My name is Jerry, I live in Seattle and have been a vegan for several years after far too many years as a vegetarian. In a previous lifetime, fashion was important to me in the crazy world of the Los Angeles film business. I learned early on, the better you dress, the more people listen to what you have to say. After plunging into vegetarianism, I seemed to have had a brain seizure and forgot that valuable lesson. I became the dreaded vegetarian stereotype, you know the ragged t-shirts, thrift store pants, and, yes I’m brave enough to admit it, Birkenstocks!
One day in the mid-90’s as I was throwing on some old hemp shirt or another, a mirror caught my attention. I gazed at the ghastly image before me and said, “What the fuck happened to the stylish guy I used to know?” I was dumbfounded. How did I, a man of style, fall into the vegetarian trap? I had started a non-profit group and was entrenched in my ugly vegetarian wardrobe. No wonder I wasn’t being taken seriously when I would show up at a grant board in my dingy jeans and Goodwill sports jacket with the frayed edges. It seemed even in the non-profit grant-giving world, the guy with the nice suit always got the money. Right then and there I decided I needed a vegetarian makeover.
First, I ditched the vegetarian facade. I had a hard time reconciling why anyone would be a vegetarian – why aren’t they vegans? I poured the milk down the drain, threw out the eggs (actually I pitched them at the place that turned down my grant bid), and divvied the butter between the cats. I was now officially a vegan. And with this proclamation I set out on a journey. A journey of animal free clothing that didn’t scream crazy liberal, tofu eating punk but rather refined business person. It wasn’t easy. There were not a whole lot of fashion choices in the late 90’s for vegans. So I dug and dug until (thank you Mr. Internet) the world began to hoist its faux materials upon me.
Now, several years on, veganism is on the rise and with it so are the fashion choices. That is the purpose of this site. The Stylish Vegan was born to help the world easily find everything from shoes to food to grooming products. There will also be some non fashion ranting but that will be kept to a minimum. Politics, and I bet you can guess which way I lean, will be left for the billions of other sites the blather on about such idiotic things. We are here for fashion. And if you forget everything in life, remember this one simple rule: the better you dress, the more respect you get. Why is this important? By breaking the stereotypes, we can help veganism spread much more quickly. When people see me and I tell them I am a vegan, they are more interested in the lifestyle than when I came across as a throwback hippy with the perceived holier-than-though attitude that frightens, frustrates and inflames carnivores.
Ready? Let’s spread the vegan word through style. Enjoy the site.
August 4th, 2007 at 10:34 am
Who the f*ck do you think you’re trying to kid?
You strike me as somebody who’s covering up a short coming, perhaps that of a successful relative or of the genital nature.
Put down your, “man-loving-come-hither” martini and cucumber slice, smeared with tofu. Buy a real vehicle, something domestic like a Ford Explorer with leather seats and a gun rack. Then, sporting your ass-floss and pleather chaps, go shoot some poor fur-bearing critter, fry it up in Crisco and eat til your belly is full.
Charlton Heston for President.
Cheers,
CC
October 16th, 2007 at 10:53 am
Canali Carnivor, go fuck yourself stupid motherfucker. I’m replying to the pithy and idiotic comment someone left on Aug 4 07. Veganism is the closest step to a civilized society. Keep up the good work, vegans, it’s our only hope to have a free land.
Kucinich for President.
Cheers and peace
October 16th, 2007 at 10:56 am
Continue to help fellow vegans with style. Thank TSV for this.
October 29th, 2007 at 11:20 am
I don’t get it……You seem to have the utmost disdain for vegetarians, but you yourself were once one. Most people make their trek from carnivore to vegan by first stopping at the vegetarian rest-stop. But, your extreme views towards vegetarians, in-genral, leave many to draw back and question your views. In fact, I had a “vegetarian” friend
take a look at your site to tell me if he thought you were “for real.” He said two things: “Wow, he really hates vegetarians,” and “he has a total lack of respect for his audience.” I’m not sure I would go that far, but you definitely remind me of those, crazy, insecure, right-wing, born-again christians, that since they have found God, it gives them the license to berate and judge all others that do not share their beliefs. Hey, crazy is crazy, no matter what. Lastly, how do you feel about vegans dating vegetarians or meat eaters. It would be nice if you write something about this for your readers. Thanks
October 29th, 2007 at 11:27 am
Hi, Charles:
Yes, I was a vegetarian once and didn’t like myself. But, I love myself now. I think your vegetarian friend is a bit insecure. What do you expect from someone who thinks its not ok to kill animals but perfectly fine to torture them since he/she “just cannot give up dairy”. Sounds selfish to me.
