Veganizing my winter wardrobe (it’s a process)

Baby, it’s cold outside!

Yesterday I went on a five-mile run with two girlfriends and the temperature was 17 degrees (F) with a zero (0) windchill. We felt like total rock stars when we completed our frosty workout! Later, my husband and I went into Manhattan for dinner with friends (more on that tomorrow) and it was still incredibly frigid.

As we walked down 7th Avenue I was feeling so toasty and warm — and it dawned on me that after nearly two years of a vegan lifestyle I was completely decked out in vegan winter attire! Head to toe! Naturally, I requested that my husband take a photo.

On my head and hands: Running hat and gloves. Technical (wicking) gear is often synthetic and keeps me nice and warm and is easy to find at your local running shop.

On my feet: Novacas boots (from Moo Shoes)

On my body: A Merrell coat. I have my Facebook and Twitter friends to thank for this. A few weeks ago, when the temperatures dipped for the first time all winter, I realized I needed a larger cold-weather coat (hello, I stopped chasing skinny!) and asked for suggestions for a vegan option. This coat works well with work and casual clothing, repels water/snow and is warm!

Around my neck: A big, bulky, acrylic knit scarf.

Over my shoulder: A Big Buddha bag.

On my lips: Hurraw Lip Balm. (Okay, okay, not attire but I hate wintry, chapped lips and this stuff rocks!)

When I went vegan I gave myself permission to wear items that I purchased “pregan” (leather, wool, silk) but challenged myself to avoid purchasing clothes and accessories made with animal products. So far so good but shifting to a cruelty-free wardrobe has been a real process. I am not independently wealthy and cannot rush out and replace all of my shoes, coats, belts and other accessories and I prefer to purchase higher end pieces that are made well and will last a long time. For those reasons, I really did have to take my time to rebuild some of my wardrobe.

It was a pleasant surprise yesterday to discover that the process paid off — it’s winter and I’m warm, comfortable and I’m not wearing animals.

Are you transitioning to a higher vegan wardrobe? Any tips or tricks to share?

Tagged as: vegan clothes

http://www.choosingraw.com/ Gena

I’ve actually got a couple of wardrobe posts pending! It’s a process indeed, and the process has been much harder for me than any dietary change was!

One piece of advice I have is not to necessarily seek out vegan clothing lines (as great as it is to support them), but also to look at conventional clothing/shoe lines for vegan options.

http://jlgoesvegan.com JL

That’s great advice. Sometimes I am surprised by things that just happen to be “vegan”.

Anonymous

YES! I can totally relate to this as I am undergoing the same process- slowly but surely replacing all my “pregan” attire. It is funny. When I decided to go vegan I thought cheese would be the hardest thing to “give up”. Nope, that was easy. The hardest part? Shoes! I am happy to say I no longer purchase leather but boy, I do have to put some real effort into fining comfortable non leather shoes that work with my fashion tastes. Totally worth it!

http://jlgoesvegan.com JL

Shoes are tough! Especially when I want shoes that look good for work. That’s where I’m willing to spend more money. I love that Zappos and Planet Shoes have a “vegan” search filter, which helps browse by price, etc.

Anonymous

Gena, I totally hear that! Shoes were the hardest part about transitioning to veganism for me (see above).
Anonymous

Gena, I totally hear that! Shoes were the hardest part about transitioning to veganism for me (see above).
http://www.betterwithveggies.com Heather Blackmon

I have been doing the same thing and I know it will be a long progression for me. I own more leather than I realized and many wool items, as well. I don’t have the luxury of donating it all and buying new, but I plan on only purchasing animal-friendly items in the future. I did get a new awesome vegan-friendly bag for christmas that I have been using in place of my leather purses – if I can get one more smaller bag, I can donate my old ones. It’s good to be reminded that this is a fairly normal process.

http://jlgoesvegan.com JL

Heather, I was shocked at some of the leather in my closet. Just a few months ago I grabbed umbrella on a shelf and discovered the handle had leather on it. Why, for goodness sakes?!

http://www.serenityinthestorm.com/ Katie @ Serenity in the Storm

I’ve avoided buying new non-vegan clothing since going vegan 3 years ago, but I have been trying to wear out the non-vegan clothing I already had from before. I do feel obligated to use up the items I already have that are leather, wool, or silk, but I have to say I feel very self-conscious wearing leather shoes, for instance, while at the same time promoting a vegan lifestyle. A conundrum not easily solved since I feel like the most ethical thing I can do is wear out the clothes I have (though I have ended up giving some to friends).

http://jlgoesvegan.com JL

I think we approach this similarly. I have given some things to family, too. And when I think of putting an old pair of leather boots I think “but I will look like a hypocrite!” and find myself turning to the vegan options most often. Like I said, a process!

