In the past year, the fashion industry has been taking steps toward reducing the animal cruelty involved in creating fashion. Chanel, Coach, and other big fashion houses stopped using fur. San Francisco and Luxembourg banned the sale of fur. Now, there are plenty of big fashion brands ditching the use of mohair, which is the long, silky hair of the angora goat. H&M, Zara, TopShop, and Gap all decided to stop using mohair, and Anthropologie and Express followed suit.

A few months ago, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), released a video exposing the mohair industry in South Africa, where most of the world’s mohair is sourced from. The video reveals the quick and painful ways in which shearers cut the hair of the goats. The goats are thrown, cut, and killed for the mohair.

The exposé has been the catalyst for much change in the fashion industry. Over 340 brands have banned mohair. The latest big fashion brand to do so is Lacoste, who has also previously banned fur and angora. Fast Retailing Co., whose brands include Theory, Helmut Land, and J. Brand also recently banned mohair.

Videos like the one in this exposé may be difficult to watch, but they are necessary. As a result of such investigations, big companies and brands take steps in the right direction. As more people see the truth, more positive change can be made. Brands may be slowly banning specific animal-derived materials, but many big brands still use other cruelly and unethically derived materials such as leather, so there is still more change needed.

Buy Vegan-Friendly Alternatives

It is incredibly easy to find vegan-friendly alternatives to the clothing and accessories that big fashion brands sell. It’s cruelty-free and usually much more affordable. Here are three vegan-friendly fashion choices:

1. Fair Indigo Fair Trade Organic Men’s Jersey Polo

Source: Fair Indigo Fair Trade Organic Men’s Jersey Polo

Lacoste’s clothing line includes polo shirts. Try buying one of these fair trade polos made with 100 percent pima cotton by Fair Indigo. The price is $38.90.

2. Riders by Lee Indigo Women’s Short-Sleeve Polo Shirt

Source: Riders by Lee Indigo Women’s Short-Sleeve Polo Shirt

Rider by Lee Indigo’s polo shirt for women is made with mostly cotton and some spandex. It costs $11.99.

3. Native Unisex Apollo Moc Fashion Sneaker

Source: Native Unisex Apollo Moc Fashion Sneaker

Native’s shoes are all vegan! These cute sneakers cost between $20.94 and $124.95 depending on the size and color.

We hope you enjoy these vegan-friendly alternatives and try to shop cruelty-free. If you enjoy stories like this, subscribe to our newsletter and receive them right in your inbox.

Lead Image Source: EcoPrint/Shutterstock