Handsome Furs and Leathers and Wools

Surprisingly fitting was the fact that I was listening to the Handsome Furs on CBC Radio 3 while learning about why Vegans don't like animal furs or leathers or hairs.  This is one of my biggest contentions with Veganism.  I like love wool (it's true, love is a verb. I wear those sweaters with great pride).  In fact my brother lent me a few sweaters for Lent since I own only one sweater that is made of cotton, and it's too big.  I own a leather belt, I own a down filled vest, and my favorite socks, Fox River, in the world are a blend of wool and acrylic.  I knew that this was going to be a challenge due to the fact that I would have to keep my eyes peeled for the every present animal hair blend during the duration.  The first day I did not read the ingredients of a sweater I could have sworn was fully cotton.  Co-worker Owen, who keeps me very accountable with my Lenten exploration, checked my sweater contents and informed me that I had already failed.  It was a sad day, and then after I cried a little (just kidding, vegans don't cry) I took my sweater off.

I even bought a new belt.  This belt has held up well, defying gravity most of the time.  Though lately it seems like it has had enough of my tightening and loosening and is starting to fail.  It will rarely hold up my pants for a full shift, I often have to re-tuck my shirt and ensure that I don't offend anyone with my low slung jeans.  Thankfully the belt cost me only 6 dollars from vegan friendly MEC.  I also broke out my polyester vest that I have had since grade 8.  It served me well then, and it serves me well now.  It's warm, and it's vegan, plus it's vintage MEC, which always helps with street cred.

For weeks I have guarded myself against wearing anything with animal hair in it.  I broke down a few times and tried on a suit to see if it fit yet, I have shed a few pounds since the start of Lent, and I tried on a tweed jacket roommate Ben gifted to me.  It has been hard, and I really am starting to dislike this whole non animals thing.  I understood a bit before of the reasons behind such drastic measures.  Poor treatment of animals in the world with regards to their pelts and the hair off their backs is sometimes dastardly, but is the appropriate response to give up on every clothing item made from the animal kingdom?  Killing snakes or alligators for the prized skin, I feel, is nearly the exact opposite from shearing some sheep so that us Canadians can keep warm during our freezing, and never ending, winter.

The Vegan info site Vegan Means? talks a great deal about cotton and hemp and other such non animal products.  I wonder about the cost effectiveness of buying Hemp clothing vs. wool clothing.  Is hemp as warm as wool?  I think not.  I wore hemp socks a few times since the beginning of lent, and they are terrible.  The do not hold their shape, they retain too much moisture, and if I was wearing them running or hiking I would undoubtedly get blisters.  Vegan Means also talks about what to do with your animal products when you decide to become a vegan.  This really gets me red in the face.  It suggests that some vegans even get together and bury their animal products!

"Even disposing of these can be a task, as giving them away keeps them ‘alive’ in the public eye. This is a personal decision. Some vegans have buried these items together in a respectful ceremony."

I struggle a great deal with people who have ethical problems with animals.  In regards to food and clothing.  I generally understand where they are coming from, there is a great deal of improper handling of animals both for food and for clothes, but there are ways to find products that fit an aware lifestyle.  Knowing where your food comes from, knowing who made that scarf, keeping tabs on certain aspects of life makes a better consumer.

I have yet to be convinced by anyone that I should give up my wool sweaters, and frankly since my feet are cold and the fact that I have invested in excellent socks makes me not want to bury such excellently made products in the ground so that no one can use them.  I look forward to once again wearing sweaters of all shapes, sizes, and makes.

Edit: I like the sound of Political Vegan via Serious Eats.