VaVaVaVEGAN » leather

Faux Find: (Minus The) Leather Vest

jen — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 12:45:53 +0000

Whether it be the animal-friendliness, the edgy angled zipper, or the ’80s rock appeal, this hot ticket item from Express.com has more than caught my eye. But there’s a fine line between biker chic and groupie shame. And I’m not quite sure which way this one falls, but what I can say though is that the $80 something price tag swinging from it makes it (minus my) list of must-haves.

[$88 (minus the) leather vest at express]

The Animal vs Eco Debate

jen — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:47:42 +0000

When does cute outweigh conscious? And vice versa.

If you’re an animal advocate like myself, you’re probably rolling your eyes at this ridiculously obvious question. But guess what - it’s their environment too. So what’s a potentially-green girl to do? It’s a decision made every time you consider purchasing natural beeswax vs a chemical laden vegan lip balm. And while PVC is not recyclable, it’s the most commonly used alternative to leather. What about a (quite cheeky) alpaca wool-spun beret? And yes, I do own one. The animals are never harmed during the shearing process. In fact, it’s an important part of their hygenic maintenance. The animal vs eco debate is a question that will inevitably come to haunt every do-gooder diva.

It’s a situation surrounded by controversy – with no end in sight – well, as far as my aviators can see.

The Ed Hardly Fad

jen — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:38:34 +0000

Ed Hardy – we all recognize the infamous brand. Some of you cool kids may even know the sweet story behind the legendary tattoo artist, Don Ed Hardy, for whom the line was named. Anyone who catches a glimpse of me on a regular basis can easily attest to my serious addiction to this signature label. It comprises the majority of my once-well-rounded wardrobe. While it may just be a passing trend for some, it’s definitely left a permanent dent in my closet – surprising considering many of the items from the Ed Hardy collection are hardly animal-friendly. While I take refuge in comfy cotton tees and luxe loungewear, I find myself sorely disappointed whenever I browse their seasonal accessories line-up. Everything from bags to bracelets is completely overwhelmed with leather. Even canvas covered clutches sport a touch of leather detailing or an unsympathetic strap.

But today, I have found the Holy Grail of the Ed Hardy handbags. The City Burner Birmingham Hobo ditches cow hide for durable nylon fabric without sacrificing the ever-present Ed Hardy sass and edge. Plus, its perfect size means I’ll be putting it to everyday use. This purchase not only makes a delightful new addition to my stash, but also reaffirms my love for the label.

Dear Christian A.,
I’ll never doubt thee again.

Signed,
Obsessively Yours

[$114 at ebags.com]

Pleather Or Not

jen — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 05:08:21 +0000

Icons like James Dean, The Fonz, and Danny Zuko have all donned one. So why couldn’t I? Slipping on a leather jacket instantaneously warrants you a brand new bad-ass attitude. But did cool really have to mean cruel? Definitely not. Or so I thought. My quest for the perfect leather-like jacket was perhaps the most arduous must-have fashion task I’d ever set for myself. I mean, let’s face it, I can’t even count the ways poorly done pleather can go so very, very wrong. I even uncapped my budget, hoping to expand my search a little further. But after sifting through dozens of designer digs and sites like TheFind.com, I was spent – while my cash, on the other hand, was not. But then it happened. I found my steal in the unlikeliest of stores. dELiA*s has always been my go-to guide for denim and tees, but I never expected to find such a luxe looking item as their Ashton Pleather piece. As I gave it the once-over – cropped sleeves, an off-center zipper, and brassy buckle – I knew I had found the one.

[$69.50 at delias.com]