The Ultimate Guide To Winter Dressing As A Vegan — Plant Based Bride (2024)

It's cold in Toronto right now. Really cold. -34 degrees celsius cold. And it got me thinking... dressing for the winter as a vegan isn't as easy as it should be. We want to be warm without exploiting animals.

Is being compassionate AND frosbite-free too much to ask?

Luckily the answer is no.

I'm going to share my tips and tricks (and you can trust me because I'm Canadian, and we know cold) and picks to keep you toasty from head to toe!

H A T S

We've all heard that a lot of heat escapes from the top of our heads. Keep your noggin warm with the innumerable styles of vegan hats! Here are some of my very favourite...

1. Asos Reclaimed Vintage Bobble Beanie
2. Asos Cable Beanie
3. Hooldamb Ruderalis Hat
4. Vaute Couture Boater Felt Hat
5. Asos Fine Rib Knitted Turban Hat
6. Urban Outfitters Lumberjack Beanie
7. Vegan Faux Fur Bobble Hat
8. Asos Rib Headband
9. Urban Outfitters Brushed Beanie
10. Asos Cable Pom Beanie
11. Lulus Cuddled Up Grey Knit Beanie*
12. Vaute Couture Cole Felt Hat
13. Urban Outfitters Classic Beanie
14. Urban Outfitters Open Boucle Slouch Beanie
15. Asos Fluffy Headband
16. Asos Short Turn Up Beanie with Pom

Animal materials to watch out for...alpaca, angora, calfskin,camel hair, cashmere, felt, flannel, fleece,fur, leather, mohair, pashmina, shearling, sheepskin, silk, suede, tweed, wool.

Vegan materials perfect to keep you warm...acrylic, corduroy, cotton, cotton flannel, denim, faux-fur,flannelette, leatherette/imitation leather, linen, moleskin, muslin, nylon, polyester, polyester fleece, rayon, spandex, ultrasuede,velour, velveteen, viscose.

S C A R V E S

I don't know about you, but I like to prevent cold wind from blowing down my neck and into my coat on bitterly cold days. Scarves are the perfect solution, not to mention cozy and stylish (and they don't need to be made of wool). Check out some of my vegan picks below...

1. Asos Oversized Scarf in Colourblock with Tassels
2. Urban Outfitters Boucle Cable Hooded Eternity Scarf
3. Urban Outfitters Avant Garde Brushed Woven Scarf
4. Asos Pieces Ribbed Oversized Blanket Scarf
5. Lulu's Que Sera Serape Reversible Black and Ivory Print Blanket Scarf*
6. Urban Outfitters Femme Super Soft Square Scarf
7. Asos Blanket Scarf In Black And White Design
8. Asos Woven Oversized Scarf In Geo Shapes
9. Asos Long Scarf In Colourblock With Tassels
10. Urban Outfitters Brushed Plush Lined Eternity Scarf
11. Urban Outfitters Multi Stripe Blanket Scarf
12. Asos Long Scarf With Mixed Stripe And Chevron
13. Lulu's Weaving Path Beige Striped Scarf*
14. Urban Outfitters Faux-Sherpa Eternity Scarf

Animal materials to watch out for...alpaca, angora, camel hair, cashmere, fleece, fur, mohair, pashmina, shearling, sheepskin, silk,wool.

Vegan materials perfect to keep you warm...acrylic,cotton, cotton flannel,faux-fur,flannelette,linen, modal, moleskin, muslin, nylon, polyester, polyester fleece, rayon, spandex, tencel, ultrasuede, velour, velveteen, viscose.

You might also like... Finding My Wedding Dress: No Silk, Please.

S W E A T E R S

It's called sweater weather for a reason. Get your layers on!

