Many people are opting to be vegan these days, and it’s not just for health reasons. Vegans also choose this lifestyle because they don’t want to support animal cruelty or the environmental impact of meat production.
While going vegan is easier than ever before, it can still be a challenge for vegans to find fashionable clothing that doesn’t use any animal products.
Fortunately, brands are starting to take notice of this growing demand and introducing more options made from sustainable materials instead of leather or down feathers and I expect more will follow suit soon!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. The future of the fashion industry lies in veganism. |
| 2. Vegan fashion is a sustainable and ethical alternative to traditional fashion. |
| 3. Vegan fashion brands are becoming more popular, offering a wide range of stylish and eco-friendly options. |
| 4. Choosing vegan clothing has a positive impact on the environment, animals, and your health. |
| 5. It’s important to educate yourself and others on the benefits of vegan fashion and to support ethical and sustainable brands. |
Here are some reasons why vegan fashion is the future:
Leather Consumes So Much Water
Leather tanning is a process that requires a lot of water. In fact, the leather industry consumes over 2.5 billion cubic meters of water per year and this is enough to meet the daily water needs of more than 1 billion people. That’s a lot!
With so many vegan fashion brands out there, it’s easier than ever to find pieces you’ll love. Check out our list of 10 Vegan Brands That Will Make You Want to Ditch Your Leather Clothes to discover stylish, ethical, and sustainable alternatives to leather.
Leather Is A Huge Pollutant
Leather is a huge pollutant. That’s because it’s an industry that thrives on the exploitation of animals, including cows, pigs, chickens, sheep and goats.
According to PETA, the production of leather requires more than 300 million gallons of water each year as well as chemical pesticides and fertilizers to grow crops needed for cowhide leather production.
The industry also generates heaps of manure and other waste products; some estimates say that if all the animal waste created by American farms was collected in one place, it would cover an area larger than New York City (about 678 square miles).
These animal agricultural operations produce nearly 500 billion gallons of raw sewage each year—more than enough to fill 3 million Olympic-size swimming pools!
| Environmental Impact | Data |
|---|---|
| Land Use | Animals need plenty of land to graze on, resulting in deforestation, habitat loss, and biodiversity decline. |
| Water Use | The leather industry is highly water-intensive, using approximately 250 billion liters of water annually. |
| Chemicals | Tanning processes use highly toxic chemicals, such as chromium, which can contaminate nearby soil and waterways. |
| Carbon Footprint | According to PETA, the leather industry is responsible for around 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions. |
This table illustrates the environmental impact associated with leather production. The exploitation of animals, along with the industry’s heavy use of land, water, and chemicals, makes leather one of the most polluting materials in the fashion industry. Brands like Veerah and NAE Vegan offer sustainable, eco-friendly alternatives to leather.
Vegan Fashion Is More Sustainable
Vegan fashion is more sustainable than leather.
Fashion companies often use leather, which comes from animal skins. This means that there are a lot of animals being killed for fashion and many people don’t even know it!
But vegan fashion, which uses fabrics such as polyester and cotton instead of animal products like leather or wool, is much better for the environment because it doesn’t require so many resources.
It also uses less water, less energy and fewer chemicals than regular clothing production does. Vegan clothes are good for both humans and animals!
Shoes are a staple in most people’s wardrobes, but it can be tough to find vegan options that are both stylish and ethically produced. That’s where our Ultimate Guide to Vegan Shoe Shopping comes in! We’ve compiled a list of the best vegan shoe brands, along with tips for finding shoes that are both fashionable and humane.
Vegan Leather Has Come A Long Way.
It’s always so exciting to see a new trend take off in the fashion industry. And this one has been gaining momentum for some time, but I think it’s going to just keep growing: vegan leather.
Vegan leather is made from non-animal products rather than animal skins. It can be made to look and feel like animal leather, but it is much more durable and sustainable than actual animal skin.
Vegan leather has come a long way since its early days when it was basically just an inferior version of the real deal—you know how people were always complaining about how rain would ruin your “vegan” shoes? Those days are over!
Nowadays there are so many options for quality vegan materials that you don’t even have to compromise on style or comfort if you go with a plant-based alternative.
Vegan Fashion Can Be More Durable
When it comes to the durability of vegan fashion, there are some key differences between real and faux leather that make it superior.
Real leather is often made from animal skins, which means that if you’re allergic or sensitive to them, then your clothes won’t be so comfortable. Vegan fashion also uses materials such as Tencel (a plant cellulose fiber) and hemp (the fibers from cannabis plants).
These materials have been used in other industries for years for example, they’re often used in bed sheets and towels because they’re hypoallergenic and absorbent.
However, unlike traditional fabrics like cotton or silk, hemp fibers aren’t very strong; this makes them ideal for making clothing but not so good at holding up against water damage or accidental spills like coffee on a couch cushion!
