(outfit details in Look #5)
The beginning of fall is always bittersweet for me. I get absolutely giddy at the sight of leaves changing color, the smell of banana pumpkin bread baking, and the distinct chill that seems only to accompany October. That said, the shift towards cooler seasons always fills me with a bit of sadness and trepidation, knowing I’ll be confronted daily by the sight of humans wearing skins taken from non-human animals. Though no season can claim to be free of animal “fashion”, colder weather always seems to inspire a mad dash to stock up on leather, wool, and fur. Fortunately, times are constantly changing, and new cruelty-free and/or eco-conscious companies are popping up seemingly every day. My goals with this post are to introduce you to some of these new companies and to remind you that some more familiar companies do offer animal-free options.
Before I start, I want to point out an issue I hear about, talk about, and think about daily, which is that some of the 100% eco-friendly, progressive, fair-trade vegan items come with a higher price tag than others. We sadly haven’t yet created enough demand to make all such materials affordable to the masses, but I do believe we’re on our way. Because of this complex issue, I’ve tried to include a wide range of options; all are vegan, of course, but not all have my eco-friendly stamp of approval. I know we all have to prioritize and make choices according to budget, so for that reason I’ve made sure to mention products that, while not perfect, are worthy of mention due to the fact that animals weren’t directly killed for their production. In order to highlight the companies I feel go above and beyond with regards not only to their impact on animals, but also their impact on humans and the environment, I’ve added an asterisk (*) next to designers/labels I feel deserve extra pro-environment enthusiasm. I hope this helps clarify my choices and my mission!
Without further ado, here are my favorite cruelty-free looks for this season:
Look #1:
Sweater: H&M
Jeans: Rich & Skinny
Boots: Lulus.com
For a long time, I mentally grouped H&M in with the Forever21’s and Express’s of the world. Their stores are everywhere, and their clothes are very inexpensive. It took me a while to dig deeper and discover that H&M has very high standards not only for respecting human rights in their labor force, but also with regards to working towards a more sustainable, compassionate future by taking steps like switching to sustainably farmed cotton and mulesing-free wool. They still have a long way to go, but their messaging regarding progress is very transparent. They have a ton of wool-free sweaters and vegan shoes, so check them out!
Lulus.com is a godsend to vegan fashionistas on a budget. Though the site does sell a lot of cow leather, it also boasts a massive selection of clearly marked vegan shoes, most of which fall in the $30-50 range. I’ve worn these combat boots nearly every day since I received them last week, so I can vouch for their comfort and coziness!
Look #2:
(Yes, I know I used the apple too much)
Leggings: Anthropologie
Sweater: Free People
Booties: Cri de Coeur (*)
I feel like fall is the season in which Anthropologie truly shines. They have an abundance of cotton sweaters in stock right now, in addition to a wide selection of bottoms I love, like these legging-esque pants by Pure + Good (an Anthropologie-exclusive line). They’re no longer on the website, but you should be able to snag them in stores.
For years, I’ve loved pretty much every look produced by Free People. I gather a ton of inspiration from each of their look books. I’ve especially loved watching them add more and more cruelty-free options to their line, from their wool-free sweaters/stockings to the vegan leather boots, pants, and jackets showing up on their racks over the past couple years. They do still use wool in a lot of their designs, but I hope the growing demand for animal-free products will help them continue on the right path. This sweater is super cozy and pairs great with leggings!
Cri de Coeur (*) is definitely among my favorite vegan fashion brands, because their entire line is 100% cruelty-free AND environmentally responsible. Not only has this brand earned the love of celebrities like Anne Hathaway, Emily Deschanel, and Alicia Silverstone, but they were also named in the Huffington Post’s list of Top 10 Eco-Designers. Check their site regularly; they often have fabulous sales!
