By: Elaine Chan, Staff Writer
“Since Oct. 1, 20.13 inches of rain have dropped in San Francisco, according to the National Weather Service, making it the seventh wettest water year on record to date,” states the S.F. Chronicle. What seemed to be just a light shower has turned into nearly 3 weeks of relentless rain. Our dry soil, however, is practically jumping with joy. Starting the new year with a rather wet January, we must retire our “socks and sandals” combo to instead opt for shiny rain boots. An umbrella is our immediate thought after looking out the window at the pelting rain. However, carrying around a dripping umbrella isn’t ideal. Instead, selecting a practical rain coat or hooded down jacket may be the better option. The question arises though: down jackets and fur lined coats are no doubt your warmest choice but are they eco-friendly? Living in a world where fast-fashion companies are constantly pumping out new “trendy” clothing items, it’s hard to shop sustainably. There are tons of alternatives available you can find on the market, with some research of course.
The beloved puffer jacket. The comfiest and warmest piece in our closets. The obvious pick when a rainy day or days present themselves. Nevertheless, the plush feathers that stuff said jackets are from birds like ducks and geese. In some farms, they are being defeathered alive, leaving them with stinging and irritated skin. “Eye witnesses found live geese are being plucked on farms linked to responsible down suppliers,” states a corporate manager at PETA. Rather, a cheaper and more animal friendly alternative material is synthetic down. Performing almost identically to animal down, its synthetic counterpart is less expensive, maintains insulation even when wet, and is cruelty-free. Rare gems exist in the eco-friendly rainy fashion industry, if you do a little digging. Brands like Matt&Nat or Everlane are quality choices for environment and animal friendly fashion whilst staying warm and dry this winter. Synthetic down and other renewable materials like faux fur are commonly used by vegan brands, Matt&Nat being one of them. When a drizzle quickly turns into a heavy downpour, synthetic down will continue to keep your body warm and sheltered from the cold rain.
“We have and will forever be committed to not using leather or any other animal based materials in our designs. Each season, we continue to explore and utilize innovative ways to improve our sustainable and eco-friendly ways, while still producing high-quality and timeless products,” states the all-vegan brand, Matt&Nat. With the desire to bring us into the next generation of fashion that is kind to the environment, Matt&Nat are experimenting with various recyclable materials like nylons, cardboard, rubber, cork and even windshield resins. Perfectly embodying eco and animal friendly principles, their annual recycle rate is equivalent to 9 million plastic bottles in the form of their products. Check out Matt&Nat who ships online around the world!
While many favor their trusty puffer jacket, classic raincoats and rain boots are just as effective. Surfing the online shopping scene, you are met with thousands of options that seem like just too good of a deal. Having said that, thrift store racks are also filled with countless sustainable options when in need. If you’re looking for a nearby thrift location, Goodwill in Burlingame and Savers in Palo Alto are definitely worth a visit. This makes buying practical and fashionable rain attire easily attainable. The wide web of fashion continues to evolve and grow every single day, and it can be difficult to keep up as a company. Unfortunately, this can lead to mass-produced goods which in turn create more factory pollution. A chain reaction of events follows and soon the fast-fashion industry has grown to new heights. As customers, we can choose sustainable and practical pieces while still considering animal welfare and preventing future environmental issues. Keeping warm and staying sustainable are both within reach, so this rainy season stay dry and eco-friendly!
