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What is less well-known, however, is that being vegan goes beyond what you eat. It is a philosophy of life, a way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as possible and practical, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, vegan clothing or any other purpose.

Okay, great, you say. Now what? Not eating animals is one thing but not wearing them when everywhere you look you see leather, suede, fur, wool, etc., is quite another. What's a girl (or boy, for that matter) to do?

The good news is that it is easier than you think. The bad news is that, since it is still far from mainstream, it feels like an alien world to many. How do you get beyond the tofu and beansprouts or organic cotton jeans and hemp sneakers stereotype (unless that's your natural inclination)? Consider these 3 steps to help you get started:

1. Know Why You Are Doing It. There are two main reasons someone becomes a vegan. One is for the health benefits, of which there are many. The other is to lessen suffering. The truth is, however, that most people are not aware that their clothing purchases have caused any pain or torment. Wearing a pair of calf-skin boots does not bring up visions of a tiny skinned calf any more than eating bacon brings up images of a terrified pig being slaughtered. But, the truth is that that's what happens. The more you learn the harder it becomes to buy something for the sake of fashion when you know your purchase will cause anguish.
   
2. Consider It a Fashion Adventure. Having been an image consultant for nearly 20 years when I became a vegan my first thought was, "Yikes! How can I maintain my personal style and be a vegan?" Like anything else, I knew that if I saw it as a form of deprivation all my good intentions wouldn't last. Instead, I chose to see it as an exciting game. I became an avid label reader. You would be surprised at how many top, as well as lesser-known, designers are creating beautiful vegan clothing in cotton, linen, polyester (not to be confused with the polyester we knew in the 1970's), and other manmade and micro-fibers. Each time I passed up a pair of wool pants, a suede jacket, or a pair of leather shoes, I know I have made a positive impact.
   
3. Maintain (or Develop) Your Sense of Style. With few exceptions (extra wide (EEE) shoes (pretty ones, that is) are one, but then again those are hard to find no matter what they are made of), there is no need to sacrifice style or comfort to retain your vegan ideals. If you were unhappy with your wardrobe before you became a vegan chances are you won't be any more satisfied with your new wardrobe. Here are 3 quick fashion tips to help you make good choices:
   
   1. Always Wear Your Best Colors. Be careful. While trends such as yellow can fill the stores, unless you are sure it is a great color on you (hint: very few people look really good in yellow), leave it on the rack. Wear only your best colors and you will always feel wonderful. If you do not know what your best colors are, one of the best money-saving investments you can make in your wardrobe is to find a qualified color consultant to analyze your colors.
   2. Fit is Everything. Have a great tailor ready to adjust any fit issues. In a jacket, be sure the shoulders fit well -- other things can be altered but shoulders are difficult and expensive. Be sure your long sleeves are not too long. No bagging in the seat of your pants or gapping pockets at the hips. When something fits well, you look like a million! Even the most expensive article of vegan clothing, however, will look cheap if it doesn't fit you well.
   3. Buy It Only If You Love It. Many women have a tendency to buy something simply because it fits (this is especially true if fit is a chronic issue) or because it is functional. Neither of these things is important if you do not love it. You must feel excited about wearing it. This goes for shoes, too. Because vegan shoes are not as plentiful as leather shoes (although that is rapidly changing), many new vegans have a tendency to buy the first pair of non-leather shoes they find. Not so fast! Be sure they fit well and are comfortable, that they are the right color for your wardrobe, and that they suit your personality. In other words, you must love them to bring them home with you. Otherwise, they will just sit in your closet and gather dust, or you'll wear them and never be truly happy.

Being vegan is an exciting and rewarding lifestyle if you approach it from a win-win point of view. While you will not see many, if any, stores with signs reading shop here for vegan clothing, the truth is that vegan options are everywhere. Each time you make a vegan choice you reduce suffering. And, the good news is that you do not have to sacrifice anything (other than a little bit of label-reading time) to do it.