Do you have a special occasion and want to flaunt a killer look without any actual killing going on? Then you should take a look at this list of the best vegan suits I’ve cooked up for you.
The thing with vegan suits, though, is that not many companies make them specifically. Most of the time, you’ll have to get one that’s made to order or check with a bespoke tailoring company. Surprisingly, you could pass a vegan suit on a rack in your favorite everyday shops without realizing it’s vegan.
So, if you’re looking for a vegan suit, you’ll either check the companies that specialize in making them or shop at regular places but scrutinize all the components of the suit to make sure that it’s vegan and doesn’t use animal products in any of the materials.
At a Glance
- Hangrr
- Hall Madden
- Denver Bespoke
- King & Allen
- Brave Gentlemen
- Hugo Boss
- Other Brands (Tommy Hilfiger, Zara, H&M)
The Best Vegan Suits Manufacturers in 2022
1. Hangrr
Hangrr is a quasi-made-to-measure suit maker that brings a lot of innovation to the table. You can find a collection of cotton or linen suits on their website that look stylish, feel comfortable, and are absolutely cruelty-free if you place a comment with your order that you want your suit to be vegan.
They also offer the most affordable options at around $300. The company uses A.I. to take your body’s measurements and tailor a perfect suit for you.
2. Hall Madden
The best thing about Hall Madden is that the suits are high-quality but come at a relatively affordable price. It’s not as low a price as Hangrr’s prices, but still, it’s a good middle ground at $1,000.
The company has managed to establish a reputation for itself as one of the most vegan-friendly suiting companies in the U.S., providing vegan wardrobes to entire wedding parties.
Plus, Hall Madden’s service is a lot more pleasant than Hangrr’s. The buyer visits a showroom in one of the eight cities (NYC, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington DC, San Francisco, Palo Alto, and Portland), and a company representative will take their measurements, present them with different styles and fits, then tailor a suit according to the client’s wishes.
You can also shop online where the company provides you with plenty of details to add in order to tailor a suit that fits you well, even if you don’t try it out in the flesh. They even offer a “Home Try-On” option. While the available options are men’s styles, the company plans on expanding the styles to cover more feminine looks.
The way it works, and what makes it relatively affordable, is that the suits are crafted in an overseas factory, then they’re tailored in-house after a second fitting with the client. While this model may not be unique, they offer a very personal made-to-measure service that not many vegan suit companies can compare to.
3. Denver Bespoke
Similar to Hall Madden, Denver Bespoke caters to non-vegan suiting and runs a conventional business. Though some of their suits come at a relatively more expensive price tag as they can reach up to $2,000, there are still ones in the $1,000 price range.
The difference is that Denver Bespoke tailors their suits in-house instead of sourcing the production to an overseas factory like other made-to-measure services.
With over 11 years of experience in the vegan suiting field, Denver Bespoke’s AJ Machete has crafted an intricately accurate sense of what vegans are concerned about when it comes to their suits. The company boasts about how they can tailor any client’s orders while making sure to cater to their ethical concerns and providing the best fit.
4. King & Allen
This UK-based vegan suits company best matches the old money vegans that are looking for top-notch luxury. The company provides both bespoke services and made-to-measure ones to serve any vegan client looking for the perfect suit.
Their prices range between $900 and $2,000, which is an excellent range that is perfect for many people with different budgets.
5. Brave Gentleman
This fully-vegan manufacturer presents clients with entirely vegan luxury suits. This is why they’re quite expensive at around $2,500. If you’re looking for a vegan-only supplier to make sure that your money is going into the pockets of someone who fully supports the cause, Brave Gentlemen is the company for you. Sure, it’s not the most pocket-friendly option, but still, it seems like a fair trade for a completely guilt-free shopping spree.
6. Hugo Boss
While Hugo Boss isn’t an exclusively vegan company, they’ve been making steps towards being more cruelty-free with the launch of their first vegan suit in March 2020.
You can check out their website for a collection of vegan suits made from cotton, linen, or synthetic materials that are all cruelty-free.
