Fashionopolis: The Secrets Behind the Clothes We Wear
(Young Readers Edition)
by Dana Thomas
Dial Books for Young Readers
Penguin Random House LLC
2022
196 pages
ISBN: 9780593325018
An important book for all readers interested in fashion and those committed to help save our planet, Fashionopolis looks at the chain that produces the cotton, silk or other fabrics, the dyers, the designers: haute couture, ready-to wear, fast fashion and reused clothing.
Most people don't know the amount of effort it takes to get the clothes they buy to the rack in the stores where they shop. Young readers will be surprised at the amount of clothing that is thrown out and ends up in our landfills. Did you know some synthetic clothes like polyester, will take at least five hundred years to decompose or that one in every nine workers works in the clothing industry?
Dana Thomas delivers facts and information to young readers that will get them thinking about the clothes they wear and what they can do to help stop contributing to landfills. What happens when there's no more room for landfills? The time is now to shop wisely, buy what you need, use it, donate it or trade it.
Sweatshops in third world countries produce much of America's clothing. Next time you buy something, look at the label. It likely will say "made in China," "made in India," or "made in Bangladesh." Foreign factories are free to set their own work hours and conditions. Pay is so low for a day's work that it's a crime. America's clothing factories are supposed to be regulated in conditions and hours, but again, the pay for a day's work is not a living wage and conditions are likely to be poor.
Thomas includes ideas for young people and their families to practice: including trading clothes with friends, washing your clothes less frequently; for example, if you wear a pair of jeans one time, chances are they're not dirty unless you spilled something on them. Other ideas include: fixing your clothes instead of tossing them out. If it's a small tear or missing button, it can be easily fixed at home. An idea anyone can practice is: use cloth tote bags when buying groceries and other things. Don't use the plastic bags from the store. Donate your clothes to Good Will or other charity. By changing a few things about the way we shop, what we buy and what we throw away, we'll be doing our part to improve our planet.
Highly recommended grade 6 and up.
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