Vegan--Lifestyle or Diet Only?

[MissMasala5]

For me it's diet only. I'm not ready to adopt the lifestyle, which includes no leather. I can give up leather bags, not really big on bags to begin with. But shoes? I just can't fathom it.

[Iansan]

Diet only, I joined some vegan meetups and now I'm hesitant to go since my shoes, bags are leather, I'm not into animal rights, etc...

[KEWLKAT103]

Lifestyle.
I'm vegetarian with raw vegan tendencies :)
gave up dairy completely few months ago.
When I became vegetarian 16 eyars ago, I made the decision to give up leather and hygiene/beauty products using and/or testing on animals.

[MissMasala5]

Lifestyle.
I'm vegetarian with raw vegan tendencies :)
gave up dairy completely few months ago.
When I became vegetarian 16 eyars ago, I made the decision to give up leather and hygiene/beauty products using and/or testing on animals.

So talk to me. What do you wear on your feet, where do you buy these shoes, are they expensive, etc.?

[KEWLKAT103]

So talk to me. What do you wear on your feet, where do you buy these shoes, are they expensive, etc.?

I like stylish shoes too and can find some great styles that are man made! Sometimes I'm glad that I don't wear leather, because it keeps me from spending crazy amounts of money on fashion. I love the design of high end shoes, but being cruelty free is more important to me, so I would never buy them.

Anyhoo- most my heals come from Victoria's secret. My work and gym shoes come from Target, payless, ross, wherever most times. There is no exact brand because some lines will have some man made material shoes in them and other using leather, suede, etc.
I read the descriptions and also call up sometimes because they can be vague. Sometimes a shoe will be all man made except for a strap, trim or the inner soles. That's why I call up and ask, just to be sure. There are some sites I have gone to that are specifically vegan shoes, so you don;t have to worry.

Now, being that I buy from some lines that also make shoes using animals, I do feel that I am supporting them in a way. That does'nt sit well with me, but I have yet to find a complete line of only man made materials.
If I know of a certain brand that has questionable buisness practices, then I stay away from everything made by them.

Here are some sites that do the figuring out work for you, but the selection is limited.
http://www.alternativeoutfitters.com/clothing/vegan/womens-shoes.aspx
http://www.alternativeoutfitters.com/apparel/accessories/handbags/vegan-shoulder-bags.aspx

http://www.vegetarianshoesandbags.com/

Also as far as handbags, I'm not really into them...I'll throw a burlap bag over my shoulder! But I have gone all out and picked up a Kathy Van Zeeland on sale. She has some beautiful bags and some of them are vegan and they last a long time.

[MissMasala5]

Thanks for those links. Some of the styles are really cute!