Fabrics?
Posted by gravyboat on Mar 10, 2008 · Member since Mar 2004 · 4 posts
My fiance is a vegetarian and I am a meat-eater that's trying to go vegan. We are getting married in June, and he says that my wedding dress (which has silk in it) isn't vegan. Now, I'm sure he's correct, but what other fabrics are appropriate? I mean, is it bad to wear wool? Am I to be delegated to a life of polyester and cotton?
Now, I'm sure he's correct, but what other fabrics are appropriate? I mean, is it bad to wear wool? Am I to be delegated to a life of polyester and cotton?
Gravyboat,
Whether he is "correct" or not is a matter of perspective. Ultimately, its your life, your clothes and your decision about what to wear....
I personally don't use animal products, including wool, leather,silk etc....it is actually pretty easy to avoid these things if you read labels. However, your situation is a little different. It sounds like you already have the dress, right?
I'm still wearing the leather shoes I bought before I turned veg*n. They are sturdy SAS shoes and have lasted three years and probably will last another 3 or 4. If you have already bought the dress, tell him that you've already spent the money and the dress "will have to do". I agree that you have the right to wear whatever you want to and if he becomes the vegan police, he has a problem. There actually are some lovely synthetics. Also, I've read that some of the hemp fabrics are "silky" and luxurious-feeling. Hemp is a lot more versatile than ropes. Personally, I haven't bought anything made of hemp because I don't buy any clothes other than T-shirts without trying them on before hand. I also don't buy anything that has to be dry cleaned only. The expense and the toxic chemicals are why. It really isn't hard to dress nicely and vegan too.
The past posts to the Vegan Fashion Blog have some very nice things: http://www.veganfashionblog.com/
If you're trying to choose vegan material, wool isn't considered vegan. They do funky things to make wool sheep miserable.
I use non-vegan things I have from my pv (pre-vegan) days. If you've found a dress and like it, use it. In terms of other fabrics, a high thread count cotton is kind of shiny. Plus, you get extra cool points if it's organic cotton. I wouldn't worry about "appropriate" fabrics. It's your wedding. Why wouldn't an organic cotton fabric that has a reduced impact on the environment and isn't the result of factory farming be a great way to start a marriage?