The Best Vegan Outfits To Shop This Wildlife Month
July is officially Wildlife Month, and as the effects of climate change become increasingly alarming and the need for wildlife preservation becomes ever more necessary, we've compiled an edit of vegan leather pieces with all the luxurious appeal of their genuine leather counterparts, but none of the cruelty.
Fashion has increasingly been moving in an animal-friendly direction. In fact, many designers announced they would go fur-free (Gucci, Versace, and Moncler, among them) just as a plethora of fur and leather alternatives steadily gained momentum. Vegan leather, in particular, fueled by the success of advancements in lab-grown mushroom-based leather alternatives, has been making headway. Stella McCartney—a longtime eco-pioneer and lifelong vegan—showcased a buzzy new handbag release during her SS22 runway show: a limited-edition Frayme Mylo which was available for purchase in July last year. Hermès, meanwhile, is working on a mycelium leather Victoria bag, and Balenciaga launched EPHEA, a new mycelium-based material, as part of its FW22 collection. Piñatex, made from pineapple leaf fibers, apple leather, cactus leather, cork, and recycled rubbers, are all expected to launch as viable alternatives to animal hide in the coming years.
While, admittedly, not the first fabric that springs to mind at the height of summer, vegan leather is a surprisingly chic option for AC-blasted days, cooler nights, and that dreaded end-of-summer-meets-start-of-fall transition, when things begin cooling down. Since it’s not as breathable as leather, it’s best to avoid it in the sweltering heat, but it is surprisingly durable. With that in mind—and since the summer sales are also heating up—now is the perfect time to invest in this luxury trend, safe in the knowledge that vegan leather fabrics usually avoid the shocking carbon footprint synonymous with leather—while boasting significant wear-now-and-later appeal.