Talking about fur...

[Niel]

I own one full fur and one with fur trim.

I only wear vintage furs. I dont support the fur industry. But my furs are decades old, and Ive not supported the fur industry in any way. They were purchased from a local vintage shop, as i try and patronize local shops.

A vintage coat of any fashion is the most eco friendly option, so I support an old fur coat over most any new coats.

 

[Circe]

Okay, I admit to having worn two fur coats- The first was a black mink. I loved it and wore it many times. Its one downfall was that it was heavy - especially to carry.

I thought I looked pretty spiffy like all the fur-wearing ladies in Toronto

I eventually sold it and salivated over exceptionally beautiful lynx coats. I had tried many on and they were as light as a feather.

We found an exceptional upscale fur vendor and tried on several of his samples, none of which were the right fit for my taste. It was December and there was a gentleman's only night at this store. Just before they get rid of the ladies, we were shown the #1 Canadian pelts for far too much money (but they were head and shoulders above any other coats we had seen- except the Russian lynx pelts)

DH stayed at the store to participate in the 'draw' for the #1 Canadian pelts. He received a discount of 25%. I was ecstatic; he was alarmed. While I scrimped and saved for those beauties, they were stored in their own facility. Finally, the wait was over and I had a custom made coat that was beyond gorgeous. I wore it with pride treating it like a precious piece of jewellery. There are rules for this too. I had the whole ensemble - leather boots, perfect gloves and purse, and even a gorgeous hat. That was in the 80's. Life was good.

Fast forward to the present day, where we now have PETA and other groups who abhor anyone wearing real fur. I was afraid that red paint would soon adorn my beauty so have had it in cold storage ever since. I'm sure I've paid half the price of the coat in storage fees.

I've tried to sell it, but that was futile - everyone wanted a 'deal'.

Since I've been diagnosed with breast cancer, I've been wanting to take it out of storage and use it as a throw, but DH keeps telling me not to. Is he in denial? I'm not sure, but I'd feel better cosying up to my beautiful fur than just an ordinary blanket.

Isaku, I didn't know about your diagnosis. I am very, very sorry to hear that, and I hope that your treatment is both swift and exceptionally effective.

I also think that using the coat as a throw is an excellent idea. Why does your husband object? You'll be warm, you'll have memories of a wonderful time to shore up your spirits ... what's not to like?

 

[Madam Bijoux]

To me, fur coats and exotic purses always look better on their original owners. Fur coats are nothing but a bunch of dead animals sewn together, which does not excite me at all. As a collector of Hermes handbags (all of them some sort of leather), I know I'm contradicting myself here, but I draw my line at furs and exotic skins. I''m not militant about it and would never criticize anyone wearing a fur coat or an exotic purse- it's just my idiosyncrasy.

 

[Madam Bijoux]

Isaku, I hope and pray that all will be well with you.

 

[packrat]

YT- do you have a link for this information about Peta?

This is but one piece of info http://www.petakillsanimals.com/takeaction?utm_campaign=CCF%2520Daily%2520Post&utm_medium=Email%2520Newsletter&utm_content=&utm_source=MW

If you are interested in animal welfare, PETA and HSUS are two organizations that you should not support.

so so so true. You might be interested to know that most trappers/hunters etc are vehemently against both of those corporations b/c of their practices.

And a lot of what is out in the media, the "knowledge" that is given to the public on fur, animals etc etc---is propaganda from both of them.

 

[Sparklelu]

Okay, I admit to having worn two fur coats- The first was a black mink. I loved it and wore it many times. Its one downfall was that it was heavy - especially to carry.

I thought I looked pretty spiffy like all the fur-wearing ladies in Toronto

I eventually sold it and salivated over exceptionally beautiful lynx coats. I had tried many on and they were as light as a feather.

We found an exceptional upscale fur vendor and tried on several of his samples, none of which were the right fit for my taste. It was December and there was a gentleman's only night at this store. Just before they get rid of the ladies, we were shown the #1 Canadian pelts for far too much money (but they were head and shoulders above any other coats we had seen- except the Russian lynx pelts)

DH stayed at the store to participate in the 'draw' for the #1 Canadian pelts. He received a discount of 25%. I was ecstatic; he was alarmed. While I scrimped and saved for those beauties, they were stored in their own facility. Finally, the wait was over and I had a custom made coat that was beyond gorgeous. I wore it with pride treating it like a precious piece of jewellery. There are rules for this too. I had the whole ensemble - leather boots, perfect gloves and purse, and even a gorgeous hat. That was in the 80's. Life was good.

