Vegan fashion used to be something that you needed to really seek out not so long ago. And in case you wanted a wallet that wasn’t made of leather or a pair of shoes that didn’t use suede or wool, then you were likely to be browsing a niche shop site or placing an order with a small independent brand abroad. Now jump to the present and everything is quite different. Take a stroll through a high street or browse the websites of major retailers and vegan choices are all around.
However, is vegan fashion mainstream or is it still a niche in the corner of some collections?
From Niche to Noticed
Vegan fashion initially took off in small companies that served a very niche market – typically individuals who are already vegan in their lifestyles. The designs were minimal, the materials were simple and they never necessarily competed with animal products in terms of quality.
That has changed in the past ten years. The cruelty-free fashion is in demand not only among vegans but also among people who are concerned about sustainability and ethics. The fashion industry is no exception, and it has been fast to react. In sports stores, department stores, and even large fashion chains, you can now find vegan trainers, vegan handbags, and even vegan collections in specific lines of these stores.
Why It’s Happening
Vegan fashion is a phenomenon that is appearing on the high street in a few large ways:
Consumer demand: Consumers are increasingly conscious of the origin of products. Vegan and cruelty-free labels are now selling features, rather than an afterthought.
Gooder materials: The era of faux leather that is plasticky is coming to an end. New materials such as cork, pineapple leather (Pinatex), and apple-based leather are high-quality-looking and feel.
Brand image: Large fashion stores do not want to be out of fashion. Having vegan lines indicates that they are keeping up with the shifting values.
The impact of social media: Influencers and celebrities have significantly contributed to the normalisation of vegan fashion, proving that it can be fashionable and aspirational.
What You Can Get on the High Street.
The way is being led by shoes and accessories. Sports brands now have trainers that are made of recycled plastics or vegan leather substitutes. There are also vegan versions of handbags and wallets and it is clearly labelled in high street shops.
Fashion is lagging a little way behind. Even jackets, jumpers, and even suits are being produced using non-animal fabrics, but you will still have to look at labels. The trims of wool, silk and leather can easily creep into the otherwise vegan-looking clothing.
Visibility is the big step forward. Rather than searching through stacks, most stores have begun labelling vegan items in-store or online, thus becoming easier to identify.
Still Some Gaps
With that said, vegan fashion is not quite mainstream. Still, there are numerous challenges. There are small collections, usually only a few products to see the waters. The prices may also be above the regular levels, something that discourages some shoppers. And although vegan choices are more accessible, they are not necessarily sustainable. Plastic faux leather (PVC), e.g., does not use animals, but has environmental disadvantages.
Therefore, although vegan fashion is now available in the high street, it is not the default yet. It is expanding, yet it has not entirely substituted the animal based materials.
What It Means for Shoppers
To ordinary consumers, the transition implies that they have never had an easier time making vegan decisions. You do not even need to make an extra effort to locate a vegan wallet or a pair of non-leather shoes. The choices are available, they are fashionable and in many cases they are competitive in terms of prices.
It also conveys a larger message: vegan fashion is no longer the preserve of a select audience. It is open to anyone who wishes to make decisions that are more ethical or sustainable, although not completely devoted to veganism.
Vegan fashion has certainly left the shadow. It may not yet take over all the stores, but it is no longer unusual or difficult to locate. And with a better material and an increase in demand, there are high chances that what currently forms part of the high street will one day turn into the norm.
In the meantime, customers will have the luxury of knowing that going cruelty-free does not mean sacrificing style anymore, and they do not have to spend hours of their life surfing the web. It is as easy as going to your neighbourhood store.
