ok, i am a vegan now...what happens to my old leather purses, shoes,...

Am I not a "vegan" if I still wear my leather shoes? Or use my leather purses? If I never purchase anything leather again but still use my old leather stuff is that bad? I think it would be wasteful just to stop using the things I already have...I just mean shoes and purses not fur or leather coats lol  (not that I own any...)

What do other people do with their old leather goods when they decide to save the animals?

When my nephew became totally "vegan", he donated all of his leather things (shoes, briefcase, belts, etc.) to Goodwill.  He wouldn't use them anymore, but thought someone else less fortunate could use them.  I don't know if this would be a viable option for you, but I wanted to share the thought anyway. 

Personally, if you have no issues with continuing to use the things you already have, then go right on.  If you're worried that others will question how "vegan" you really are, well you really shouldn't be so concerned with what others think.

Donating the stuff is a good idea though.

I became vegan about 8 months ago and wondered the same thing. It comes down to a personal decision and depends on what you're comfortable with. I personally don't have the money to get rid of my leather shoes, wool coat, etc. Plus, I bought them BEFORE I knew the things I know now. I decided that I'll continue to wear them until they need to be replaced, and when that time comes, I'll make sure I replace them with synthetics. If you have purses and shoes that you bought prior to becoming vegan and you LIKE them, I don't think it's a problem to keep them. Some people might think it would be a problem, but it's really up to you. Becoming vegan is a very significant lifestyle change, so I think it only makes sense that there will be some sort of transitional period. The fact that you're even thinking about it is huge and shows that you obviously care, so I think that's what's most important. :)  It would certainly be questionable if you went out and bought a bunch of leather items NOW, but that's not the situation. Hopefully my reply made some sense. :)

I'd say keep it, unless the thought of wearing it really disgusts you. No sense in wasting the clothes. Especially since the animal is dead anyways, you may as well put it's body to waste immediately if you still have another 5 years out of it. That was worded oddly, so I hope you can get what I'm trying to say XD

thanks guys at first i was like omg if i wear it it will be bad but then i thought well it would be more wasteful not to use it especially since i do like them and this does take some time to get used to. i appreciate all your comments!

neither i nor my parents have the money to replace all of my leather things. i don't even have that many though, just one pair of shoes and a belt.

Using leather isn't really "vegan" but...isn't it better to use something relatively natural than something like a "synthetic" item that would take hundreds of years to decompose and full of chemicals...just throwing that out there...

When you do get ready to replace your leather things, there are several places that make vegan shoes, bags, belts, etc, that are not synthetic. One of the best places to purchase vegan and eco-friendly items is http://www.alternativeoutfitters.com/index.as p?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=81

I hope this helps.  Keep up the good work!  :-)

When I made the decision to become vegan, I also donated all of my leather shoes and my down coat to charity. Since I became vegan for moral reasons, I did not want to continue to wear the things that I was morally uncomfortable with.

From Wikipedia: "Veganism is a philosophy and lifestyle that seeks to exclude the use of animals for food, clothing, or any other purpose. Vegans endeavor not to use or consume animal products of any kind."

Just to be clear though, this was a personal decision that I made for myself, and I wouldn't judge someone else who made a different decision.

I also recently went vegan, and have been wondering what to do with all the animal products I already own. Truthfully, as of right now I don't own many bags and shoes that AREN'T leather or suede. Sad, but true. Obviously, since my decision I've stopped buying anything that involves the exploitation of animals.

It would be way too expensive to replace all of my non-vegan possesions, so as I transition I will wear the things I love until they get worn out and take the rest to the salvation army.

Everytime I'm out wearing one of my leather purses or flats my (non-vegan) friends make some stupid comments. I just remind them (and myself) that I'm not perfect, that all these things were bought before I made the choice to become vegan and so there's really no harm in wearing them now. Right now it's summer so its easier to find "vegan" outfits. Come winter, I'll have to bring back all my wool sweater dresses, down jackets, leather boots, etc. Getting rid of all of these things now wouldn't do me or the animals any good, and I'm not ready to part with pretty much half my closet yet. Hopefully a few years from now, my wardrobe will be completely cruelty free.

