Elizabeth L. Cline’s first book, Overdressed, was surprising and informative in its analysis of fast-fashion consumerism. I was eager to read her follow-up work, The Conscious Closet, which is less of an exposé on the clothing industry and more of a manual to engage with fashion while also practicing social/environmental awareness. What sets Cline’s guide apart from other popular self-help resources like The Curated Closet or The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up is her inclusion of advice for maximalists who don’t aspire to a minimalist lifestyle. Cline does not attempt to shame these “style seekers” but rather provides tips for sustainable consumption, such as thrifting and renting. The rest of the advice in Cline’s book is also sound, though readers of Overdressed may find some of the information to be familiar. ( )

The Conscious Closet is such a solid book about multiple aspects of clothing consciousness: the fashion industry, materials used and the environmental impact, people working in the garment industry, what to do with your own closet...I took notes.

Written in the 2nd person, it's a highly readable book that doesn't skimp on using data to back up claims.

I've been overwhelmed by the troubling aspects of the garment industry and what to do about my own wardrobe, and this book helped me identify a few ways I can be a more conscientious consumer.

Ideas within include wearing the heck out of what you already own, buying resale (and shared some ideas for how to go about that), renting clothes (and how), how to choose quality clothing items, ethical clothing manufacturing practices, what to do with items we no longer want (including recycling), caring for items for maximum use, etc.

For me, I think strategies will include buying much less and wearing a greater percentage of what I own, buying resale if possible, renting one-wear items, and buying quality items from as ethical of a company as I can find.

I'm on the taller side of the bell curve, and I prefer tall sizing when I can get it, especially for dresses and shirts. Pants are easier these days. While tall sizes exist for pants (and it's more than just a longer inseam; proportions are supposed to be different), I find that just a longer inseam is usually sufficient for my body. So for me, I plan to identify retailers that make talls and investigate their sources and try to shop from the best one I can find. And again, fewer items.

I appreciate that the book's strategies can be tailored to suit anyone -- people who enjoy lots of variety in their fashion, people who are more minimalist, people with small or large budgets.

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An explanation of how to make what you wear, and the world, more sustainable, supporting protection of the environment and improving the lives of people who work in the industry. ( )