More and more people say no to fur, but in the discussion about animal cruelty in fashion, many seem to forget about the exotic skins used by luxury brands. Did you know it takes up to two to three crocodiles to make one single handbag? A handbag made from crocodile skin entails just as much suffering and killing as a chinchilla fur coat: according to PETA “snakes are commonly nailed to trees, and their bodies are cut open from one end to the other as they are skinned alive because of the belief that live-flaying keeps their skins supple”.
With this in mind, does it send out the wrong signals when vegans wear animal print? The argument is that even faux versions promote the look – but at the same time, it’s crucial to the vegan fashion movement to show others that it is possible to create on-trend looks that don’t harm animals.
Animal print continues to rule the runways for the Spring/Summer season, and we’ve rounded up our three favourite trends that highlight the beauty of the animal without stealing their skin.
SNAKE
Looking through the Spring/Summer 2018 collections, it came as no surprise that snake print still reigned supreme. After spotting it at designers like Chloé and Bottega Veneta, we are now eager to copy the look with a vegan twist. Take your inspiration from Topshop Unique and style the snake-print blouse underneath a black dress from sustainable fashion brand Jan n’ June. If you prefer to go for reptile-pattern accessories, check out this vegan bag from Free People and boots from affordable River Island and Public Desire.
1. Snake-print bag, Free People / 2. Green earrings, Zara / 3. Black midi dress, Jan ‘n June / 4. High snake-print boots, River Island / 5. Green wide-leg trousers, Weekday / 6. Snake-print blouse, Chloé at Net-a-Porter / 7. Snake-print wallet, Jeane & Jax / 8. Snake-print boots, Public Desire
LEOPARD
Leopard print can be tricky – go overboard with it and you’ll risk looking tacky, so don’t overdo the dots. Go simple with a pair of blue jeans, a tee (raise your hand if you want this t-shirt from Stella McCartney created to support Women for Women International) and throw a leopard-print faux-fur jacket on top.
1. Leopard faux-fur jacket, Alexa Chung at Net-a-Porter / 2. Black boots, Asos / 3. Blue jeans, Weekday / 4. Leopard-print pleated skirt, & other stories / 5. T-shirt, Stella McCartney at Net-a-Porter / 6. Black cross-body bag, Melie Bianco / 7. Leopard-print vegan suede loafers, Lulus / 8. Red hoop earrings, Free People / 9. White shirt, Topshop
ZEBRA
Are you that person who mostly sticks to monochrome? Spice it up and go for black and white zebra stripes to add interest. Wear a zebra-print dress or kimono with a pair of colourful trousers and finish the look with a long trench coat. If you want to start small, go for this chic clutch from sustainable and vegan accessory brand Wilby.
1. Black blouse, Temperley London at Net-a-Porter / 2. Zebra print clutch, Wilby / 3. Black trench coat, Jan n’ June / 4. Zebra print dress, Zara / 5. Printed loose-fit trousers, Zara / 6. Straw circle bag, Melie Bianco / 7. Zebra-print pumps, Monki / 8. Red midi skirt with zebra print, Monki / 9. Cat-eye sunglasses, Topshop
For more vegan fashion tips, follow Vilda on Pinterest
Cover photo by Daria Nepriakhina via Pixabay
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