Worn Stories

by Emily Spivack

The New York Times–bestselling volume of mini-memoirs exploring the personal histories we carry in treasured articles of clothing—now a Netflix docuseries.

Everyone has a memoir in miniature in at least one piece of clothing. In Worn Stories, Emily Spivack has collected over sixty of these clothing-inspired narratives from cultural figures and talented storytellers. First-person accounts range from the everyday to the extraordinary, such as artist Marina Abramovic on the boots she wore to walk the Great Wall of China; musician Rosanne Cash on the purple shirt that belonged to her father; and fashion designer Cynthia Rowley on the Girl Scout sash that informed her business acumen.

Other contributors include Greta Gerwig, Heidi Julavits, John Hodgman, Brandi Chastain, Marcus Samuelsson, Piper Kerman, Maira Kalman, Sasha Frere-Jones, Simon Doonan, Albert Maysles, Susan Orlean, Andy Spade, Paola Antonelli, David Carr, Andrew Kuo, and more. By turns funny, tragic, poignant, and celebratory, Worn Stories offers a revealing look at the clothes that protect us, serve as a uniform, assert our identity, or bring back the past—clothes that are encoded with the stories of our lives.

Genres: Nonfiction, Fashion, Essays, Memoir, Short Stories, Biography, Biography Memoir

200 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 26, 2014

About the author

Emily Spivack’s work spans culture, fashion, and social innovation. She has spent the past ten years exploring the way that clothing functions from a variety of cultural, historical, and therapeutic perspectives. For six years, she was the Executive Director of Shop Well with You, a New York-based national not-for-profit organization she founded which helps women with cancer improve their body-image and quality of life by using their clothing as a wellness tool. Emily has spent five years collecting stories about clothing and memory from eBay posts for a website she curates, Sentimental Value (http://sentimental-value.com), and she recently had a solo exhibition of the Internet found-art project at the Philadelphia Art Alliance.

In 2010, Emily launched Worn Stories (http://wornstories.com), a collection of stories she edits from interesting people about clothing and memory. Worn Stories will be published by Princeton Architectural Press in 2014. Emily is the creator and writer of the Smithsonian’s only blog about fashion history, drawing from their vast collection and beyond, called Threaded (http://www.smithsonianmag.com/blogs/t...).

Currently, Emily consults for SustainAbility, a think tank focused on the future of sustainable development. She was the editor-in-chief at PopTech, a network of people, conferences, and ideas that are changing the world from 2010-2012. From 2008-2010, Emily was the founding director of Dowser, a media organization highlighting stories about social innovation. Emily has lectured and presented at universities, museums and festivals including New York University, Brown University, the Fashion Institute of Technology, Pratt, Parsons, the Institute of Contemporary Art Philadelphia, and the First Person Arts Festival. Emily and her work have been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Fast Company’s Co.Design, Brainpickings, Lucky, Glamour, and Ecouterre among other publications.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise and promise of this collection of vignettes musing about the power of memory tied to a piece of clothing is astounding, but the execution is faulty. Almost exclusively taking the stories of people in the arts (writers, artists, "artists," actors, musicians, filmmakers, high-profile chefs), there are only a smattering of "normal" people's stories, and those are the ones that stood out and stayed with me. The lawyer whose parents lost everything in Hurricane Sandy, the Holocaust survivor who escaped the camps, the Native Alaskan who had to rely on family and luck to fulfill the expectation of a wedding rite. These stories hold up far more than the endless half-stories of "it was some high-end to-do and I was arrested by a douchebag cop," or "this top makes me feel pretty." I mean, COME ON; both chefs (April Bloomfield and Marcus Samuelsson) had pairs of high top sneakers...you think that maybe a server, a secretary, a gas station attendant, a student, a doctor, a librarian, or ANYONE ELSE would have offered an opportunity for diversity? There's nothing wrong with the stories, per se, it just feels like they could have come from a far greater variety of sources. That being said, there are several stories that induce excessive feels, so read with a box of tissues or an absorbent sleeve handy.

[Cara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Such an interesting premise. In my opinion, it would have been more interesting if more normal people were included. These people were famous, or had very different lifestyles than mine, and I didn't find their stories (all of them) as fascinating as I wanted to.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know you have it: a pair of shoes, a blanket, or maybe a bathrobe or sweatshirt that you cannot give away, even though it is coming undone at the seams, so out of style that it hasn't even made a comeback in 30, 40 years.

