To the topic at hand, I can’t wear fur, vintage or otherwise. I have been guilty of selling a mohair coat with a fur trim (that I acquired somewhat accidentally) however, in my vintage store, and in order to sell it I had to make all the same excuses to myself that your Aunt most likely made to you.

But I agree, vintage fur, to me is part of the problem, it just perpetuates a trend. However, I would happily wear a fake fur, I have done (back when I lived in London, not much call for one in Los Angeles) and despite being a vegetarian (only recently mind) I still wear leather.

My husband on the other hand is also a vegetarian, has been for more than a decade, won’t wear leather, but takes no issue with vintage furs… go figure!

I think what I’m trying to say is we all draw our own lines with this kind of thing, and that whether one chooses to wear a vintage fur or a fake fur is entirely up to them, I think what we all can agree on is saying no to new fur and the continuation of a completely abhorrent practice in the name of fashion.

I look forward to reading more from you in the future!

Kelsi x

My personal debate with fur ended a long time ago, in fact this includes a vast amount of animal products. I do not contribute to new animal products; this including fur, leather, silk, reptile skin, ivory & breaching into cosmetics & vegetarianism (The latter two I won’t go into now, as I try & tear myself away from the preachy animal activist box)

I do however have a massive nurturing instinct of not wasting anything & it does pain me to see these products & their craftsmanship gathering dust in the corner of BHF. If I do wear leather boots or a vintage bag – it’s from a charity shop without a doubt or need to run & check in my wardrobe. Don’t forget that the animal support charity shops for example the PDSA do not turn away the leather products generously given to them, but sell them on to help their pledge.

I adore fashion, but not all parts of the industry, and yes, the promotion of fur trends is a huge slam on the brakes. Of course, there are designers who boycott animal products & although I don’t always jump out of my seat with excitement at their designs, I do have a sense of pride in their ethics; standing against the ignorance of animal products in fashion & removing themselves from the high street replica catch 22 (They won’t spend their budget on leather if the original designer didn’t use it).

I make my own clothes, using leatherette & faux fur if those are the directions I’m leaning towards. These products are beautiful! Their creators should be commended not criticised about the promotion of trends, I don’t understand why there isn’t as much recognition as there should be in place.

x

I agree with most of the above. I love the look of fur but I just don’t feel comfortable wearing it (especially not in the UK). I deal with a lot of vintage, and it does make me sad that old furs are being destroyed because people won’t wear them…

But then the ways new fur is produced in some parts of the world is beyond awful, and I’d hate to contribute in any way to it.

But I do wonder if leather/suede, and of course meat, is always produced ethically? And why we don’t seem to care as much if it isn’t? Is it because we’re less sympathetic to the animals in question? Or is it because we deem it ‘necessary’ in a way that fur just isn’t?

xx

I’ll first say that I’m not really a fan of leather either, but it is a practical fabric. It wears well and lasts so much better than other fabrics such as canvas for things like bags, shoes and belts. But in this country (I’m in England) there is so little call for practical fur and absolutely none for silly bits for fashion (like pictured above)- they vex me greatly. This is not the north pole!

Best article I’ve seen on he debate.

Florrie x

I feel very conflicted about the whole thing. Like you, I wear leather but would never wear fur, but what is even weirder is that I’m a little bit more ok with rabbit fur, than say, mink. I think it’s something to do with the fact that you can eat rabbit meat (although I am aware that the rabbits being farmed for fur, and almost certainly not eaten. And I’m a vegetarian). And I had a couple of rabbit skins when I was little. Not as part of clothes, just the fur, kind of like a mini sheepskin throw. I don’t know where they are, but if I found them again, I would be happy to keep them.

I just think this whole fur thing is so interesting because it shows that for so many people who three years ago would have shuddered at the thought of fur, fashion ultimately trumps ethics.