“Veganism isn’t restricted to diet”, well this particular line got me thinking about possible things I have in my home that aren’t vegan.This time I had to look beyond my kitchen. The first thing that popped into my head as I eyed my socks was my wardrobe.
So what exactly is vegan clothing?
Vegan apparel similar to vegan food, is any garment made without the use of animals or their exploitation.
5 things you need to know before you start wearing vegan:
SAY NO TO:
- Wool, cashmere and angora:
To increase the wool produce humans have promoted the selective breeding of wrinkled skinned sheeps for decades now, unknowingly making them more susceptible to flystrike. To prevent this from happening, these sheeps are made to undergo a torturous procedure known as mulesing.
Manufacture of cashmere and angora, in the early winter put goats and rabbits through unbearable cold, since they are shorn early and do not have enough fat to resist the cold
- Fur, Leather and Shearling:
The manufacture of fur, leather and shearling is unarguably cruel. All of these fabrics involve the skinning of the animals they’re derived from. Often to prevent the skin from getting damaged these animals die slow excruciating deaths where they are beaten to death, gassed etc.
Moreover the processing of these fabrics and the farming of these animals cause environmental damages too.
- Down feathers and Silk:
Down feathers are downright cruel, since they require the plucking of feathers from the sensitive skin of geese and ducks. This is done by different methods, such as manual plucking, scalding in hot water, after their throats are cut. Silk too can’t be made without the steaming or gassing of the cocoon where the insects reside.
Search for alternatives to different fabrics or opt for cruelty free plant based fabrics:
- Go with natural fibres such as Bamboo, Hemp, Linen, Seaweed, Wood, Soybeans, Coconut fiber, Beech Tree Fiber, Cotton.
- Go with synthetic fibres: Several animal derived fibres often utilise more energy than synthetic fibres such as rPET, which is made out of recycled plastic wastes.
- Protip: Production of cotton is extremely water intensive so prefer other natural fibres over cotton.
What can you wear:
- Peta approved vegan clothing
- Accidentally vegan clothing
Check the type of fiber before purchasing the item, often apparels are “accidentally vegan” and affordable at the same time.
- Vegan/ Ethical/ Sustainable clothing brands in India such as Hoomanwear, No nasties, Hemp Kari, Himalyan Blooms, Save the duck
