Head to toe wool works wonders for your warmth. From this skirt {nice choice, by the way} to the cape, everything is heavy and wooly and warm.

I’m particularly infatuated with these gloves I recently picked up from Asos. I have mentioned how much I loved designers’ use of the long leather gloves in their pre-fall 2012 collections. And while I would still love a leather pair, I thought these wool ones were quite nice. And at under $15, they were worth the gamble. Don’t you just love the elbow patches? 

Cape: Romwe, Sweater, H&M, Skirt: Thrifted, originally Eddie Bauer, Booties: Nine West, Gloves: Asos, Belt: J.Crew, Bag & scarf: c/o Jupe Boutique

I suggest you stop reading here if you simply wanted a Daily Duds post.

Recently, a commenter who I suppose is a reader of the blog questioned my veganism. She referenced a post in which I said I try to avoid leather ‘when I can.’ She asked, “When can’t you?” 

To be fair, she was right. I choose to wear leather and I should have said as much. I could choose to seek out alternatives, but I do not. That being said, I have always tried to reference ‘my veganism’ as a dietary choice. When discussing veganism, I have tried to be vigilant about saying that I EAT vegan. Not that I am vegan. I would like to apologize if I have not been clear about that. I EAT VEGAN. But I wear silk, wool and leather. Case in point, see above.

Here’s my big issue - Why does she give a shit about my vegan convictions? 

It’s incredibly important to me that, at least in this forum, I do not come off as preachy about my lifestyle choices. Because they’re my choices. And I understand that veganism can be a little tough for people to get behind. So I’d much rather do what makes me feel comfortable and, if anyone has questions, let them know what I have learned. I don’t pretend to be the authority. Sharing tasty recipes that happen to be vegan is something I like to do. But I’m not fooled into thinking everyone who eats a tasty vegan meal is going to suddenly become vegan or that they should.

I believe in this dietary choice FOR ME. It was a big step after eight years of vegetarianism. I am a student and am doing my best to learn. But I am not ready to make the leap with what I wear. Besides, what level of veganism do you have to attain before you can truly call yourself a vegan? Do you wear vintage fur or leather? Do you only wear wool or silk because the animals aren’t slaughtered? Can you only call yourself a vegan if you never let an animal product touch your skin? Do you need to wear a spiked strap on your leg to atone for your previous sins? 

If you have a problem with my choices or my stage of development, I suggest you get over it. IT’S JUST THE INTERNET. 

{For the record, The Husband is a full-on meat eater, although he enjoys eating and cooking any food that tastes good, including vegan cuisine.}

PS: Scott Pilgrim pretty much sums up what most of the population thinks of vegan snobs.