Vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian; many people become one of these or another to give love back to animals. Some diets can get rather strange and in Nebraska, it is close to impossible to become vegetarian because of all of the meat that is everywhere. It can be done and I know many successful vegetarians, but there is more than one way to help out animals then just to avoid eating them. It’s called cruelty-free clothing and this trend is growing faster and faster each day.  It may seem like such a simple idea to buy clothing that did not cause any harm to animals because it seems like everything made lately is cotton or linen. If you start thinking about what you wear every day, you probably wear more “animal” then you would think. It is not just fur coats, but most shoes are made from some sort of cow, goat or even lamb and deer. There are many companies that are starting to have vegan shoe lines and the prices are often cheaper because they take out the real leather and suede. 
Bourgeois Boheme is a company, that just started this April, that offers a full line of shoes and boots for men and women that are eco-friendly and vegan.  Another store that is a great place to start shopping from is Alternative Outfitters. They offer everything from men and women’s shoes, bags and clothing to make-up and accessories. Their faux leather jackets are to die for and look like the real thing, but at better prices. All of the jackets range from $30 to $45 and even include vests. Their shoe selection has great variety so that everyone can find the perfect animal-friendly shoes, which include cruelty-free Uggs, combat boots, flats, wedges, heels and sneakers. Finally, if you are a die-hard fur lover and cannot give up looking fabulous, check out Donna Salyer’s Fabulous Furs. All of these furs are just as luxurious and beautiful as the real thing. The prices are a bit high, but for a great faux fur vest for the fall and winter is a must.
You don’t always have to diet a certain way to make a difference in the world and help everyone become a little more animal-friendly. Shopping cruelty-free and vegan is a great start to knowing what you wear and being confident that no animals were harmed for you to look amazing around campus. Also, since they take out the real fur, leather and skins, the prices become more affordable. Many companies are starting to look more into this vegan-friendly way of living and I believe it is the way to go.