That's what this book is about: items of clothing -- a pair of sunglasses, girl scout flair, even legwarmers -- and their stories. Why they're so special, how they got passed along, who gave them to whom, where they were worn, and when.

It's beautiful in its simplicity: the piece of clothing photographed against a stark white background, so plain, along with its story, rich and moving.

[Cissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! So many different voices, each telling us about an article of clothing that's extra-meaningful to them, and why.

The essays range from funny to nostalgic to sad, with a lot of nuances. All of the writing is excellent, and each tale is accompanied by an elegant photograph of the clothing piece discussed. This gives the book a very clean, yet immediate, tone.

The production values of the book itself live up to the elegant prose and photos. It's really a joy to read!

I am proud that my daughter is one of the authors therein, especially since I doubt I would have heard of this book without that connection, and it's really good.

Highly recommended if you like thoughtful, personal essays.

[Novel Destination · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great gift this book is! Short stories-some printed as written by the person owning the item of clothing, some written by Ms. Spivack from information she received from the owner. Each piece of clothing tells a story even though it may have had some humble beginnings. It is a great coffee table book because you can open it to any page and feel touched by the story you read....in turn, it is easy to chat about ideas/experiences the stories describe. I think we all have a few articles of clothing or accessories we hold onto because of the memories connected to them. I plan to wrap this book in a soft shirt and scarf to pass on to a good friend. She will "get" it.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quirky but good reading!

I accidentally hit the one touch order button on Amazon, and was going to cancel, but after I read the synopsis I decided this book might just be a keeper. I'm so glad I did. Some of the stories are funny, some are full of wisdom, and some will break your heart, but I enjoyed every single one. It's amazing how ordinary items of clothing can invoke so many memories and instantly transport us to another place and time. For me, the only thing that might have made it better, would have been a small thumbnail photo of each owner (or better yet, a picture of them wearing their item). I loved it!

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emily Spivack's Worn Stories has a very simple premise: different people from different walks of life talk about old or older pieces of clothing that means something, usually sentimental, to them. I loved that Spivack started this experiment online and it flourished into a book.

Reading their stories was funny and heartbreaking. It made me think of some of my clothing and the stories behind them. I'm in a very fashion mood lately, consuming various texts on fashion and listening to podcasts on fashion. It was nice to see fashion taken so seriously.

I can't wait to read Spivack's second book, Worn in New York.

[Alice · Rating 2 out of 5]

I heard the author on the radio and immediately went to my library to get the book. The premise is so interesting. I was very disappointed in the book. The selection of contributors is so one-sided, with an overabundance of artists, designers, performers. No regular folks or contributors of different ages. The photography is beautiful, and while a few of the stories are emotionally satisfying, the book did not at all live up to my expectations. Perhaps the author can do a follow-up with a more varied cast of essayists.

[Juliana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I enjoy oral stories much more than short fiction. This a nicely culled collection of stories either written or told to the author by people talking about a piece of clothing and the story behind it. Each story includes a photograph of the item of clothing. Clearly part of a larger project and a website--some folks in reviews were disappointed to find the focus on designers, artists and performers rather than "normal" folk. I suspect this had more to do with the author/editor's ability to cull through and present only the best stories.

[Aja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Top ten out of the books I've read this year. I fell in love with so many people through the stories that they told of their clothes. Early in the internet dating game, I would ask men who approached me about the shoes they were wearing. I always felt you can tell so much about people through their shoes. Are the comfortable, sloppy, expensive, outdoorsy, bright, fun? This book gave me the same feeling. I ended up following a lot of people on twitter and wanting to talk to some about the clothes they wore. I would give this book to many people as a present. It's just that good.

[Victoria Hanley · Rating 4 out of 5]

When my youngest sister died suddenly in 2022 I started writing “Wearing My Sister’s Clothes”. It was a cathartic release of memories based on her clothes that I was literally wearing every day. My sisters & I clothes swapped our entire lives. I stumbled across this ebook recently. It made me remember that I am not alone in wearing and owning items imbued with memories.