Elizabeth

Hi JL! Nice post. I, too, have given myself permission to wear my pre-vegan clothes cause I feel it would be disrespectful to the animals who died for my wardrobe. But I no longer purchase animal skins. I wish I had some good tips — but I sure need some. This year I was Jonesing for a pair of knee-high brown boots. I looked and looked and looked but couldn’t find the perfect pair that were still vegan. Alas, I decided just to go without those brown boots this year. Maybe I’ll find a pair for next year.

http://jlgoesvegan.com JL

Elizabeth, same here, if I can’t find it, I don’t buy it (not to hurt your pocket book but Novacas has a couple of really cute brown boots this season! LOL)

Jennifer Lynskey

I’m buying that Merrell coat right now…thanks for the link.

http://jlgoesvegan.com JL

You bet! Let me know how you like the coat! (I really wanted the red one but thought the black would work well for every situation + match most of my accessories.)

Jennifer Lynskey

I almost got the ink heather, but I couldn’t tell how blue it was, so I went with black, too. I LOVE it! It will be perfect if I venture out in to the snow today. Great find!

http://jlgoesvegan.com JL

Oh good! I’m glad you like it! I wore mine upstate yesterday in 10 degree weather and it was perfect!

http://www.forkyou-noforkyou.com Christina

You look great in your vegan clothes too! Work it!

http://jlgoesvegan.com JL

Well thank you very much!

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=35404688 Jennifer Kramer

Love it!! and I totally agree with the “pregan” purchases

http://jlgoesvegan.com JL

It just seems practical to me. Though I find that I try to make my vegan items work first!

Ginny Messina

I love vegan fashion talk! I’m still working through some pregan items, too. And since I hardly every dress up (gym shoes all the time for me), I’m afraid I’ll never wear out some of my leather shoes.

I like Zappos for shoes, too (especially the free shipping and return shipping). And also ebags.com for bags. You can filter searches by material, which includes faux leather. I *adore* my nylon ebag Piazza Day Bag for travel. It’s not especially
snazzy looking, but it’s ultra-light weight, cross-body, and
uber-organized. Couldn’t live without it. (Though I love my Big Buddha, too–I’m a little bit of a pocketbook addict.)

http://jlgoesvegan.com JL

Oh, Ginny, bags are my weakness, too! I’m so glad you suggested ebags.com! I must check it out!

Carrie (Carrie on Vegan)

Hey JL, you even manage to look chic all bundled up! I’m so glad you wrote this post because I’ve been wondering how to handle my pre-vegan closet items and this makes me feel more at ease with keeping some stuff until I can replace it with more ethical choices. I’ve been pleasantly surprised so far by the non-leather choices at Target and DSW. Turns out, vegan alternatives are often less expensive than the “real thing.” Yet another reason to go vegan!

http://jlgoesvegan.com JL

Aw, thanks, Carrie! DSW and Target are two great ideas! Thank you so much for suggesting them!

Anonymous

You look awesome – but you’ve already got me worried about my return to North America. I’m not ready to bundle.

http://jlgoesvegan.com JL

Lisa, don’t even think about it. Enjoy paradise while you’re there!

Anonymous

You look awesome – but you’ve already got me worried about my return to North America. I’m not ready to bundle.
Pingback: Soy and Sake (NYC) with the women of Our Hen House
http://www.veganinarkansas.blogspot.com/ Sheridan

Great post, JL. I have been attempting to do the same thing. I’m not getting rid of “pregan” attire, but Drew and I have vowed to buy vegan clothing/accessories as our old items wear out. I look forward to the day that I can no longer wear animals too!

http://jlgoesvegan.com JL

That’s great, Sheridan! I’m so happy that people are sharing their approach so that we can all see that this is a process and that we are not in alone in our desire to be practical/ and our desire to literally wear our ethics on our sleeves. I’ve learned a lot from the discussion!

MJ

Yes! I have been doing the same. As I have read in previous comments, shoes are the most difficult by far! Thank you for your posts! I found your blog by accident about a month or so ago and subscribed. MJ

http://jlgoesvegan.com JL

MJ, thank you so much for jumping in here! I’m glad you found the blog and hope you’ll continue to participate!

http://www.tiedyefiles.com/ Kaitlyn@TheTieDyeFiles

I haven’t checked the filling in my ski jacket, but pending review I think my winter wardrobe is already vegan! Except my wool ski socks, but I’ll phase those out as they get holes.

http://jlgoesvegan.com JL

That’s great! I was shocked at how many things I thought were vegan were NOT. I bought a cheap parka years ago — only to discover this year that the “faux” fur around the hood was fox! YUCK!