Opinion Ethical fashion labels to elevate your wardrobe

Changing your diet to align with your beliefs is one thing, but revamping your wardrobe to reflect your values is another. If you’re ready to start wearing your heart on your sleeve (literally), here are some of my favourite ethical fashion labels and vegan pieces from around the world to suit almost any look, style, or occasion…

Before we go any further, we need to talk about the proverbial elephant in the room: I am not fashionable. In fact, I have never been fashionable — but that said, I know fashion.

From a young age, I’ve been interested in clothing and how it can shape a person. My style icon growing up was UK comedian Julian Clary, who — in all sorts of flamboyant sequined one-armed, one-legged cat suits and bright, glittery makeup — made my young face light up as he minced about on stage, hurtling double-entendre after double-entendre at his audience, leaving them erupting in fits of laughter.

He was colourful, incredibly camp, and shone brighter than any star. And there began my introduction to personal style…

So, what exactly is vegan fashion?

In high school, I was extremely jealous of the Dr. Martens everyone was wearing — they were the most sought-after footwear going, and I desperately wanted a pair. There was just one problem: years earlier, I’d learned how many animals are used and killed for fashion materials like leather, suede, and fur, and my love for animals meant Docs were firmly off the cards.

Then, in the mid-90s, Dr. Martens released their first vegan pair of 8-ups. I was, without a doubt, the coolest kid at school (no need to check this with anyone I went to school with — just take my word for it 😉).

Simply put, vegan fashion is any garment, footwear, or accessory made without animal-derived materials — no leather, wool, suede, skins, silk, fur, or feathers. That means swapping cowhide for vegan leathers, sheep wool for recycled polyester, and silkworms for, well… anything that doesn’t involve boiling a living creature alive to get a nice sheen on your scarf (yes, that’s genuinely how silk is made).

But it’s not just about what’s left out. The vegan fashion movement has exploded into genuine innovation, with designers cooking up materials from mushrooms, cactus, apple peels, and even grapes left over from winemaking. So, it’s less “sad beige cotton tote bag” and more “wait, that jacket is made from what?” (Polyester, nylon, cotton, and spandex are all still fair game too — going vegan doesn’t mean all your clothes need to be made from fruit and veg.)

Best of all, veganising your wardrobe doesn’t have to mean compromising on style, quality, or durability. Whether you’re after sleek and minimalist or as loud as your favourite pop star, there’s a cruelty-free version out there. Let’s get into it.

Lena Quist

To ease in with some low-key, subtle looks, who better to open with than German-based designer Lena Quist?!

Lena is not a vegan designer, but so long as you steer clear of silk and leather, most of her range is vegan-friendly.

Her outfits are bold, impeccably designed, incredibly comfortable to wear — and will garner you absolutely no attention whatsoever. In fact, you may at times feel as though you are wearing a cloak of invisibility.

Sarcasm aside, wear them at the club, out to dinner, to music festivals, on stage, or really anywhere you feel could use a little more sparkle and style. They may be on the pricier side (we are talking haute couture here!) but keep an eye on her mailing list for her annual sale to nab some savings.

Hot tip: Best matched with the most stunningly glam, glittery make-up from Question Beauty.

Unreal Fur

It wasn’t until I was walking around in the snow, having myself a very Estonian Christmas, that I understood why every second person I came across was wearing fur.

While Australian winters can be frosty at times, the temperature doesn’t plummet to quite the same depths. And, as an animal lover who would never consider wearing the fur of another, the stores I passed didn’t seem to stock alternatives that could match fur’s warmth.

And this is where Unreal Fur comes in. An Australian-based fashion house creating all things vegan fur, they use the highest quality animal-friendly materials to create outerwear that keeps you warm and stylish.

With a range of jackets, coats, hats and more, you can luxuriate in your soft, furry, cosy outfits knowing that no animals suffered for you to look this good.

The Melbourne-based brand is stocked globally and have a tidy swathe of celeb fans celebrating its ethical, cruelty-free furs, also being featured in Elle, Vogue, and NME.

Nõskin

As a fan of Fred Perry, a brand synonymous with the British music and culture I so love, I was thrilled to come across Nõskin a few years ago at a vegan expo. At a glance, you instantly feel how strongly the brand has been built off the back of music and its subcultures, tying together elements of punk, ska, mod, and rock.

