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The Conscious Closet: The Revolutionary Guide to Looking Good While Doing Good

Elizabeth L. Cline

4.05 · Rating details · 1,147 ratings · 186 reviews

The Conscious Closet is not just a style guide. It is a call to action to transform one of the most polluting industries on earth--fashion--into a force for good. Readers will learn where our clothes are made and how they're made, before connecting to a global and impassioned community of stylish fashion revolutionaries. In The Conscious Closet, Elizabeth shows us how we c ...more

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Paperback, 368 pages

Published August 20th 2019 by Plume Books

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Aug 07, 2019 lisa rated it liked it

Shelves: first-reads, staff-picks-jt, to-keep-me-in-fashion, netgalley

When I read Elizabeth Cline's first book, Overdressed, I wasn't terribly impressed with it. However, I have never, ever forgotten it, and over the years since I read it I have completely changed the way I buy clothes, all because of Overdressed. Overdressed also put me in a quest to find a better way to style myself, which led me down the rabbit hole of fashion blogs, books, TED talks, etc. It may always be a work in progress, but I like how aware I've become about fast fashion, and how destruct When I read Elizabeth Cline's first book, Overdressed, I wasn't terribly impressed with it. However, I have never, ever forgotten it, and over the years since I read it I have completely changed the way I buy clothes, all because of Overdressed. Overdressed also put me in a quest to find a better way to style myself, which led me down the rabbit hole of fashion blogs, books, TED talks, etc. It may always be a work in progress, but I like how aware I've become about fast fashion, and how destructive our current fashions can be for the environment.

So even though I wasn't too inspired by this book, I suspect I will think about it for years to come. It's a little bit frustrating actually that this book didn't come out in conjunction with Overdressed because it has every scrap of information that I spent years gleaning from the aforementioned research. I could have saved myself a ton of time by just reading this book! And clearly, Cline and I were looking into the same things because almost everything she mentions in her references were things that I have found on my journey to be more environmentally fashion conscious. This book summarizes a lot of good information, and breaks down the different material types, and offers suggestions of places to shop. One thing that annoyed me about this book (it also REALLY annoyed me about Overdressed) is that the author gushes about certain designers, or places to buy clothes, but these places cost WAY more money than most reasonable people can afford. This doesn't bother me quite as much as it once did, partly because Elizabeth Cline offers better alternatives to buying clothes than she did in the last book (she talks a lot about ThredUp, Poshmark, etc.), and partly because since reading Overdressed I have become a big fan of buying something that costs more and having it last for years and years. I still can't see spending $1000.00 for a skirt from Stella McCartney but I can see keeping an eye out reasonably priced Stella McCartney on Poshmark.

Cline also talks about how to make clothes last, and I understand what she's saying about not using dryers, but as someone who was raised in a house without a dryer, I would tell you that I would never, ever go back to not using one. There are reasonable ways to use one that don't destroy your clothes. Line drying presents its own problems. Also, Cline is a DINK (Double Income No Kids) like me, so hand washing, and line drying our clothes every once in a while may work for us, but I can't imagine this being a realistic solution for people with kids.

Take this book with a grain of salt, but it's not bad! Thanks Elizabeth Cline for making me aware of things I never would have thought about. ...more

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Dec 07, 2020 Lorilin rated it it was amazing

Shelves: own, home, wellness

I really had no idea how much fashion contributed to global warming and global waste. Good grief, we really are using our planet as our own personal trash can.

By far, the most important action I took while reading this book was cataloging the clothes I already have. And by "catalog" I mean that I made a spreadsheet and wrote down each main piece of clothing I own (the everyday stuff like t-shirts, tops, pants, jackets, workout wear, and shoes). Then I recorded the brand name, the material conten I really had no idea how much fashion contributed to global warming and global waste. Good grief, we really are using our planet as our own personal trash can.

By far, the most important action I took while reading this book was cataloging the clothes I already have. And by "catalog" I mean that I made a spreadsheet and wrote down each main piece of clothing I own (the everyday stuff like t-shirts, tops, pants, jackets, workout wear, and shoes). Then I recorded the brand name, the material content, and where the article of clothing was made. That in itself was eye-opening--not only to see the sheer number of items I own (and to calculate the very small percentage that I've actually worn in the past year, yikes), but also to see the materials that I wear, how quickly some of the cheaper ones have worn out, and where my clothes come from. I expected everything to be made in China, but that wasn't the case. Most of my clothes are made in Vietnam and Indonesia.

