In a dozen essays, academic experts explore the history, trading culture, and contemporary refashioning of secondhand clothing. Though the practice’s origins are in necessity, the passing of
clothes between social and economic groups has become a global business. To move from one cultural situation to another, used clothes must be transformed in some way to become of potential
value to a new social group; the contributors look at how, when, and why this has happened. The wan, gray photos that illustrate several essays don’t do either fashion or the text justice. The
editors are a museum curator and a design historian specializing in dress and textiles; the contributors are based in North America, Europe, and Australia. Annotation ©2005 Book News, Inc.,
Portland, OR (booknews.com)
