Best Vegan Wardrobe Essentials For Winter Weather
Best Vegan Wardrobe Essentials For Winter Weather
Do you live in Alaska? Do you dream of sleeping in an Icelandic igloo? Do you spend more time searching the freezer for vegan ice cream than the average human? (Am I projecting?)
Well, regardless, brrr. When it’s excessively cold, you may start to second-guess your animal-friendly stance, thinking, “I don’t want animals to be killed for wool, fur trim, or down, but it’s gonna be so cold ….” Vegan winter wardrobes are real, and they’re spectacular.
That’s why we’ve collaborated with designer Matt Sarafa on a limited-edition line of faux-fur bomber-style jackets with matching face masks.
Check them out, along with some of our favourite finds for staying warm in the face of wicked weather:
1. Jackets, Coats, and Parkas
What about Canada Goose? Gag. Anyone who doesn't want to look like an evil doofus would never frame their face with animal fur or cover their body with bird feathers.
You're not going to be able to pull it off, hunni. It is not acceptable for companies to support the torture and death of animals for the purpose of producing jacket materials (or for any other reason)—and even if you require heavy-duty winter gear, you can refuse to pay for animal abuse.
With all the cute and cozy options you need, these compassionate brands have you covered: Apparis, Harper Coats, MATT & NAT, Matt Sarafa x PETA (A portion of the proceeds from this line supports PETA’s vital work for animals.), NOIZE, Save the Duck, and Wuxly Movement.
Some well-known brands, such as The North Face, also sell warm, cruelty-free jackets; check the tags and only buy items made of 100 percent vegan materials before you buy.
Save the Duck creates animal-free and cruelty-free outerwear by replacing goose down with cutting-edge technology, PLUMTECH®.
Save the Duck vegan coats; parkas are warmer, more breathable, and lighter than down-filled coats.
They also have many vegan winter coats for both men and women. Noize is based in Montreal, Canada, and has quickly become one of the most popular vegan outerwear brands in 2021, offering a wide range of vegan parkas, puffers, and winter coats for all occasions. The insulation fill in their coats is made entirely of reclaimed and repurposed recycled plastic bottles.
Many of their men's and women's parka styles include a removable vegan fur trim or a detachable hood, and Noize offers inclusive sizing. For All Kind is a vegan fashion brand based in Canada that offers a couple of stylish and luxurious vegan parkas and winter coats for women. I love the fit, silhouette, and style of their outerwear, and I'm especially looking forward to the release of their Moss Parka in black.
Their warm winter coats are filled with PrimaLoft Gold Insulation, the highest performing synthetic down made from 55% recycled content. Alpine North is based in Montreal, Canada, and offers a line of vegan down alternative coats for men and women that are specifically designed to keep you warm and dry in even the harshest, coldest, and wettest conditions. Alpine North also has sizes that are all-inclusive.
Everlane's ReNew Collection includes a variety of vegan parkas, long puffers, and winter coats for both men and women. These coats are part of Everlane's ReNew collection and are made entirely of recycled fabric and filled with recycled high-performance PrimaLoft insulation.
Wuxly's eco-friendly coats are proudly designed and manufactured in Canada. Wuxly Movement makes their high-quality and long-lasting vegan parkas and coats with the most up-to-date environmentally friendly and accredited materials that are BlueSign approved. Their outerwear is filled with PrimaLoft® Gold, the best goose-down alternative on the market, which is composed of 55% post-consumer recycled content.
Since 2015, the Embassy of Bricks and Logs has been delivering premium outerwear with a conscience. The eco-fashion label has created a one-of-a-kind collection of vegan outerwear, including parkas and winter coats in cool tones and silhouettes, by fusing contemporary and streetwear with functional design.
2. Sweaters And Other Knitwear
Based on real animal hair, some cashmere and mohair sweaters were hand-painted by Icelandic artist Bónus at his Reykjavík studio.
The artist has been famous for his work with discarded animal parts and has previously worked with Icelandic brands such as Bónus and Kolapari.
The “irregular stripes” of this line from the Utiká design are meant to reflect the different places we travel.
Sweaters can take you from 0 to snuggly in the blink of an eye, so they're necessary from early fall until the flowers bloom the following year.
