Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
25 unnatural booties
Step away from leather & suede in these V.gan delights
It was only after I sent last week’s column (where I berated one of my idols – Cher – for fronting a campaign for a brand which makes sheepskin boots despite being a selfconfessed animal lover) to print when I realised I didn’t actually give an alternative to what you could buy and wear with a clear conscience.
The fact is, products made from leather, suede, sheepskin – or in any way derived from an animal – are not cosidered luxurious or high quality these days, they are considered cruel and unnecessary, because there are so many other ways of recreating an almost identical material – its just that the big brands choose not to do so.
Obviously I’m not saying to cut such products out completely and I will continue to feature them in my column because while I personally will try to cut back on buying them – just like I have cut down on, but have not eliminated my meat intake – I truly believe in the freedom of choice, and that includes investing in a new pair of cosy winter boots. I suppose what I’m trying to say is, when you are looking at buying an animal-derived product, maybe shop around.
Have a look to see if you can buy what you are looking for in a synthetic or sustainable version instead because they are out there, and they are just as good as the originals.
I came across a particularly good website while researching Ugg alternatives.
V.gan.com is a one-stop online shop for vegan and sustainable footwear. The brand has its own range of boots, shoes, slippers and trainers as well as stocking well-known brands such as full-vegan trainers Veja, and vegan versions of Dr. Martens, Melissa, Birkenstock, Barbour, Vans and Vivienne Westwood. But I really love the V.gan’s own brand of boots and I have featured the majority of them today, just to prove you can get amazing style and quality – with no impact on any animals’ quality of life. www.vgan-life.com