Vegans: did you ever own leather items? Handbags, shoes, etc.? If so, how did you [View all]

transition those pieces?

Did you give them away / donate them?

Keep them and wear them, even though you didn't buy any new leather / wool / etc. items?

Most of my shoes are leather, and I have other leather items (handbags, a jacket) from when it wasn't an issue with me (my personal life of denial - 'dark ages'). I am making a huge effort not to buy new leather (haven't in a long time) but some of my pieces are very functional -- I don't have the money to give away all my shoes, or a winter coat, in order to start over with ethical items.

And, I would wear ethical merino wool. Have to source that; I just won't buy leather anymore.

So - unless you were a vegan from a very very early age - what did you do with your animal-product items?

I realize the best thing to do is to just replace items that wear out with new, non-leather ones. I'm slowly coming to the conclusion that donating the leather jacket and bags is probably my next step...