As far as being crazy. Yes, you are correct, TSV is crazy. Who wouldn’t think it’s crazy to not ingest animal puss and condone torture but still label themselves “vegetarians”? Funny how that works.
October 30th, 2007 at 9:33 am
You didn’t answer my last question. Would you now, consider dating, marrying, or whatever, someone that is a carnivore or vegetarian? I mean you seem pretty harsh on vegetarians saying that they are people that think “It’s not ok to kill animals, but perfectly fine to torture them since he/she “just cannot give up dairy”.” This is a hot topic these days. I’ve read several articles in the mainstream media covering this topic. Here’s one recent article: http://www.newsweek.com/id/41297
Also, there are tons of vegetarian/vegan dating sites now.
Lastly, you say “I love myself now.” After reading many of your posts and that quote, maybe my question is moot and there just isn’t enough left for anyone else since you love yourself so much. Just a thought.
October 31st, 2007 at 8:46 am
I see how it is. You wont’t answer the question posed above. It’s a simple question. I’m just curious what your answer is.
October 31st, 2007 at 4:31 pm
Hi, Charles:
Would I date or marry someone who is a dairy/egg eater? Why, yes, I would/did. And what’s fabulistic is that she doesn’t refer to herself as a vegetarian. She says vegans are vegetarians and doesn’t know why people who eat animal products would ever refer to themselves as “vegetarians”. She’s one smart cookie. I’m the chef of the house and Mrs. TSV never complains about the vegan food that tastefully graces her plate. BTW: Thanks for the link.
November 11th, 2007 at 2:33 am
I am not a vegetarian, but i respect people who decides to be, and I know lots of vegetarians who respects people who eat meat. This is all part of this world, isn´t it?
November 13th, 2007 at 4:08 pm
Well, fellow Antonio, I think I wouldn’t respect people eating meat, you know why? Because even if in the outside world vegans respect carnivores and carnivores respect vegans, animals are still being abused and killed. Animals aren’t just inanimate possessions or money. The murder of animals isn’t something you can just sit back on and let keep happening if you oppose. Its either the animals die, or they don’t. Simple. Its not a “free world” situation, where a certain type of people wish to vote, yet they can’t and there are people who struggle for them to vote and some who don’t want them to vote. There, in THAT situation, you can lay back and relax. Because voting isn’t an issue that destroys life or saves life. Understand it. Oppose meat or like it. If a vegan (or vegetarian) respects a meat-eater and accepts the world for how it is, then he or she is accepting meat production, animal abuse, and is giving up on animals. Jerry, don’t you agree?
November 13th, 2007 at 4:20 pm
Also, this is a question for Jerry. I’ve had a dismal time searching the internet and numerous websites for many reasons. First, since Publix doesn’t boycott Canadian Seafood that provokes the slaughter of thousands of baby seals, should I boycott Publix in all or just boycott Canadian Seafood. If I boycott Canadian Seafood, (WHICH I’m ALREADY DOING! I NEVER EVEN ATE SEAFOOD!) then I’m alright. But if I have to boycott Publix, I’ll have nowhere to purchase food at because I live in Miami, Florida and only Winn-Dixie and Publix are near. Winn-Dixie is just as defiant as Publix because they too refuse to boycott Canadian Seafood AND they were giving $250,000 to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, which are animal experimenters. But wait a second, Publix also participates in the animal torturing March of Dimes. Yet, Publix has an “animal welfare” policy and at my local Publix there’s a vegan/vegetarian frozen food section. Should I buy at Publix or Winn-Dixie? Its a very pathetic question, I know, but I need advice. I’ve launched a personal investigation and temporarly, partially supported Publix, because of their welfare policy. This was quite a long day for me thinking, so I need a big break. Advice from an actual animal rights supporter would help. Give me the answer as a comment ON THIS WEBSITE! I come here periodically.
November 15th, 2007 at 9:13 am
Write letters (TSV loves writing letters and emails). Tells those Canucks that you’ve rallied an enormous amount of people to boycott their product. And keep sending them. Write Publix and tell them of your concerns but also be nice to them and point out the “good” things they do.
