A common dilemma many new vegans face is what to do with the animal-derived products they already own from their pre-vegan days — leather shoes, wool sweaters, down-filled pillows, and so on.
On top of that, another question that often comes up is: Is it vegan to wear or buy secondhand leather, wool, silk, etc.? In both cases, the harm has already been done — but there are compelling arguments both for and against wearing these items, including:
being vegan means not wearing any animal products at all, so you can't be vegan and do so.
even wearing second hand leather is giving tacit approval that it's okay to kill animals for their skin.
second hand leather is more environmentally friendly than new synthetic leather.
And so on. Enjoy!
Affiliate Links
To keep Food for Thought Podcast ad-free and accessible to all, I rely on the support of paid subscribers. If you're already one—thank you. If you’re not, please consider becoming one. None of the companies below sponsored this episode. They’re simply brands I personally use, love, and trust—which is why I’ve partnered with them as an affiliate.
If you make a purchase using the links below, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you—and you’ll receive exclusive discounts using the codes provided!
Complement Supplements
Everything you need, nothing you don’t. Complement makes targeted supplements for plant-based eaters, including B12, D3, DHA, and more—all from clean, trusted sources.
🔗 lovecomplement.com | Code: JOYFULVEGAN for 15% off all products!Plaine Products
Refillable, non-toxic, plastic-free personal care products like shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and body wash. Gentle on you, gentle on the planet.
🔗 plaineproducts.com | Code: JOYFULVEGAN for 20% off all products!Nama Juicer
My favorite cold-press juicer—quiet, powerful, and easy to clean. It’s become an essential part of my kitchen.
🔗 namawell.com | Code: COLLEEN10 for 10% off all products!
Additional Resources
👉 Connect with me 1:1 – Get personalized guidance whatever you are looking for. (One one-on-one connection is also a perk of the Founding Member/VIP level here on Substack.)
👉 Read A Year of Compassion – Daily inspiration to help you live with intention, kindness, and clarity.
👉 Travel with me! I host animal-friendly, luxury, all-inclusive vegan trips around the world, specifically curated to ensure high-quality, high-touch premium experiences. Check out our upcoming trips, and let me know if you have any questions.
👉 Check out my Recipe E-Books and my library of On-Demand Cooking Classes for recipes.
Thank you for listening.
Share this post