Several years ago, vegans didn’t have many options when they dine out or shop for clothes, now there are many vegan alternatives. So they made do with what they had. But times have changed. More and more vegan restaurants are opening everywhere in the world, which has made traveling as a vegan easier.
Innovations in technology have also given birth to various products made from vegan materials. Would you believe us if we tell you that vegan leather shoes now exist? And the best part is, they are just as comfortable and durable as traditional animal-based leather.
Types of vegan materials
Here are some vegan fabrics you may want to include on your shopping list when buying clothes and accessories.
Organic cotton
Cotton in itself is vegan. However, it may contain non-vegan materials when being made into a garment – such as silk embroidery or animal-based glue – meaning not all cotton garments are vegan. Plus, if the cotton crop is conventionally grown, then you should know that it is considered as one of the dirtiest crops in the world. So, make sure that you only choose organic cotton the next time you go shopping for clothes.
Vegan leather
Conventional vegan leather is commonly made from PVC, which doesn’t contain animal parts, making it a vegan product. There are now other even more sustainable materials used for making vegan leather, such as pineapple leaves, wine waste, and algae. Kombucha leather is another viable alternative to animal leather.
Some brands like Gunas New York use recycled materials. The interior of their bags is made with reclaimed plastic bottles while the outside is made from Polyurethane and vegetable by-products.
Other vegan fabrics include:
- Linen
- Hemp
- Beech tree fiber
- Coconut fiber
- Lyocell
- Modall
Vegan materials vs. Animal-based materials
Over the years, big apparel industries have successfully equated high fashion with leather, fur, and wool. But aside from being unsustainable, these types of fabric all share the same thing. They are made using animal parts, particularly their skin.
Billions of animals are slaughtered every year to satisfy what we think fashion is—and it shouldn’t be that way. Animal lives matter too.
Fortunately, in this modern age, many people have put their ingenuity to good use by creating vegan alternatives for almost everything, including garments, footwear, and accessories. Yes, vegan flats, shoes, and bags are a thing now—and they are just as durable as the ones made from animal-based materials.
And the best part is vegan products are more eco-friendly. You can also sleep better at night, knowing that you are not wearing some innocent animal’s skin.
Shopping for durable materials as a vegan
Comfort, quality, design, and durability are some of the first things we check when buying any product. Of course, why would we buy anything that we know will not last or is not comfortable? Durability is especially important when buying shoes because, out of all the clothes and accessories we wear, it is the most that takes a beating. Our shoes should be able to protect our feet no matter what.
But does going vegan mean you have to compromise on the quality of your clothing? Absolutely not. Many vegan clothing lines produce high-quality products that are as comfortable and durable as the non-vegan ones.
For example, Steve Madden, one of the world’s premium footwear brands, just released their own line of vegan leather shoes. With a popular brand name like that and the ability to source the most advanced materials, you can be sure that their product is of the best quality.
Promoting vegan products through influencers
Veganism has seen a lot of prejudice from people over the years. In fact, many vegans have experienced discrimination even from friends and family. But why is that happening? It’s because people do not understand what this lifestyle is all about.
They also have this notion that vegan food is tasteless and bland. And when they hear about vegan products like vegan leather shoes, they might dismiss them as having low quality. If only they’re informed, then this incorrect perception of veganism can be avoided. Working with a well-known and liked influencer can come in quite handy in this situation, especially now that we live in the digital age.