On a side note, my cashmere sweaters are made in China, because the fiber the fabric is made of comes from a Tibetan goat. The first cashmere sweater was made in Kashmir, so that's why we call it that. Fascinating, right?

This book has honestly changed the way I dress myself. I realize that I have so many pieces that I can use that I currently don't wear. I am going to find more creative ways to wear the clothes I have. While going through my closet, I discovered that I have way more tops than bottoms. Moreover, I have a lot of repeats of everything, which means I pretty much wear only two "looks." If I were to buy maybe one or two different types of bottoms, like a long winter skirt or wide leg pants, I'd be able to switch up my silhouettes and stretch out my wardrobe options.

I'm also going to buy better quality, and I'm going to buy less often. The author is a big proponent of clothes swapping and buying second hand, but I'm just not there yet. I'd rather buy a really nice sweater and wear it until it disintegrates. That's just more my speed, since I hate shopping.

Overall, just an absolutely fantastic read. I zipped through this one and got so much out of it. ...more

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Dec 05, 2019 Lesr Kew rated it really liked it

Didn’t think I’d enjoy this book as much as i did but I learned so much. Loved it.

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Oct 29, 2019 Melissa rated it it was amazing

Shelves: kindle, 2019

Oh boy, did this book open my eyes. I really wish I had read it before I did my big closet/attic cleanout a few months ago! I have been an overconsumer of clothes since I've been in the womb (sorry, mom) and I truly did not realize the impact of my careless buying habits. I've gotten more into buying secondhand recently, and after reading this book, I pretty much never want to buy a new article of clothing again. I still have a long way to go but this book definitely gave me tons of ideas for bu ...more

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Aug 04, 2020 Emilee rated it it was amazing

This is the book that I wished for when I read Overdressed. After going into enormous detail about the evils of fast fashion, and the fashion industry at large, the author kind of floundered to know what to instead. Only buy thrifted? Make all of your clothes by hand yourself? Keep what you have and never buy anything again?

In comparison, this book offers a comprehensive guide to supporting ethical and sustainable fashion. Each section was so thorough it easily could have been it's own volume, ...more

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Jul 19, 2020 Linda rated it liked it

Shelves: non-fiction

What it does best, is reveal the culture gap between USA and my (not wealthy, but also not really poor) country. Taking shoes to the cobbler is a regular occurrence and everyone and their dog knows how to sew a straight stitch and reattach a button. Well, at least it is so in my family. While I have seen a lot of the sentiments about clothing and their disposability on the rise in our culture as well, I feel we are not as far gone as Americans. And I sure hope we never will be.

The thing is, if y ...more

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Dec 04, 2019 Beth rated it liked it

The author discusses various aspects of trying to be sustainable about clothing and fashion. She covers antidotes to fast fashion, like buying clothes that will last, emphasizing quality over quantity, mending and repairing clothing, washing clothes to avoid wearing them out so quickly, shopping secondhand, recycling/donating used clothes, and even renting clothing for occasions. She mentions some brands and companies that are more sustainable. She also touches on many issues that are not easily ...more

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May 03, 2019 Claire rated it really liked it

This book was so comprehensive, I can't believe how much the author decided to tackle. Obviously some of the tips are things most of us are probably familiar with, like not supporting fast fashion or buying fewer clothes, but the author did a good job mentioning eco-friendly brands I had never heard of. I feel like the author did a good job of mentioning that not buying fast fashion can be really expensive and tried explain that by shopping used or resale or repairing the clothes you already own ...more

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Aug 27, 2019 Laura Fusaro rated it liked it

Good book, but I was kind of expecting more. Most of what it suggests was taught me by my mom and dad when I was a kid. I’ve always gone to the cobbler to fix my shoes, mostly donated my clothes when worn out, chosen good quality stuff (I hate polyester and nylon anyway), I mend what’s broken, I go to the tailor to repurpose a dress or take in a shirt, I love to buy second hand, I surely take care of my clothes. I don’t know, is it just common sense?
Yeah, I certainly found many facts to reflect ...more

