Entering the fashion space is already intimidating with its vast history, endless terminology, and touch of elitism. Add the intersectionality of sustainability—complete with people's opinions and a glaring lack of context about what sustainability actually is—and exploring sustainable fashion can quickly devolve from an intentional endeavor to a constant walk of shame (cue Cersei’s walk of atonement).
While I hold incredibly strong opinions about holding the fashion industry accountable for its crimes against humanity, being a Fabric Snob is about being informed, setting standards, and never shaming the uninformed. Now, those who are informed yet still make deliberate decisions to harm themselves and the planet for a quick fix (ugh, $35 polyester skirts)—I mean, polyester is for losers, so that tracks. But I digress.
Because sustainable fashion is a relatively new focus—emerging as a response to the environmental and social devastation caused by modern fast fashion—we’re constantly bombarded with new information, studies, and practices that build on or sometimes negate findings that are barely a few years old. So, where does one even begin to understand this ever-evolving landscape? Why, darling, with the basics, of course: fabrics, dyes, and their relationship to us and the planet.
It took me over a year of scouring the library and the internet to find resources that explained this vast industry to me like I was a 5-year-old. Naturally, I had to share the absolute best of the best—the ones that radicalized me. Ready for a fashion enlightenment? Let’s dive in:
Sundressed by Lucianne Tonti
Sundressed is the PERFECT book to begin with if you’re looking to understand sustainable fashion. It strikes a harmonious balance between romanticizing fashion as the beautiful medium it is and breaking down the history of craftsmanship, fabrics, and sustainable manufacturing practices. Unlike many sustainability books, it doesn’t scare or shame you into action; instead, it highlights the benefits of being intentional.
From the introduction, Tonti emphasizes the value of choosing garments and fabrics that last a lifetime and actually hold meaning. Even when she shares the devastating effects of unethical practices in the fashion industry, her message is underlined by hope and actionable steps consumers can take. This was the third book on my independent study journey, and its tone was a soothing balm to the helplessness I felt after reading To Dye For.
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To Dye For: How Toxic Fashion Is Making Us Sick--And How We Can Fight Back by Alden Wicker
Reading this book felt like being one of those kids on Beyond Scared Straight. It was my first read during my sustainability investigation, and it absolutely ripped the rose-colored glasses off my face.
Wicker, an investigative journalist, begins with a compelling question: why were so many flight attendants suing airlines over illnesses caused by their uniforms? Her research uncovered a chilling truth: synthetic fabrics, dyes, and performance chemicals were wreaking havoc on their health.
Through interviews with affected workers and travels to factories in India and Nepal, Wicker connects the dots between the chemicals in our clothes and the devastating impacts they have—from the villages where these clothes are made to the bodies of unsuspecting wearers worldwide.
Though it’s a tough read, it’s an essential one. Wicker doesn’t sugarcoat the realities of the fashion industry but offers tangible steps for consumers to mitigate harm and spot innovations aiming to reshape the industry.
Wildflower by Aurora James
How I stumbled upon this book remains a mystery, but I’d like to think it was divine intervention. Aurora James, founder of the Fifteen Percent Pledge, tells a story that is anything but typical.
Born to a Ghanaian father and Canadian mother, James shares how her tumultuous childhood and search for identity led her to create shoes inspired by and made by Indigenous tribes in Africa. Her journey reframed how I see sustainability—especially regarding items made from animal skins—and reminded me that toxic, destructive practices are not the only way to achieve beauty in clothing.
Fibershed by Rebecca Burgess
Sundressed and To Dye For focus on the "what" and "why" of sustainable fashion. Fibershed is the “how.”
Burgess offers a manual for participating in sustainability beyond buying better clothes—it’s about creating a “farm-to-closet” lifestyle. With textbook-like precision, she covers the journey from plant or animal fiber to finished garment and details how to revive Indigenous practices through regional fibersheds.
The Style Bible
As a changemaker, the overwhelming nature of sustainable fashion made me feel powerless at first. How could I possibly create meaningful change in a billion-dollar industry built on overconsumption and exploitation? The answer: by flipping the psychological script.
Fashion is a form of power and control, and instead of encouraging everyone to look the same, I designed The Style Bible to help people tap into their authenticity while seamlessly integrating sustainability. It’s personal style, elevated—and it’s a game-changer.
Documentaries You Can’t Miss
Buy Now! (Netflix)
A sharp critique of corporate greed and consumer manipulation, this doc reveals the hidden costs of high-revenue businesses, from fashion to tech.
Brandy Hellville & The Cult of Fast Fashion (Hulu)
An exposé on Brandy Melville’s rise and its cultural and environmental fallout. Think toxic CEOs, racism, fatphobia, and massive overproduction.
To Be Read/Watched
The True Cost (Peacock)
The Conscious Closet by Elizabeth Cline
What to Wear and Why by Tiffanie Darke
How to Build a Fashion Icon by Law Roach
So there you have it: your starter pack for sustainable fashion literacy. This isn’t about perfection—it’s about intention. Whether you’re diving into the history of dyes, bingeing exposés, or crafting your personal farm-to-closet dream, remember: every conscious choice is a rebellion against fast fashion’s tired narrative. Now, go forth and snob responsibly—because looking good while doing good? That’s what we’re all about. 🪡✨
xoxo,
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