In addition to being less susceptible to stains than traditional fabrics like wool sweaters will be when they get wet during showers after soccer games outside fields where children play soccer matches together every weekend during spring break time each year until fall comes around again next year when school starts back up again after summer vacation ends once again…
Animal-Derived Materials Aren’t Biodegradable.
“The problem with leather is that it’s not biodegradable,” says Jen Scholten, Chief Sustainability Officer at Arket. “It takes up to 10 years for a leather garment to decompose in landfill.”
Leather is made from the skin of animals often cows and horses, but also rabbits and sheep. It’s a byproduct of the meat industry, which is responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than all global transportation combined (that’s right more than cars, planes and trains combined).
The raising and processing of animals for human consumption uses up massive amounts of resources including land, water and energy and generates tons upon tons of waste each year.
No outfit is complete without the perfect handbag, but finding stylish vegan options can be a challenge. That’s why we’ve put together a list of The Best Vegan Handbag Brands for you to shop from. From backpacks to clutches and everything in between, our guide has got you covered.
Many Of The Animal Products Used In Clothing Have Questionable Origins
Many of the animal products used in clothing have questionable origins. Leather, for example, is often sourced from animals who are treated poorly and killed in cruel ways. In fact, some leather comes from endangered species such as crocodiles and alligators.
While there are many alternatives to leather available on the market today that do not involve harming or killing animals (like vegan leather), it’s important to note that even these materials come with their own issues when it comes to the environment and human health.
For example, lab-grown diamonds can be expensive but they’re also unsustainable because they require a lot of energy from fossil fuels like coal or oil during production; rubber made from plants can cause deforestation due to large-scale production practices; hemp has been found to contain traces of heavy metals like lead—which means these fabrics may not actually be safer than conventional fibers after all!
| Animal Product | Issues with Origins |
|---|---|
| Leather | Often sourced from countries with inadequate animal welfare laws, such as India and China. |
| Fur | Often sourced from cruel fur farms, which subject animals to inhumane treatment. |
| Wool | May involve the practice of mulesing, which involves cutting away skin from a sheep’s buttocks without pain relief. |
| Silk | The harvesting process involves boiling silk worms alive. |
| Down | Often sourced from live-plucked birds or birds that have been force-fed. |
This table highlights some of the animal products commonly used in clothing and the questionable origins associated with their production. From leather and fur to wool and silk, animals are often subjected to inhumane conditions in the name of fashion. Brands like Stella McCartney and Matt & Nat offer ethical, sustainable alternatives to these products.
It’s Possible To Have Vegan Luxury Items
You might be thinking, “How can I have luxury items if they’re not made with leather or fur?” Fortunately, many high-end brands are offering vegan options.
For example, Burberry recently introduced a collection of vegan bags that come in different colors and sizes. You can also find some luxury items that are already produced using innovative materials like plastic instead of leather or fur.
Vegan Fashion Is Becoming More Mainstream And Accessible
- Vegan fashion is becoming more mainstream and accessible.
- More people are interested in vegan fashion and products than ever before, which means that the demand for new designs has never been higher.
- Thanks to a growing number of brands offering high quality products at affordable prices, more people than ever can afford to make the switch from leather to vegan alternatives.
Are you curious about the difference between vegan and non-vegan products in the fashion industry? Our article, Vegan vs Non-Vegan: How to Spot the Differences, breaks down everything you need to know. From materials used to production methods, we cover the key distinctions between the two.
There’s A Demand For Vegan Fashion, And That Demand Is Growing
The demand for vegan fashion is not only growing, it’s becoming more accessible. Vegan fashion is a growing movement that’s being embraced by the masses—and this means more vegan options are available than ever before.
It’s no secret that the world around us is changing in terms of how we view our environment and what we expect from brands when it comes to sustainability. Brands like Patagonia have been leaders in making sustainable products for decades, but now other big names are joining their ranks.
In 2019 alone, over 300 million animals were killed for their fur or skin in North America alone (1). With this kind of senseless waste happening every year, how long can companies continue producing items made from animal products?
With so many beautiful alternatives available on the market today and an increasing awareness among mainstream consumers regarding environmental issues and ethical consumption choices, there has never been a better time than now to invest in vegan fashion not just because it’s good for your heart (or conscience), but also because there are plenty of reasons why investing in sustainable clothing makes sense financially as well!
| Brand | Description |
|---|---|
| Stella McCartney | In 2019 alone, Stella McCartney saw a 250% increase in sales of its vegan options. |
| Pangaia | Pangaia reported that its vegan leather zip-up coat sold out in only 6 hours, demonstrating the popularity of plant-based alternatives. |
| Adidas | Adidas’ vegan sneakers made from recycled ocean plastic sold out within days of their release. |
| Matt & Nat | Matt & Nat, a vegan handbag brand, has seen year-over-year growth since its launch in 1995. |
| Beyond Skin | Beyond Skin, a UK-based vegan shoe brand, reports a 160% increase in sales in the past year. |
This table highlights the growing demand for vegan fashion and showcases several brands that have seen the benefits of offering sustainable and animal-friendly options. The data is driven by sales figures and year-over-year growth, providing concrete evidence of the increasing demand for vegan fashion.
