Undressed

by Susan Sainsbury

Undressed is a series of linked stories from one woman's life, highlighting how she expresses her ideas and personality through her clothes. It deals with social issues, including the pressure to conform, and the need the express ourselves as individuals through what we wear. The stories demonstrate how clothes can both mask and reveal our identities.

Kindle Edition

Published September 9, 2024

Reviews

[Bruna Martini · Rating 3 out of 5]

A remarkably consistent book that uses the clothes the author wore, loved, and made as a thread through the different phases of her life. It’s striking how much a single garment can reveal about someone’s personality and experiences. Beneath the light, conversational tone, the narrative brushes against deeper themes: feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, faltering relationships, even moments of harassment. I found myself wishing these threads were pulled tighter and explored more fully, but the book always returns to its central focus: the clothes. Still, it’s an original approach, delivered with a simple yet appealing graphic style that makes the reading experience both fresh and engaging.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tenderly illustrated memoir told through the lens of a lifetime of outfits. I especially related to the scene in the attic where Debbie stashes clothes she might one day fit into again, or that carry sentimental value, or that she’s been meaning to haul off to the thrift store (or maybe just dump in the donation bin behind Home Depot). As a model, seamstress, and fashion illustrator, clothes played an even bigger role in the eras of her life, but the emotional weight they carry will resonate with anyone who’s ever held onto a dress for reasons that go far beyond fabric.

[Averil *rat emoji* · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a slight disconnect here because the art style is so modern but the story is set in the 1940s, so it’s a bit odd having this cutesy art show some pretty horrific circumstances. Regardless, it was a nice story, looking at a girl to woman’s journey through her clothing.