Clothes

Vegan clothing can feel a little confusing at first. Most people already know that vegans avoid materials such as fur, leather, and wool, but some animal derived fabrics are less obvious. Fortunately, clothing labels are usually easier to understand than food ingredient lists.

Most garments are made from a relatively small group of common materials. Once you become familiar with them, it quickly becomes easier to tell whether an item is suitable or not.

Materials That Are Usually Vegan

Many fabrics are almost always plant based or synthetic and therefore suitable for vegans. Some common examples include:

• Hemp
• Bamboo
• Cotton
• Cork
• Pinatex
• Polyester
• Soy fibre
• Lyocell
• Acrylic
• Calico
• Linen
• Khaki cotton fabric
• Nylon

Even with these materials it is still worth checking the label. Fabrics are sometimes blended with other materials, including animal fibres.

Materials That Are Sometimes Vegan

Some fabrics can be made from either plant based or animal based sources. In these cases the label matters.

• Fleece
• Satin
• Felt
• Velvet

For example, velvet is usually synthetic today, but historically it was made from silk. Satin can be made from silk or synthetic fibres. Felt may be wool or synthetic. Because of this variation it is always best to confirm what the material actually is.

Checking Labels

Most of the time identifying vegan clothing is straightforward. Clothing labels normally list the fabric composition clearly. A quick check will usually tell you whether an item contains wool, silk, leather, or other animal materials.

Occasionally it can be less obvious. Some garments use blended fabrics or hidden components. Coats may contain wool linings, and some trims may include animal materials even when the main fabric does not. Jeans that have a leather patch often won’t declare what the patch is made of on the materials label.

If a label is unclear, a quick online search for the item or the brand can often help. Retailers frequently list material details on their websites, and other shoppers may already have asked the same question.

Although this might sound complicated, these situations are not very common. After a while you will begin to recognise animal fabrics quite easily.

Where to Shop

Once you know what to look for, finding vegan clothing is usually easier than many people expect.

Most high street stores already sell a large number of vegan items. In fact, cheaper clothing lines often contain fewer animal materials simply because synthetic fabrics tend to cost less. It is worth checking the stores you already shop in before assuming you need to go elsewhere.

There are also many brands that specialise in vegan clothing and accessories. These are often easier to find online than in physical shops. Marketplaces such as Etsy, Vinted, and eBay also have many sellers offering vegan items, including handmade products.

Second hand and thrift stores are often excellent options as well. They are usually cheaper and are one of the most environmentally friendly ways to shop for clothing. Many items will already be vegan simply because synthetic fabrics, cotton and denim are so common in fast fashion.

Replacing Non-Vegan Clothes

When you first go vegan it can be tempting to replace everything immediately. For most people this is not realistic, especially with expensive items such as coats or shoes.

It is perfectly reasonable to replace these items gradually as they wear out. Continuing to use something you already own does not create new demand for animal products, and replacing items too quickly can be financially difficult.

When you do replace older clothing, consider donating items that are still in good condition. Charity shops, clothing banks, or shelters can often make good use of them.

Ethical Sourcing

Vegan clothing avoids animal materials, but it is also worth thinking about other ethical issues when possible.

Some plant fibres such as hemp and bamboo are relatively sustainable. Synthetic fabrics like polyester can have a larger environmental impact, though recycled materials are becoming more common. Many brands now use recycled plastics to make waterproof fabrics and outdoor clothing.

Labour conditions are another factor to consider. Even when a product is vegan, it may not have been produced under fair working conditions. If this matters to you, it can be helpful to look into the practices of the companies you buy from. Second hand items avoid a lot of these problems, and will usually represent the most sustainable and ethical option.

As with most things, it is not necessary to do everything perfectly. Focus on making choices that are practical for you, and improve them over time where you can.

Useful Resources

• Wool: 5 Myths Debunked
• Leather: 8 Myths Debunked
• No, Plastic is Not The Only Alternative to Leather or Wool…
• “Should vegans buy used animal fabrics?”
• “What should I do with non-vegan items I already own?
• “Is plastic the only vegan alternative to leather and wool?”