Wool-free knitwear is available almost everywhere, but these fashion brands have a special place in our closets:
- Apparis x PETA (Available in women’s),
- ASOS (Many options are available in men’s and women’s),
- KD New York Vegetable Cashmere Flowy Ballerina Top,
- Kotn (Many options are available in men’s and women’s), tonlé
- Srey Sweater (Available in women’s),
3. Petit Vour
Petit Vour is my go-to for cruelty-free shopping online. I discovered them through their amazing monthly beauty box subscription, but I've fallen in love with their vast selection of vegan skincare and makeup, accessories, clothing, and home goods.
Petit Vour's entire product line is vegan, and they only feature ethical brands, so you can shop with confidence. If you're looking for a wide range of vegan sweaters, you won't be disappointed. Petit Vour carries a wide range of knits from various brands, in styles ranging from oversized and lace-up to stunning floral prints. And, while you're at it, don't forget to check out their chic vegan boots and booties.
4. Lulus
Lulus is a popular retailer among both vegans and non-vegans. And, while they do carry some wool and leather, Lulus truly caters to vegans, with an entire section dedicated to vegan shoes, clothing, and handbags. They design the majority of their clothing in-house and even have a Made in the USA section. Nonetheless, you can find a number of exclusive brands on their website.
Lulus currently has well over 100 sweaters listed, the majority of which are vegan-friendly, and that does not include all of the blouses and other tops they offer. Furthermore, I anticipate that the collection will grow as fall and winter approach. To put it another way, there are plenty of options for everyone.
For good reason, Groceries Apparel is one of my favourite vegan clothing brands. This all-vegan company manufactures all of their clothing under fair trade conditions in their own factory in Los Angeles, CA. I've always been impressed by the high quality of their clothing. The best part is that they are mindful of the materials they use.
They, for example, only use non-toxic vegetable dyes, organic cotton, eucalyptus, and hemp, as well as recycled cotton and plastic. Their eco-friendly vegan sweater collection is diverse, with models for both men and women. Oversized comfy sweaters, turtlenecks, stylish vegan cardigans, and everything in between can be found here.
5. Boots
Birkenstocks are an obvious choice for a winter boot, but they can feel a bit soulless and sterile — until now. Matt Sarafa is launching a collection of slip-on (aka, “no-shoed”) vegan sandals in rich and textured finishes that complement any outfit. They’re versatile enough to pair with your brown leather gloves or black tall boots, and yet somehow always keep you looking stylish. It’s a neat trick.
Ilse Jacobsen ‘RUB 47' Short Waterproof Rain Boot – When shopping vegan, it may be difficult to find a suitable replacement for warm, shearling-lined boots. These rainboots are an excellent choice. They're made of natural rubber derived from renewable resources (bonus points for sustainability) and lined with soft fleece to keep your toes warm on cold days. The thick sole prevents slips and adds insulation between your feet and the cold ground. You'll be ready for cold, snowy days with a combination of waterproof rubber and a soft, cozy lining.
Men's Sorel Short Canvas Duck Boot – A pair of boots that are both comfortable and durable is a winter necessity. Many duck boots have a leather upper, but this pair is made of canvas. These are simply made of canvas and rubber and are not advertised as a vegan. The entire boot is completely waterproof, even the seams are sealed to keep the rain out, so you can be sure your feet will stay dry no matter what the weather conditions are.
Women's Dr. Marten's Vegan Chrome Boot – Dr. Martens gets a vegan makeover. 1460, the original Dr. Martens boot, is made of 100 percent vegan leather and finished with a chrome gloss. Everything else is the same, including the lace-up front, yellow stitching, signature heel loop, and air-cushioned sole.
Men's Dr. Marten's Vegan 8-Eye Boot – Another variation on the iconic Dr. Martens 1460 boot. The synthetic vegan leather is still soft and supple. Except for the use of synthetic leather, these shoes are identical to the original non-vegan pair. From the signature eight-eye lace-up front, heel loop, and yellow stitching, it's difficult to tell this pair apart.
6. Scarves
These cruelty-free and eco-friendly designer scarves are the best way to stay warm and cozy this fall and winter. They are inexpensive and cruelty-free, allowing you to dress sustainably while also protecting people, animals, and the environment. Many ethical clothing companies make concerted efforts to provide sustainable, low-cost, and vegan options. They use eco-friendly materials and do not use any animal ingredients in their manufacturing.
Choose scarves that are versatile, comfortable, and long-lasting, and are made of eco-friendly and vegan-friendly materials such as organic cotton, linen, hemp, or recycled fabrics. Also, avoid animal-based textiles like silk, wool, cashmere, leather, down feathers, and fur. As an environmentally-conscious consumer, you have the power to influence positive change in the fashion industry.
