The ultimate guide to a cruelty-free fall wardrobe
Let's be honest: fall is the best fashion season. After the breezy sundresses and lightweight sandals of summer comes the comfort of chunky boots, soft knits, and tough yet casual biker jackets. It's time for comforting fashion, luxurious textures and deep hues of mustard, forest green, and dark burgundy. And today, cruelty-free versions of all autumnal must-haves are widely available – in the cold, dark months to come, we can at least comfort ourselves with some delightful fashion, as well as the clean conscience that comes with knowing that no animals suffered and died for our style choices. Here are some of our favorites for the new season.
The faux shearling jacket: Noize Viveca Cropped Vegan Leather Coat
Whenever shearling's trending (which is whenever it gets cold, really), you can basically hear the eye-rolls of animal-lovers all over the world. But there's no longer a need to envy the wool-clad omnivores. These days we can get the look of shearling minus the cruelty to sheep with Noize's cropped design that features sherpa panels and a caramel hue. Team this one with wide-leg jeans and ankle boots for off-duty autumnal cool.
Credit: Noize
The tartan skirt: Sarah Regensburger Dark Highlands Skirt
Fall vibes meet gothic edge with this linen tartan skirt from vegan designer Sarah Regensburger. Linen, perhaps one of the most sustainable materials in fashion, is both breathable and warming. For the ultimate in tough-girl chic, wear this Fashion Week-worthy design with a biker jacket and lace-up boots.
Credit: Sarah Regensburger
The cozy knit: Minuit Sur Terre Givre Bordeaux
It wouldn't be fall without thick, hearty knits – from long walks in the park to long afternoons at cosy cafes with a vegan hot chocolate, chilly weather calls for at least one go-to wool-free knit. Minuit Sur Terre's soft and slouchy design in organic cotton perfectly strikes that balance between comfort and chic, while raising the cosy factor even more with its rich red wine color. Wear yours over a lacy tank top and a slinky satin skirt.
Credit: Minuit sur Terre
The trench coat: blacktogrey / Nois New York Lake Coat
Few designs are as synonymous with fall as the iconic trench coat – and blacktogrey's BCI-certified cotton design is the epitome of timeless style. Season after season, you'll long for colder days to pull out this style and toss it on over jeans and a chunky knit. Fashion editor levels of coolness guaranteed.
Credit: blacktogrey
Credit: Frida Rome
The forever bag: Frida Rome The Week/End Crossbody Handbag Tan
Buy it today, wear it forever: this design in apple leather will stand the test of time. The caramel macchiato shade makes it a fall classic, but if you invest in this design, it's sure to become a trans-seasonal favorite in your wardrobe. Throw it on over your best cold-weather coat, add some chunky boots, and prepare for compliments.
Credit: NAE Vegan
The ankle boots: NAE Vegan Shoes Alicia Brown
Step into the cold season with the most versatile design of them all: an ankle boot. Remember in Friends when Monica claimed her new boots “go with skirts, dresses and pants”? Well, we've got a leather-free option that is just as versatile. NAE Vegan Shoes offers a classic pair in a chocolate hue, which is a nice break from black. The chunky heel provides height combined with comfort, no Monica-style foot torture going on here.
Credit: Komodo
The warming gloves: Komodo Eichi Organic Cotton Gloves Cherry
Gloves are another pain point for those who don’t want to wear animals – that pesky percentage of wool keeps finding its way in. But fear not, wool-avoiders, our time has come. Keep warm in these organic-cotton gloves that are entirely free from wool and leather. The cherry hue will add interest to an all-black outfit and lend itself beautifully to a winter coat on a snow day.
Credit: Rabanui
The recycled beanie: Rapanui Women's Recycled Cotton Beanie Hat
Even the most heavy-duty cold can be braved without animal-derived knits. Keep sheep safe in Rapanui's cotton beanie that is kind to the environment as well as animals – it's made with GOTS-certified recycled organic cotton, making it soft and comfortable (none of that wooly itchiness). Wear with any winter outfit to maximize both warmth and style.
Credit: Kuyichi
The stylish yet warming scarf: Kuyichi Novi Scarf Warm Rust
Wrap up with this organic-cotton scarf in a fall-inspired pumpkin shade. No wool or other animal-derived knits needed for this cruelty-free, eco-conscious accessory that will bring a touch of color to an all-black look or complete an outfit in earthy tones. Pair with a trench coat and an all-season maxi dress for a boho appeal.
Discover everything you need to become a well-fed, stylish animal-lover. This fall, join thousands of others embracing plant-powered food and fashion for an entire month! Sign up for the Species Unite 30-Day Plant-Powered Challenge here to step into an exciting new world.
Written by Sascha Camilli
Sascha Camilli is a writer, speaker and vegan fashion expert. She founded the world's first digital vegan fashion magazine Vilda, and is the author of Vegan Style: Your Plant-Based Guide to Beauty, Fashion, Home & Travel. Her podcast, Catwalk Rebel, is out now.
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