Yesterday we posted a What’s in her Bag feature with one of my personal favorite singers, Colbie Caillat. Before Vlad and I met the talented and supremely gorgeous Caillat, I did a bit of research on our featured lady. Turns out Colbie tries to stay away from leather products and is an animal rights activist.

Upon reading that, I remember feeling slightly panicked. If you read our site you know the vast majority of the arm candy we post is made from one kind of animal product or another. I not only needed to change up my questions for Colbie a bit but also felt the urge to see what vegan options are out there in the handbag world. And that is where I began to appreciate the brand Matt & Nat in a major way.

Though I already knew of the brand and we have reviewed its bags on PurseBlog, I never fully delved into the company’s mission and products. I called up Matt & Nat and spent a bit of time talking with its founder, Inder Bedi. Matt & Nat’s mission statement is simple: To live beautifully. With so many animal products being utilized in the world, the brand not only focuses on vegan bags but also on sustainable products. The linings of its bags are made from an average of 21 recycled plastic bottles, packaging is made from recycled materials, and all of the products are vegan, meaning they are void of all animal by-products.

In a world filled with leather bags, staying away from such a commonly used commodity remains hard. Yet Matt & Nat has created a vision and a brand that stays true to its roots, combining fashion with eco-friendly products, which gives anyone looking for vegan options in the fashion world amazing accessory options.

The two bags pictured are one of my favorite designs from Matt & Nat, the Santogold, which retails for a mere $195. The clutch is extremely spacious but not overly cumbersome. I love the blue-hued Ikat version, but the pink gives a solid color option as well. I have no idea how a bag that uses no leather feels so supple (the Ikat version is canvas while the pink version feels similar to leather). Though the products used vary tremendously from what the average bag lover expects, the quality of the workmanship has not diminished. Make sure to check out Matt & Nat not only if you want a vegan fashion option but also for a flat out great bag. More via Matt & Nat online.