Belt Auction

Leather goods and being a vegetarian?

Just wondering how others feel about using animal byproducts? I have a few leather belts and shoes, but I would feel uncomfortable in a leather jacket. Then there's the whole argument about not using any products that are tested on animals, etc. canvas shoes and belt don't work with a business suit unless you work in silicon valley :o) For me a leather jacket would be over kill since a cloth coat works just fine.

Public Comments

1. It IS in a human's nature to eat meat and plants and to wear animal skins, i have no problems with that, but the way animals are slaughtered and the living conditions in factory farms are both ridiculous and cruel.
2. Personal choice and standards that a person lives by. You have no problem with belts and shoes - but would have a problem with a leather jacket. Another person would have problems with anything leather. Same thing goes for animal testing. I have seen many posts about people against animal testing - but on another post, they will say that they have no problems with every day makeup, hair color, any of the many personal products on the market - even things such as laundry/dish soaps and house cleaning products - and the products they are writing about - I KNOW the company supports animal testing. There is only a problem when someone attempts to place on another their personal views. I call such an approach 'sheepels' - trying to turn everyone into a 'sheep' so that they all follow togeather in their little group. I rather stand on my own - if that is what it takes - and live my belief than attempt to live another's view of what they think something is as I have seen many do in their life.
3. I don't buy leather goods, personally. I think it would be a tad hypocritical. It's whatever your reason for becoming a vegetarian, and how comfortable you feel with using the product, however. It's different for everyone. :)
4. It's hard, damn near impossible to find animal free shoes. Adidas had some stylish hemp shoes like a decade ago, but you can't find 'em. Chuck Taylor's (canvas shoes) are pretty uncomfortable and make your feet look huge. It really depends on how you rationalize it. I'll buy second hand leather. I have an awesome leather coat from goodwill for $10USD. If you don't use any products tested on animals...that's difficult. That means most medicines are off the table, which isn't good. Find a balance for you. And screw anyone else for telling you otherwise.
5. Depends on the individual and whether their dietary choices are ethical or just dietary. For me, it's a mix of both. I won't knowingly go and purchase anything leather solely because I feel like it would be hypocritial of me - this is because I have an objection to supporting a cruel industry. However things I've bought in the past that may be leather, I have not thrown out. If the money has already been spent and I throw the item out, it's just a waste on my behalf. If you know what I mean...? And I'm not exactly rolling in cash. So yeah, I have a belt and some shoes that are leather from my pre-veg*n days. If I get rid of them, the only point I'm proving is that I'm wasteful and frivolous with my money.
6. The truth is there aren't a lot of vegetarian shoe/belt suppliers... yet. I think the vegetarian movement is coming, as people become more open minded and ecologically minded. I am a women's size 11W (thanks Dad!) and it's IMPOSSIBLE to find non-leather shoes so for now if there are gently used shoes I buy them, but mostly new. It's sad but I can't sew my own! Of course, I waould say NO to a leather jacket. Belts you might find in a faux suede. I hope this helps- you conscious if nothing else!
7. I horseback ride and I ride in a leather saddle and people were bashing me for it. 99% of all saddles are leather! It's all about what you eat. I personally don't eat meat so I am still considered a vegetarian.
8. When I was vegetarian, I did have leather belts and shoes. That's just where I drew my line. I agree, though, that I always found larger expanses of leather distasteful. I would never have bought a leather couch or gotten leather interior in a car. Just personal preference, I guess. I stopped buying leather when I started contemplating veganism. I still own some that I'll wear out. If you're uncomfortable with leather, cloth is not the only option. There are faux leather shoes and belts available and often you can't tell the difference just by looking.
9. I still have and wear a few leather products from the uh, pre-vegan days...I have been looking for chic and suitable replacements...namely belts. A good belt is hard to find. Also when I was getting married, a nice simple-chic (not silk) wedding dress was very hard to find. And I gotta say, a good wool peacoat is hard to beat. I love a good wool coat (sorry!) and I buy them secondhand.
10. I don't wear animal skin. It's a bit too silence of the lambs for me.
11. Leather contributes 20% of the profit of a slaughtered animal. So, using leather directly results in the slaughter of the animal. Personally, i don't see why anyone who is veggie for animal welfare or ethical reasons would use leather. I also don't get the "buying second hand is ok" idea. If you buy a leather coat second hand, in all likelyhood someone else would also have bought that. Maybe you just caused them to go and buy a new one ?? Buying second hand keeps the market going. Not saying its wrong, its entirely up to individuals what they do, just saying i dont' understand it. Particularly when products like these are available: http://www.vegetarian-shoes.co.uk/
12. Depend of if people became vegetarians for health or to save animals.