The Fabric of Civilization: How Textiles Made the World

Placeholder author icon
By Virginia Postrel ’82

Published Nov. 18, 2020

Pulling from archaeology, economics, and science, Virginia Postrel ’82 tells a history of textiles and civilizations around the world. The Fabric of Civilization explores how cloth has inspired far-reaching trade and innovation throughout human history.

Paw in print

Image
Three Princeton students stand outside East Pyne, modeling preppy clothing by JPress.
The Latest Issue

June 2026

Ivy Style finds new life; University ‘pauses’ Trenton program; Princeton’s dating culture.