[Reagan Brasch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a sweet book. It made me look at my closet and what I wear in a completely different light. The stories were from mostly New Yorkers from all walks of life. I’m surprised it’s not rated higher. It’s such a warm and fuzzy book.

[BJ Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

The perfectly matched plaid shirt with pearl snaps that I made and wore in high school still fits. I don't know about the Jessica McClintock wedding dress that I tucked and trimmed with ribbon and lace. Both are folded away in Rubbermaid containers. A 1995 men's small Levi's jeans jacket still hangs in the front closet. For a while I wore it every day, but fraying along the collar and turned back cuffs makes me more careful of it, especially when my daughter reminds me that she'd pay good money for a jacket so distressed.

Dressed up, dressing down, dressing the part, dress codes--the ways we talk about what we wear tells us that our clothes are about more than warmth or modesty. Our clothes reveal and conceal our life stories. Enjoy Emily Spivack's anthology of brief Worn Stories, both for the glimpses into other peoples' lives and for what it will bring out of the closets of yours.

[Marathon County Public Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone has a piece of clothing hanging in a closet or folded away in a drawer that has so much sentimental value, it is impossible to discard, despite the stains or holes. This clever idea of documenting the stories of such clothing began as a side project in 2010. For the book, the author pairs each short essay with a stark photograph of each item of clothing. Some of the essays are from famous fashion designers and chefs, others from non-celebrities, but all are fascinating. This is a quick read that I enjoyed while sitting outside on a sunny day, clad in my own worn sweatshirt, which is full of memories.

Kathleen K. / Marathon County Public Library
Find this book in our library catalog.

[Nina Pantelic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finally got my hands on this book that I've been trying to read since I first heard it was coming out. There is definitely enough material in this world for dozens of volumes of this type without ever becoming redundant or boring. Who doesn't have stories related to their favorite-or most hated-item of clothing? That mustard yellow cardigan your father no longer fit into? That early 90's multicolored pullover of your aunt's that make you look straight out of an Almodovar film? Those Sketcher boots from 1998 that are so well preserved they might as well have been from this year? Off the top of my head I could tell a hundred stories about my (mainly second hand) clothes, and I love hearing the history behind objects that are attached to memories. Highly recommend.

[Darlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

After watching the Worn Stories on Netflix, I decided to look this up. I found it on Libby as a Kindle version.

I wish I had found it as an Audible version or paper copy. Text-to-Speech doesn't stop for pictures. I didn't feel like stopping the stories just to look at the pictures of old clothes that held no meaning for me. It works better as a show as you see the person talking and their story with their memory clothing. The Kindle version makes it a dry story with no personality.

AND I'm not too fond of short stories. Ever. I wanted a lot more depth. I could deal with each story being a book unto itself.

Don't we all have those favorite bits of clothes that bring us memories and comfort? I sure do.

[Antonia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the idea (premise and promise, as some say). I liked the book. Some stories were more engaging than others, as might be expected. What I liked best is that it made me think of items in my own closet (I save clothes for-ever) and reflect on what they mean to me and what I'd say about them.

[Carol Odekirk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading the different stories and how some articles of clothing evoked such strong memories for people. Then others used clothing to symbolize creativity, freedom or independence. Good book to pick up and put down since each story is self-contained.

[Olivia Rostagni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didnt actually finish but. Good

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was better and different than expected. I initially thought that this was going to be a new twist on the “essential pieces for life” type of book, but it was not that at all. This is more of a Humans of New York or Modern Life-type deal. Sometimes, the pictures themselves wouldn’t be that compelling, but then the accompanying piece would be like a Ryan Murphy-induced fever dream of sex and murder. The stories all carried weight, even the ones with a touch of levity. Ordinarily, I might have skimmed or skipped ones where the visuals didn’t interest me, but I hung onto every word here. I’d turn a page and all of a sudden I’d be reading a Holocaust survivor’s story, or someone who looked up an old friend only to see they’d died in Iraq. I don’t think there’s a moral, but if I had to give it one it would be “life is short but polyester is forever.”

