5 Benefits of Wearing Vegan-Friendly Fashion
Shopping for clothes again, are we? Do you ever worry about how much clothes affect the environment and animals in the process? To be sure, that's a dilemma all kinds of clothing brands, designers, and fashion enthusiasts are facing today.
To be sure, feeling anxious about this isn't baseless. Do you know what's trendier than fast fashion? Environmental issues. Some people might argue that clothing can't possibly make such a crater impact on the environment. But, it does. Fashion has a huge hand in our Earth's deterioration.
Shopping for vegan-friendly clothing is a great way to start becoming more environmentally conscious. However, just because something is vegan-friendly doesn't make it cruelty-free. If something is vegan, it means that no animals or animal-derived substances were used. On the other hand, cruelty-free means that the product or the materials used were not tested on animals.
Our actions matter, and it would be beneficial for us and our future to make choices that could reduce the negative impact we have on our planet.
But, you don't need to redo your whole wardrobe completely! Starting with a few pieces that you need would be a better way to switch to a vegan-friendly wardrobe. For instance, you could start with vegan slippers, undergarments, or other essentials.
To help you with responsible shopping, here are some benefits to wearing vegan-friendly fashion:
- It's good for the environment
The first great thing about vegan-friendly clothing is that it's sustainable. According to PETA, producing a piece of clothing that uses animal fur is 10 times more damaging to our environment than creating a piece of garment from faux fur.
How fashion and environmental problems are related
The environment's number one enemy right now is the oil industry. The next is the fashion industry, and it isn't surprising if you notice just how fast trends come and go. It's a lucrative business, sure, but damage to the planet could be irreversible if we don't do something to change it.
To give you an image of some of the intensity of the textile industry's effects, let me illustrate an example. The amount of water to raise enough crops needed to have enough cotton for one shirt is equal to the same amount of water that an average person needs in two and a half years. Let me emphasize that that's just one cotton shirt. One cotton shirt that you probably won't get enough wear out of, or maybe it's a shirt that's been stuck in your closet for the longest time. Think about it, how many shirts do you have in your wardrobe?
- You're protecting animals
As you know, veganism is all about animal welfare. It's not just about the food you consume. It's a whole lifestyle that includes clothing. Using real leather is a big no-no because it comes from animals and also because buying any piece that has leather on it, regardless of how small it is, would mean that you're supporting the leather industry.
Leather industries slaughter animals like cows, pigs, goats, and even alligators, kangaroos, and ostriches. It would be such a shame to support these industries so that you can have a leather accent on your shirt.
- Style and sustainability aren't opposites
Just because something is vegan-friendly doesn't mean it has to be plain and drab. The great thing about vegan fashion is that it has great designs. A lot of designers like Stella McCartney are some of the trailblazers for vegan fashion.
- Save your coin
It might seem like going for the cheaper brands will save you a few bucks, but that isn't always the case. High-quality garments can stand the test of time, while cheaply made pieces could get ruined in just a few washes. So, it's a smarter choice to get something vegan, sturdy, and well-made.
But, if budget is a problem, many brands are also quite affordable, so economic standing doesn't have to feel like an obstacle to switching to vegan fashion.
- The materials are excellent!
It's quite mind-boggling that some people think that vegan leather, fur, and fabric still gets snubbed by fashion enthusiasts. Honestly, it's fantastic because vegan leather is easier to dye, giving you more style options to express your personality.
How does veganism help with solving the issue?
People often mistake vegan options as only being related to the cause of animals. However, this isn't the only aspect that veganism can affect. It also helps conserve water, cleans the soil, reduces energy consumption, and purify the air.
Conclusion
Switching to vegan fashion doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. Neither should it be dull and boring. There are all kinds of vegan-friendly brands out there. With a bit of searching, you'll be clothed stylishly, ethically, and responsibly.
