Where am I Wearing?: A Global Tour to the Countries, Factories, and People That Make Our Clothes

“I was made in America. My Jingle These Christmas boxers were made in Bangladesh.”

The first line of the Prologue underlines the book’s central subject of globalization. Timmerman’s underwear and almost all of his other clothes were manufactured overseas for American brands. Here, he highlights the ironic dissonance between the product and its source. His festive-themed boxers were produced in a predominantly Muslim country that does not celebrate Christmas.

“This quest is about the way we live and the way they live; because when it comes to clothing, others make it, and we have it made. And there’s a big, big difference.”

Timmerman outlines a key theme of the book: The Gap Between Producers and Consumers. Characterizing Americans as consumers, he plays on the double meaning of “have it made.” Americans both have their garments made for them and benefit from the comfortable standard of living associated with wealthy developed countries. Meanwhile, in comparison, the makers of their clothes experience a vastly inferior standard of living.

“As far as most consumers are concerned, clothes come from the store. Consumers don’t see the chain of transportation and manufacturing that comes before they take the pants off the rack.”

In exploring The Gap Between Producers and Consumers, Timmerman highlights how most customers are unaware of the origins of their clothing. When they buy a garment in a store, they have no concept of the process it has undergone to get there. He underlines how fast fashion and globalization undermine consumers’ sense of connection with the products they buy.