Fabulous fakes: accessories make all the difference—so dress your inner animal lover in vegan style

Natural Health, April, 2005 by Rebekah George

VEGETARIANS LIKE to look good, too, yet animal-free attire has long been lacking in availability and appeal. But now you don't have to give up value for values or bypass prettiness for principles. As a growing number of eco-minded designers seek out vegan alternatives to leather, an array of fun, fetching, and fabulously faux styles is emerging.

"Leather is a byproduct from which the meat industry makes 65 percent of its profit," says Erica Kuberksy, owner of the New York City vegan store Moo Shoes. "So if you buy leather, you're supporting that."

Even if vegetarianism is not your bag, many leather-free items bear prices low enough to entice even carnivores. Shoes and purses made with polyvinyl chloride, a common leather alternative, cost about 65 percent less than real leather accessories, according to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals; you can find their list of vegan-friendly stores at peta.org.

But first, check out this selection of our favorite look-alikes for spring.

T-shirt, American Apparel, $19; veganessentials.com. Skirt, Wasteland, $40; 323-653-3028. Belt, Forever 21, $11; forever21.com. Jelly thongs, Patricia Green, $50; patriciagreen.com Bag, Rampage, $38; rampage.com.

Diva Collection's gold-tasseled bag offers fringe benefits ($50; bessoinc.com).

Stay true-blue with this Diva Collection purse ($31; bessoinc.com).

Spring forward with Matt & Nat's cute Slick Bag ($65; veganunlimited.com).

This Diva Collection bag shimmers like a deep-sea treasure ($29; bessoinc.com).

Go green, think pink--the Charlize bag by Matt & Nat ($75; simplysterling.com).

Cinch the look (from top): pink belt, Charlotte Russe ($14; charlotterusse.com); blue and orange belts, Aida Designs ($8, $7; nordstrom.corn).

For your inner ballerina: Moo Shoes' ballet flat ($80; mooshoes.com).

Slip into Chinatown-inspired mules by Sweet ($22; Dolly's, 310-901-5615).

Show off your flower power with the Fioni Wedge sandal ($17; Payless, payless.com).

You'll flip for Jasmine Sandals' flip-flops ($19, Desert Chic; 760-776-6777).

Graffiti your viewpoint across your heart ($21; cafepress.com).

No Enemy: organic clothing with a conscious message ($20; mooshoes.com).

Express your inner self in a Wildlife Works signature tee ($28, wildlifeworks.com).

Spark a veggie revolution with this baseball shirt ($21; herbivoredothing.com).

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