I suppose my ideas could be summed up with one old almage: everything in moderation. I really don't buy tons of leather first hand, and I have never bought any fur first hand. When I do buy leather straight from a fashion retailer, I make sure it is a product that is benefitting from being made from leather. Shoes, for example. Shoes become better when made out of a more sturdy material that forms to your foot over time. For some reason when I see a pair of full on leather pants, I feel it's a little like, "What's up now cow!? How you like my butt on you?!? Oh yeah? Well suck it I'm human and I do what I want!" Ya know? I can't think of an occasion where leather pants are totally necessary.
but I bet you can....weirdo.
I will (every now and then) invest in a pair of shoes I know I will wear a ton...like all the time...I'll have them for years...like that animal is not just sitting there in my closet collecting dust. And to be honest, even after being sure to use that piece of flesh to it's fullest, I still feel guilty a bit. Which brings me to my next point.
I do buy fur and leather secondhand. (For example, this Goldendoodle vest! It's not Goldendoodle, although I cuddled with it like it was. I think it's alpaca, which aren't harmed in sheering but I digress.) I figure animal goods shouldn't just hang there in a thrift store. Someone should have them and appreciate them so the creature won't have died in vein. Riiiight?
To sum it up, I buy animal products in moderation or secondhand (Actually I try to buy a lot of my clothing second hand for the good of this world). I try to make conscious choices in what I put on my body and in it as well. But that's just my thing. And I'm happy to do it. I think if everyone started being a little more conscious it would make a big difference. The world is a fucked up place, and every little bit helps. I've thought immensely about cutting products that contain or contribute to the suffering of animals out of my life all together, and have done so with my beauty products and almost all of my food (I still eat fish), and hopefully one day I'll do it completely.
With all that said I might just be trying to make myself feel better. Do me a fave and don't be a jerk in the comments. I know this can be a touchy subject, and I don't claim to know the best way. I just wanted to share some thoughts on the way that is working for me right now.
On another note: This outfit was generously added to by two of my favorite ladies. My sister-in-law (who I met assistant styling in Dallas) gave me the safety pin ear rings. If you know anything about fashion styling, you'll know you deal wit A LOT of safety pins. And the metal clutch was given to me by my mama.
{Shirt: F21(similar here)} {Jeans: Helmut Lang} {Vest, Belt, Clutch: Vintage}
{Rings: Grandmother's} {Earrings: Skylark (similar here)}
