Vegan Clothing: A Comprehensive Guide to Sustainable Fashion

Blog teilen:

Vegan clothing - once an absolute niche product, has now blossomed into a real alternative in the minds of many conscious people. Style and ethical responsibility can certainly go hand in hand. This is demonstrated by the clothing of many well-known designers as well as fashion that you can also buy in shops near you.

Vegan fashion means much more than just avoiding leather and wool; it is a comprehensive philosophy that focuses on sustainability and animal welfare – much like with plant-based foods .

In this article, we explore what vegan fashion is all about, introduce you to brands that offer sustainable fashion, and give you tips on how to recognize them. Let's discover together how fashionable and sustainable vegan clothing can be.

What does vegan clothing mean?

Vegan fashion is all well and good - but you're probably wondering what exactly it is, how it's made and what materials it can be made of. These are all legitimate questions - and that's exactly why we're going to delve a little deeper into the whole subject.

In principle, it's very simple : plant-based fashion completely avoids materials of animal origin. This includes not only obvious products such as leather and fur, but also materials such as wool, silk or down, which are often used in conventional fashion.

Vegan fashion does not contain any animal ingredients. Instead, manufacturers rely on synthetic or vegan alternatives , which are not only ethically acceptable, but are often also more environmentally friendly to produce. By avoiding animal products, you are also making a contribution to animal welfare and reducing your ecological footprint.

A look at the materials used in vegan fashion shows the diversity and innovation in this area.

More and more materials are being developed:

material	Description	Price	sustainability	Availability
Cotton	A well-known plant-based material that is widely used and biodegradable.	Medium	Medium	High
polyester	A synthetic material often used as a substitute for animal fabrics such as silk.	Low	Low	High
Cactus leather	An innovative, sustainable leather alternative made from cactus leaves.	High	High	Medium
Piñatex	A leather substitute made from pineapple leaf fibers that is valued for its sustainability.	Medium	High	Medium
Microfiber	A fine synthetic material often used in shoes and as a substitute for suede.	Low	Medium	High
Lyocell (Tencel)	An environmentally friendly fiber made from wood that is particularly durable.	Medium	High	Medium
Apple leather	Obtained from the remains of the apple industry, it offers an environmentally friendly substitute for leather.	High	High	Low
Mushroom leather (Mylo)	Made from mycelium, the root system of mushrooms, known for its sustainability and robustness.	High	High	Low
hemp	A robust, plant-based material that requires little water and no pesticides.	Medium	High	Medium
Bamboo fiber	Soft and breathable, often used for clothing and socks, grows quickly and without chemicals.	Low	High	Medium
cork	Obtained from the bark of the cork oak. Protects the environment as the tree does not have to be felled.	Medium	High	Medium
Algae leather	A new alternative made from seaweed and is completely biodegradable.	High	High	Low

Vegan in the future

You see : Most of the materials that can be used to make vegan fashion are still quite expensive and only available to a limited extent. This is primarily because materials such as apple leather, cactus leather or Piñatex are still quite new and experimental. If it turns out that these can be produced and sold in an economically viable way, however, this could quickly change - and these materials could quickly compete with conventional cotton or polyester.

Is cotton always vegan?

Cotton is an interesting special case, by the way - because although it is made from purely plant-based materials , cotton is not always considered a vegan material. Nevertheless, many people often turn to cotton products when it comes to fashion - mostly out of ignorance.

The main reason why cotton is sometimes not considered vegan is because of the way it is grown. Many cotton plantations use animal manure , which can be problematic for strict vegans. Animal manure, which comes from farms that raise livestock, is a byproduct of the meat and dairy industries - and ensures that the end product , cotton, is indirectly linked to the animal industry .

In addition, cotton cultivation often involves the use of pesticides, which not only harm the environment but can also lead to the contamination of habitats that serve as a refuge for many wild animals. This also often contradicts the ethical principles of veganism, which not only involves abstaining from animal products but also protecting animal life and the environment.

For you as a conscious person, this means that you may want to go a step further and look for certified organic cotton, grown without animal fertilizers and harmful chemicals, to ensure that your fashion is truly vegan . The same goes for any other sustainable products made from plants.

Which fashion brands offer vegan clothing?

Now that we have more or less answered the question “ What is sustainability in the fashion industry? ”, you are probably wondering where you can actually get sustainable fashion .

And let me tell you : vegan brands and sustainable fashion labels are springing up everywhere at the moment. But established brands are also offering more and more vegan products in order to jump on this new fashion bandwagon.

If you're looking for brands that are committed to sustainable living , look no further than companies like Stella McCartney, Matt & Nat and People Tree. These brands are committed to not using any animal materials in their products and instead rely on innovative, plant-based or recycled materials .

Stella McCartney , for example, is a true pioneer in the world of sustainable fashion and offers a completely sustainable line that does not use leather, fur, feathers or animal skin products. Matt & Nat, known for eco-friendly bags and accessories, uses materials such as recycled nylon, cork and rubber. People Tree works with fair trade and organic fabrics and is known for its strict sustainability standards.

