There are always new fashion trends that come in and out of style. One, however, remains to be super popular. Fur and leather seem to always be hot commodities in style, especially in footwear. Sorry to break it to you, ladies, but those comfortable Uggs you’re wearing are made of sheepskin. It’s easy to ignore what your clothing is made of, but let 2017 be the year when you stop buying clothing that is cruel to the fuzzy creatures we all love!
There’s a misconception that fur and leather are mostly found in high fashion brands. However, high fashion designers are actually moving to vegan materials. There are some amazing alternatives to the common furs and skins we use in clothing. Famous brands like Stella McCartney are completely vegan!
Fur and leather are so commonly used in clothing that is not high fashion, and we often forget that! Your Nikes, Adidas, and sometimes even Converse could be made of leather. When buying new shoes, try to look at the list of materials used in them.
If you have eyes and don’t live under a rock, then you know that this winter was plagued by the Canada Goose brand coats. They are huge, warm and insanely expensive. And yes, they are made of duck and goose down. Down isn’t just the the birds’ feathers, it’s the layer of thin fluffy feathers found underneath them. They are plucked right out of birds. If you’re going to spend that much money on a coat, at least have a freed conscience by getting a cruelty free one from a brand like Patagonia.
Ignorance is bliss — that’s true. However, its 2017 and ignorance isn’t an excuse anymore. The internet exists and you have the ability to look up the truth about how fur and leather are obtained. You can look up the materials used in that new pair of Uggs you want. That also means that you have the capability to look up alternatives to leather, fur and skin.
Stella McCartney said “There’s nothing fashionable about a dead animal that has been cruelly killed just because some people think it looks cool to wear.”
You can be fashionable, comfortable and cruelty-free. If you are guilty of wearing animal by-products, it may be time for a lifestyle change. Don’t feel guilty about the clothes you are wearing. Next time you go shopping, leave the store with a clean conscience!
