Books and beyond

DECEMBER 14, 2012

A Book We Love: Overdressed

Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion by Elizabeth L. Cline

Are you “Overdressed?”

New York writer Elizabeth Cline routinely shopped trendy discount stores such as H&M and Forever 21, and the big box discounters: Target and Walmart. She purchased a new article of clothing at least once a week. After losing her job, she was forced to confront her spending habits. She then realized her clothes habit was way over the top. This book explores our obsession with fashion, particularly cheap clothing, and asks why we are willing to put up with poor quality and what these throwaway duds are doing to our society and to our environment.

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(4 comments)

posted by Joanna, Standley Lake Library

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Comments

Sam I am said, on Feb. 1 at 8:49PM
I took your advice and read this book! Wow, excellent read. Although we always say our clothes seem to be throwaway, this book shows they really are. I was blown away that the average American buys 64 new clothes a year and that no ones want these old cast-offs once we are done with them. No one, not Africa, not the mythical homeless street person. And why does our mother still do our sewing for us?? Because no one else knows how!!

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Emily said, on Feb. 4 at 12:17PM
Thanks for your comments, Sam I am! Lots to discuss with this one.

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Sam I am said, on Feb. 10 at 1:27PM
Because I thought about this book so much, I got my mom to make me (on her sewing machine! hand-sewn with love!) three awesome tops that actually fit me. We had so much fun designing, sewing, and fitting them it was almost like the book brought my Mom and I back to our happy places. Read this book!

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Emily said, on Feb. 10 at 2:12PM
What a great idea and testament to the spirit of this book.