(no subject)

[cupcake_goth]

 I wrote and posted the new GCS article, about gothy fast fashion and why it's not always a good idea. One of the things I talk about is how "vegan" leather is plastic, real leather can be repaired and is better for the environment.

And of course, there's a comment about how there's mushroom leather (which, yes, but not in wide use and especially in fast fashion), and modern leather is treated with all sorts of chemicals so it's not biodegradable either. I did a fast search so that when I reply to that comment I have some information and ... the only source for "Modern leather isn't biodegradable!" is ... PETA. Yeah, no. 

In other news, tonight I need to trawl through the closet(s) and see what I have that is 1) appropriate to wear while onsite at Fresno PD while still being recognizably myself, and 2) will not cause me to melt. Wish me luck.

Comments

[sistawendy]

PETA

They're irritating and cultish. They're the Hare Krishnas of the activism world.

Fresno

Stay you and stay solid! What I hear from Californians about Fresno is... not encouraging.

[danabren]

I knew a chick in college who was vocally vegetarian. She did not like it when you referenced her black leather biker jacker or her hot pink cowboy boots.

What is it with people conveniently forgetting that vegan leather and fur IS PLASTIC.

Luck.

[matgb]

I've been vegetarian for 30 years, and have happily worn a leather jacket for 20, and virtually always leather shoes/belts--I like dairy products, and cows get old and die, I'd rather full use than waste, and plastic is both bad and horrible

So many people on "my" side don't want to think thru consequences, veganism basically means mass species extinction, PETA wants that but most adherants don't.

[danabren]

If you're not defensive about it, if you acknowledge that you gotta use the whole cow, then you are not being a hypocritical jerk like she was :)

Also, PETA is the worst.

[tei]

Biodegradable? I don't care whether my leather is biodegradable or not, because... it's not going to have the opportunity to biodegrade... because I will be busy using/repairing it :P

[cameoflage]

Yeah, exactly! If it stays wearable as a garment or at least usable as a textile for decades to come, 'how does it decay when left in a trash heap/exposed to the elements, undisturbed by human hands' is a much smaller concern than if it falls apart after five or ten years of use. (Or less than that.)

[tei]

My partner still wears his grandfather’s formal shoes, so I hope someone is doing the same with my leather stuff two generations on!

[staxxy]

this sort of comment is exactly why I didnt think you should go into it in the post really. Any time science facts are posted to the internet an entire bevy of asshats shows up to argue about it and derail the conversation. I am with you on PETA =/= reliable data.

As far as Fresno goes - you are going to a police station so you want to avoid anything that might obscure your face in any way. A good parasol and a summer hat might be good things to bring for when you aren't at work. Maybe avoid anything with *writing* (I know you have at least a few things that have patches with words on them).

[gatheringrivers]

As an aside, anything made with actual linen? Will let you stay ventilated, and absorb sweat, so you won't be melting or drowning in a sweat puddle.

(You may or may not care about the sweating part.)

[cupcake_goth]

If I could find a black linen Victorian-ish blouse that would be in my hands by next Monday, I would grab it. I just don't know how likely that is.

[sara]

Actually, speaking in both my professional capacity and as a leather worker, it's not terribly biodegradable.

I think it's still a better choice for the environment than anything plastic, though.

[cupcake_goth]

I *knew* I had to know someone that would have insight into the leather thing! Thank you! :D