[Tara Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first came across this book on a college trip to New York City in a bookshop that smelled like coffee and stories untold between the pages. At the time, I didn't purchase it, sighting my frugality and need to spend my little money as a college student on other things. The second time I came across this book, I was on a trip to California (Los Angeles) with my future husband for my cousin's wedding and located it at The Last Bookstore (which is another lovely story in itself). This time, when I held the cover within my fingers, I just could not let it go. I am a big believer that things come to you in life when you are ready, and this was the perfect time in my life to read this amazing book. Choose to read it when you are looking to feel sentimental, connected to others and think about other's memories from a different perspective, which in my opinion is all the time. Read this book!

[Hope Smash · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book by way of the Netflix series. I do wish I had read the book first because there are a few crossover stories, but not enough to make it redundant. I really love that someone took the time to interview people about items of clothing that have had a significant impact on their lives. I really believe that people underestimate how important clothing can be. Clothing protects our bodies, it can relay information, represent culture and rank, it can be an outlet for self expression, it can house so many memories. There are so many interesting and deeply personal stories told by people from all walks of life and they really paint a beautiful picture. A patchwork of human nature. I do wish there were more stories from outside of New York, but I get the author lives there so it was her main pool for stories. I hope there are more installments of this in the future.

[Elizabeth Rynecki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found Worn Stories at the Strand Bookstore while I was browsing, although not exactly looking for a book, but not wanting to leave the store quite yet. The essays in this book, clothing inspired narratives, mini memoirs, spoke to me.
I posted a review of the book on Instagram with a photograph of mom's Pendleton coat. Mom died in 2012 and while the coat is not quite my style, and there’s a hole in the lining of the right pocket, I wear it all the time. It used to smell of smoke from the wood burning stove at the cabin where she and Dad visited in the winter. Now I just like to wear it because it feels like she’s hugging me. I’m almost 50 and Mom died 7 years ago, so you’d think I’d have a grasp on the fact that she’s gone, but I still miss her so much.

[Pablo Mejia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started reading this book expecting the kind of stories you hear from people when they talk about that special piece of clothing that makes them feel good when they wear it because there's sentimental value attached to it.
This book delivers some stories like that, I was even moved to tears by one of them, however there are also stories that just don't feel as special or significant as those. A lot of the memoirs share this theme of "this piece is special because it improves my personal brand" and I just couldn't connect with that. Maybe if I was an artist living in NY I'd feel different, but I'm not. Still a good read, though.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved this book. I member when it first came out i really wanted to read it but didn't. fast forward 4 years and i picked it up at chapters for $2.50. A real steal for a book i like so much.

It's just a book of photos of clothing and the story behind the clothing. Each done by a different person. It's so great reading about why this item was special to them. Some are more descriptive than others. I think you can call this a book of short stories. It was a pleasure to read.

[Monica Segeren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This needs more 5 star reviews in my opinion. I liked reading people's stories through a piece of clothing and seeing how a simple sweater or skirt or sunglasses can change someone's life. I loved reading different people's perspectives on the closeness to clothing or how they can become immediately detached from it. In my personal opinion I loved this book and how in depth and simple the stories were. You need to take the time to read this book.

[Chris Schneider · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very easy and pleasant read about the importance that a particular item of clothing has for various folk. Some of the stories are quite entertaining, and one or two are moving. Many are forgettable. To be honest, about a third of the way in I grew weary of privileged tales from the successful, cool NYC folk, which seemed to be at least half the stories. More interesting when it is about the Israeli soldier, the Jewish woman who lived in the woods hiding from Nazis, or John Hodgeman's dress.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was actually a lot of fun. Some of the contributors were famous, others not. It was so interesting to get a little slice of each person's life, through the lens of what a particular article of clothing they keep means to them. It's cool to think about the symbology of what we wear and how we present ourselves, and how our relationship to what we wear can affect that, and be affected by it.

[Kyrstin Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I’m not much of a “keeper of old things”, I found it fascinating to read about the memories that bind tangible objects to people. Each memory was unique, each story different, but all of them were interesting and beautiful. I wish that the emotional aspect of this ethnographic work would have shown through more and that’s what made me rate it 3 stars as opposed to 4 or 5.

[Jonna Gjevre · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a book for people who think that clothing is unimportant. Nor is it a book for those who care only for fast fashion and trends. It's about the language our clothing speaks, and how messages and memory wrap themselves around us.