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Cashmere? Wool? Down?

Cashmere? Wool? Down?

Started by KWogs on October 5, 2010

4 Comments

KWogs said #1 Oct 5, 2010 at 12:05pm

I'm really trying to get rid of the clothing and accessories I have that are made from animal products. It's easy to weed out the leather and donate it, but what about the other things? I never realized how many sweaters or scarves I have that are made from cashmere or have even a little bit of cashmere in it. Can someone help me out with a list of things that are used in clothing that are made from animals? Did I miss anything besides the items listed in the title (plus leather, and of course fur but I have never owned anything fur). Thanks!

claire said #2 Oct 26, 2010 at 11:03am

Its awesome that you're trying to get cruelty free fashion. For me it has been a gradual process. I actually bought a down coat last winter even though I was eating vegan and not wearing leather because I just didn't think of it. Now it seems so obvious and I still wear my coat, but I wish I had known.

-Down is definately not cruelty free. The plucking is cruel and they are usaully eaten later.

-Don't forget actual feathers too. the big feathers really hurt when they pucl them (Look at how big the stalk is of some). I don't know much about the feather industry but I doubt they just go around looking for falen feathers on the ground.

-Wool and any other names for wool: Cashmere, angora, alpaca, mohair, marino, felt (pressed wool) and maybe some others. Its scratchy anyway, who cares, wool sucks.

- Sheepskin, suede, and other leather forms. Sometimes a company will say synthetic leather, and it usually means faux leather or it can mean synthetic chemicals were used in tanning, so check.

- Silk is made from silk worms thread. I am not fancy so I don't really think about silk that often, but its not considered vegan because the silk worms are boiled alive to get the threads.

I found a cool download pdf free book the other day which gives some really good lists of resources for cruelty free fashion.

http://chicvegan.com/the-ethical-girls-guide-to-being-vegan-and-fabulous/

There are also lots of threads about new clothes to buy.

Emma Peel said #3 Nov 20, 2010 at 5:23pm

Kind natural fibers with superior properties & more being added as anti-cruelty pressure increases. Even nicer, as poly/synthetics are made from petroleum, like plastic, treated w/ chemicals and generally toxic. Nature simply provides the best qualities in what we need.

Bamboo - naturally antibacterial; fabric is softer than cotton, often silky; wood is very sturdy; great for clothes, kitchen, bath, houseware products; clothes, shoes, towels, bedding, flooring, counters, plates etc.

Wild silk, Ahimsa - "... absorbency ...comfortable in warm weather and while active ... low conductivity keeps warm air close to the skin during cold weather"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silk

"Gandhi critical of silk production...Ahimsa philosophy "not to hurt any living thing" ...led to Gandhi's promotion of Ahimsa silk...made from cocoons of wild and semi-wild silk moths...for those who prefer not to wear silk produced by killing silkworms."

Merino wool, anti-mulesing - "regulating body temperature, especially worn against skin...provides some warmth without overheating wearer...draws moisture (sweat) away from skin...known as wicking...slightly moisture repellent ...allowing user to avoid feeling of wetness

* wool absorbs water (up to 1/3 its weight) but unlike cotton, wool retains warmth when wet, helping wearers avoid hypothermia after strenuous workouts (climbs) or weather events...most wools, merino contains lanolin which has antibacterial properties...one of the softest types of wool...excellent warmth-to-weight ratio compared to other wools

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merino

* New strains of Merinos that do not require mulesing being promoted in S. AU

'Thin-skinned' sheep from western Victoria are also being promoted as a solution.

Kim F. said #4 Aug 5, 2011 at 1:09pm

check out my new blog post about what's wrong with wool

http://trailofkale.blogspot.com/

what are your thoughts?

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