Other brands that offer innovative products include the following:

brand	Products	Price range	used material	Certificates
Stella McCartney	Clothes, bags, shoes	High	Recycled polyester, organic cotton, Mylo™	PETA Approved Vegan
Matt & Nat	Bags, Accessories	Medium	PU leather, recycled nylon	-
PeopleTree	Women's clothing, accessories	Medium	Organic cotton, Tencel, Fair Trade certified wool	Fairtrade, GOTS
Vaude Couture	Outerwear, Accessories	High	Recycled Thinsulate, Eco-Tech Polyester	-
Herbivore Clothing	T-Shirts, Accessories	Low to Medium	Organic cotton, recycled polyester	-
Noize	Jackets, coats, accessories	Medium	Faux fur, recycled polyester	PETA Approved Vegan
WAWWA	T-shirts, hats, socks	Low to Medium	Organic cotton, recycled material	Organic Cotton Standard
Brave gentleman	Men's clothing, shoes, accessories	High	Organic cotton, recycled polyester, Italian microfiber leather	PETA Approved Vegan
Votch	Watches, Clothing	Medium	Piñatex, recycled polyester	-
Tentree	Casual Wear, Accessories	Low to Medium	Tencel, hemp, recycled polyester	B Corp, Fair Trade

Inform yourself well

If you're looking to expand your wardrobe with sustainable clothing , it's important to educate yourself on the materials used and production practices. Many eco-friendly brands are proud to disclose their ethical practices and environmental footprint , making it easier for you to make conscious and informed choices. By supporting brands that support vegan lifestyles and sustainability, you're helping to promote a more positive and fair fashion industry.

How do you recognize vegan fashion?

When buying sustainable fashion, you face the challenge of ensuring that the products are free from animal materials. This can sometimes be difficult because it is not always clear which materials are used, where they come from and, above all, under what conditions they were produced.

First, you should always read the product descriptions carefully . Pay attention to the composition of the materials. Vegan clothing does not contain wool, silk, leather, fur or other animal fibers. Instead, alternative materials such as cotton, polyester, linen or newer innovations such as Piñatex (pineapple leather) and Mylo (mushroom leather) are used.

Pay attention to certificates

Another fairly reliable way to identify sustainable fashion is through certifications that attest that the products meet certain vegan standards .

The most important seals to look out for include:

PETA Approved Vegan : This seal is awarded by the animal rights organization PETA and identifies products that do not contain any animal ingredients.
Vegan Society Trademark : An internationally recognized certificate that confirms that a product does not contain animal ingredients and has not been tested on animals.
Cruelty Free International : Although mainly used for cosmetics, this seal certifies that products and their ingredients have not been tested on animals.
Fair Trade : This seal shows that products have been produced in compliance with strict social, ecological and economic standards. Fair Trade also ensures that workers can work under fair conditions and are fairly paid.
GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard): A world-leading standard for the processing of textiles made from organically produced natural fibers. It guarantees the organic origin of the materials and also includes social criteria.
Organic Cotton Standard : Certified cotton products that have been grown and processed using organic practices. It helps ensure that no harmful chemicals or pesticides are used.
B Corp : This certification goes beyond the product itself and evaluates the overall social and environmental performance of a company. B Corps are committed to transparency and responsible corporate governance.

If you look for these seals when buying your fashion, you can at least be sure that the manufacturer is at least paying attention to the origin of their clothing. If you really want to be sure that your fashion is 100% vegan, you should pay particular attention to the " PETA Approved Vegan " and " Vegan Society Trademark " seals. The best vegan products have several certificates.

What are the benefits of vegan clothing?

The future of the fashion industry lies in sustainable fashion - we at Greenforce are convinced of this. By now you know what materials are available and which certificates you can use to ensure that your fashion is really vegan. But what do you actually get out of it?

We will show you now:

Environmental benefits:

Lower resource consumption : Vegan materials such as cotton, linen and synthetic fabrics often require less water and energy to produce than animal materials.
Reduced emissions : Manufacturing with sustainable materials often results in lower CO₂ emissions, contributing to a lower environmental impact.
Less land requirements and environmental destruction : The production of plant materials usually requires less land than livestock farming, which is often associated with deforestation and other ecological damage.

Ethical aspects:

No animal suffering : Vegan fashion excludes the use of products for the production of which animals are killed or exploited.
Promoting fair working conditions : Many sustainable fashion brands value fair production conditions and thus support ethical working practices.

Health benefits:

Avoiding allergens : Vegan materials do not contain animal fibers such as wool, which can cause allergic reactions.
Free from harmful chemicals : Vegan garments are often less chemically treated than, for example, leather goods that are tanned with heavy metals.

Economical advantages:

Cost-effectiveness : Some plant-based and synthetic materials are less expensive to produce and purchase than traditional animal-based materials.
Market growth and innovation : The market for sustainable fashion is growing, which promotes innovation and creates new economic opportunities, including the creation of new jobs.

If you choose environmentally and animal-friendly fashion , you are not only making a fashion statement, but you are also having a positive impact on the environment and the economy - and that is incredibly important in a world that should all be moving towards greater sustainability.

Conclusion: The future of the fashion industry

Sure, the sustainable fashion industry is still in its infancy - but that doesn't mean you shouldn't support it. As a conscious consumer, you have the power to influence the fashion industry and help shape its future .

By choosing vegan clothing , you are not only supporting fair working conditions and environmentally friendly practices, but you are also taking a stand against the exploitation of animals. Vegan fashion is on the rise , and every step you take in this direction helps promote a more sustainable and fairer world.

Whether you buy more sustainable fashion for yourself or as a sustainable gift idea, you are supporting a good cause. This also applies to sustainable travel, meat-free eating and many other aspects of your life that you can design to have less impact on your environment and ours.

So get inspired and consider whether a sustainable option would be a better choice next time you buy clothes, not only for your wardrobe but also for the planet. Every small step counts on the way to a more ethical and sustainable future.

Theresa Aicher

Theresa studied media communication, loves writing and her favorite product are the vegan turmeric balls. With their help you should be able to turn your question marks into inspiration. If you have any comments or requests, please write to her here: online@greenforce.com