Last Updated on May 31, 2023
Cutting down on fast fashion is no easy feat – but these books may be the kick you need to make a change.
While it seems everyone is now talking about the negative impact of fast fashion on the environment and the conditions garment workers are subjected to, it often feels like an overwhelming subject to tackle.
Most of us in all honesty don’t want to know about the detrimental effect we’re having on our planet, or about the employees struggling to make ends meet so that we can wear the newest pair of trainers.
But for those of us that do, there are some fantastic resources out there to teach us.
I’m not saying you can never buy a t-shirt from ASOS ever again, but a little effort goes a long way and these authors can give you a helping hand.
Here, I round up 8 of the best books about fast fashion to educate yourself on the practises.
Consumed: The Need for Collective Change; Colonialism, Climate Change and Consumerism by Aja Barber
£9.99 – buy now
Ethical fashion writer and consultant (and ex-fast fashion addict) Aja Barber investigates how consumerism, racism and climate change intertwine within Consumed. The book splits into two, with the first part diving into the colonial roots that underpin the textile industry and the ongoing impact of such. The second part will challenge you as a consumer, unpacking why you consume and encouraging you to use your power for good.
It’s an eye-opening and essential read.
Wardrobe Crisis: How We Went From Sunday Best to Fast Fashion by Clare Press
£14.99 – buy now
Wardrobe Crisis by Clare Press weighs in the decline of the fashion industry since the 1800s and how our obsession with fast fashion came to be.
She portrays the importance of knowing who makes your clothes in a hard-hitting and passionate way that’s hard to put down. The perfect read for anyone starting out on their slow fashion journey.
How to break up with fast fashion by Lauren Bravo
£12.99 – buy now
Lauren Bravo is just like you and I: she loves fashion.
How To Break Up With Fast Fashion begins with a candid portrayal of Lauren’s previous out-of-control spending habits and even a section entitled A Note On Being Terrible, in which she admits to the odd slip-up since giving up fast fashion.
The book is a down-to-earth take on the subject, but an important one. If Lauren can do it, so can anyone.
To Die for: Is Fashion Wearing Out the World? by Lucy Siegle
£12.99 – buy now
Written by the Observer’s Ethical Living columnist, To Die For offers a look into what a green world could really look like.
Lucy Siegle looks at the catastrophic impact fast fashion and big name brands are having on the planet, but argues it’s possible to be stylish and sustainable. We couldn’t agree more.
Fashionopolis: The Price of Fast Fashion and the Future of Clothes by Dana Thomas
£9.99 – buy now
Journalist Dana Thomas has seen how damaging fast fashion is first-hand, so the bestselling Author travelled the world looking for answers to how we can reverse the damage we’ve caused and put a stop to the industry’s negative impact.
Thomas’ book offers a clearer look at the fashion’s biggest offenders, it also celebrates those making a change, encouraging readers to follow suit.
Slave To Fashion by Safia Minney
There are over 35 million people trapped in modern slavery today due to the global demand for cheap labour.
Founder of ethical and sustainable fashion brand People Tree Safia Minney looks at the human cost of fast fashion in this must-read book and offers practical advice to encourage individuals to demand change from their favourite fashion brands.
READ MORE: What is the Coquette Aesthetic Sweeping TikTok?
The Conscious Closet: The Revolutionary Guide to Looking Good While Doing Good by Elizabeth L. Cline
£12.99 – buy now
If you want a practical guide to creating a sustainable wardrobe, this is the book for you.
Cline has first-hand experience at changing the way she shops, so it’s refreshing to read helpful advice at how to do it yourself – whether you want to build a capsule wardrobe, buy better quality garments, find ethical brands or keep up with trends while also shopping sustainably.
Clothing Poverty: The Hidden World of Fast Fashion and Second-Hand Clothes by Andrew Brooks
£9.99 – buy now
Andrew Brooks takes the reader on a journey in Clothing Poverty, following a pair of jeans to show how they’re manufactured and retailed.
Brooks also looks at how recycled clothes go on to be traded across continents, and uncovers how poverty is perpetuated through retailers and charities being embroiled in commodity chains.
The updated edition also offers an insight into how the industry is slowly changing due to pressure from shoppers for more ethical practises and sustainable materials.
