Killer Style: How Fashion Has Injured, Maimed, and Murdered Through History

A nonfiction dive into fashion history reveals how corsets, combs, hair dye, and hats have actually injured or killed the people who wore or made them.

For the kid obsessed with weird-but-true facts, this book turns a closet full of everyday clothes into a cabinet of historical horrors.

• Big idea: Style has a hidden cost, and the people who make our clothes are often the first to pay it.
• Vibes: Gruesome, gripping, and fact-packed — equal parts fashion history and cautionary tale.

• enjoy gross and surprising true stories
• are curious about how everyday objects have hidden histories
• like to dig into sidebars, facts, and sources
• are working on thinking critically about where things come from

• Historical connection: Why do you think mercury was used to make hats, even though it made the hatters sick?
• Critical thinking: What does the story of the Radium Girls tell us about workplaces that don't protect workers?
• Real-life connection: Can you think of anything you wear today that might not be as safe as it looks?
• Imagination: If you could invent a rule to keep clothing-makers safe, what would it be?
• Research skills: Which story in this book made you want to learn more, and where could you look to find out?