Want to know more about the benefits of choosing vegan footwear? This is your guide to why sustainable and cruelty-free footwear is the best choice for you and the planet.

Recently, in the world of fashion, the demand for both style and sustainability has been taking centre stage. As more and more individuals become aware of their choices and the impact they have on the environment, the demand for eco-friendly and cruelty-free fashion is on the rise. 

The growing popularity of vegan footwear is a big part of this change towards more sustainable fashion. In this post, we’ll explore the world of vegan shoes and how they’re making a mark in modern fashion, as well as how to choose vegan footwear, with a special focus on Prologue Shoes and their diverse range of fabulous vegan footwear options.

The Vegan Revolution

Veganism is a lifestyle choice that aims to minimise harm to animals. While it has always been about more than just a diet, that has always been the most significant part. However, in recent years, it’s becoming clearer that it has truly expanded beyond food choices, into our everyday lives and into the world of fashion.

Vegan fashion includes everything regular fashion includes but without the cruelty, so there’s no need to miss out. If you want to know more, then check out this Beginner’s Guide to Vegan Fashion: Everything You Need to Know.

With shoes being an important part of fashion, as well as everyday life, finding vegan shoes you can fall in love with is so important. Vegan shoes are made without the use of animal-derived materials like leather, fur, silk or non-vegan glue. 

Instead, they’re created with synthetic or natural alternatives, such as polyurethane (PU), rubber, canvas or plant-based materials like apple, pineapple and mushroom.


Why Choose Vegan Footwear? 

There are a lot of great reasons to choose vegan footwear when buying you’re next pair of boots, heels or sneakers. Let’s sum them up into two main reasons;

Firstly, vegan shoes are cruelty-free, meaning no animals are harmed or killed in their production. This aligns with the growing ethical principles of many fashion-conscious individuals in recent times.

Secondly, the production of vegan shoes typically has a significantly lower environmental impact when compared to traditional leather. Leather production involves the use of huge amounts of water, energy, and chemicals, while vegan materials are often more sustainable.

Prologue Shoes: Where Style Meets Compassion

Prologue Shoes and its partner brand Always & Forever Shoes are brands that are truly dedicated to vegan and sustainable fashion. With their number one belief being ‘First, do no harm’.

Prologue offers an extensive range of vegan footwear options that suit different styles and occasions. So, whether you're in search of some new sneakers, sandals, boots, or heels, they are a sustainable and cruelty-free brand that you don’t want to miss. 

They have some fantastic styles that I just love! Two of my favourites are The Hybrid - Black & Green Vegan Comfort Sneakers and Brigitte - Black Suede Boots.

Black Green Prologue Vegan SneakersBlack Suede Lace Up Boots

If you’re looking for the perfect pair of shoes for your special day, you can check out their bridal collection at Forever & Always Shoes. This stunning range of wedding shoes is both elegant and vegan-friendly. Brides can enjoy their special day feeling beautiful, comfortable and proud of what’s on their feet.

The Environmental Impact of Vegan Footwear

One of the primary reasons for the popularity of vegan shoes, apart from the fact they are cruelty-free, is their significantly reduced environmental impact. Leather production is notorious for its heavy resource usage and pollution, while vegan materials are generally more sustainable. The production of vegan materials typically requires less water and energy, and it generates fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

It’s also the case that many vegan brands focus on products that are made using both sustainably-produced materials as well as many recycled materials.

For example, Prologue Shoes often use recycled materials such as nylon, rubber and cork. Their shoe linings are also made of 100% recycled pet plastic bottles. While some styles are made almost entirely of recycled post-consumer PET plastic bottles. 

By choosing vegan shoes, consumers are actively contributing to the reduction of these negative environmental impacts. This aligns perfectly with sustainable fashion, a movement that encourages responsible choices in clothing and accessories.

 

The Positive Impact of Choosing Vegan Footwear

Your choice to support sustainable fashion doesn't mean you have to compromise on style. In fact, it opens up a world of fashionable possibilities. Whether you're attending a formal event, exploring the outdoors, or simply going about your daily activities, there are vegan footwear options to suit every style and occasion.

To further understand the connection between vegan fashion and sustainability, let's explore how our everyday fashion choices can have a positive impact:

  • Reduced Carbon Footprint: By choosing vegan shoes and other eco-friendly fashion items, you're reducing the demand for materials made using harmful chemicals. This contributes to a lower carbon footprint, which is key in the fight against climate change.

 

  • Less Water Usage: Leather production is known to be a water-intensive process, and can also cause water pollution. Eco-friendly vegan materials typically require significantly less water.

 

  • Animal Welfare: Choosing vegan fashion supports the ethical treatment of animals. People often describe leather as a by-product of the meat industry. This is not the case, the leather industry is extremely lucrative and without it, meat prices would likely skyrocket and the whole industry would be turned on its head.

 

  • Innovation in Materials: The rise of vegan fashion has encouraged innovation in materials and manufacturing processes within the fashion industry. It has encouraged designers to think outside the box and come up with some truly remarkable materials.

 

  • Consumer Influence: As consumers, our choices send a powerful message to the fashion industry. By demanding eco-friendly, vegan options, we encourage fashion brands to adopt more sustainable practices.

Conclusion

In a world where fashion trends are constantly changing, one trend that’s been here a while and is continuing to grow is compassion. Compassion for the planet and all its inhabitants. 

The rise of vegan fashion, highlighted by companies like Prologue Shoes, shows that we can be stylish and ethical at the same time. We can choose to support sustainable fashion not only to make a statement but also to be part of a brighter and more sustainable future for fashion.

 

So, now you know the most important reasons to choose vegan footwear. By making this simple choice you can reduce your carbon footprint, support animal welfare, and look fabulous while doing so.

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Guest Writer | Sinead O’Carroll: The Wondering Wandering Vegan

Sinead is the creator of The Wondering Wandering Vegan blog, your one-stop shop for all things vegan and sustainable. With over 18 years of experience and research in the plant-based world, her goal is to make sure vegans never miss out! Check out her latest vegan and sustainable tips on her vegan and sustainable living page. Follow The Wondering Wandering Vegan on Instagram to see Sinead’s latest vegan adventures.