Chic, Feminine Fashion (that’s also vegan?!)
Back in the day, it wasn’t possible to look chic, feminine and wear vegan clothing (which is ironic really as having compassion for all living things is very feminine energy!)
You might not be full vegan or even partially vegan, but I want to tell you, you can still do something. Every choice you make matters. The widespread refusal of women to buy beauty products that have been tested on animals has totally revolutionised the cosmetics industry outside of China.
Yes, many of these ladies still eat meat, fish, dairy and eggs but they decided they wanted cruelty free shower gels and shampoos. Instead of seeing this as ‘hypocritical’ because these ladies aren’t eating vegan, realise it is a step on the ladder.
Fashionista
Every choice you make matters.
It is worth doing, finding ‘vegan’ items where you can, even if you aren’t vegan.
This blog is going to take you through the world of fashion, with vegan fur, leather and silk.
Back in the 1990s there was no other choice for ethical vegans, unless they could make their own clothes the options were hippy, earth mother, vagrant or eco-warrior. What if you didn’t want to look like any of those? What if you wanted to combine your principles with a different look?
Nowadays, thankfully you can. This article is going to focus on chic, feminine, elegant, classy, distinctive and sophisticated looks that are completely cruelty free and vegan.
For the animals who are saved from a cruel life in a laboratory, this one simple choice of women has changed everything for them. Now they aren’t being subjected to unspeakable torture. It is worth doing, finding ‘vegan’ items where you can, even if you aren’t a fully perfect vegan. This blog is going to take you through the world of fashion, with vegan fur, leather and silk.
As we go through the materials I’ve listed alternative choices for bags, belts, shoes, gloves, pyjamas etc.. and linked where you can buy them. For this I was helped by personal stylist, Ioanna Kalogeraki, she is very knowledgeable about finding cruelty free products for her fashion conscious vegan clients.
Fur
While leather and silk are still abundant, fur and even vintage fur isn’t worn in polite society any more. As a child you were probably taught to have a repellent reaction to fur, most of us grew up with a family cat or rabbit. Their silky sleek coats are so similar to the minks bred for fur. The crossover is so close, we imagine our dear kitty or bunny being trapped in a cage then skinned for someone’s jacket. And who can forget Cruella De Ville with her 101 dalmations. She was a villain because she wanted a fur coat. At least her puppies weren’t caged! Fur has all but disappeared from the rails and fur farms are closing by the day. You could think this is hypocritical to be so anti-fur and yet still wear leather and silk. Or you could see it as a step on the ladder.
Faux fur is everywhere! Since it is so easy to find, I won’t spend much time on it except to link to this coat I’m currently dreaming about.
Faux Fur Coat
This coat looks so glam! To me it screams wealth even though its very inexpensive. I’d wear a big 3 carat CZ ring with it (if you have a 3 carat diamond that needs to be kept in a safe!) and big, dangly earrings.
I can just imagine prancing about in heels or winter boots with this coat, depending on where I was going!
Image source & copyright to Ultamodan
Leather
Leather is cruel, no two ways about it. It is wilful ignorance to say things like “I have respect for the animal” and “at least every part of the animal is used”. Instead, it is better to own it. If you are using a leather bag or wear leather shoes I am not trying to shame you.
I’m not suggesting you throw them away, the treatment leather goes through to be wearable is so environmentally damaging that to throw these items away would compound this problem even more. I just want you to be awake to the reality of where this leather came from.
Cows are treated to unspeakable cruelty which I don’t want to describe here, but instead will link these videos: Earthlings or Dominion
If you can’t steel yourself to watch either (they are the worst horror films I’ve ever seen) then instead, just remember, there is no respect for the animal that made your shoes or bag.
Quality
You might be worried about quality, thinking ‘plastic’ shoes will fall apart. There are still plenty of plastic vegan items, bags, shoes and belts around. Since this blog is primarily anti-cruelty to animals and not an environmentalist piece, I’ve included the PVC/PU items too.
However, these days there are high quality vegan alternatives. Really high quality vegan shoes, bags and belts are made of mushroom, apple, pineapple and cactus leather. The by-product of the fruit is processed in much the same way as regular leather, giving you the same quality. So while it isn’t environmental, since it uses the same manufacturing methods as regular leather (very damaging) - it certainly isn’t any worse than the damage caused by the processing of cow/crocodile skins. Since there’s no animal involved you omit all the environmental costs associated with that, methane, soy crop fields to feed animals which could be used to grow better quality crops for humans and yes, no cruelty.
