If you're a vegetarian - do you wear/use leather?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have been mostly a vegan for 20 years (maybe eat animal products two or three times a year) and have a car with leather seats. I am primarily vegan because I find most animal foods to be gross and prefer eating a healthy diet rich in plant foods.

did u check? Most seats in cars are actually a fake blend to look and act like leather.

[Anonymous]

27 year vegetarian here. I avoid leather as much as possible and don’t buy leather shoes or bags.

[Anonymous]

I am not a vegetarian. Love to eat meat. I also love leather.

My father taught me about conservation/ hunting through a hunters safety class when I was 12.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am not a vegetarian. Love to eat meat. I also love leather.

My father taught me about conservation/ hunting through a hunters safety class when I was 12.

Um..so why do you feel your comment is needed in this thread, which is asking for vegetarians to comment?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have been a vegetarian for a while, and before anyone asks, I am not one of 'those' vegetarians who shames/judges people for eating meat. Of course, I wish people who do eat meat would go the free-range route/humane, but not my place to decide that, and I realize those options are typically more expensive and less accessible. For me, it truly is a personal decision.

Anyways - the other day, I picked a friend up who asked me how I justified having a car with leather seats when I don't eat meat. I honestly had never really thought about it - my car is on the older side, and I didn't 'choose' the car for its leather seats. It got me thinking, though, that I have several leather bags, shoes, etc...and now I feel guilty. Hoping to get other opinions...

First off, I'd suggest you drop the defensiveness in the beginning. I have been vegetarian for 20+ years and have literally never encountered a pushy vegetarian. Don't give more life to this absurd stereotype.

And to answer your question: we avoid leather as much as possible but sometimes it is very hard or near impossible to avoid leather. So we do what we can - no leather car seats, no leather purses/shoes/bags, no leather furniture etc.

100% this. all of it. I get way more from non-vegetarians in the terms of lectures (i.e., pointing out perceived hypocrisy, criticizing my choice, or dramatic declarations how they could NEEEEVVVVVEEEEERRRR live without meat) than I have ever seen given from a vegetarian.

The latter is also true. I will not seek out leather seats, furniture, clothes, etc. But sometimes it is unavoidable (mostly in shoes).

+1. And PSA, don’t ask my why I’m a vegetarian at thanksgiving dinner and then turnaround and accuse me of lecturing you! Did you want me to say “no comment” so you could call me rude instead?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have been a vegetarian for a while, and before anyone asks, I am not one of 'those' vegetarians who shames/judges people for eating meat. Of course, I wish people who do eat meat would go the free-range route/humane, but not my place to decide that, and I realize those options are typically more expensive and less accessible. For me, it truly is a personal decision.

Anyways - the other day, I picked a friend up who asked me how I justified having a car with leather seats when I don't eat meat. I honestly had never really thought about it - my car is on the older side, and I didn't 'choose' the car for its leather seats. It got me thinking, though, that I have several leather bags, shoes, etc...and now I feel guilty. Hoping to get other opinions...

First off, I'd suggest you drop the defensiveness in the beginning. I have been vegetarian for 20+ years and have literally never encountered a pushy vegetarian. Don't give more life to this absurd stereotype.

And to answer your question: we avoid leather as much as possible but sometimes it is very hard or near impossible to avoid leather. So we do what we can - no leather car seats, no leather purses/shoes/bags, no leather furniture etc.

100% this. all of it. I get way more from non-vegetarians in the terms of lectures (i.e., pointing out perceived hypocrisy, criticizing my choice, or dramatic declarations how they could NEEEEVVVVVEEEEERRRR live without meat) than I have ever seen given from a vegetarian.

The latter is also true. I will not seek out leather seats, furniture, clothes, etc. But sometimes it is unavoidable (mostly in shoes).

+1. And PSA, don’t ask my why I’m a vegetarian at thanksgiving dinner and then turnaround and accuse me of lecturing you! Did you want me to say “no comment” so you could call me rude instead?

The people who do that are *the worst*.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not a vegetarian. Love to eat meat. I also love leather.

My father taught me about conservation/ hunting through a hunters safety class when I was 12.

Um..so why do you feel your comment is needed in this thread, which is asking for vegetarians to comment?

Meat is delicious and leather is cool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes. I have lots of things that are made from leather (boots, shoes, bags, etc). I’m a vegetarian because I think it’s a healthier way to live and not necessarily because of animal rights. I mean I don’t want to see animals suffer unnecessarily but it wasn’t my motivation. Plus I never really liked meat. Bacon is the only thing I miss.

This. It depends why you’re a vegetarian. If it is for animal rights then of course you shouldn’t buy leather or any animal product. If it’s for any other reason (like health or preference) then it doesn’t matter.

Here’s the rub tho: if you’re a vegetarian for ecology and saving the planet, used leather goods create less waste than new cloth or manmade fabrics do so your better off with vintage leather.