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Jan 07, 2020 Catherine rated it liked it · review of another edition

I’m not quite in this book’s target audience (like, I am not spending bajillions on the Latest Trends and I definitely cannot afford an apartment with washer/dryer in unit, lol) but I still got a lot out of this book. The Patagonia product placement aside.......I did really appreciate learning about visible mending, smarter shopping (buy PERFECT), and resale value. A mixed bag for sure, but I’m going to try to put what I can into practice!

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Nov 16, 2019 Christine rated it liked it

I read Elizabeth Cline's earlier book, Overdressed, and gave it less stars because I came away extremely frustrated and not enlightened.
I was pleased with this new book because she noted that like others, she was also frustrated about the question "WHAT CAN I WEAR"?
At that point I was about the give the book 4 stars.
This book IS better than her earlier book "Overdressed".
But it's still not very deep. The upsides: she writes about clothing care, what constitutes quality, ways to resell and recycl I read Elizabeth Cline's earlier book, Overdressed, and gave it less stars because I came away extremely frustrated and not enlightened.
I was pleased with this new book because she noted that like others, she was also frustrated about the question "WHAT CAN I WEAR"?
At that point I was about the give the book 4 stars.
This book IS better than her earlier book "Overdressed".
But it's still not very deep. The upsides: she writes about clothing care, what constitutes quality, ways to resell and recycle (and talks about what's really going on with reselling in developing countries). These are positive additions.
Minus one star: It dawned on me that she doesn't ever talk about the (un)ethical stuff that happens to people (low level workers) in the luxury fashion industry despite all the trumpeting about high minded improvements and morals and policies. (People get maimed, people are treated inhumanely, basically there is slavery to make your beaded top, your embroidery, your fantastic work-intensive objects, your gorgeous leather that went into your handbag.) Yet despite keeping these expensive things out of a landfill one is perpetrating those (evil) luxury fashion brands even though you're getting it for a song in a RESALE market.
And I've just seen a report on how screwed up the leather industry is (from ITALY of all places, not a third world country, they're abusing people and not following a lot of these so-called ethical and fair work practices if you go through enough sub-subtier contractors). The author didn't mention any of it. Maybe she was threatened with lawsuits or told to shut up (I can believe that). And she doesn't mention what happens in the fur industry (if you see images of what it is, where fur comes from, even if the fashion house tells you some [lie] about it being good quality, never believe anything the marketing says, you'll know what hell is). I thought she would at least comment about discouragement in supporting those aspects of "fashion", as being conscious consumer. Maybe there was pressure from the fashion industry to keep quiet.

---not related to her book ---
By the way, if you do bad things in this life, and you are reincarnated, you might come back as an animal that is raised for the fur industry. This would mean you must have done really REALLY bad things in this life. The industry of animals going to slaughter for fur is the stuff of dystopia. Even the lifecycle of animals for food/butchery is better. Maybe there is a horror movie plot out there where someone who was head of a fur industry woke up in a world where people are raised for their skins for some other animal to wear for fashion.
OMG I just thought of human skins for shoes. uggh ...more

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Jan 11, 2020 Tori Renee rated it it was amazing

I wish this book had existed five years ago when I started researching a lot of the same topics covered in this book. It would have saved so much time to be able to gather all the needed information in one go. All the same, I found myself still picking up new information and resources for a more sustainable and ethical approach to consumerism. Highly recommend this to anyone just starting to think about where the items in their home come from or even for those who have already started working to ...more

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Jan 10, 2020 Mel Auffredou rated it really liked it

The only reason I couldn't give this 5 stars is that I wish Cline had come down more critically on the actors of fast fashion (perhaps she did this in her first book?). Anyone advocating for conscious fashion should never mention H&M or Zara in even a neutral context. Those executives should be imprisoned. However I learned so much about concrete actions I can take to build a more functional, sustainable and ethical wardrobe and everyone should read this in order to truly understand the brands a ...more

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Aug 17, 2020 AnnieHil rated it really liked it

Shopping is just enough harder in Europe (What size am I? Is this store I’ve never heard of fast fashion? Is that store a good value? Pay these shipping costs or my rent? Are we dressing up for the end times or...?) that I’ve had to slow my roll and think about my retail habits.

