Cruelty consciousness is trending. The days of strutting your stuff around town in a fur coat are over forever. And good riddance. Looking up to date no longer depends on animal exploitation.
However, to actually put together an ensemble without accidentally including an animal-derived article of clothing is a lot harder than it sounds. And removing options from the repertoire isn’t going to make things easy.
But fear not, with a little knowledge and innovation, it’s definitely possible to adopt almost any look without indirectly contributing to animal cruelty. Adhering to a set of standards will help shape and define fashionistas that decide to go this route.
1. Start With Identifying Animal Sources
Everybody knows that fur and leather are animal products. But there are many other less well-known clothing and textile materials that come from animals. Knowing the origin of common materials is the primary way to identify and boycott animal-based clothing materials. Several popular material choices are used but it’s now widely known that they are animal products.
The most common materials to be avoided:
- Fur
- Leather, including suede
- Silk
- Cashmere
- Various types of wool
- And many others
Silk production isn’t common knowledge even to this day. It was a closely guarded secret for ages. Empires rose and fell at the whims of the silk trade. The secret is stranger than fiction. Silk comes from insect cocoons. Producers unravel the insect silk that makes up the cocoon and process it to make the silk that is used in textiles. The silkworms don’t survive the process.
Cashmere is less brutal, but it still exploits animals to produce. It is the wool taken from the soft underbellies of goats. The problem besides shearing stress is that they are now kept in high-density lots for mass production.
Llamas, alpacas, sheep, mohair, and camel wool are all common sources for clothing products, especially in colder climates.
There are many other, less common products that come from nefarious sources. You can get more information about unethical animal exploitation online.
2. Brush Up On Vegan Clothing Options
There are lots of options for vegan clothing. There are all-natural fibers that have the earthy feel that is so appealing. Going with these choices makes a statement about your morality. These are fibers such as linen, cotton, plant fiber like hemp or coconut, bamboo, and even seaweed.
Others will undoubtedly want to emulate popular trends with vegan alternatives regardless of what the original source material is. Fur has such an exotic look that it is timeless, but faux fur is the only option for a civilized person. According to this information from Vegomm.com, gilets are particularly popular this season. They are like fur vests and are great eye-catchers.
There are plenty of other classic alternatives for animal products like vinyl and rayon. More and more cruelty-free textile products are being developed all the time. Chances are if you want a particular look but it comes from an animal source, somebody has already developed a cruelty-free option.
3. Look To The Catwalk For Inspiration
Sometimes looking trendy and fashionable has nothing to do with clothing options and everything to do with a fashion weary eye. Even the highest quality bamboo beach pants can’t help you if the rest of your outfit is modeled after meemaw’s houseware.
Have a look at the new items coming out this season. And no, avant-garde faux fur satyr pants aren’t your style. Looking to the runway doesn’t mean dressing up like a clown. Runway shows are designed to highlight each of the designer’s products that season all at the same time.
Models are packed with items and accessories as a kind of quick preview into what that designer’s going to be putting on the shelf. The point is to find two or three things in that show that inspire individual style and update your look.
4. Just Go With Your Creative Whims
Don’t hold back. If it compels you, do it. Some of the hottest trends are born from a whim. So be bold and just try it out.
5. Most Accessories Are Cruelty-Free
Other than leather and feathers, most accessories are not derived from animals. Any form of metal, gem, plastic, glass, or fiber is a guilt-free option to jazz up your outfit. Don’t underestimate the ability of a good accessory to completely change your tired old outfit. Stock up on accessories if you’re finding clothing options limiting.
6. Emulate Fashions With Faux Alternatives
Some people will opt to present their natural fiber approach to living. But sometimes you just need a faux fur trench coat. Amirite?
There are plenty of options for the classics. Fake leather shoes, belts, wallets, and handbags. Faux fur, wool, and cashmere are also available.
Don’t be discouraged by limited choices. It’s an opportunity to shine. The vegan cloth is guilt-free. With some creativity, brashness, ample accessories, and an arsenal of faux fabrics, you can dress however you want without sacrificing your ethics.
