The only BS I need is bags & shoes

Since transitioning to veganism, I have been making the conscious effort to not buy any leather or any other animal fabric/materials. I had been after a backpack for a few months, but couldn’t find one that jumped out at me & a lot of the ‘faux vegan leather’ ones I had come across quality wise didn’t feel or look to good.

Anyway, I came across Matt & Nat on Instagram a while ago & a few of you guys had mentioned them to me before too – I thought I would have a look.

Matt & Nat are a French/Canadian company founded in 1995. The name comes from material and nature as they like the idea of combining the two to create something beautiful. The brand motto is ‘live beautifully’ which I love & to them this means recognizing the humanity, creativity and positivity around us.

They are 100% committed to not using animal products of any kind and over the years they have experimenting with a number of recycled resources (such as cork, rubber, cardboard & nylons) to produce these gorgeous bags. After the UN reported that the best way to protect the planet is by adopting a vegan/vegetarian lifestyle, Matt & Nat encourage sustainability & veganism in their work place & refer to their head office in Montreal as a ‘cruelty free zone’. They even celebrate birthdays with vegan cake (any jobs? Lol)

I love the simplicity of the bags, the designs are timeless & with a range of natural colors, there is something for everyone. The material is great quality & you can tell a lot of care has gone into the production. They sell a number of different styles such as laptop bags, weekenders, cross bodies, totes & rucksacks.

Lo and behold after a quick browse, I found the one.

me
dwell collection – Mumbai in small/sand

This bag is from the Dwell collection & is called Mumbai. It is the small size & sand color – like most of my accessories as let’s face it, nude goes with everything.

Deets –

Small backpack with adjustable straps. Drawstring closure, with hidden tab under flap to secure drawstrings. Hidden back pocket with zipper closure.
Interior: zipper pocket, smartphone pocket, logo-embossed Dwell tag. 100% recycled nylon lining.

Dimensions: 9.5″ x 12″ x 5″
Handle Drop: 3.25″
Adjustable Shoulder Straps: 29″ (fully extended)

Price –

This rucksack will set you back US$125.00

As far as high-street ‘designer’ goes, I think this is pretty reasonable – considering the likes of Topshop & River Island can charge you up to US$135.00. The material is very durable & I can just tell I am going to get a long time out of it. Also, it’s not that thin/cheap material which so many ‘vegan leather’ brands offer & personally, for a bag, I am quite happy to make an investment (like shoes right?)

bag
me & the new love of my life

Another fab ethical fashion brand I have fallen in love with. I can’t wait to take my lil vegan friendly backpack on my adventures. It makes me really hopeful & happy to see so many vegan friendly brands – speaking of which I have some new cruelty free beauty products to share with you soon, including stuff from Grown Alchemist – exciting!

I really don’t understand it when people ask things like ‘wait – do you not wear any leather? what do you wear?’ as if it’s the only material in the world – vegan problems. Or comments like ‘OMG I would, like, die if I had to give up leather’ – I don’t have to, I make the choice to & also, I didn’t die & you won’t either – lol.

Anyway, a girl can never have too many bags – what vegan friendly bag brands do you guys love? I hope you have all had a fab weekend – I had the best time in Dubai sunning myself & sipping on banana daiquiris with my man 🙂

Happy Sunday & speak soon – Jess xx

Photo’s by @portraitsbysudansh (insta) – fab photographer who has just moved to Abu Dhabi – check him out on facebook here too!