To Dye For

How Toxic Fashion Is Making Us Sick—and How We Can Fight Back

By: Alden Wicker

Narrated by: Alden Wicker

Length: 7 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

A Silent Spring for your wardrobe, To Dye For is a jolting exposé that reveals the true cost of the toxic, largely unregulated chemicals found on most clothing today.

Many of us are aware of the ethical minefield that is fast fashion: the dodgy labor practices, the lax environmental standards, and the mountains of waste piling up on the shores of developing countries. But have you stopped to consider the dangerous effects your clothes are having on your own health? Award-winning journalist Alden Wicker breaks open a story hiding in plain sight: the unregulated toxic chemicals that are likely in your wardrobe right now, how they’re harming you, and what you can do about it.

In To Dye For, Wicker reveals how clothing manufacturers have successfully swept consumers’ concerns under the rug for more than 150 years, and why synthetic fashion and dyes made from fossil fuels are so deeply intertwined with the rise of autoimmune disease, infertility, asthma, eczema, and more. In fact, there’s little to no regulation of the clothes and textiles we wear each day—from uniforms to fast fashion, outdoor gear, and even the face masks that have become ubiquitous in recent years. Wicker explains how we got here, what the stakes are, and what all of us can do in the fight for a safe and healthy wardrobe for all.

©2023 Alden Wicker (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

One of Ethos’s 23 Must-Read Climate Change and Environmental Books to Jumpstart You Into Action

One of The Next Big Idea Club's June 2023 Must-Read Books

"Utterly eye-opening and engrossing, you will never look at your clothes the same way again after reading this book. Alden Wicker demystifies the toxic process behind how our clothing is made in page-turning detail."—Amy Odell, author of Anna: The Biography

“To Dye For is not just about clothes. It’s an intrepid, long-overdue investigation into the untested and often dangerous chemicals that are in nearly everything we buy, the sobering reality of what these substances are doing to our bodies, and an inspiring call to action for our government to put public safety over the power of the chemical industry.”—Elizabeth Cline, author of Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion

"[Wicker’s] mastery of her chosen subject is impressive, while it is her ability to not only enlighten readers regarding the obvious-fashion, she notes, does not come with an ingredient list-but also to drive home the seriousness of her research that makes this a crucial book...Her gripping and deadly serious investigation of this long overlooked topic hits all the right marks. To Dye For should be widely read and has the potential of being a game changer in an increasingly scrutinized industry."—Booklist, starred review

This isn’t being talked about enough

I loved this book. The care and detail that went in to her research is astounding. I recommend to all.

listen for your health

good balance of anecdotes, cutting edge early results scientific research and established science. high quality investigative journalism in book format

Riveting!!! Finished it in 3 days!

Must read!!! Buying copies for friends & family. Complete eye opener …. Incredibly well written. Great job Alden!

Eye-opening information 

Great narration. I learned so much about textiles and how they affect her every day life

This is an important book

The author did a great job in pointing out the destruction to our health by chemicals in our clothing. Well presented.

Well written expose proves suspicions correct.

As a Tailor at Saks Firh Avenue I had to sign my right away in case “I got cancer from the chemicals in the clothes”. I never knew what it meant until recently. This book explains in detail the history and rapid growth government, chemicals, and labor laws had to do with the state we are in today. Completely F’d. Should be mandatory in to graduate high school. Unfortunately, there’s so much money to be made by the greedy people and companies in control they will do whatever they can do not let this book get the attention it deserves. Including cancel television interviews to discuss the book. That proves right there that this is something worth reading. 100% facts.

Left speechless, how are these practices legal

…. Capitalism strikes again.

It seems the more I read, the more I inform myself, and the more I learn, profit is always more important than the health and well-being of consumers. Alden’s book acutely depicts this theme in fashion and textile industries.

I’ve purchased this as an audiobook, but given the nature and depth of research that has gone into the body of work, i’ll be purchasing a hard copy as well to gain access to the references.

What an eye opener!

Something I had never considered before- this book has changed my perspective on so many things and has completely changed my buying habits!

well researched and digestible

Alden makes the complex world of chemicals, especially in relation to clothing, digestible. Found this book on tiktok!! great first vid!!

A must read

This book is a must read for anyone who has ever had any kind of reaction or unexplained health issue. Excellent information!