4 Cozy Cruelty-Free Coats
At the first nippy stirrings of autumn, my body seems to sense that even colder winter days loom ahead, so I take that as my cue to unpack last season’s toasty garments from their warm-weather hibernation. The tags on most of my frost-ready outerwear read Polyester, Viscose, or Polyurethane, which are warm-and-snuggly synthetic alternatives to down (bad for birds), wool (ba-aa-aa-d for sheep!), and leather (bad for cows). This doesn’t mean hitting the streets looking like an Arctic explorer; today’s high-tech fibers are stitched into fashion-forward designs that look as good in the forest at they do on Fifth Avenue.
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
At the first nippy stirrings of autumn, my body seems to sense that even colder winter days loom ahead, so I take that as my cue to unpack last season’s toasty garments from their warm-weather hibernation. The tags on most of my frost-ready outerwear read Polyester, Viscose, or Polyurethane, which are warm-and-snuggly synthetic alternatives to down (bad for birds), wool (ba-aa-aa-d for sheep!), and leather (bad for cows). This doesn’t mean hitting the streets looking like an Arctic explorer; today’s high-tech fibers are stitched into fashion-forward designs that look as good in the forest at they do on Fifth Avenue.
1. Viva Vaute Couture When Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart launched Vaute Couture, she filled a major void in the realm of compassionate fashion. Each of her lovely, functional coats is super stylish, made of high-
quality green materials, and 100-percent vegan. Tip: Browse the virtual sale rack for some affordable finds.
2. Cozy Cotton Comfort An impeccably tailored, cold-resistant coat in organic cotton? Yes, please! The Juleselin line offers warmth backed with eco-conscious values, and every coat is made in the US. I like the feminine lines of the Elin coat, and it’s comfy, too.
http://www.juleselin.com/JULESELIN/Elin.html
3. Cheap, Chic, and Mod File ModCloth under “Accidentally Vegan.” While the company’s ethos isn’t based on green standards, it consistently delivers animal-free clothing and accessories, including a fun range of winter coats in vintage-inspired designs. I love everything about this cape—especially that no animals were harmed to produce it.
http://www.modcloth.com/shop/coats/euro-es-cape-coat
4. Faux Fur or No Fur My sartorial maxim is “faux fur or no fur.” This snuggly leopard-print coat by ASOS won’t trick anybody into thinking you’re wearing an endangered species, but it might encourage others to consider synthetic alternatives to the real (cruel) deal. http://www.asos.com/ASOS/ASOS-Longline-Animal-Fur-Coat/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=2385198&SearchQuery=coat&Rf-700=1000&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=200&sort=-1&clr=Traditionalanimal