The biggest challenge is to prevent my mom from buying me leather/suede. She likes to shop for me while I'm away at school, when I have no control of what she buys. Luckily, I've already got her to stop buying me any fur (about 5 years ago). Yepp, my mother loves fur... and has a closet full of fur coats.

 

 

Original Post by white_rabbit_:

Everytime I'm out wearing one of my leather purses or flats my (non-vegan) friends make some stupid comments. I just remind them (and myself) that I'm not perfect, that all these things were bought before I made the choice to become vegan and so there's really no harm in wearing them now. Right now it's summer so its easier to find "vegan" outfits. Come winter, I'll have to bring back all my wool sweater dresses, down jackets, leather boots, etc. Getting rid of all of these things now wouldn't do me or the animals any good, and I'm not ready to part with pretty much half my closet yet. Hopefully a few years from now, my wardrobe will be completely cruelty free.

 

You know what's funny is I read a post exactly like this one on a vegetarian forum, and someone mentioned that it's never his/her vegan friends who give him/her a hard time, but his/her non-vegan friends who do. Weird how that works, isn't it? I like how you worded "Getting rid of all of these things now wouldn't do me or the animals any good, and I'm not ready to part with pretty much half my closet yet." I've been trying to think of a respectful way to word that, and that's perfect! If anyone ever gives me any problems about my leather shoes or wool jacket (no one has, but if they do), I'll just tell them I'll be glad to get rid of them if they'd like to buy me a replacement.

When someone wants to split hairs with me because I have shoes that are leather (old or second hand) or a coat that is wool (pre vegan days) etc -  I carefully rephrase that  "I eat a vegan diet"  I think we are each entitled to our choices - and 9 out of 10 times it is a meat eater who calls me on my old leather wallet.  I dont feel bad about it, I just try do the best  I can for me, and make the best choices I can from today forward - and I am totally at peace with the fact that my best decision for me may not be your best decision for you and vice versa...

I say sell it. It'll stop other people who were going to eventually buy leather from buying leather clothes and thus killing more animals. It won't make much of a difference, but it's something :)

I'm so glad you posted this! I have been going through the exact same thing. I bought a really expensive leather bag right before I went vegan a couple of months ago, and I've been just using it, just because I can't afford to/bear to give it away. I wish I never bought it though. I feel like it's sooo awkward when I'm carrying my bag and telling people I'm a vegan at the same time. Sigh.

The plastic, vinyl, and rubber in most non-leather shoes is SO MUCH WORSE for the environment than leather.  Leather lasts longer and doesn't need to be replaced as often as other materials.  If you are going to give your old leather away and replace it with something more environmentally irresponsible then you may as well just keep them.  I'm veg*n and wear leather shoes and purses all the time, but everything comes from thriftstores like Goodwill and Amvets.  I figure if I am not contributing to the production of NEW goods (leather or otherwise), then I am doing my job.  Also, I don't care what others think about my eating vs. fashion ethics.  But if anyone asks, I have a well-rationed response.

Original Post by smaxted:

Using leather isn't really "vegan" but...isn't it better to use something relatively natural than something like a "synthetic" item that would take hundreds of years to decompose and full of chemicals...just throwing that out there...

right.  yes.  exactly.

Wouldn't it be lovely to just give them all a decent burial..... ?

I kept my old leather stuff and, honestly, I think that's a greener choice than buying new stuff when there is no need for it. I'm sure some of the vegan police may have disagreed, but I still considered myself vegan.

Original Post by todeinotaton:

The plastic, vinyl, and rubber in most non-leather shoes is SO MUCH WORSE for the environment than leather.  Leather lasts longer and doesn't need to be replaced as often as other materials.  If you are going to give your old leather away and replace it with something more environmentally irresponsible then you may as well just keep them.  I'm veg*n and wear leather shoes and purses all the time, but everything comes from thriftstores like Goodwill and Amvets.  I figure if I am not contributing to the production of NEW goods (leather or otherwise), then I am doing my job.  Also, I don't care what others think about my eating vs. fashion ethics.  But if anyone asks, I have a well-rationed response.

Very true. Excellent post.

My husband is vegan and he buys leather shoes from Goodwill. He walks constantly and all-plastic shoes wear out too quickly and give him foot problems.