Vegan Sweaters: Trendy and Sheep-Friendly

Brrr! It’s cold outside. Shouldn’t you put on a sweater? But before you go diving through your closet or driving to the mall looking for something woolly to wear, consider this: Do you really want to put on something that itches, smells (think musty mothballs and wet dog), and causes sheep pain, misery, and death? We didn’t think so.

After all, there’s suffering behind every wool sweater. In Australia, where much of the world’s wool originates, practices like ear-notching, tail-docking, castration, and “mulesing”—a gruesome procedure in which large chunks of skin and flesh are cut from lambs’ backsides—are all done without painkillers. Shearing is done quickly, with no regard for the animal, and often causes bloody wounds. And when sheep are no longer useful for wool, they’re packed onto extremely crowded ships and sent to slaughter in the Middle East. Transported through all weather extremes, with little or no access to food or water, many become ill or injured or die. Those who survive are dragged to slaughterhouses, where their throats are slit while they are still conscious.

The good news? With all the amazing alternatives to wool available these days, it’s easier than ever to shed cruel woolen wear in favor of hip and humane fabrics like cotton, flannel, acrylic, polyester fleece, Gore-Tex, Polarguard, Polartec, and Thinsulate. Luckily, this winter’s fashion forecast is calling for a flurry of fabulous, funky fauxs everywhere you go! To help you find the best among the bunches of better-than-wool sweaters out there, we’re issuing a “sheep-friendly fashion” advisory for the following mainstream merchandisers.

Wet Seal:

Ballet Neck Plush Sweater	Ribbed Cowl Neck Sweater

Forever 21:

Round Neck Sweater	Shelly Sweater

Kohl’s:

Women’s Daisy Fuentes® Dolman-Sleeved Sweater	Men’s Chaps 1/4-Zip Chest-Striped Sweater

Delia’s:

Taylor Hoodie	Vanessa Jacquard Scoop

J.Crew:

Men’s Washed Cotton Snap-Collar Sweater	Women’s Beach Turtleneck Sweater

Gap:

Men’s Raglan-Sleeved V-Neck Sweater	Women’s Chunky Knit Marled Turtleneck

Old Navy:

Rugby-Stripe V-Neck Sweaters	Women’s Hooded Cardigans

Check out our “Shopping Guide to Compassionate Clothing” and PETAMall.com for even more animal-friendly fashions.

See living proof of why it’s important to buy only wool alternatives.