So lets look at some vegan friendly bags, belts, gloves and footwear.
Bags
Hermes has developed a bag from mushroom leather, for a cool 7K USD! I couldn’t actually find where online I might be able to buy it (or go on a waiting list!) I have emailed Hermes and will update this blog if I get a reply. Actually the bag is pretty ugly (!) but for a company still making bags out of crocodiles this is a step in the right direction.
For bags that are actually pretty, feminine and practical some of my favourites are:
Pamela Anderson’s luxury handbags made from apple leather. You can buy them here.
Stella McCartney is a staple in the high end luxury vegan fashion market. One of my favourites is the black faux leather shoulder bag.
For a more affordable option, Gurbet Concept on Etsy sells some extremely beautiful vegan leather bags, this one is in my wishlist!
If you’re searching for an office bag, Rose Nix Vegan on Etsy has a beautiful option here
Actually Etsy is a goldmine, just type in ‘vegan bags’ and see the treasure trove of gorgeous options available to you.
My favourite bag of all time isn’t imitation anything, its just a white Valentino bag, which I still use. I tend to veer between wearing black or pastels, white goes with both sets of outfits.
Over Your Shoulder
This cute, dainty bag from Gurbet Concept looks so stylish for daytime errands, going to the office, meeting friends for coffee or lunch.
I can imagine a corporate woman putting her essentials in here or me throwing it on my shoulder to meet friends for last minute drinks after work. (I’m not a corporate woman any more but if I was, this would totally be my first choice bag for work)
There’s a range of colours, I’d probably opt for the cream/rose version, although I couldn’t find a photo of that one!
Of course, it' is 100% vegan and cruelty free.
Image source & copyright to Gurbet Concept.
Shoes
Etsy is a goldmine of chic feminine vegan shoes as well as bags. No longer are vegan women subject to only one style that would be seen on an eco warrior of the 1990s (when they all had dreads) or matronly librarian. Nothing against eco-warriors, I am one too, but eco-warriors of 2022 are permitted to also be chic and feminine if they so choose.
Roni Kantor Shoes of Etsy makes cute summer sandals. She describes them as bridal, but for me loving a bit of va va voom these are the style of shoes I would wear to picnics, meeting friends for coffee and lunches in the summer. Many of the sandals are completely flat as well but still very pretty. Perfect for a princess like me who pounds the pavements of London! I love this ivory vintage heel and these cream kitten heels.
Immaculate Vegan is astonishing, providing good quality apple leather in some truly beautiful designs. I’m lusting over these boots.
There’s also Vegetarian Shoes if you wanted winter clothing for boots and more sturdy shoes. Most of the designs from this online store lend themselves to more combat / masculine styles, which may be appropriate from time to time. I did find some feminine style boots here and here though.
As for party shoes (I’m thinking 4 inch / 10cm high heels here) many of the lower end shoes available won’t be made from leather or suede anyway so these are easy to avoid. I bought these stunning ombre court shoes right before covid happened and then had no where to wear them. Prancing about in 4 inch heels to the supermarket is a bit extra, even for me! They’re probably out of fashion by now, but I don’t care, I’m going to rock them. Totally vegan to boot (pardon the pun).
While talking about party shoes, my next dream pair of shoes are these ridiculously pretty Cinderella Fairytale heels. I’m going to buy them and wear them for my birthday!
Summer Sandals
These sandals from Roni Kantor Shoes are advertised as bridal and they are beautiful.
I’d buy them to have picnics with friends, be out for coffee and lunches. Sooo pretty!
Many of the shoes (including this model) are available in other colours as well, besides white/cream/ivory. So if you want the va va voom without the bridal feel, choose another colour!
Image source & copyright to Roni Kantor Shoes.
Gloves
For a classic pair of black imitation leather gloves head here to Vegetarian Shoes (they sell other items besides shoes)
Belts
For belts, Stella McCartney comes in again with some beautiful pieces. I especially admire this logo belt and this black Alter Mat Bet belt.
Noani have created a stylish belt they’ve named the Lia 2, it’s made of apple leather and would look so cute with skinny jeans
Here’s a cute corset belt, I wonder where I could wear this but it certainly looks very feminine!
Finding cute belts at the lower end (more affordable) end of the market is more difficult. There are plenty of vegan belts but they all look boxy. Here’s a plain belt from Black Rose Red Thorns on Etsy that I managed to find. It doesn’t look too masculine or feminine, it’s unisex! The best I can do for now at this price point, all the other vegan belts give a very functional, combat boots vibe.