The book is thoughtful not preachy. So if this is something you’re already thinking about, the book will only give you momentum. The textile chapter alone is worth the read, and I’ll return to this reference again and ag ...more

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Dec 19, 2020 Ditchface rated it it was amazing

A solidly motivating and accessible guide to being a better consumer and responsible carer of one’s hard-earned fashions!! I appreciated Cline making frequent reference to the need for collective larger scale action, not just by consumer choice, but by pressuring companies and legislators to mandate widespread protection for workers and the environment. It was great to learn about different fabrics, their care and crafts to fix up those clothes we actually don’t want to have to replace, but keep ...more

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Jan 27, 2020 Aubrey rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2020

A fantastic and eye-opening look into the fashion industry and how to move towards a more conscious and ethical closet without sacrificing style or the fun of getting dressed. The book was a great balance of well presented facts/stats, tips and stories. I also liked that unlike many “how to” type books, the author provided a wealth of information and action items. No pages were wasted and the advice was diverse, from the small to large scale.

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Dec 29, 2020 Laura Haske rated it really liked it

Shelves: lifestyle

As a 5 on the Enneagram, I'm always thinking about reducing waste and living a simpler life. This book was right up that lane. It's a thorough look at how we can be more intentional in the clothing we purchase, wear, wash, and repair. It casts a wide lens, looking at everything from the working conditions in factories to determining the environmental impact of certain types of fabric. But it also includes fashion and style guidance in putting together a fun and thoughtful wardrobe.

Overall, it's ...more

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Feb 23, 2020 C. S. added it

Shelves: netgalley, did-not-finish, non-fiction

DNF after the first couple of chapters. An important subject, but I found the writing style to be a tad bit dry and the content of limited use to someone not already a fashionista or interested in becoming a fashionista.

If fashion is your thing and you're curious about how you can offset the environmental impact of the industry, hive it a shot, it may work for you. ...more

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Mar 25, 2020 Meagann rated it liked it

Overall, solid guide to become more sustainable with fashion. I did learn some more things such as the particulars with the different fabrics that are used. Going in I had prior knowledge of fast fashion so some of the statistics didn't shock me. I think this is better for those who know little to none about the environmental impact the clothing industry has than those who know a great deal. ...more

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May 11, 2020 Katelyn rated it really liked it

I learned a lot and feel better equipped to evaluate fabric choices, ask questions of brands, and make the best choices I can for my closet, garment workers, and the environment. Strongly encourage anyone who is ready to move away from fast, cheap fashion to read this and learn.

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Sep 30, 2019 CL rated it it was ok

Did this book have an editor? The premise is worthy, and after reading several other books on the perils of fast fashion, I had hoped to get some kind of real advice. Instead, the author states the same facts and figures about global pollution, landfills, poorly paid garment workers...over and over. Yes, we get it, otherwise we wouldn’t have bought the book in the first place. When she finally comes close to offering something concrete, she refers the reader to another section or chapter while r ...more

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Jul 31, 2020 Adriana Marí rated it it was amazing

Amazing guide to move to slow fashion at least in the US and Europe. For latin america is still difficult to follow all the advices.

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Dec 29, 2019 Caryn rated it really liked it

I will be adjusting my buying, donating, and cleaning habits from this book. The tips in each chapter make changes easy.

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Jan 15, 2021 Rachel rated it it was amazing

Easy to consume and very informative! My copy is covered in post-it’s marking pages I want to reference again and again.

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Oct 02, 2019 Stephanie Feran rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I read this book to understand more about how to make sustainable choices with my wardrobe. I learned so much more about the fashion industry that will inform so many choices I make moving forward.

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Sep 23, 2019 Eleanor Greene rated it it was amazing

A must read for beginners to sustainable/ethical fashion. Even as an intermediate level on this I learned a lot!

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Sep 15, 2020 hana rated it liked it

Shelves: japanese

this book was on my to-read list for a while, but got translated earlier this year and found it in the 'new books' section in the library.

