A Detailed Guide to Vegan Coats and Jackets for All Weather and Seasons

We’re back with more vegan fashion, and this time, we’re talking about coats!

Depending on where you live, coats are either a fun fashion statement or a functional necessity.

Whether you need your coat to make you look great or keep you from freezing to death, we’ve found a range of vegan-friendly options that will do both.

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The majority of coats are made out of some type of animal products such as wool, down (feathers), fur, or leather. This is especially true for cold-weather coats.

Don’t despair! The fashion industry is changing by using synthetic materials that don’t harm animals.

Some of them are Primaloft, polyester, cotton, and acrylic. As more and more designers ditch fur – most recently, John Galliano, Tom Ford, and Gucci – we can only expect better cruelty-free fashion in the future. 

​​​Primaloft is a type of synthetic fabric initially created for the US army in the 80s’. It is a super durable and completely vegan-friendly fabric.

​​​​​Polyester is a very versatile material made from plastic. However, it is important to note that according to GreenLivingOnline, ​petroleum is a main component to creating Polyester. Petroleum is not environemtally friendly considering that is the byproduct from processing oil. (Although you could make the argument that petroleum makes use of something that would’ve gone to waste.) Some companies will find ways to make polyester production environmentally friendly by recycling bottles or old polyester.

“Wait…What’s wrong with wool?”

Like the fur and leather industries, the wool industry is also incredibly cruel. Contrary to popular belief, shearing a sheep is not just like a haircut.

Shearers are paid by the volume which incentivizes them to shear as quickly as possible without paying attention to whether or not they are hurting the sheep. Undercover investigations have also shown shearers kicking and punching sheep. Lambs are also castrated with a rubber ring until their testicles lose circulation and fall off.

In fact, the industry is so cruel that hundreds of lambs die before they turn eight weeks old. So make sure that wool is not part of your wardrobe!

​These practices differ from farm to farm and while you might not see as much of the really unethical on smaller farms, you surely will on larger farms, where the majority of wool comes from.

​Definitely make sure to check out One Green Planet’s article detailing five facts about the wool industry.

Animal-Free materials you’ll love

There’s a myth that animal fibers and materials are “higher quality” than synthetic ones. This simply isn’t true. Polyester is an extremely versatile material that varies in quality but is very warm. Brands like Patagonia make their own trademarked versions of polyester down alternatives that have won awards.

Nylon is waterproof and makes excellent raincoats, as does acrylic and vinyl. Cotton is another soft and stylish option that can double as insulation. Vegan leather can be made of several different materials but looks just as stylish.

The Three Factors of Coat-Buying

When shopping for a coat, it’s important to think about three things; value, style, and durability.

A $300 coat may seem expensive, but if you’re going to wear it for many, many years, it could be a good buy. That’s value.

Consider the style of the coat too – is it likely to still match your taste next year or the year after that?

And of course, you have to keep in mind its durability and how well it will hold up in your climate. Someone in Anchorage, Alaska will shop much differently compared to a Floridian.

These are not set-in-stone rules. If you really want a rule to sum up picking apparel I would say “Buy what you like; not what’s popular”. These three factors are helpful to remember if you ever feel overwhelmed with choices. Just remember Value, Style, Durability.

Tips For Picking Out A Coat

Here are our top five tips for selecting the perfect coat:

1.) Read reviews to make sure you’ve chosen a good product

Product reviews allow you to determine if you should buy an item. For example, if you are tall and reviews say that a coat is a bit shorter than it looks in the photos, you know not to go with that coat.

You’ll also be able to get a good idea of the coat’s quality without seeing it in person. Looks can be deceiving and that’s why researching before making an online purchase is essential.

2.) Make sure it matches with the rest of your wardrobe

​This tip is mainly for women but stylish guys can apply it too.

If you wear shades of grey, beige, black, and navy every day, you probably won’t want a metallic gold faux leather jacket (but we have a recommendation if you do!). On the other hand, if you wear solid black every single day, then a metallic gold faux leather jacket might make your clothes pop more. It all comes down to your style.

3.) Double check the measurements so that it isn’t too short or too long

Knowing your measurements is crucial to online shopping. You can find more information on how to take your measurements here.

4.) Don’t get hung up on brands; a good coat is a good coat regardless of the name on the label

Some people have a tendency to become “brand-obsessed,” meaning that they only wear designer clothing. While everyone has their favorites, you can miss out on some excellent clothing by not branching out.

5.) And of course, find one that you’ll love wearing!

If you’re going to spend the money on a coat, you may as well love it! It’s your opinion that matters most when buying clothing – not someone elses.

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​Men’s Coats

​Classic

​Eagle Tabacco Vegan Streetwear Jacket by Ragwear

Our first coat is from a company called Ragwear.

​This ​brand was founded in 1997 and makes stylish yet rugged men’s winter coats. They pride themselves on being “the best in vegan streetwear”, and are also child-labor-free. Their coats are water-repellent and available in a variety of colors and styles. They don’t have any Amazon reviews, but information on their company is widely available on the web.

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