Make It Fashionable but also Vegan and Affordable

Make it fashionable! But also vegan…. And affordable. Maybe you want to take your vegan diet beyond food and apply it to your lifestyle. For you, it might include buying vegan clothing, bags, and accessories. You want your style to be fashionable, vegan, and affordable. But do those three ever cross roads? They do! And it’s a lot easier than you think! You can be a fashionable vegan without breaking the bank. Follow these tips to help you get started! In a couple months you might even have other tips for your newly-turned vegan friends.

Feel Out the Material

Sorting out between real and faux fur is probably the most common road block you’ll face as a vegan fashionista. Here’s what to look out for:

• Real fur will feel really similar to your hair and will have direction.
• Faux fur will feel like a rug and is sewn in straight rows.

Research Your Clothes

Research the industry standards for what type of material is used for different types of clothing. For example, plain t-shirts are most likely made out of cotton. But if you’re shopping for a suit, you’ll have to do some more digging. Suits are usually made of wool, so you will have to shop for a linen, cotton, or synthetic materials. Some boots and belts are made of leather or the upper part of a shoe has some leather components. Just be sure to ask questions if you’re unsure and look for alternatives. Women’s blouses used to made with silk exclusively, but now it’s easier to find ones that have a polyester blend.

Vintage and Vegan

Using parts of animals to make clothing was really popular several decades ago. The older the clothing is the more likely it will be have some animal product in it. The goes double for items such as wool sweaters and coats, leather and felt hats, and pieces with a fur trim. But, don’t worry you’re not out of luck! If you love thrifting, try Stop Staring and Daddy-O’s for vintage clothing that is nearly all vegan.

Read Everything

Learn to read the labels if anything! It’s like reading the nutrition facts of a cereal box or the instructions to put together an IKEA desk. You must read the labels slowly and carefully. When you’re reading look for labels such as lining, outer shell, upper, and quilting. If that doesn’t work, look for “cleaning instructions” many wool-based clothing has to be dry cleaned.

Fiber for Fashionable Vegans

Fiber isn’t just good for your body, it’s also good for your clothes if you’re vegan! Cotton is your new best friend and thankfully is used in many different types of clothes and takes different forms. While you’re reading, look for other vegan fibers such as  linen, polyester, spandex, lycra, ramie, bamboo, hemp, denim, nylon, rayon, tyvek, PVC, microfiber, cork, acrylic, viscose, and moda.

It’s All in the Details

Sometimes fur and leather is added to really small features you won’t notice in the store. Save the time of going back to the store and be sure to check for a fur trim, a leather label on jeans, leather pocket details, shell or horn buttons, and fur pom-poms on scarves and hats. I hope these beginner tips help you get the ball rolling! Good luck this buying season!