Making this post so users can share information on cruelty-free clothing that is built to last.
Ideally this will mean both vegan and natural materials but I’m aware synthetics are near unavoidable. Please feel free to share synthetic materials that are made for long-term / indefinite use.
In summer I typically wear only cotton / linen but as the weather gets colder I’m looking for warm or waterproof winter clothes. I asked this question to a vegan community already and I’ll put their responses in a comment below.
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Shoes - ahimsa
I usually use thermals, but synthetics tend to increase BO which can suck if you’re working up a sweat.
I’d be keen to hear anyone’s suggestions on thick hiking/work socks btw. A day wearing gumboots tends to require the sacrifice of a pair of cotton socks or severe blisters :(
I’ll start by saying all my clothes are vegan but they are def not sustainable.
What kind of cold are you talking about? I live in a place that goes to -40C a few times a year, and this is what I generally use: I have a pair of snow pants that I love. I have a parka that goes down to my knees and has a thick hood. I wear boots that are rated for the cold, and might wear 2 pairs of socks. I wear a neck gaiter (those tube things) and a scarf. I have mittens, also works good if you want to keep a heat pack in them.
For every day, I have flannel lined jeans. I have cotton and synthetic sweaters, typically from a thrift shop. I would usually also wear an undershirt.
For me personally, mostly dry cold between 0-5 degrees with occasional heavy snow down to -5.
I was hoping to get information for cold weather in general too for all users, not just my situation.
I wear a neck gaiter (those tube things)
I noticed Buff sell these made from recycled materials. Their other products are generally non-vegan however.
I wear boots that are rated for the cold
Do you know the material for these boots? All the waterproof boots I find are various forms of leather.
I have flannel lined jeans
I am a long time jeans/denim hater but starting to accept they are inevitable if I want vegan, sustainable, warm clothes.
I have the vegan version of a common boot brand for most of the year and that was my year round when I lived in a milder place.
My current winter boots are very clearly snow boots. Not sure if that’s something that will work for you. The culture is to change shoes when you are at work or like a doctor’s office so you aren’t wearing them all day.
The materials are:
Great thank you. It seems like treated nylon is the way to go for a waterproof top layer.
Additional question - It seems the best way to keep warm in cold weather is to layer natural layers with treated/waxed nylon or cordura on top. Does anyone have experience with this or know of an accessible guide online? Every post I find is linked to a shop or otherwise trying to sell something.
Also any info on the waxes to use (Parrafin, soy oil, synthetic beeswax, candelilla are all options I have come across) is appreciated!
I use an “oilskin” (actually cotton) as a raincoat and wax it with a mixture of carnauba wax and jojoba oil. Castor would probably also work, you just need to add something to soften it that’s heavy enough not to get displaced by water.
Some of the suggestions I already received -
Waterproofing - Waxed canvas, using paraffin
Vegan brands - Noize
Layering thinner clothes (always the way to go), with a rainproof layer on top
I buy used clothes, ideally that had been union made
