Top English books you should read on the clothing industry and a sustainable lifestyle

Building a sustainable wardrobe isn’t always easy. With the rise of fast fashion, overproduction, and greenwashing, it can feel overwhelming to know where to start — or how to stay motivated along the way. But the good news? There’s no shortage of inspiring voices, expert insights, and practical advice to help guide you.

To support your journey, we’ve put together a carefully curated list of must-read books that dive into the world of fashion, sustainability, and ethical consumption. Whether you want to uncover the hidden costs of the fashion industry, break up with fast fashion, learn the art of clothing care, or explore the history of textiles, these books will inform, empower, and inspire you.

From hard-hitting exposés to hands-on guides, this list will help you rethink your relationship with fashion and take steps toward a more conscious and sustainable lifestyle — without sacrificing style. Happy reading! 

The hidden costs of fashion

Books that expose the environmental and human impact of the fashion industry.

To Die For: is fashion wearing out the world? – Lucy Siegle

A hard-hitting exposé on the devastating environmental and human costs of the fashion industry, from sweatshops to toxic waste. Siegle challenges readers to rethink their shopping habits and proves that ethical fashion doesn’t mean sacrificing style.

Unraveled: the life and death of a garment – Maxine Bédat

Following the journey of a single pair of jeans, Bédat reveals the shocking realities of global supply chains — exploitation, pollution, and relentless overproduction. A must-read for anyone who wants to understand the true cost of their clothes.

Clothing Poverty: the hidden world of fast fashion and second-hand clothes – Andrew Brooks

This eye-opening book reveals how the global trade in fast fashion and second-hand clothing fuels inequality, exploitation, and environmental destruction — forcing us to rethink our role as consumers.

Fashionopolis: the price of fast fashion and the future of clothes – Dana Thomas

A deep dive into the impact of the colossal clothing industry and the innovators leading the way toward a more ethical, sustainable future. Thomas explores everything from lab-grown materials to smarter, cleaner production.

The Anti-Capitalist Book of Fashion – Tansy E. Hoskins

Fashion isn’t just about clothes — it’s about power, profit, and politics. Hoskins unpacks how brands manipulate us into overconsumption while garment workers and the planet pay the price. A must-read for those who want systemic change, not just ​“ethical shopping” tips.

Slave to Fashion – Safia Minney

Through interviews and micro-documentaries, this book exposes modern slavery in the fashion industry and highlights brands proving that ethical, slave-free fashion is possible.

Waste, overproduction, and the circular economy

Books that explore the crisis of overproduction and how to fix it.

Wasteland: the dirty truth about what we throw away, where it goes, and why it matters – Oliver Franklin-Wallis

A gripping investigation into the global waste crisis — including the dark truths behind second-hand clothing markets and the need for the fashion industry to rethink its waste problem.

Paradigm Shift: reinventing fashion for a sustainable future – Hasmik Matevosyan

Fashion brands produce more than we actually need, leading to massive waste and exploitation. Matevosyan presents a revolutionary design system and business model to help reshape the industry.

Less: stop buying so much rubbish – Patrick Grant

A compelling case for living with fewer, better-made things. Grant explores how mass overproduction has led to declining quality and waste — and how embracing craftsmanship and thoughtful consumption can fix it.

Footwork: what your shoes tell you about globalisation – Tansy E. Hoskins

From sweatshops to landfill mountains, Hoskins exposes the true cost of our obsession with shoes — and why we must rethink the way we buy, wear, and dispose of them.

Breaking up with fast fashion

Books that empower you to consume less and shop smarter.

How to Break Up with Fast Fashion – Lauren Bravo

Fast fashion is like a toxic ex — bad for your wallet, bad for the planet, and bad for your peace of mind. Bravo offers a refreshingly honest and practical guide to rethinking the way we shop, helping us fall back in love with fashion without the environmental guilt.

Look at the Labels – Jennifer Countess von Walderdorff

An essential guide for smarter shopping. This book helps you avoid fast fashion pitfalls, assess garment quality, and embrace vintage and pre-loved fashion with confidence.

The Conscious Closet – Elizabeth L. Cline

A step-by-step guide to building a wardrobe that reflects your values without compromising on style. Cline offers practical advice on ethical shopping, creating a capsule wardrobe, and making sustainable fashion choices that matter.

Consumed: the need for collective change – colonialism, climate change, and consumerism – Aja Barber

This book goes beyond personal shopping habits and explores the deeper injustices embedded in consumer culture. Barber challenges us to reject overconsumption and reclaim our power as conscious citizens.

The history and craftsmanship of clothing

Books that celebrate the art of making clothes and the traditions behind them.

Wardrobe Crisis – Clare Press

From haute couture to fast fashion, this book unravels the complex history and ethics of fashion. It’s a call to action to rethink our shopping habits and rediscover fashion as something to cherish, not just consume.

Worn: a people’s history of clothing – Sofi Thanhauser

A fascinating history of five essential fabrics — linen, cotton, silk, synthetics, and wool — exploring how textiles have shaped economies, societies, and the environment.

Making your clothes last

Books that focus on caring for, repairing, and valuing your wardrobe.

Loved Clothes Last – Orsola de Castro

A guide to slowing down, buying less, and cherishing what you already own. De Castro teaches practical skills for mending, repairing, and reviving your wardrobe — helping you reduce waste and embrace a more mindful approach to fashion.

Garment Goddess – Laura de Barra

A go-to guide for making smart, sustainable fashion choices. Learn how to assess fabric quality, understand manufacturing techniques, and properly care for your clothes to make them last.

The Art of Clothing Care – Steamery Stockholm

A beautifully designed coffee-table book full of practical tips on garment care, stain removal, second-hand shopping, and upcycling ideas — proving that small changes can have a big impact.

With this list, we hope to inspire you to be more fashion conscious. Which book will you read first?