7. Other Brands (Tommy Hilfiger, Zara, H&M)
While these are not dedicated to making vegan suits, common brands can have some dashing products on the rack that are completely vegan. You just have to make sure you check that the materials don’t use any non-vegan components, and there you have it! If you’re not sure which materials are vegan and which aren’t, make sure to check out the help section I’ve made below.
Ties
I felt the need to add a section for ties because most ones are usually made from silk, but there are vegan alternatives that are quite easy to find and are more budget-friendly. If you want a material that’s close to silk both in terms of appearance and feel, you could opt for rayon or polyester. Both are processed in ways that make them pretty much indistinguishable from silk.
Check out Jaan J. for a set of wonderful vegan ties. If you’re looking for something creative and unconventional, take a look at what High Cotton has to offer from ties and bow ties. You could even opt for dollar stores if you’re on a budget; they offer some nice vegan bow ties.
What’s Wrong with Wool Suits?
Not many people are aware of what actually happens to sheep for the wool industry to thrive and maintain what it is today. The shearing process is actually quite horrible; sheep have to be castrated, tail docked, and dehorned without the use of anesthesia—not that using it makes dehorning the animals any less cruel.
When more people have become aware of these processes, they’ve taken to vegan products, and I think everyone should, especially after they read about the horrors behind the wool industry.
Materials: Vegan Vs. Non-vegan
Vegan Materials to Seek
Cotton, linen, and synthetic materials are among the most popular vegan materials, but there are other ones that you can wear without feeling guilty about harming any animals. So, let’s delve into your options.
- Rayon: Rayon would be the silk of artificial, vegan materials. It’s manufactured using regenerated cellulose, usually extracted from wood pulp. Rayon produces a fabric that’s cool, comfortable, smooth, and very absorbent, which makes it an incredible option for warmer climates. Typically, you’d find rayon blended with polyesters in vegan suits.
- Viscose: This is a type of rayon where the materials are the same, but the manufacturing process is different.
- Polyester: Manufactured from alcohols and acids, polyester is a derivative of petroleum. The best qualities of a polyester suit would be that it’s relatively affordable, wrinkle-resistant, durable, and doesn’t require a lot of maintenance. However, polyester ones aren’t very breathable and aren’t completely environmentally-friendly, despite complying with the common definition of veganism (using synthetic materials). Not to mention, polyester suits have a sort of shine to them, which many people may not be quite keen on.
- Cotton: Cotton is a popular vegan material because it’s commonly known that it’s made from cotton plants. Cotton suits have the advantage of being airy and light, which makes them an excellent alternative for wool ones, especially for those who live in warmer climates.
- Linen: Fax plants have cellulose in their stalks, which is taken and turned into what we know as linen. Suits made from linen are quite similar to cotton-made ones, only they’re stronger and thicker. They’re an ideal choice for business-casual events, especially during hot summer days.
- Hemp: Made from hemp plants, hemp suits are also similar to cotton and linen ones, but aren’t as soft. They’re quite breathable and provide ample absorbency, but they’re super rigid because hemp is a strong fiber. Hemp would be an ideal material for an environmentally-friendly suit, but they’re not the best choice for business ones. (Further read: Hemp vs Cotton)
- Bamboo: Unlike cotton and linen, this fantastic soft fabric doesn’t suffer from creasing. If you want a vegan alternative that best resembles wool, I’d highly recommend going for bamboo.
- Faux Velvet: Made from a blend of cotton and modal, faux velvet is a vegan material that makes a statement. It comes in a wide range of colors and is an excellent choice for jackets.
- Blends: Some people prefer blends as they make excellent day-to-day business suits. As a matter of fact, most of the edgiest vegan suits are made from blends, most popularly those of viscose and polyester.
Animal-Based Materials to Steer Clear of
If you’re not shopping at a vegan-friendly company and going for off-the-rack items, here are the materials to check for and avoid products that include them.
- Wool: Wool is the primary material used in the making of suits, including the pants, vests, and jackets. This is the usual suspect when it comes to non-vegan suits, and it’s the one you should always ask about and make sure to avoid. (Further read: Is wool vegan?)
- Silk: Often used for jacket linings, silk is taken from silkworm cocoons, which definitely makes it non-vegan. It’s also used for accessories like shirts, handkerchiefs, and ties. (Further read: Is silk vegan?)
