Certificates
Vegan clothing: how to recognise it
Vegan clothing contains no materials of animal origin. That sounds simple, but in the details, animal components are often found where you don't expect them. Here you'll find out what to look out for and what "vegan" does and doesn't tell you about clothing.
At a glance
- Vegan means: no wool, no silk, no leather, no down, no fur and no animal-based details either.
- Hidden spots include leather patches, buttons made from horn or mother-of-pearl and wool content in blends.
- Vegan says something about where the materials come from, not automatically about environmental impact or working conditions.
- At ORGANICATION, the product page states whether an item is labelled as vegan.
What vegan clothing means
A vegan garment contains no materials that come from animals. This applies to the fabric itself, but also to everything that goes with it: sewing thread, buttons, labels, appliqués. Commonly used vegan materials are plant fibres such as cotton, linen and hemp, cellulose fibres made from wood such as TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal, and synthetic or recycled fibres such as polyester and polyamide.
Animal materials you should know about
- Wool and merino from sheep, plus cashmere, mohair, alpaca and angora.
- Silk, obtained from the cocoons of the silkworm.
- Leather, suede and fur.
- Down and feathers in jackets and gilets.
- Horn and mother-of-pearl, often used for buttons on high-quality shirts or coats.
How to recognise vegan clothing
Read the composition
In the EU, the fibre composition must be stated on the label. That's your first check. Pay particular attention to blends: a jumper made of "cotton with wool content" is not vegan, even if the wool makes up only a small share.
Look at the details
The obligation to label fibres applies to the textile part. For parts that aren't made of textile fibres, textile labelling only requires a note that they are of animal origin. Typical examples are the leather patch on jeans, buttons made from horn or mother-of-pearl and fur trims. If you're unsure, ask the retailer.
Look at the brand's labelling
Many brands explicitly label vegan items. That's practical, but only as good as the checks behind it. It helps if the brand clearly states what the label covers. Our rule: products labelled as vegan contain no materials of animal origin. Whether an item is labelled as such is shown on its product page. Our items made from wool or merino are not vegan.
What "vegan" doesn't tell you
Vegan describes where the materials come from. It is not a verdict on environmental impact and not a label for working conditions. A faux leather based on polyurethane is vegan, but is made from fossil raw materials. Synthetic fabrics can shed fibres when washed. And with plant fibres too, it makes a difference how they are grown and processed.
That's why it's worth looking at both: the "vegan" label and certificates that verify farming, recycled content or processing. At ORGANICATION, items are certified to GOTS, OCS, GRS, RCS or RWS depending on the material. You can read what the individual standards verify in the overview of our certificates.
Plant-based and recycled materials in everyday life
For basics and underwear, organic cotton is the familiar choice: soft and breathable. Blends of organic cotton and TENCEL™ Modal feel particularly smooth. Linen and TENCEL™ Lyocell are airy and cool, ideal for warm days. For sport, recycled polyamide and polyester with elastane offer support and dry quickly. You'll find out how the materials compare in feel in the article on how fabrics feel.
FAQ
Is cotton clothing always vegan?
The fabric is, but not necessarily the whole piece. Check the buttons, patches and appliqués too.
Are vegan materials better for the environment?
Not automatically. That depends on the material and how it's made. Certificates on farming or recycled content give you more specific information.
How can I see at ORGANICATION whether an item is vegan?
On the product page. Products labelled as vegan contain no materials of animal origin.
