Worn: A People's History of Clothing

‘This riveting behind-the-scenes story of the clothes on our backs is a must-read for clotheshorses everywhere’ Harper’s Bazaar

‘Extraordinary … fascinating … a wonderful way into history, quite often through the voices of people who don’t have a say in history’ Cerys Matthews


Linen, Cotton, Silk, Synthetics, Wool: through the stories of these five fabrics, Sofi Thanhauser illuminates the world we inhabit in a startling new way, travelling from China to Cumbria to reveal the craft, labour and industry that create the clothes we wear.

From the women who transformed stalks of flax into linen to clothe their families in nineteenth century New England to those who earn their dowries in the cotton-spinning factories of South India today, this book traces the origins of garment-making through time and around the world. Exploring the social, economic and environmental impact of our most personal possessions, Worn looks beyond care labels to show how clothes reveal the truth about what we really care about.

‘A must-read … combines remarkable research with heartfelt care’ Clare Hunter