Thursday, April 29, 2010

Fashion: Vegan Fashion Collage

Though its sort of embarrassing for me to post photos of What I Wore Today, I continue to set up my self-timer, try to keep all of the animals in my house from photo-bombing, and post images on my FASHION BLOG to hopefully show people that you can still be fashionable (or "normal" looking, e.g. you don't have to have dread locks and wear only tie dye) without wearing animal products.



Like I've said before and will say again, veganism isn't just about a diet, its a lifestyle. Its a conscious choice in consumerism, to not purchase products that were made and marketed with animal suffering. This means no Leather, no Wool, no Silk, no Furs.

For new vegans, realizing how much of your closet has leather (shoes, belts, bags, jackets, jewelry, small details and adornments) alone can be eye-opening. So much of this we take for granted, and don't see the face behind these products who died for us to wear these things. It makes you realize, THIS MUCH of the fashion industry promotes and exploits killing animals.

And I'm not trying to be preachy, it just is what it is. Those cute boots, that expensive bag, the seats in your luxury car used to live, breathe, feel pain, and bleed. Just saying.

Gore aside, I think that its important to be aware of the lives we live and the impacts we make by choosing which markets to support. There is a lot of fashion out there that is cruelty-free, and not just made from woven hemp drenched in patchouli.

Vintage shopping is my favorite, because buying used its a way to recycle. Cottons, Linens, Denim, Lace, Spandex, Polyester, Canvas, Fleece, Terry-Cloth, Rayon, Velvet, Corduroy, Vinyl, Man-Mades, Synthetics, and sure even hemp fabrics are vegan-safe and vintage stores are brimming with pretty dresses, nice worn-in jeans, and blouses. Some vegans are less strict about their animal-restrictions when buying vintage, and I will admit that I have a few silk scarves that used to be my grandmothers, and a wool sweater or two from my early thrifting days... but even vintage leathers and furs- to me, are creepy to wear. Why drape myself in corpses?

Buying handmade, or if you're crafty enough, making your own clothes or alterations is also a great way to dress sustainably. If you like new clothes (especially underwear), I shop American Apparel, and Victoria's Secret (vicky's secret's perfumes and body lotions are also vegan). Happy shopping.