Purchase clothing and accessories from fashion brands that support sustainable practices and animal welfare. Made Trade is a sustainable and ethical company that creates modern wardrobes and home goods. It sells organic, vegan, and reasonably priced winter scarves for both men and women. The company sells fashionable, adorable, and comfortable accessories and other wardrobe essentials made from sustainable and natural materials like organic cotton and linen.
Made Trade is dedicated to transparency and having a positive global impact. The curated online marketplace offers a wide range of ethical and organic clothing. Made Trade practices sustainable and fair business practices that benefit both artisans and the Earth's natural resources. It aspires to make the world a more beautiful place by increasing sustainable fashion.
Tentree is an ethical fashion brand that creates clothing for a healthy, sustainable world out of recycled materials and organic fabrics like cotton and hemp. Tentree is the ideal place to shop for low-cost, vegan, and environmentally friendly winter scarves. In 2018, it decided to discontinue the use of animal products. Currently, every piece of Tentree clothing is vegan. The B Corp certified sustainable clothing company collaborates with charitable organizations all over the world to plant trees and restore natural ecosystems.
Tentree's goal is to guide you on your journey and empower you to do your best for the environment. It has already planted over 30 million trees and restored over 30 million acres of land. Thought is a sustainable fashion label that creates stylish and affordable collections for men and women using sustainable materials like organic cotton, hemp, and recycled materials.
The ethical clothing company is dedicated to thoughtful design, responsible sourcing, and the promotion of change. Its goal is to demonstrate that there are more environmentally friendly ways to live, dress, and be. Thought creates a wide range of versatile and timeless clothing and accessories that can be worn anywhere, including affordable, vegan, and adorable winter scarves.
To create its warm fall and winter collections, the organic brand frequently blends wool with organic cotton. However, it also has a large selection of pure cotton and vegan options.
7. Socks
Nobody enjoys having cold feet. Although most people are used to wearing winter socks made from animal byproducts like wool, many brands sell eco-friendly, vegan socks that will keep your feet just as warm and toasty. Thought Clothing's socks are made from wool in some cases, but the company also sells hemp and bamboo socks. Thought Clothing's socks are not only eco-friendly, but also “ridiculously comfy, durable, and come in loads of different colours and patterns,” according to the company.
Bombas Socks intends to “revolutionize the sock industry,” according to Sustainable Brands. The New York-based company sells socks made from Peruvian Pima cotton, which is said to keep feet warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Its Hiking Calf Socks with “Hex Tec performance breathability” will keep your feet warm while still allowing your skin to breathe. Rawganique sells organic, eco-friendly, sweatshop-free, hypoallergenic socks made from a variety of materials such as European hemp, linen, and cotton.
The socks are “great for anyone who appreciates truly natural socks they can wear all day and all night to keep their feet cozy and dry,” according to the brand. While many of the brand's socks are vegan-friendly, some do contain wool, so read the description carefully.
Boody, an Australian brand, sells a variety of socks made of viscose and organically grown bamboo in China. You can wear them all day and even at night to keep warm and cozy while you get some much-needed rest. Boody offers a variety of sock styles, ranging from crew boot to active sport to everyday ankle. We Are Pact has a variety of organic cotton socks in a variety of colours, sizes, and patterns that are sustainably sourced.
For the holiday season, the company even sells festive gift sets featuring reindeer and fair isle patterned socks. Conscious Step's fairtrade socks are made from organic Indian cotton that has been ethically sourced, but they are more than just socks.
These socks contribute to the fight against poverty, the planting of trees, and the education of children. Conscious Step, based in New York, seeks to assist organizations fighting for a better world. According to the brand's website, “we're always working to ensure that the purchase of our products supports emerging markets and ensures a fair wage.”
8. Gloves
These vegan and ethical gloves are ideal for staying warm and cozy this winter. They are inexpensive and cruelty-free, allowing you to dress sustainably while also protecting the planet, its people, and its animals. Choose durable, versatile, and eco-friendly products ethically made with organic or recycled materials that scream modernity and sustainability if you're looking for cheap, cruelty-free, and sustainable gloves for winter.
Fortunately, many sustainable fashion brands work hard to provide affordable, animal-free, and environmentally conscious alternatives that are great additions to any wardrobe. Patagonia is an American clothing company that markets and sells outdoor clothing and equipment for silent sports such as climbing, surfing, skiing, snowboarding, fly fishing, and trail running. The outdoor brand creates a wide range of sustainable, vegan, and affordable winter gloves, mitts, bags, and accessories from upcycled and recycled materials such as regenerated nylon and recycled polyester.
