Wearing leather sandals as a vegan?

Question

As stated before, I will soon be vegan (I've taken steps of cutting things out of my diet 1 by 1 because I take this very seriously as a lifelong commitment). I've also made the choice to never purchase the skin or fur of animals again. (And I haven't for over 2 years.)

I've got these really comfortable sandals that I've had for 6 years. The tops are leather. I believe that throwing them away would be wasteful and disrespectful to the animal that died for them, and I believe that in my care they could last decades. So I'm thinking of ways to reconcile them with my moral imperative, since a vegan wearing leather is pretty hypocritcal.

What if I carve the words "never again" into the front straps (quite visibly) so that I can use them as a discussion piece for what motivated my change? Would this be self-righteous? What if I don't preach about them, and simply reply "what do you think?" to anyone who asks, and then ask if they would like to learn more?

Answer 1

I agree throwing them away would be a waste.

I think carving words into would be a step towards preaching and is unnecessary. Fake leather looks like real leathers, so nobody but you will actually know it is real.

And anybody who would challenge you for wearing the shoes is an ******. But if they do an answer of I bought them b4 I was a vegan should suffice, if they persist after that you don't want to be acquainted with that person.

Answer 2

I don't think you owe anyone an explanation, but simply saying you acquired them before you made your decision to go vegan should be good enough for everyone who doesn't fancy themselves the "vegan police." I have come to the same place as you; after many years of vegetarianism, I have decided that veganism is the path for me. I don't see the point in discarding things I already have. I'm sure many others who have come before us have found the purge necessary. But what's done is done. I won't buy another leather purse, but the ones I have are serviceable and I'll use 'em 'til they're done. Toiletries and stuff are another story to me, simply because there's less wasted money and less wasted product there.

Answer 3

Tell people they are fake. Flat out. Non-vegans won't understand and will call you a hypocrite, but really, you already made a statement by using the power of your dollar saying leather is ok, now you know better and won't buy it again, but throwing them away won't make any statement other than having to buy a new pair.
I had a leather jacket for awhile that I bought before being vegan. My husband, who works for a popular animal rights group told me to put a patch on it that said Vegan. People will never know. You can buy them from Peta.

Answer 4

Congratulations on your commitment.

Since you acquired the sandals before you decided to become a vegan, just keep wearing them and don't worry about it. What's done is done. Adding any sort of message would deface them and come across as arrogant. If someone asks, explain your reasoning. Chances are - hardly anyone will notice as there are so many leather replacements that look real.

Answer 5

If you already have the leather sandals, I do not see what benefit would come from not wearing them. Additionally, I would only write on them if you would prefer that. Don't feel you have some moral responsibility that you have to deface sandals you bought prior to becoming vegan.

Good luck being vegan! :)

Answer 6

of couse, yet a superb variety of situations human beings mistake my shoes for leather-based whilst they're extremely made out of all organic actual components, each so often i make my own sandles, yet whilst this is actual leather-based or suad, then they have not have been given any buisness calling themselves vegan

Answer 7

Please keep you sandals. You are absolutely right, throwing them out is wasteful & disrespectful.

I've yet to reconcile how leather is more harmful to animals & all living beings than synthetics.

The animals you're attempting to save will be knee deep in synthetic materials & breathing carbon emissions if we keep using that chemical made stuff, anyway.

Answer 8

You are searching for a way to justify your hypocrisy just because you like your leather sandals. Saying about disrespecting the animal who died, blah, blah, blah is a way of rationalizing your mind to keep them. Your "cow" didn't die to make your sandals. It died for beef and somebody took the hide to make leathere out of it.

But if you are going to be so high-righteous about your "veganism" how about putting yourself to the test ... How about getting rid of those sandals right now. Dump them if you are the self-proclaimed super vegan you are proposinng.

I challenge you not to talk the talk, but walk the walk. Get rid of the sandals.

Answer 9

I question the verse in the bible that speaks of a land flowing with milk and honey. Any why pray tell do you suppose God , put the domestic animals on the earth if he didn't want them to provide sustenance for mankind, and clothing??? and where do feather beds, and wool clothing fit in , and does this apply to leather upholstery in your car,??