Yeah, people jump to the conclusion that vegetarians are vegetarians because they care about animals. My closest friend is a vegetarian because she hates animals and wants nothing to do with them, including eating them. The other vegetarians I know don't wear or use leather.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had this conversation years ago. In high school, a girl who was a vegetarian (a pushy one) wanted to know how I justified wearing the suede shorts that were popular at the time. While she was wearing leather shoes. I asked her if she thought my shorts and her shoes came from a different cow. She tried to justify the shoes saying it was hard finding quality non-leather shoes. It was bullshit then and it’s bullshit now.

Same with the car seats. I’m not saying you shouldn’t have accepted the car, but…either you believe in not using/consuming animal products or you don’t. If that means you need to replace your shoes more often, then that is what it means. Not “I wear leather shoes because it works better for me but we shouldn’t eat meat”.

People go vegetarian for different reasons—health, the much lower environmental impact, or ethical reasons such as they don’t want to kill animals. Only in the last case, and with veganism, is it really all or nothing.

Luckily for them, you are not the vegan police.

Lol, I’m transitioning to vegetarianism, so no, I’m not the vegan police. Just trying to figure it all out. This was from one of the books l’m reading. I was trying to open the tent a bit, and I have to say I find smug folks like you a little off-putting.

PP isn't trying to be off-putting. But it really is irritating when people who haven't been living with this diet or way of life try to tell us what we have to do or who we are or how annoying we are or whatever. I think that's what PP is responding to. People who are new to this and trying to figure it out - welcome. We're really happy to have you here. But please try not to lecture us about how we "have" to do this or "can't" do that if we want to be "real" vegans or vegetarians.

Figure it out for yourself. Decide what works for you. Eliminate leather for a while and see if that works for you - and if not, decide what you can live with (recycled leather, leather only for shoes, whatever). You don't owe anyone else an explanation for the choices you're making.

Yes by all means pile on to a new vegetarian and accuse her of lecturing and whatnot. That will certainly cause more people to adopt vegetarianism and want to join your community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have been a vegetarian for a while, and before anyone asks, I am not one of 'those' vegetarians who shames/judges people for eating meat. Of course, I wish people who do eat meat would go the free-range route/humane, but not my place to decide that, and I realize those options are typically more expensive and less accessible. For me, it truly is a personal decision.

Anyways - the other day, I picked a friend up who asked me how I justified having a car with leather seats when I don't eat meat. I honestly had never really thought about it - my car is on the older side, and I didn't 'choose' the car for its leather seats. It got me thinking, though, that I have several leather bags, shoes, etc...and now I feel guilty. Hoping to get other opinions...

First off, I'd suggest you drop the defensiveness in the beginning. I have been vegetarian for 20+ years and have literally never encountered a pushy vegetarian. Don't give more life to this absurd stereotype.

And to answer your question: we avoid leather as much as possible but sometimes it is very hard or near impossible to avoid leather. So we do what we can - no leather car seats, no leather purses/shoes/bags, no leather furniture etc.

100% this. all of it. I get way more from non-vegetarians in the terms of lectures (i.e., pointing out perceived hypocrisy, criticizing my choice, or dramatic declarations how they could NEEEEVVVVVEEEEERRRR live without meat) than I have ever seen given from a vegetarian.

The latter is also true. I will not seek out leather seats, furniture, clothes, etc. But sometimes it is unavoidable (mostly in shoes).

+1. And PSA, don’t ask my why I’m a vegetarian at thanksgiving dinner and then turnaround and accuse me of lecturing you! Did you want me to say “no comment” so you could call me rude instead?

The people who do that are *the worst*.

Some of you don’t get the irony that you’re just as judgy, if not more. Lighten up and maybe you’ll increase the appeal of the vegetarian lifestyle.

[Anonymous]

Do you wear shoes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes. I have lots of things that are made from leather (boots, shoes, bags, etc). I’m a vegetarian because I think it’s a healthier way to live and not necessarily because of animal rights. I mean I don’t want to see animals suffer unnecessarily but it wasn’t my motivation. Plus I never really liked meat. Bacon is the only thing I miss.

This. It depends why you’re a vegetarian. If it is for animal rights then of course you shouldn’t buy leather or any animal product. If it’s for any other reason (like health or preference) then it doesn’t matter.

Here’s the rub tho: if you’re a vegetarian for ecology and saving the planet, used leather goods create less waste than new cloth or manmade fabrics do so your better off with vintage leather.

That's true even from an animal welfare perspective. Used leather causes no additional harm to animals.