It also makes extensive use of natural materials with low environmental impacts, such as organic cotton, reclaimed cotton, and polyester fibres. Its first store opened in 1973, and the brand has rapidly expanded its product line since then. Patagonia is a Certified B Corporation that contributes 1% of its profits to charity.
The North Face is an American outerwear company that makes activewear and outdoor recreation products such as vegan gloves, clothing, shoes, bags, and other winter accessories. Through collaboration and innovation, The North Face aims to protect the world, its people, and its environments.
It aspires to inspire everyone to live active and sustainable lifestyles that benefit both people and the environment. The North Face is dedicated to improving its environmental performance and social responsibility throughout its supply chain. It uses its skills, experience, and scale to make the world a better place, in collaboration with its parent company and other corporate siblings.
9. Hats
If it’s below zero, we’ll be wearing hats! They keep our faces warm while blocking the wind that blows through our hair. For Days, a zero-waste basics fashion company sells an adorable Smiley Beanie in multiple colours in collaboration with Known Supply. The beanie, made of recycled polyester and cotton, was handcrafted at Known Supply's Peruvian facility, which employs “women who would otherwise not have an opportunity to work.”
In exchange for a discount on new purchases, you can return any ripped or old For Days items to the company for recycling. Hemptique's beanies are made from 100 percent hemp, dyed with AZO-free and water-based dyes, and are Global Organic Textile Standard certified.
On EarthHero, you can also buy Hemptique's beanies, which come in both short and long sizes and a variety of colours. The most common are synthetic hats, which are mostly made of acrylic, which is quite stretchable. Polyester is the next most common material.
Typically, these hats are warm, soft, and moisture-wicking (good if they get wet). However, they are made from petrochemicals and leach microplastics when washed. Not the worst, but if you're a vegan who cares about the environment, you might want to look into other options first. Cotton hats are a close second to bamboo hats as my personal favourite.
Cotton winter hats are available in two styles. Some hats are made entirely of cotton. These are extremely warm and comfortable, but if they get wet, well…they stink. So it's fine if you just need a winter hat for walking outside, but it's not the best option for keeping you warm if you plan to wear it in heavy snow or while exercising (hiking, snowboarding, etc.). Instead, opt for a cotton blend. These are mostly cotton, but they also contain synthetic materials for water resistance.
10. Coats
When that first gust of cold air hits you on a bright Autumn day, you know snow is on the way, and it's time to start looking for vegan winter coats. Most winter coats are traditionally made of animal products such as goose down, wool, and even leather. However, there are many alternative materials that are just as good (if not better) than these traditional animal-based insulators these days.
Vegan winter coats are made from materials ranging from highly engineered synthetics to recycled plastics that were previously polluting our oceans. Examine the label on any winter coat. If the tag says “100% synthetic,” you've got yourself a vegan winter coat!
Some labels will list the materials used, so keep an eye out for wool, down, and leather. Most websites will list the materials they use when you shop online. If not, you can always send them an e-mail inquiring whether or not their products are vegan. In my experience, most businesses are quick to provide a straightforward response.
11. Other Layers
Layers are your ally! You may want to consider layering on other layers, such as socks, long johns, and lightweight tops to stay warm.
The more layers you wear, the more sweat you'll produce when you finally get inside and you can't just start stripping off randomly.
It's simply a fact of life. You'll have to get used to it or relocate to the equator. Which, to be honest, doesn't sound like a bad idea right now.
Conclusion
There is a lot of “us versus them” in the animal rights debate. While some folks advocate for “sustainable” practices, others believe that even vegan fashion should only be made with materials from animals that have not been harmed. Others feel that all fur is bad; that cotton is ethical but wool is still bad; that upholstery is dirty and leather is gross; etc.
These beliefs — and more — are often at the forefront of conversations about animal welfare. We’re not here to debate the validity of their positions; however, we will show that vegan fashion can be versatile, fashionable, and cool, no matter your personal beliefs.
I trust you enjoyed reading the article about the Best Vegan Wardrobe Essentials For Winter Weather. Would you please stay tuned? There are more blog posts to come very shortly.
JeannetteZ
Your Opinion Is Important To Me
Ideas? Thoughts? Questions? I would love to hear from you. Would you mind leaving me your questions, experience and remarks about the Best Vegan Wardrobe Essentials For Winter Weather in the comments section below? You can also reach me by email at Jeannette@LivingTheVeganLifestyle.org.
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