- Leather: Leather is taken from cows and is used to add accents to suits such as elbow patches or pockets. It’s also used for other accessories, including belts and shoes. (Further read: Our ultimate guide to vegan leather)
- Suede: This is another type of leather that’s used exactly like leather. (Further read: Is suede vegan?)
New vs. Used Suits
You could opt for new suits, either from trusted vegan companies or going for off-the-rack options from shops that have accidentally vegan options like Zara, H&M, and Tommy Hilfiger.
However, you shouldn’t expect the best quality or durability if you opt for those. While they do come at incredibly affordable prices compared to the vegan-exclusive alternatives, they’re usually not entirely environmentally-friendly and have a very short shelf life. Also, they might need a little tailoring.
On the other hand, you could opt for high-quality and durable vegan suits on websites like Etsy, eBay, Poshmark, and Mercari. Those are great alternatives if you’re on a budget as they offer considerably discounted prices. However, of course, there are some risks associated with opting for those.
For starters, you won’t be getting standard sizing and perhaps not the same transparency as to how vegan the suit actually is. What’s more, the quality and condition are not always guaranteed, so you have to be extra careful with this kind of shopping.
I’d recommend using handy engines like Haberdashboard to be able to filter your searches and make them more specific to find the most premium options on second-hand websites.
Picking a Vegan Suit
It’s not very easy to shop as a vegan because, more often than not, manufacturers use animal products. This includes materials like wool, silk, and cashmere, which readily come to mind. However, there are other things that you may not take into consideration when you’re looking up vegan products, including reindeer horns and horsehair.
Good things to bear in mind are whether your sole concern is whether the suit is vegan or not, and whether you care about sustainability factors like the carbon footprint of the manufacturing process. These factors will highly affect your choice of materials and fabrics.
For example, while polyester blends are generally vegan, some of them are produced through recycling, while others may pack a massive carbon footprint with the manufacturing process. So, deciding about the parameters you care about would really guide you in your journey to finding your ideal vegan suit.
Not to mention, you have to break down all the components to make sure none of them are made using animal products. But you don’t have to worry about that as I’ve already researched all the ins and outs of vegan suits, and here’s the juice.
Construction
Collars, shoulder pads, canvas, buttons, and linings are all parts of a suit. When you’re shopping for a vegan option, you should take them all into consideration and make sure they’re made from vegan materials. We’ll talk about linings and buttons in detail in a bit.
As for the collar, melton twill (wool product) should be replaced by synthetic melton, wool shoulder pads should be replaced by nylon, and horsehair canvas should be replaced by hemp.
Lining
Your suit’s lining is the best way to let your personality shine through and add some personalization to your overall look. Usually, this part is made from silk or silk blends, which are animal-based materials. Make sure the lining of your vegan suit is made from polyester blends or viscose.
You could also look into cupro as an alternative, which is a material made from cotton fiber, has a silky feel, and is quite durable. Best of all, it’s biodegradable, which makes it absolutely vegan and environmentally-friendly.
Buttons
Buttons are typically overlooked when people are considering vegan suits, but they’re a vital part. Most of the time, buttons are made from horns (horn buttons) or the inner layer of shells (mother of pearl buttons). Both of these options are not vegan, so you should make sure to steer clear from them.
While there aren’t that many alternatives available, good ones would be Corozo nut buttons, which give your suit an individualistic look thanks to the nut’s grain, with no two buttons looking alike. Or you could simply opt for plastic ones.
Final Thoughts
If you’re not shopping at an all-vegan company, make sure to be vocal about your desire to purchase a vegan suit to the shop-owner. Sometimes you might end up not finding anything, which would still be a great step toward maintaining ecosystems and preserving the environment.
Not to mention, the more people ask for vegan-friendly products, the more store managers will try to focus on stocking up on them and getting them instead of non-vegan products. No matter how long your quest to find a vegan suit turns out to be, it’ll definitely end up being a rewarding experience. It’s enough that you’re making a guilt-free decision.
Finally, it never hurts to ask and make sure that the option you’re considering is vegan through an email. With a good background and some luck, you’ll easily be able to find a vegan suit that complies with your standards: both fashionable and environmentally-friendly.