I've been vegetarian since I was a little kids - so going on 40 years now. I wear and use some leather but try to be conscientious about it. I do wear leather shoes because I haven't found great alternatives, though I expect as cruelty-free leather improves I will stop even wearing leather shoes. I don't wear leather jackets. I used to wear some (used) leather skirts - but, again, I didn't buy them new; I don't have a problem with secondhand leather. Same with our leather couch - it holds up to pets better than cloth, and we got it used, so I am fine with that.

I do not wear fur. I try to avoid wool, too, though I do wear wool socks because I haven't found a good alternative yet. Essentially I am doing my best to meet my own needs and limit my harm. I do the same with animal products in food - I am not vegan but try to be conscientious and limit the animal products I consume. Where I buy animal products, I try to get the version that causes the least harm (the $$$$$ eggs from pasture-raised chickens - I know that even there, the industry is horribly cruel, but this is better and I feel ok putting my $ into showing farmers there is a market for more humanely raised animals).

Another vegetarian. I don't get your post. Wool is no big deal as they are just giving the sheep a hair cut. There are tons of shoe options now. 2nd hand makes zero sense either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had this conversation years ago. In high school, a girl who was a vegetarian (a pushy one) wanted to know how I justified wearing the suede shorts that were popular at the time. While she was wearing leather shoes. I asked her if she thought my shorts and her shoes came from a different cow. She tried to justify the shoes saying it was hard finding quality non-leather shoes. It was bullshit then and it’s bullshit now.

Same with the car seats. I’m not saying you shouldn’t have accepted the car, but…either you believe in not using/consuming animal products or you don’t. If that means you need to replace your shoes more often, then that is what it means. Not “I wear leather shoes because it works better for me but we shouldn’t eat meat”.

People go vegetarian for different reasons—health, the much lower environmental impact, or ethical reasons such as they don’t want to kill animals. Only in the last case, and with veganism, is it really all or nothing.

Luckily for them, you are not the vegan police.

Lol, I’m transitioning to vegetarianism, so no, I’m not the vegan police. Just trying to figure it all out. This was from one of the books l’m reading. I was trying to open the tent a bit, and I have to say I find smug folks like you a little off-putting.

PP isn't trying to be off-putting. But it really is irritating when people who haven't been living with this diet or way of life try to tell us what we have to do or who we are or how annoying we are or whatever. I think that's what PP is responding to. People who are new to this and trying to figure it out - welcome. We're really happy to have you here. But please try not to lecture us about how we "have" to do this or "can't" do that if we want to be "real" vegans or vegetarians.

Figure it out for yourself. Decide what works for you. Eliminate leather for a while and see if that works for you - and if not, decide what you can live with (recycled leather, leather only for shoes, whatever). You don't owe anyone else an explanation for the choices you're making.

New vegetarian here, and … yikes. Sorry if I “annoyed” you, and that makes two of you (so far) who have gone after me about something I read in a book about vegetarianism by a supposed expert on vegetarianism. I have to second the advice to maybe go on the attack a little less frequently, and be welcoming a little more frequently.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes. I have lots of things that are made from leather (boots, shoes, bags, etc). I’m a vegetarian because I think it’s a healthier way to live and not necessarily because of animal rights. I mean I don’t want to see animals suffer unnecessarily but it wasn’t my motivation. Plus I never really liked meat. Bacon is the only thing I miss.

This. It depends why you’re a vegetarian. If it is for animal rights then of course you shouldn’t buy leather or any animal product. If it’s for any other reason (like health or preference) then it doesn’t matter.

Here’s the rub tho: if you’re a vegetarian for ecology and saving the planet, used leather goods create less waste than new cloth or manmade fabrics do so your better off with vintage leather.

That's true even from an animal welfare perspective. Used leather causes no additional harm to animals.

I've been vegetarian since I was a little kids - so going on 40 years now. I wear and use some leather but try to be conscientious about it. I do wear leather shoes because I haven't found great alternatives, though I expect as cruelty-free leather improves I will stop even wearing leather shoes. I don't wear leather jackets. I used to wear some (used) leather skirts - but, again, I didn't buy them new; I don't have a problem with secondhand leather. Same with our leather couch - it holds up to pets better than cloth, and we got it used, so I am fine with that.

I do not wear fur. I try to avoid wool, too, though I do wear wool socks because I haven't found a good alternative yet. Essentially I am doing my best to meet my own needs and limit my harm. I do the same with animal products in food - I am not vegan but try to be conscientious and limit the animal products I consume. Where I buy animal products, I try to get the version that causes the least harm (the $$$$$ eggs from pasture-raised chickens - I know that even there, the industry is horribly cruel, but this is better and I feel ok putting my $ into showing farmers there is a market for more humanely raised animals).

Another vegetarian. I don't get your post. Wool is no big deal as they are just giving the sheep a hair cut. There are tons of shoe options now. 2nd hand makes zero sense either.

See, this. Vegetarians telling other vegetarians they make zero sense isn’t a good look.

[Anonymous]

Tell them it's fake leather.