Also hailing from Melbourne, Nõskin first entered the scene with their high-quality, unisex footwear. From chunky-soled Chelsea boots and lace-ups to loafers and combat boots to die for, there really is something for everyone.

The clothing range is a mix of casual street style: outerwear that can be dressed up or down, tees, hoodies, and a bomber jacket that looks equally at home at a gig or on a quick morning double espresso run.

Nōskin’s latest collection embodies the message, “born with an analogue heart in a digital world” — a very on-brand way of suggesting they’re into the classic, tactile, well-made stuff that isn’t disposable. And honestly? I’m into it, too. There’s something so satisfying about a boot that feels like it’ll outlast your phone, especially for a luddite like me.

Amy Winehouse for Fred Perry

After mentioning my love of clothing that ties into music and subcultures, how could I not mention the Amy Winehouse collection for Fred Perry?! That’d be like asking me not to smile and wave at dogs I pass when I’m out walking: it simply isn’t possible.

Aside from Amy being a Fred Perry loyalist, she wore their pieces with a style that was so uniquely hers, which is where this legacy collection comes in.

With designs created in her inimitable style, Fred Perry donates 20% of the range’s net revenue to the Amy Winehouse Foundation, which helps young people dealing with substance abuse issues.

The range changes seasonally, and while Fred Perry and its Amy Winehouse collaboration isn’t 100% vegan, many of the pieces are. Just avoid wool, leather, and silk, which can pop up from time to time.

Straight to Hell

In the market for some classic rock looks? Look no further than Straight to Hell!

Offering a range of clearly labelled vegan leather biker jackets, gold cravats, leather-free bolo ties, and leopard print aplenty, this store is a rocker’s dream!

As with previous brands, not all items are vegan-friendly, so be sure to check the product descriptions to avoid any pieces made from animals.

And if you find yourself drooling over some styles before realising they’re leather (I’m looking at you, Chelsea ankle boots and gloves), don’t fret! You can find similar Chelsea boot options at Vegan Style here, and glam leather-free gloves at Garden Glory here. (Yeah, I know they’re meant for gardening but just try and tell me they’re not the perfect driving glove…!)

Vaute Couture

Founder Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart, hailing from Chicago, knows her icy winters. In fact, I discovered her brand when researching coats to wear for my first European winter holiday.

Realising the gap in the market for quality and stylish outerwear, sans wool, fur, or down, Hilgart boot-strapped Vaute Couture, creating a range of stylish dress coats that were all ethically made.

The business grew quickly from its humble beginnings, with the Queen herself, Oprah Winfrey (and that other royal, Kate, Princess of Wales) soon wearing her designs.

Vaute Couture made history as the first all-vegan label to show at New York Fashion Week (with models walking the runway with local shelter dogs needing homes, no less!), branching out further into swimwear, tees, sweatshirts, and stunning formal gowns made entirely from recycled materials.

Unfortunately, the label is now defunct, but you’ll still be able to find some incredible pieces from our friends over at The V Spot (for which we just so happen to have a handy discount over on our vouchers page).

Special mentions

If the brands mentioned above don’t necessarily fit your style, I’ll let you in on a secret: vegan fashion is so easy to find! Almost every brand has animal-free options — just be sure to check the labels before you buy.

Here are a few brands that deserve a special mention and are worthy of a place in any wardrobe:

Twoobs: An all-vegan brand made right here in Australia, Twoobs’ footwear is perfect for literally any day over 19° (unless you’re a socks-and-sandals type) and can be dressed up or down for almost any occasion.

Palladium: Palladium offers a range of vegan high-tops that are durable enough for everyday wear — especially those who work in hospitality or other jobs that keep you on your feet.

Sans Beast: Quality vegan bags that can take any outfit to that next level. The styles are classic and can elevate even the simplest of looks.

Rain Sisters: For stunning women’s dress coats, Latvian brand Rain Sisters has a great range of coats that’ll get you stopped on the street and showered with compliments wherever you go. The whole range isn’t vegan, but what is is totally gorgeous.

Dr. Martens: That’s right, they’ve increased their vegan offerings since the 90s!

Into goth, rockabilly, or vintage? Try online stores like Berserk Alternative Clothing, Bonsai Kitten, Hell Bunny, and Disturbia. And if you love your basics — good news! Wherever you shop probably already have animal-free options.

Got questions or suggestions? Reach out on our socials! If there’s one thing I love more than finding the perfect outfit, it’s finding one for (or from) someone else.

Keep it stylish!