I liked how informative this book was, with detailed guides for different fashion types, links to websites, hashtags, brands and people to keep updating knowledge even after this book gets published. Obviously targeted to American/European readers, I really wish there would be more books/sites on sustainable, ethical and environmental friendly in Japan and As ...more

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Dec 28, 2019 Kate rated it it was amazing

Shelves: nonfiction, highly-recommended, favorites

(First, a confession: I did skim parts of this book--mostly the instructional, how-to chapters--usually because I already knew the material. Also, I plan to buy a copy, so I knew I could look up the information when needed.)

This is an excellent reference for those who want to:
1. Weed out their closets AND
2. Shop more ethically AND
3. Make their clothes last longer.

Many references do one of those things--they'll help you weed and organize (Kondo is popular and I do recommend her!), learn to shop, (First, a confession: I did skim parts of this book--mostly the instructional, how-to chapters--usually because I already knew the material. Also, I plan to buy a copy, so I knew I could look up the information when needed.)

This is an excellent reference for those who want to:
1. Weed out their closets AND
2. Shop more ethically AND
3. Make their clothes last longer.

Many references do one of those things--they'll help you weed and organize (Kondo is popular and I do recommend her!), learn to shop, or learn to repair (and stain-treat and better clean) your garments. This is the first time I've encountered a book that does all of those things, and does them well. Cline is also honest about her own journey and I never felt judged reading this: rather, I felt encouraged. Also, Cline provides a lot of information about HOW to shop for quality garments that'll last (like: what can the fabric tell you? WHAT DOES GOOD STITCH-WORK LOOK LIKE?) and what different fabrics can DO for you. In my experience, most articles and books skip right over this NECESSARY INFORMATION, and I *love* that Cline doesn't. (And she presents it in a clear, concise, and interesting way--no mean feat.) Her instructions for sewing repair *come with diagrams* (you'd be amazed how many resources omit diagrams!)

Cline also explains why ethical fashion--fashion that does right by the people who make it at every stage, AND is made in environmentally-sound ways--is important. The information isn't overwhelming but it's there, and Cline includes ways to check that your fashion is ethical (there are ALWAYS apps for that), as well as ways to engage in activism. If that bothers you, you can always skip those parts.

I appreciate that Cline acknowledges that ethical fashion is usually more expensive (it IS) but also explains WHY that's the case (paying workers a living wage costs more than paying them a pittance; ethical companies usually produce a far lower volume than fast-fashion outlets; etc.). Part of the activism is encouraging high-volume, fast-fashion outlets (etc.) to BE more ethical. (Yes, I too have a soapbox. You probably figured that out. TA-DA!) There's so much more. I encourage you to read this section--but of course, you don't have to. I'm not the boss of you.

The best money-saving (and environment-saving!) techniques are, of course, to make what we already have last longer. To that end, shopping for quality clothes and learning to best care for them AND repair them are the most important information you can get from this book. It's here in spades--not just what you personally can learn to do, but also what to do when you need an expert to get involved (blessings upon Cline for talking about cobblers!). When it truly is time to retire a garment, Cline has a lot of information about both donation and recycling. It's outstanding.

tl;dr This book is an OUTSTANDING reference for anyone who wants to learn to shop more efficiently and ethically, and learn important life skills (about repairing, cleaning, donating, and recycling garments). There's also information about activism around ethical garment-production if you need/want it. I HIGHLY recommend this book--I'm going to buy a copy. ...more

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May 03, 2020 Lisa rated it it was amazing

This book already started changing the way I think about fashion as I read it, and I was already decently knowledgeable. I think a lot of it’s lessons will inspire me for years and decades to come.

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Aug 20, 2019 Nancy rated it it was amazing

Make Your Closet Better and More You

I love fashion. From the time I learned to sew, I’ve been fascinated by fabrics, color and design. This book is a treat for anyone who loves clothes and wants a more functional wardrobe at a reasonable price that says who you are.

Much as clothes are wonderful mood lifters, they can also be a drag on the environment if we don’t choose carefully and take care of what we have. This book goes into all aspects of the fashion industry. It discusses the political an ...more

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