Vegan fashion: 4 ways to wear the faux, eco-chic trend

Natalie Portman calls it “fashion with compassion.” Anne Hathaway has been known to show her green lifestyle by rocking vegan pumps on the red carpet. Harry Potter star Emma Watson started her own line of eco-friendly, organic clothing.

The vegan fashion trend is all about “faux” being fab and it certainly has a lot of star power behind it.

A quick primer: Vegan fashion is animal-free, meaning no leather, fur, wool, angora or exotic skins.

Vegan fashionistas are the new bloggers on the block, too, with the lifestyle and fashion preference becoming an emerging niche. Also, for the first time ever this year, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals launched the Vegan Fashion Awards to celebrate “ethical wear that’s undoubtedly fabulous while still doing right by the millions of animals.” The trend has even gone high-fashion with Vaute Couture, an entirely vegan design line, showing its designs at New York Fashion Week.

Here are some of our fave vegan pieces:

Faux real

Faux leather detailing on everything from purses to leggings to blouses is a trend we can’t get enough of because it adds a touch of unexpected luxe. The Vegan Diet draped jacket, $70.40 at nordstrom.com, is a spacious, open-front style that showcases faux leather details on the sleeves.

Hello, moto

A moto jacket can become the MVP of your closet. It adds a little rock ‘n’ roll edge to a dress when paired with a dress, tights and boots in the winter and takes your jeans and T-shirt combo up a notch. We love the ASTR Vegan moto jacket from nordstrom.com, $112.

Be a knit-wit

A cozy knit is a winter must-have. We’re drawn to mixed textures and marled knits this season. A perfect, vegan option? The marled mix knit sweater, $24.90 at Forever21.com.

(Vegan) leather and lace

Faux leather and lace is one of our favorite combos. We love the winter white on this Dolce Vita Pelle vegan leather top, $168, Anthropologie.com.