In addition to eating a plant-based diet, being vegan is a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as possible and practicable, the use of animals for clothing or any other purpose. So what do vegans wear?
Saying goodbye to wool, leather, fur and silk -
Vbazaar guide to vegan clothing
One of the most widely used animal fabrics in the world of fashion is certainly leather, used almost everywhere: bags, shoes, belts, jackets, gloves, details of clothes and accessories.
Although sometimes it may seem a bit complicated, it is still possible to find on the market garments made with materials similar to leather in texture and yield, but absolutely cruelty-free.
Recently, moreover, we have seen how more and more companies are targeting cruelty-free leather. For example, artificial leather can be made from apples, mushrooms, or soy.
Don’t you think it’s amazing that common fruit can be turned into materials that can be used in place of leather?
Although you may think that wool is produced without any suffering, the reality is quite different: the shearing, in fact, often takes place in a cruel and painful manner without any regard for animals.
Luckily we can easily find scarves, hats, gloves and cruelty-free sweaters: as always it is good to look at the label, because often, even clothes apparently made with other materials, can hide a certain percentage of wool.
Fleece, flannel, velour, chenille, are just some of the alternative materials to wool and which, in addition to being totally cruelty-free, often also have a better yield in terms of strength and heat (as well as, of course, a much lower price).
Vegan alternative to fur
Fur is one of the most controversial items in the world of fashion, which has always found many supporters as well as fierce opponents, probably because it is one of the garments made in the cruellest way possible.
Like wool and leather, fur production is harmful to the planet and to the animals. Minks, seals, foxes, and chinchillas are among the species bred on fur farms or caught in traps for their furs.
It’s great to hear that modern fashion is catching up to modern realisations of how cruel it can be to farm wild animals for their fur. We’re seeing a sharp increase in alternatives to fur goods across high-end and commercial fashion industries which is shaping the way consumers shop and the environment.
Why vegans don’t wear silk
While it is quite clear to most people why vegans don’t eat meat or don’t wear fur, why vegans do not wear silk is less obvious.
Silk fabric is made from fibers spun by worms, who are animals, in a process that’s surprisingly cruel and typically ends with the worms being killed.
Although some believe that the tiny caterpillar can’t feel pain, PETA maintains otherwise: “Anyone who has ever seen worms startle when their dark homes are uncovered must acknowledge that worms are sensate – they produce endorphins and have a physical response to pain.”
Vegan clothing alternatives, fortunately, exist: such as nylon, polyester, rayon, milkweed seed-pod fibers, and silk-cotton tree filaments, for example.
Believing that documentaries have the power to inspire the change, we’ve sifted through the streaming platforms to find the best vegan documentaries that could inspire you to change yourself, and maybe the world, for the better READ MORE