In my research I even found vegan leather belts for some erm… Not Safe For Work activities. NSFW don’t click on this on a shared computer!
Lia 2 from Noani
This is a double buckle belt from Noani, the Lia 2. To me, it screams luxury. Paired with skinny jeans and (vegan) boots for a girl about town!
Image source & copyright to Noani
Alternatives to Silk
Pillowcases, Bonnets, Dressing Gowns, Scrunchies
Conventionally produced silk drops silkworms, alive, into boiling water in order to harness the silk. The silkworm dies in one of the most painful ways imaginable. Most likely any silk you own was produced this way, I used to have a closet full of it.
Ahmisa silk also known as ‘peace silk’ is a production method pioneered by an engineer, Kusuma Rajaiah in India. In this way the silk is only harnessed after the cocoon process has happened naturally, the silk worm (or caterpillar more accurately) metamorphoses out into a moth. So the silk fibres can be taken without any harm. This means the silk production is much slower, less profitable but no animal has to die in order to harness the silk. You can purchase Ahmisa silk here. Pre-made bonnets made of Ahmisa silk can be found here.
Hair bonnets
I know for many women, sleeping with their hair in a bonnet is a necessity, protecting their hair from breakage and excess frizz.
If you must have silk, if satin isn’t possible for you, then ensure it is peace silk / Ahmisa silk. It is still silk spun from silkworms but no animals have died in the process.
Image source & copyright Bouk Hair Tools - who sell bonnets and other accessories made from peace silk.
However, Ahmisa silk still uses an animal, they are still bred and live in captivity. For the strict vegan, even peace silk is a no-go. However I include it as many non-vegans read my blog and for many of my audience silk is a non negotiable. In my spirit of ‘do something’ Ahmisa silk is far better than conventionally produced silk. If you must have silk, ensure it is Ahmisa/peace silk.
Princess Diana - Duchess Satin
For those of us that can live without silk, satin is the obvious alternative. To any seamstresses, yes, satin refers to the weaving pattern, so a ‘satin’ weave could be spun with silk fibres. In common parlance though, satin and silk are seen as different fabrics. One made from silk worms, one synthetic or cotton. Do be careful when shopping that your satin is spun from polyester, nylon, rayon, acetate or cotton fibres and not silk fibres.
Opulent Dreams
These satin pyjamas from GetitGrl look perfect for the glamorous girl who needs her sleep after busy days levelling up!
They are advertised as bridal sleepwear, but I just love bridal items (they shouldn’t be just for brides!) Actually looking for chic, feminine items with some va va voom quite often equals bridal (although maybe in other colours besides white, ivory or cream)
Image source & copyright GetitGrl
If you think satin isn’t luxurious enough for you, it might interest you to learn Princess Di’s iconic wedding dress was made with Duchess Satin, an opulent form of satin with a high thread count. Duchess Satin is mainly used for bridal dresses, but if you sleuth around you may find it elsewhere. Or buy some fabric and take it to a seamstress or tailor!
Again, you do need to be careful with the satin vs. silk distinction since some Duchess Satin is going to be made from silk.
Some suggestions:
For satin scrunchies try here
If you enjoy silky feel PJs then once again, Etsy comes up trumps. This is my favourite, I’ve never enjoyed sleeping in silk/satin, I’m much more of a cotton girl but if I did I would be buying these and sleeping in them!
For satin pillowcases go here
For luxurious pillows (to be put inside the pillowcases) take a look at Kally Sleep Vegan Down Pillow.
Thank you
A special thank you to Ioanna Kalogeraki for assisting with the research for this article. Ioanna can be found on Facebook and on her website. She offers online styling consultations with her one to one, three month styling solutions programe “Fashion Aura”. If you’re struggling with combining vegan principles with looking chic and feminine (or whatever your preferred style is) she can help you.
Send me photos!
I hope this article has helped you, please do send me some photos of your vegan fashionista looks! Or tag me on Instagram!
If you’d like to discuss any aspect of levelling up or feminine energy with me then please schedule an appointment, subscribe to my newsletter and check out my book, Feminine Energy 101.
With love & light,
Kate
Disclaimer (or non disclaimer)
I’m not affiliated to any of the shops mentioned in this blog. I’m not making bank from them, although if any of them asked to work with me in the future I would totally jump at the chance!
If this changes I will amend this disclaimer. For now, know that everything I recommend is because I personally like it.
If you are a manufacturer, supplier or reseller of vegan clothing items - please do get in touch. I’m adding to this directory as a living document of places ladies can find chic, feminine, vegan clothes.