Worn: A People's History of Clothing

Worn: The Clothing on Our Backs and the Stories They Tell is a captivating history of clothing and its impact on human society.

This comprehensive book takes readers on a journey through five centuries of fashion, from the opulent courts of Louis XIV to modern-day labor camps in Xinjiang.

With a focus on the social and environmental implications of the clothing industry, Thanhauser sheds light on the often-hidden stories behind our clothes.

Through vivid storytelling and meticulous research, Worn reveals how textiles have been dyed with natural materials like lichen, shells, bark, saffron, and beetles, creating distinctive regional weaves and knits.

The book also exposes the industry's reliance on underpaid and exploited laborers, as well as its contribution to global pollution.

However, Thanhauser also highlights micro-communities and textile companies that are rediscovering ancestral and ethical methods for making clothing.

With a focus on sustainability and social justice, Worn offers readers a new perspective on the clothes they wear and the impact they have on the world around them.