This was probably my biggest problem when I first went veg; I'll admit, I liked my leather shoes, my leather purses, etc. Sometimes I'll still catch myself eyeing a beautiful leather bag...Eventually, though, I learned about all the animal-friendly online stores that actually carry really cute stuff (Alternative Outfitters is one example). Even places like Macy's have things that are animal-friendly. Now, I do my best to check labels on clothes and make sure I'm not buying things made with animal products. I'm not perfect - I'll admit there are some things I haven't checked yet, such as certain makeup products(!) - but I'm trying.

I'm honestly not sure where I'd draw the line.

That said, there are some people who are strictly dietary vegetarians/vegans. My mom, for instance, is a vegetarian only because she wants to lower her blood pressure enough to get off the medicine she's taking.

I guess that would make my mother a "pescetarian", but there are not many people in the general public who would know what that means.  So I just say she's a "vegetarian" unless someone gets more deeply into the subject.  Not strictly accurate, but in real life people don't want a long winded explanation for every little thing, so I have to come up with the closest approximation. 

She does it mostly for health reasons and because of the conditions under which most food animals are raised, as well as the added hormones.  However, she still uses animal products and will even eat something cooked in the same dish as meat, just not the meat itself.  The whole vegetarian thing is a spectrum.

@MermaidsAreSeasluts@xanga - technically no. but a lot of people only eat chicken and other white meats because it is healthier. i myself do the same thing. but yeah, you and i couldn't call ourselves vegetarians.

though i heard if you eat animal based products like cheese (and MAYBE eggs) you can still call yourself a vegetarian.

totally forgot all the things i learned in my nutritional science class

I'm a vegetarian for health reasons, not ethical, so I have no objections to wearing or sitting on leather.

@MermaidsAreSeasluts@xanga - there are different types of semi-vegetarianism. the one youre talking about is 'pollotarianism,' where the only meat you eat is poultry [chicken, turkey...]. another type is pescetarianism, where the only meat you eat is fish.

by definition, vegetarians dont eat any meat, and vegans dont eat meat, or eat or use any animal-derived products.
however, most people adapt the diet to suit their lifestyle.

also, some people only are vegetarian for health reasons, and not because they care about the cute little animals, so they probably wouldnt care about wearing leather or things like that.
i, myself, am vegetarian for 'ethical' reasons. im very passionate about animal rights.

i try to be as vegan as possible, but my mom wont let me go full vegan until i go to college. :[

i dont eat any meat. i eat no eggs or milk, unless they are baked in some other food, and i try to eat as little cheese as possible.i also try to abstain from buying any shoes/beauty products/whatever that promote animal cruelty.

It's hypocritical to not eat meat for animals' rights and then wear their skin and call it fashion.

Not a vegetarian (used to be...wasn't for me, though), but I will say something about the animal testing:

In most cases, especially with medicines/drugs/etc., it's very imperative to test on animals first. I don't like it, but unfortunately it is currently the only viable method for a lot of different things. I'm definitely a fan of things like shampoo, toothpaste, etc. that hasn't been tested on animals, but for certain things it's very necessary.

And leather...leather makes sense, only because at least they're trying to get what they can out of that death, y'know? I don't think I have ever actually purchased anything made of leather, but I'm not morally opposed to it.

Anyway. I think vegetarianism should be for health reasons. I know people who are vegetarians because of the cruelty in factory farms, etc....but personally, I choose to take a more pro-active stance by getting involved with campaigning, writing letters, etc. because I'd rather see things change than just boycott.

Just my two cents :)

I'm not a vegetarian but I don't own any leather. No bags, shoes, make up, na da. I love meat and I think eating meat is natural for human. Eventho it is taking the life of other. But I do have a friend who doesn't eat beef or pork or fish because he doesn't like the taste. Theres a new study in taste and there is this taste called "Umami" which lets us taste the taste of meatiness. Some people can taste it better than other.

I tried going vegetarian during the festival here but, cant do it. I would prefer to have a choice but some days it is just really good and healthy to eat a meal of stired fry vegs or like a really heathy salad.