Crise, you gotta shop somewhere. I go to Miami frequently and usually shop at Wild Oats when I’m there with the occasional Publix thrown in.
So go kick some ass on those frozen-brained Canadian seal killers. Letters, letters and more letters. It’s also a good way to release steam.
November 20th, 2007 at 4:23 pm
My brother is a little bit of a dingbat, retarded meat eater so I would like it if you, Jerry, could find me a page, maybe on a vegan website, that has proof that people should be herbivorous. That way my retarded brick brained brother can finally understand why I’m a vegan and why he SHOULD be, too. When other people tell my brother something, that’s when he listens, but when I tell him something about veganism, it’s like hearing “blah blah blah, blah blah blah blah, blah blah blah.” You gotta help me on this one, maybe my idiot brother will finally understand veganism. And at best hopes, become vegan.
November 20th, 2007 at 6:26 pm
Also, I wanted to get an idea, what’s a good alternative to hair gel that’s not hair spray? Where do they sell this alternative?
November 21st, 2007 at 12:45 am
Regarding your brother – fuck him! Show him any video of cows, pigs, chickens getting slaughtered for his pleasure and see how he reacts. They’re all over YouTube. If he doesn’t care, to hell with him. Don’t try to change him. Let him wallow in his murderous glory.
Animal revenge = heart disease and billion of dollars in medical care. We pay for your brother’s idiocy.
November 21st, 2007 at 3:27 pm
Thanks, TSV, maybe my brother will learn and understand veganism when it’s too late, on his death bed in a hospital after a stroke.
November 21st, 2007 at 3:44 pm
Where is hair glue and/or hair wax sold and/or does it have any animal ingredients? I’ve searched for something that can hold my hair without glycerin, gelatin, gel, amino acids, keratin, or any other animal ingredient. I also look out for too many CFCs inside hair spray. As far as I’ve searched, hair glue or hair “wax” are the only good alternatives. I still have to run a “background check” on the products to see their ingredients. I also, like always, watch out for animal tested products that cross my way and avoid them.
November 21st, 2007 at 5:24 pm
Have you checked VeganEssentials? Try this link: http://store.nexternal.com/shared/StoreFront/default.asp?CS=vegane&StoreType=BtoC&Count1=458202540&Count2=375342965&CategoryID=33&Target=products.asp
TSV has no hair, so it ain’t my specialty, dig? But it looks like they have some decent stuff.
November 21st, 2007 at 5:54 pm
Thank you for the link! And have a nice vegan Thanksliving!
May 6th, 2008 at 10:39 am
This is a great blog! I’m so glad I discovered it…
I’m starting at a corporate law firm in NY next year and I’ve been searching the web for upscale vegan clothing… I’ve found nice ties (J.Jaan), nice shoes (Moo Shoes, and many others), nice belts, etc., but I have been completely unable to find vegan suits.
I’m looking to have a couple tailored before I start working, but I’m afraid that even if I find a tailor that makes cotton suits, they will use silk for the lining. Any ideas??????
May 7th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Hey, Isaac:
Thanks for the remarks. I’ve had success at many places. Target has really inexpensive 100% man made suits that can look really nice tailored. My cotton/linen suits from Banana Republic are also lined with man made materials. There are others available online from Amazon, MensUSA.com and Men’s Warehouse.
Just because they’re inexpensive doesn’t mean they can’t look good. A good tailor can work magic. I’m always complimented on my suits – even the ones from Targer.
May 7th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
And, Isaac: I forgot to mention that the latest GQ has the Best Suits Under $500 with several veg selections. I will be writing about them tomorrow.
June 8th, 2008 at 2:05 am
TO CHRIS up there wondering what to do about PUBLIX…. the answer is to get publix to JOIN the boycott. go in, talk to them, write, fax, phone, whatever you like, and get them to join in. Afterall, the point of boycotting them, is to get them to join in the boycott against Canadian seafood, to stop the seal hunt. You could achieve the same goal, but by using a different method than boycotting them. You could talk to them. entice them. phone, write, convince, sway, reason with them, etc. And you could achieve the goal!
October 28th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
I was just wondering: Who does the king of online vegan products (you) support this presidential election?