Vegan tees and tops: samey, boring or hard to find? No way!
Why I want to tell you about casual tops
I know vegans and non-vegans who think that it’s really hard to find vegan clothing. Somehow, people equate wanting to wear something that wasn’t sourced from an animal, to making do and having limited choices.
I want to dispel this myth, so I’m going to publish a series of articles about clothing, ranging from casual, smart, summery and dressy.
Tops and Tees: materials
Many tops and tees are vegan by accident. Some may have designs embossed on it using non-vegan materials, such as, leather, wool, feathers and so on, but most are vegan.
Generally, tops and tees will be made from cotton or synthetic materials, such as, elastane or polyester. For this reason, many ‘high street stores’ will stock a large range of vegan tops and tees.
Tops and Tees: designs
As you probably know, tops come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. They can be varied in terms of sleeve length, neck line, the length of the top, sleeve style and the cut, They may be plain, boast a logo, or have an illustration or slogan of some sort on it. Thus there is an abundance of styles.
Long & snug
This top is from La Redoute. I love how snug I feel in it. This is mostly due to the the length of the top and sleeves. It’s light, flowy and I feel free in it.
Simple & bold
This tee is by Bee’s Mug Shop. I love this particular shade of blue on white, the font, the shape of the t-shirt and the statement that I’m POWERED by plants.
Light & bright
I got this top from asos. I like the length of the sleeves and the fact that it’s lightweight and summery.
The words
This t-shirt is from Bazaar De Luxe. I like the statement and the play on words. If it inspires thought; change may follow.
Yes, I’m still vegan!
This tee is by Bee’s Mug Shop. I love that the permanence of my intention, decision and being, is stated in bright green. 10 years on; it isn’t, and was never, a phase!
The elephant in the room
This t-shirt is from Mino Valley Farm. I love how soft it is, the way it hangs, the sleeves, and the statement about equality. Unfortunately, they don’t sell them anymore.
The humour
This one is from Bazaar De Luxe. I love the the reactions I get when people read it. Many have to read it a couple of times before they ‘get it.’ I like that because it is a catalyst for thought. I also like the finish on the sleeves.
The crux of it all
I like this one because compassion, (a lot of the time) is the crux of what determines whether I speak, do or abstain. It is a choice, which we all have the power of making. This t-shirt is by Threads For Love.
If you’re vegan do you have to have it written all over your clothes?
Not at all! Until a few years ago, most of my tops were plain. I didn’t like patterns, images or any type of design really. I was so averse to it, that if the top was plain but had a logo that was quite visible, I wouldn’t wear it. I’m not sure why, but that changed a few years ago, and I started buying tops with messages on them. However, vegans are no less or more vegan because of this, so please don’t equate veganism with clothing displaying vegan messages.
Tips
How to create a vegan wardrobe
Is it really faux fur?
How to find out if what you’re buying is made form animals
Vegan shoes
Vegan shoes everywhere
Vegan Businesses
The Compassionate Closet
The Vegan Mafia
Compassion Co
True Icon
Edelji
Will’s Vegan Shoes
Simple Animal
“When I turned vegan, I didn’t feel that way about every animal around. I’ve noticed it’s something that changes naturally. Nowadays I vacuum around a spider, catch flies to release them outside and let silverfish go about their business; a whole new world, a whole new-found mental peace.”