1. Asos Jack & Jones Shawl Collar Cardigan in Mixed Yarns
2. ModCloth Recipe Club Sweater in Salt*
3. Asos Jumper in Twist with Aztec Design
4. Lulu's Log Cabin Cream Cable Knit Sweater*
5. Urban Outfitters Native Youth Sweater
6. Lulu's Cup of Cozy Light Grey Cardigan Sweater*
7. Asos Shawl Neck Jumper in Grey Cotton
8. Urban Outfitters BDG Elbow Patch Sweater
9. Lulu's Icy London Icy France Black and Ivory Sweater*
10. Asos Cotton Crew Jumper with Blocking
11. Urban Outfitters BDG Parker Cardigan
12. Urban Outfitters O'Hanlon Mills Calhoun Sweater
13. Lulu's Parker Bridge Black Sweater*
14. J Crew Rugged Cotton Sweater

Animal materials to watch out for...alpaca, angora, calfskin,camel hair, cashmere, flannel, fleece, fur, leather, mohair, pashmina, shearling, sheepskin, silk, suede, wool.

Vegan materials perfect to keep you warm...acrylic, batiste, chambray, chino, cord, corduroy, cotton, cotton flannel, denim, faux-fur, flannelette, gingham, khaki, leatherette/imitation leather, linen, moleskin, muslin, nylon, polyester, polyester fleece, rayon, spandex, tencel, ultrasuede, velcro, velour, velveteen, viscose.

C O A T S

I could argue that a good coat is the most important aspect of keeping warm in the winter. We can get away with less than perfect boots, a lack of layers, and no gloves or hat if we have a warm coat with a hood and pockets! But it is difficult to survive the winter in any sort of comfort without a warm coat. Here are some of my picks for men and women, made without animal products:

1. Vaute Couture Lincoln
2. North Face Men's Thermoball Snow Hoodie
3. Vaute Couture Whitman in Primaloft Insulated Moleskin
4. Hoodlamb Ladies Parka in Black, this is my winter coat -check out my unboxing video here!
5. Nau Luminary Trench
6. Vaute Couture Mark Mountain Coat in Primaloft Insulated Moleskin
7. Marmot Downtown Component Jacket
8. Hoodlamb Men's Tech 4-20
9. Vaute Couture Emily in Insulated Moleskin
10. Nau Temp Jacket
11. Vaute Couture Mark Snow Coat
12. North Face Women's Thermoball Hooded Parka
13. Nau Men Synfill Hoody Pullover
14. Vaute Couture Amanda Maxi Coat
15. Fair Trade Vegan Cocoon Coat
16. Marmot Uptown Jacket

Animal materials to watch out for...alpaca, angora, calfskin,camel hair, cashmere, down, feathers, fleece, fur, leather, mohair, pashmina, shearling, sheepskin, silk, suede, tweed, wool.

Vegan materials perfect to keep you warm...acrylic,cotton, cotton flannel, denim, faux-fur, flannelette, gore-tex, khaki, leatherette/imitation leather, linen, moleskin, muslin, nylon, polartec wind pro, polyester, polyester fleece, primaloft,rayon, spandex, synthetic down, tencel,thermolite, thinsulate,ultrasuede, velcro, velour, velveteen, viscose, waxed canvas.

There is literally something for everyone! Vegan coats are more abundant than I ever realized until I put research into it, and they can be VERY warm (like my Hoodlamb!)

Check out this post from Green Planetfor even more vegan coat options, and a bit more information on synthetic insulation types!

You might also like... Say No To Fur (Hoodlamb Vegan Coat Unboxing)

G L O V E S

Weather it's using your phone or holding your coffee, often you can't just keep your hands in your pockets while you're out in the cold. Keep your digits protected no matter what you get up to with vegan gloves!

1. Burton Gore-Tex Gloves
2. Asos Echo Touch 'Cashmere Feel' Drawstring Glove
3. The North Face Montana E-Tip Gloves
4. Manzella Adventure 100 Gloves
5. Asos Touch Screen Gloves in Burgundy Fair Isle Palm Print
6. REI Tahoma Gloves
7. Vegetarian Shoes Vegan Gloves
8. Adidas Originals Trefoil Gloves
9. Seirus Prism Gore-Tex Gloves
10. Asos Plain Touch Screen Gloves
11. Dakine Bronco Glove
12. Asos Fingerless Gloves In Black

Animal materials to watch out for...alpaca, angora,calfskin,camel hair, cashmere, fleece,fur, leather, mohair, pashmina, shearling, sheepskin, silk, suede, wool.