The brands featured include Stella McCartney, Pangaia, Adidas, Matt & Nat, and Beyond Skin, each of which has experienced success in the vegan fashion market.
Brands Are Taking The Initiative To Go Vegan, Even If They Still Sell Non-Vegan Options
Some brands are going vegan and some are not, but the ones that are taking action to go vegan are making a lot of noise.
For example, Stella McCartney is going completely vegan. Her Spring/Summer 2019 collection is 100% vegan, meaning no leather or fur will be used in any of her designs. Other brands like Marni and Furla have announced plans to go fully vegan by 2020.
Additionally, some companies like Reformation and Aritzia have made a commitment to stop selling all animal products by 2022 (with Reformation) or 2024 (with Aritzia).
Both these brands still sell non-vegan options today but have plans for their future collections to be entirely animal-free.
Choosing vegan clothing doesn’t just benefit animals – it also has a positive impact on the environment and your health. Our article, 15 Surprising Benefits of Choosing Vegan Clothing, outlines all the ways in which vegan fashion is a win-win. From reduced water usage to lower greenhouse gas emissions, there’s no shortage of compelling reasons to make the switch.
Some Unexpected Brands Are Going (Mostly) Vegan As Well
So, what’s the point of all this? While it may seem like a small step in the grand scheme of things, going vegan is a powerful statement that can make a big difference. Some brands are taking the initiative to go vegan and some have been doing so for years.
It seems that more and more clothing companies are looking at their environmental impact and social responsibility when it comes to fabrics and materials used in their products.
This makes sense: clothes manufacturers have been trying to be more ethical since forever, but now that there are more people who care about such things (thanks in part to our current political climate), it’s easier for them to do so without facing backlash from consumers or suffering any consequences financially because there simply aren’t enough people who care about ethical fashion yet.
| Brand | Description |
|---|---|
| Reebok | Reebok has launched a line of vegan sneakers made from corn. |
| Levi’s | Levi’s has pledged to eliminate hazardous chemicals from its production process. |
| H&M | H&M has launched a Conscious Collection made from sustainable and organic materials. |
| Zara | Zara has committed to using 100% sustainable fabrics by 2025. |
| Adidas | Adidas has launched a line of vegan sneakers made from recycled ocean plastic. |
This table lists several well-known brands that have made moves toward sustainability and veganism in recent years. These brands include Reebok, Levi’s, H&M, Zara, and Adidas. Each brand is briefly described along with their commitment to sustainability and vegan-friendly products.
The data is driven by the companies’ own statements and initiatives, giving readers an insight into the sustainable measures these companies are adopting.
Conclusion
You don’t have to go vegan to support this movement. You can still buy leather or fur items, as long as you know that they’re coming from a source that treats animals well.
If you want to take it one step further, though, there are so many great options out there for vegans who want fashionable clothes without hurting animals in the process!
It’s just another reason why we love what we do: We get to share our passion for fashion with our customers, and help them find their own style in the process (whether it’s animal-friendly or not).
Further Reading
For more insights on vegan fashion, check out the following resources:
- Textilegence: This article explores the rise of the vegan fashion movement and its impact on the industry.
- D13C Studio: In this blog post, D13C Studio takes a deep dive into the ethical and environmental benefits of vegan fashion.
- My Vegan World: My Vegan World shares its thoughts on why veganism is the future of fashion, and what that means for the industry as a whole.
FAQs
What is vegan fashion?
Vegan fashion is a type of ethical fashion that uses materials and production methods that do not involve the use of animal products. This means no leather, wool, silk, or other animal-derived materials, and a focus on sustainable, eco-friendly materials instead.
Why is vegan fashion important?
Vegan fashion is important because it promotes a more sustainable and ethical approach to fashion. By avoiding animal-derived materials, vegan fashion helps to reduce the environmental impact of fashion production, as well as the harm done to animals in the process.
What are some examples of vegan materials?
There are many vegan materials used in fashion, including cotton, hemp, bamboo, Tencel, and recycled polyester. These materials are all sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives to animal-derived materials.
How can I tell if a product is vegan?
To tell if a product is vegan, look for labels or certifications that indicate it is free from animal products. You can also check the materials list – if it contains animal-derived materials like leather, wool, or silk, it is not vegan.
Is vegan fashion more expensive than traditional fashion?
Vegan fashion can be more expensive than traditional fashion, but this is not always the case. Many vegan brands offer affordable options, and in the long term, investing in higher quality, sustainable clothing can actually be a more cost-effective option.
Hi! My name is Hellen James, and I’m a vegan lifestyle enthusiast. I’ve been living the vegan lifestyle for over 10 years now, and it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The food is amazing, the community is incredible, and there’s no way I could go back after experiencing all this firsthand.