Look #3:
Dress: Free People
Sweater: American Apparel
Booties: Cri de Coeur (*)
I’ve worn this Free People dress more times than I can count this year, but I never get tired of styling it in new ways. Here, I paired it with my American Apparel sweater. I’m a big fan of baggy sweaters, because they work so well with my fall/winter staple (leggings). This sweater is available in a bunch of different patterns and colors, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t planning to go back and buy more.
For more on the booties, see look #2!
Look #4:
Top: Alternative Apparel (*)
Pants: Paige Denim
Booties: Lulus.com
Sunglasses: Ray-Ban (borrowed from my lovely photographer)
I have an unhealthy amount of Alternative Apparel (*) pieces in my closet, because it is impossible to walk into their Venice Beach (my former home) location and leave empty-handed. Their fabrics are so soft and cozy, your wallet is in trouble as soon as you start caressing the interiors of one of their sweatshirts. They source very eco-friendly materials, so you can definitely feel safe when shopping with these guys.
For details about Lulus.com, where I found these killer metallic heeled booties, see Look #1!
Look #5:
Coat: Calvin Klein
Pants: Paige Denim
Booties: Cri de Coeur (*)
Bag: Nella Bella
I was a Calvin Klein fan even before I discovered that his company has been adamantly fur-free since 1994 (here’s hoping his apparel goes fully vegan in my lifetime!). I wear a lot of simple gray and black items, and CK’s stores always seem to be full of the basics I need. Having temporarily relocated from Southern California to Denver for the season, I’ve been scouring stores for new coats, and this one certainly fit the bill. Sleek, simple, timeless, and waterproof.
Fall tends to lend itself to a lot of all black ensembles, which can get a little dull. This is where Nella Bella bags can provide a much needed pop of color! This Canadian all-vegan line offers a wide range of colors, styles and sizes; you’re sure to find the perfect bag for your needs!
For details on Cri de Coeur, maker of these fabulous booties, see Look #2.
Look #6:
Coat: Vaute Couture (*)
Pants: Paige Denim
Booties: Cri de Coeur (*)
Oh Vaute Couture, where to begin…This coat was actually my inspiration for writing this post, because I can’t believe how many people don’t know about the wool-free, fully vegan, eco-friendly, fashion-forward miracle that is Vaute Couture! In addition to being the first fully vegan designer to debut at New York Fashion Week, Vaute Couture’s adorable founder LeAnne Mai-Ly Hilgart is a strong, eloquent activist dedicated to making animal skins irrelevant in fashion. If your city gets chilly come autumn/winter, you must grab at least one piece from her gorgeous outerwear collection.
Look #7:
Leggings: Threads 4 Thought (*)
Sweater: Free People
Boots: Lulus.com
I’m a big big fan of Threads 4 Thought (*). You’ll recognize many of their items if you ever peek at the clothing section in your local Whole Foods, but what you may not know is they devote a lot of time and money towards partnering with groups that help refugees build self-sustaining lives and businesses. Add to that the fact that they incorporate materials like recycled polyester and organic cotton, and you have the complete package. These leggings are just one of the many T4T items I’ve recently impulse-bought (my sweatshirt from them is to die for), and I’m pretty pumped about them all.
Shoe details in Look #1, Sweater details in Look #2
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Two Other Brands You MUST Know About:
Miakoda (*):
I’ve been lusting after pretty much everything made by Miakoda (*) since I first stumbled upon their Instagram account. Run by two sisters with a passion for animals and fashion, Miakoda offers high-quality, cozy, beyond adorable accessories and apparel. They are launching their new line very soon, so keep an eye out! I will be buying the hooded scarf on Day 1.
I love every single thing ever produced by OlsenHaus (*). My first real eco-friendly, vegan shoes ever purchased were from this fabulous designer, so the company will always have a special place in my heart! I have a major crush on these booties.
That about wraps it up! I hope this guide was of some help to you. Please let me know if you have any questions by leaving a comment or shooting me an email at thetreekisser@gmail.com! Who’s ready to shop??
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