heart because I do care about workers and their rights, I do care about the environment and waste, about the biodegradability of products.
So to say Darke’s thesis is thought provoking is for me very true. Ironically, in the words of Nike, we all need to Just Do It!

A 1517 Media—Broadleaf ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change

[Amy]

The writing is fun and approachable. Lots of helpful info on the various man made fabrics. If you are into fashion, this book is a worthwhile read.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so clearly topical and relevant. I cannot think of a single friend or family member who would not benefit from this read. Darke has given me so much to consider, ponder and evaluate. Thank you for this opportunity to consider my impact on my world - the world I want to pass to my children and grandchildren! Great mind opening, thought provoking read!

[Genevieve Andersen · Rating 4 out of 5]

If everyone read this book we’d be a lot better off

[dylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Begging everyone to read this book.

[Martha D'Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes felt a little too redundant with her info and all the sustainable brands she suggested are pretty pricey for the average consumer, but besides that, such an eye opening book to the consumer culture of fashion in first world countries. An important perspective shift for my future clothes buying.

[JoAnna · Rating 1 out of 5]

There were some interesting facts and ideas scattered throughout the book, but overall this was hard to read. The author is clearly not used to long-form writing. The research was pretty surface-level, too.

This is yet another book that could have been a blog series.

[Diana Cramer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eye-opening

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Public library copy

I've read a number of books on the environmental impact of fashion (Thomas' Fashionopolis and Haninson’s Fashion Conscious: Change the World with a Change of Clothes, among others), but the title of this made me think it would have more tips on How To find things to wear with less ecological impact. It might have, but only for people who are MUCH more into spending vast amounts of money on clothing. The target audience of this isn't people who buy their clothes at Kohls; it's people who spend $1,000 or more on handbags and who rent evening wear. If I ever spent $1,000 on anything, I would expect to live in it or at least be able to drive it around the block.

Some decent information on the fashion industry and how damaging it is to the environment, but there weren't any really helpful tips that I didn't already know. I have clothes that are older than a lot of the people with whom I work, so it was horrible to read that the average number of times a garment is worn before being discarded is less than ten. Unbelievable.

Take a look at this if you haven't read much and want an overview, or if you have ever rented clothing.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve been wearing mostly wool for the last year or so and I am familiar with the concepts of sustainability that are mentioned in the book. I will admit I started wearing wool because I thought the dress was cute and not to limit my purchases of “fast fashion”, though that has been an unintended consequence of the wool purchases. A lot of research went into this book, and, at times, it can be dry, but the overall message is a good one – we’re creating a lot more waste than we can deal with. Is changing our habits and purchases something that is achievable? Maybe, but it’s not cheap and not as easy to do as it seems, particularly if you have a larger household, but small steps can make a difference. This was an interesting read and I recommend it to anyone who worries about their carbon footprint or wants to know more about sustainability.



I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.

[Rebecca Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok. Found some good tidbits of information & ways to challenge or remind myself to make certain lifestyle adjustments around fashion. I should do better at being more fiscally & environmentally responsible. I’ve already taken action on some of the recommendations like clothing swapping, tailoring to extend the life of my clothes, limiting my new clothing purchases, selling or swapping instead of donating. I’m looking forward to being more mindful of the life of clothing.

I did view this as having a bit of unnecessary fear-mongering sprinkled in. And at times the information provided felt a bit forced. It really could have been about 1/2-2/3 of the content & been just as or more impactful. Also some historic references were inaccurate (like saying the first time the world really sat up and noticed poorly paid women in the fashion industry was in 2013…), but that could possibly have been due to cultural differences since the author is in UK & I’m in USA.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars, rounded up to 3. No new info here…a discussion of the rise of fast fashion, our need as a society to scale back our consumption, a few interesting bits about companies who are actually creating sustainable products. The unsettling bit was that clothing of mixed fibers (cotton + polyester, for example) can’t be recycled/broken down and reused! Otherwise, she’s preaching to the choir. I get tired of the struggle to buy clothing without spandex or other synthetic materials, and have long been of the notion that I should buy the best I can afford and keep it long-term.

A side note: As a retired librarian, and one who frequently repaired books, I was pleased to see this volume was bound as sewn pages instead of glued together!

[Krista | theliterateporcupine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great Introductory look at the fashion industry from a minimalist, sustainable, and conscious approach. I've read and listened to dozens of podcasts on this topic, so some of the information wasn't new to me, but there were several points that I found interesting and Well-presented. I liked the practical guides to cutting back on fast fashion, reminders on the importance of valuing your clothes, shopping secondhand, and mending quality pieces because it's easy to forget that in the moment.

[Maude · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're already familiar with the concepts of sustainability and fast fashion / slow fashion, you might not learn a lot from this book. If these words are new to you, however, you'll definitely enjoy this! The writing style is quite simple and easy to read, and it makes for a nice beginner's guide to sustainable fashion.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Tara Mixon · Rating 3 out of 5]

As others have stated, this book is both fascinating and a dead end. I appreciated learning about some of fashions history, and how it’s evolved into our current over production, poor quality and deep impacts. It wasn’t a clear checklist on how to be a better consumer, but it was definitely eye opening. I know I’ll be more mindful about my purchases going forward.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't at all what I thought it was. It is NOT a guide to items to wear (the What); it IS a guide to fashion history and fabrics (the Why). There is a one page chart of workable wardrobe size and another brief mention of best items to thrift, but most of it is the history of fabrics. Interesting enough but not at all what the title lead me to expect.

[Nick Salenga · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book on your go-to guide to more sustainable future whether you’re fashionista who cares passionately about sustainability, environmental advocate seeking to learn more about impact of fashion, or simply someone who wants to be part of change.

[Araya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Arc Review
Overall Rating: 3 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️

I think that the information and statistics in this book were useful but we’re very broad not making it that interesting and unique.

Thank you NetGalley for this read.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast, sometimes overwhelming, read about sustainability, fashion, and clothing. I appreciate the emphasis on buying and consuming less and Darke’s detailed breakdowns of what actually often happens to “recycled” and donated clothing.

[Mary Dent · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re looking for inspiration to curate your wardrobe and save the planet simultaneously, this is the book to read. A former fashion editor exposes the best and worst practices in the fashion industry, setting an example for those of us who care about looking good, responsibly.

[Sigrid Reymond · Rating 4 out of 5]

informative for fashion lovers everywhere

If you haven’t read about the ecological impacts of fashion and the part normal people can play at reducing them, then read this book.

[Lois Peterson]

746.92 D248W

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really interesting and informative look at the clothing (fashion) industry and what the real costs of cheap clothing are. Makes you rethink any quick shopping fix!

[Melissa]

So repetitive.

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good hints.

[LibrariAnne · Rating 2 out of 5]

More of an essay on why to wear sustainable clothing, not a guide to what to wear.

[Anja Konter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful overview of the current fashion climate, sustainability initiatives and the complexities of those. Also contains practical tips for consumers and what we can do to become more sustainable.