Yup – it’s that time of year where people start asking you what your New Years resolution is. I actually get sick of this tradition as I always seem to pick something really difficult that I can’t stick to (think giving up chocolate or running 3 times a week!) Do you like this end of year tradition or feel queasy at the idea of having to come up with something?

I’ve just heard that over 200,000 people have now signed up for Veganuary – yaaaaassssssss! In light of this fantastic news, I thought I’d come up with some ideas for new vegans or those considering making the change, to help them with the wardrobe element of veganism. If you’re just starting veganism, it may seem too overwhelming to think about making your clothing animal-free too, but in reality it’s just a case of making different decisions when they’re presented to you. I would never suggest people chuck out clothes that aren’t vegan and go out and buy a whole new wardrobe, that’s just gross. 

However, if you feel up to a change with the way you shop and look at fashion, I’ve put together 5 different ideas for vegan fashion resolutions that you could think about during Veganuary, or maybe even throughout the whole of 2020... These resolutions are great steps to take to slowly change the way you view fashion, and to make your choices more ethical and conscious. It can take time to build new habits and let go of old ones, so maybe just pick one and see how you get on? Anyway, have a read and see if you think you could take on one of these resolutions for 2020!

1.    Check the label. Look for the care label on the inside of clothing and see what the fabric composition is (this means what materials the garment is made from) Here are the most common forms of animal materials: wool, leather (or genuine leather/PU leather), silk, cashmere, shearling, feathers, fur, exotic skin (or any variation of skins), down, angora, alpaca, and mohair. If you see any of these words – avoid this garment!

2.    Stay up-to-date with vegan fashion. Get the latest news from the vegan fashion world and be the first to know about new vegan brands by following the right social media accounts. I’d recommend Bare Fashion, Vilda Magazine, and Veg News for all the latest news about vegan fashion. You can also set up Google alerts for “vegan fashion” so if its ever mentioned in news articles you’ll get a notification!

3.    Make a swap! Start making small swaps when shopping for new clothes, or even when you’re trawling the charity shops. Swap leather for Pinatex, a vegan leather made from pineapples, or swap wool for hemp, a natural fibre that takes much less water to produce and keeps you just as warm! Opt for Tencel instead of silk, as silk is made from boiling silk worms alive. 

4.    Check the rating. Use the ‘Good on You’ app to search for the brand you’re about to buy from, and you can find out what their rating is. It’s good to know, not only that they’re vegan or offer a vegan range, but that they produce their clothing in safe working conditions and with fair wages, as well as their policies for environmental sustainability. 

5.    Support vegan brands. Shop from smaller, independent retailers that are offering vegan and sustainable clothing, and try and find companies that are based in your country – saves on the transport emissions. PETA accredited brands are a good way to know that you’re buying from a vegan brand, or you can check out my list of recommended brands here.

I hope this has given you some ideas for your vegan fashion resolutions for 2020! If you need any information or have a question about vegan fashion, please get in touch and I’d be happy to help you with your query (if I can!). Big hugs and love for the New Year! - Grandermarnier