I recently received a letter from reader Beau:
Hey DB,
I’m definitely in need of some help here in California! Here’s what’s up: I reallywasn’t planning on going to my prom this year… that is until one of my good friends came out of nowhere and asked if I’d go with her as pals. Anyway, now I’m sort of freaking out about what the hell to wear in terms of a non-wool tux. I think I can handle the bow-tie (thanks for that post) and non-leather shoes. So maybe you could help me out in finding a fashionable, sustainable, vegan tux, or a good company that makes them?
Thank you for all that you do- you’re such an inspiration and The Discerning Brute is such a valuable resource.
Beau Broughton
Finding a non-wool, cruelty-free tuxedo or suit for a prom or a wedding is definitely a challenge. And finding an eco-friendly and cruelty free tux is next to impossible. If you’ve got money, I’d suggest having a tux custom tailored from organic cotton, or any other eco-friendly fabric.
There are a few expensive designer options. The first Versace jacket below isn’t a tux, per se, but you can dress it up with a bow tie:
Eco-Vegan Bamboo Sportcoat from Versace. $895 at Nordstrom:
This tuxdo is another really pricey option, but it’s green and cruelty free. Eco Vegan Bamboo/Cotton Velvet Tux from Peak Lapel. $1,661.95 at Sierra Trading Post (includes bamboo/cotton pants):
A more affordable option is Rawganique‘s organic, hemp, fair-trade ‘Wedding Jacket’ with matching slacks. $437 at Rawganique.com
There are even more affordable options from After Six, with a 100% poly (not as eco-friendly, but cruelty-free) Tux in white, bone, ivory, and black.
FOR RENT! Men’s Warehouse offers some poly options for rent, including a tailcoat:
Hope this helps, and have fun at prom!
Don’t forget to check out Jannj for the best silk-free ties, ascots, and bowties!
DB
The Discerning Brute 
[…] Original post by joshuakatcher […]
or, if you are poor like me, you can head on over to Kohl’s, Target, and even Am Vets to find a synthetic suit.
i found my blazer at Am Vets, and my vest and slacks at Target! totally cool.
I don’t usually shop at H&M because I’m not a big fan of wearing something and having 7 million gay New Yorkers owning the exact same thing. HOWEVER, I did stumble in the other day over my lunch break to get out of the rain and noticed they have polyester tuxedo separates. And, they now carry organic cotton suits. A regular suit can definitely be dressed up for a black-tie look. (Besides, with what some of the girls are wearing to prom these days, I don’t think anyone would get upset if you’re not wearing tails.)
I love to have a link to the organic cotton suits! Can you post it up? Thanks!
It doesn’t appear that you can shop online at H&M, but I googled for an article about their organic cotton suits, and I came across this from Treehugger. Apparently, they’ve increased their use of organic cotton dramatically and are even making clothing from recycled materials (PET bottles). The article says they have both organic cotton suits AND recycled suits in their Spring 2009 line. I didn’t notice any of the recycled suits when I last stopped in, but now I’m going to go look. Here’s the link:
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/01/hm-clothing-organic-cotton.php
So. . .the organic cotton suit separates at H&M are priced at $129.90 for the blazer and $59.90 for the pants. Not bad. Under $200 for the entire suit.
Of the non-organic yet still cruelty-free variety, they have cotton, linen, and polyester suit separates that run from $49.90 to $59.90 for blazers and $19.90 to $29.90 for pants if you’re on a tighter budget. Under $100.
Not bad if you’re a fashion-forward vegan who’s been affected by the recession. (And who hasn’t?)
You can start digging through those thrift store aisles as well. You might not find a wool-free suit, but you can find some interesting treasures without patronizing the wool industry.
Also, my prom date and I were huge theatre dorks and rented costumes as our prom outfits. We went as Scarlet O’hara and Rhett Butler from Gone With The Wind. Just another option. No new tuxs or silk dresses had to be made and we just gave them back after we were done.
-Matt Lara
What about a vintage, velvet tuxedo from a thrift store? I got one once for less than $100…
Just a thought.
I love this “letters and response” feature! More more more!!
Oh my Josh,
This kid is in high school. How about a few affordable recommendations.
if you read the comments, you’ll see a bunch of more affordable option. There are also the rentals I showed.
aren’t most of the suits at banana republic vegan? i also read a post on some website that had links to vegan suits at perry ellis, jcrew (they have cotton in 4 or so colors), and (i think) nautica. i decided the banana republic suits were best for my boyfriend (a lawyer)