Vegan materials perfect to keep you warm...acrylic, corduroy, cotton, cotton flannel, faux-fur, flannelette,gore-tex, leatherette/imitation leather, linen, moleskin, muslin, nylon, polartec wind pro,polyester, polyester fleece, primaloft,rayon, spandex,synthetic down,tencel, thermolite, thinsulate,ultrasuede, velcro, velour, velveteen, viscose, waxed canvas.

B O O T S

As anyone who has ever been outside in a snowstorm in inadequate footwear will know, warm toes is a must for winter comfort. Here's a wide variety of vegan men and women's boots to keep your feet warm and dry.

1. Kamik Seattle -I own these!
2. Vegetarian Shoes Brooklyn Boot
3. Vegetarian Shoes Vintage Boot
4. BC Footwear Collective Boot
5. Brave Gentleman Worker Boot
6. Kamik Sugarloaf
7. Vegetarian Shoes Veggie Trekker
8. Native Shoes Jimmy Winter
9. Jambu Artic Vegan
10. Dr Martens Vegan 1460
11. Vegetarian Shoes Snug Boot
12. Vegetarian Shoes Engineer Boot
13. Cougar Serge

Animal materials to watch out for...alligator skin, calfskin, fleece, fur, kangaroo skin, leather, shearling, sheepskin, snakeskin, suede,wool.

Vegan materials perfect to keep you warm...acrylic, cork, cotton, cotton flannel,faux-fur, flannelette, leatherette/imitation leather, linen, microfibre,moleskin, muslin, nylon, polyester, polyester fleece, polyurethane,rayon, spandex, tencel,ultrasuede, velcro, velour, velveteen, viscose, waxed canvas.

You might also like... Should You Get Rid Of All Your Leather Now That You're Vegan?

O T H E R L A Y E R S

Layers are your friend! Here are some other layers like socks, long johns, and lightweight tops you may want to consider piling on to keep warm.

1. ASOS Esprit Henley T-Shirt
2. Urban Outfitters Project Social T Finley Tank Top
3. Braintree Clothing Blair Rock Thick Bamboo Socks
4. Urban Outfitters Truly Madly Deeply Helena Raw Edge Thermal Top
5. Urban Outfitters Polyester Fleece Lined Full Tight
6. PETA Vegan Knee High Socks
7. Urban Outfitters Project Social T Christy Tunic Tee
8. ASOS 2 Pack Crew Neck Jumper in Cotton
9. Urban Outfitters Out From Under Leggings
10. Urban Outfitters Nassau Galaxy Tank Top
11. Uniqlo Women's Heattech Socks
12. ASOS Jack & Jones Long Johns
13. Bergies Cat Lady Crews

Animal materials to watch out for...alligator skin,alpaca, angora, calfskin,camel hair, cashmere, down, feathers,felt,flannel, fleece, fur, kangaroo skin,leather, mohair, pashmina, shearling, sheepskin, silk,snakeskin,suede, tweed,wool.

Vegan materials perfect to keep you warm...acrylic, batiste, chambray, chino, cord, corduroy, cork, cotton, cotton flannel, denim, elastic, faux-fur, flannelette, gingham, khaki, leatherette/imitation leather, linen, microfibre,moleskin, muslin, nylon, polyester, polyester fleece,polyurethane,rayon, spandex, tencel,ultrasuede, velcro, velour, velveteen, viscose, waxed canvas.

You made it! If I accomplished nothing else, I hope I've shown you how very possible it is to be warm and stylish (no matter what your style may be) as a vegan in colder climates (and maybe made you smile).

To help you out while shopping (and just to simplify everything as much as possible, because I know it can be hard to remember all of the different materials and their origins. Listen, I got you.)I have created a printable list of animal materials and vegan materials.

Best of all? It's free! Sign up below to get your download link right away.

Want inspiration for vegan winter fashion? Follow me on instagram to see my outfits and check out my winter capsule wardrobe to see my foundational pieces!

Until next time, stay warm, stay compassionate!

What are your favourite vegan winter pieces? Any tips to share with new vegans to stay warm? Let us know in the comments below!

Linked Up.

Sources & Further Reading

http://plantbasedbride.com/blog/nonveganingredientlist?rq=avoid

http://features.peta.org/how-to-wear-vegan/

http://bikesexual.blogsport.eu/2012/03/24/list-of-fabrics-vegan-or-not/