I'm a vegetarian, but I try to live as cruelty free of a life as I can.  I do it because I want to save the animals, and I don't want to be obese like my meat munching family.  And I don't trust the meat industry.  The things they do are disgusting and I don't trust the stuff they sell.  I truly believe they would kill me to make a buck.

as far as products, I do my best, but I have to be practical.  I don't buy anything leather or fur, but I kept the leather jacket I was given because it is the warmest jacket I have and even it doesn't keep me warm enough.  But I don't buy anything that is leather or fur, like I said, and I try to read the labels on everything.  I think a lot of it also has to do with being a smart consumer.  You should be aware of what goes into your food and clothes.  I do not have leather interior in my car, but I'm pretty sure my steering wheel is leather.  But I can't avoid that, its the only car I could afford.  So really, its about being practical.  But anyway, you cannot be a vegetarian and eat meat.  Then you are something else, like stated above.  If you eat meat, you are just a omnivore like everyone else who eats meat and veggies.  I think a lot of it comes from the new trend of being green and being a vegetarian, but I think its silly to claim the title and not live the lifestyle. (every bit helps and I think thats great, but these trendy people who want to fit in just piss me off. do it or dont.) And vegans live strictly cruelty-free lives.  Otherwise they are just a strict vegetarian.  There are a lot of factors involved, and really its about being aware of what you eat and buy (which you should do regardless if you eat meat, theres a lot of junk out there hiding in pretty packaging) and deciding how practical it is for you to eliminate certain things from your life.  I realise it is really impractical for me to have a cruelty-free car, since the manufacturers put the leather steering wheel in, but I can live without leather shoes, purses and wallets.  And the more you read your labels, the more you learn how you can avoid those things.  Just do your research, and know about what goes into your products.  Does Mars inc really need to test on animals?  Do mice have to die by being injected with candy paint so you can enjoy your m&ms?  The same m&ms that have been around for how long?  No.  So I don't touch anything Mars makes.  But I do think that some medications need to be tested, lest we kill the entire human population because of the wrong drug put on the shelves.  So medicine, only if it neccessary, candy? Get out of here!!

The most important thing is that you avoid a label, and live a life you can be proud of.  If cutting out red meat is the biggest sacrifice you can give to helping the animals, then thats great!  Its better than nothing, and it will improve your health drastically.  And thats where many vegetarians and vegans begin.  If buying the candy brands that aren't tested by animals is easy for you, then do that.  If just making sure your meat is humanley killed is what you want to do, go for it.  Its about weighing the options and doing what is best for you, not according to this vegetarian or this vegan.  Its the intention and the outcome that matter, not the title :)

Being vegetarian doesn't mean you have to care about animals.

You can do it for religious purposes or simply because you don't like meat OR because you want to be healthier.

My friend just got handed a TON of free clothes and accessories because her sister went truly vegan and gave her everything that contained leather, wool, etc.

Personally, I eat less meat because I am a veterinary technician, and it seems contradictory to make money saving animals and then go home and eat them. I am anemic though, so I do occasionally eat seafood and chicken, as well as taking iron supplements.

I don't think I could be vegan, because I love dairy, but I do try to buy things that aren't tested on animals. I do own one pair of leather boots, but I think that's that only leather thing I have.

I'm a vegan.  I do wear wool.  I've heard that some sheep are treated quite badly, but I've also heard that they need to be sheared for their own health.  I won't wear a sheepskin, but I will wear a wool sweater.

As for leather, I try to avoid it as much as possible.  I wouldn't buy a car with leather seats (they burn you in the summer, anyway), and leather jackets seem creepy.  I do own leather shoes, but I figure throwing them all out now would be disrespectful to the cows that had to die to make them.  Going forward, I would like to find vegan shoes, but some of them have their own issues (can plastic shoes -- which make your feet all sweaty and will end up in a landfill one day -- really be better from an environmental standpoint?).

@MermaidsAreSeasluts@xanga - nope, you're not a vegetarian. but every effort counts :)