Fast forward to the present day, where we now have PETA and other groups who abhor anyone wearing real fur. I was afraid that red paint would soon adorn my beauty so have had it in cold storage ever since. I'm sure I've paid half the price of the coat in storage fees.

I've tried to sell it, but that was futile - everyone wanted a 'deal'.

Since I've been diagnosed with breast cancer, I've been wanting to take it out of storage and use it as a throw, but DH keeps telling me not to. Is he in denial? I'm not sure, but I'd feel better cosying up to my beautiful fur than just an ordinary blanket.

Take it out and cozy up to it! It will make you feel great!
You have great memories associated with it, relive them!!
I am keeping you in my prayers!!

 

[Sparklelu]

I had a raccoon coat when I lived in NYC many moons ago. It actually was my push present for my now 31 year old daughter.
It was the warmest thing I've ever worn. I did have a few run ins with anti fur folk, but not too bad. We moved to florida so no need for it, but it has lived a full life in my kids HS drama department!

 

[momhappy]

I adore fur.
I have a reversible black rabbit fur/suede coat, 4 rabbit fur vests, and one rabbit fur infinity scarf. They are all relatively new and from the research that I've done, rabbit fur has become so popular that much of the rabbit that is used in the fashion industry, is a by-product of the rabbit meat industry (as opposed to many years ago when much of the rabbit pelts were harvested independently from the rabbit meat industry).
I also recently purchased a vintage mink stole and a vintage mink scarf. I prefer purchasing vintage fur (from animals that are primarily used for their skins/pelts - like mink for example) because the resource was harvested long ago and I'm simply giving it a new home. My stole is from the 60's.
I am actually quite surprised by the number of people I see wearing fur these days - and it doesn't bother me. It feels so luxurious/glamorous and it really is very warm too. I wouldn't hesitate to add more vintage fur pieces to my collection.

 

[lyra]

Isaku, have the coat made into a nice throw and enjoy it! It doesn't *need* to retain it's value. It doesn't need to be worn by one of your children, ever. It's yours and you should enjoy it fully. To heck with the future.

 

[partgypsy]

We all have to decide what is right for us and what we can live with. For those interested:
http://www.prevention.com/food/healthy-eating-tips/animal-cruelty-and-food?cm_mmc=Spotlight-_-1563376-_-01122014-_-8-cruelest-foods-you-eat-hed

Well I'm not going around eating fois gras, veal, and shark fin soup. We buy "humane" eggs and are trying to go that route for milk (though this is harder to research). We do still eat meat but have cut down in the amount. For example a pound of beef or chicken feeds a family of 4 with leftovers if it is part of a Mexican or Indian meal.

I don't see why someone who eats meat cannot make discernments for other uses of animals. It's like saying someone who eats meat cannot judge someone who say owns an umbrella stand made of a elephant foot or an ashtray made of a gorilla hand.

But yes vintage furs do not bother me as much because they were made during a time that was more acceptable, and what are you going to do, burn them? If everyone made a pact that they would only wear vintage fur I'd be totally cool with that.

 

[monarch64]

We all have to decide what is right for us and what we can live with. For those interested:
http://www.prevention.com/food/healthy-eating-tips/animal-cruelty-and-food?cm_mmc=Spotlight-_-1563376-_-01122014-_-8-cruelest-foods-you-eat-hed

Well I'm not going around eating fois gras, veal, and shark fin soup. We buy "humane" eggs and are trying to go that route for milk (though this is harder to research). We do still eat meat but have cut down in the amount. For example a pound of beef or chicken feeds a family of 4 with leftovers if it is part of a Mexican or Indian meal.

I don't see why someone who eats meat cannot make discernments for other uses of animals. It's like saying someone who eats meat cannot judge someone who say owns an umbrella stand made of a elephant foot or an ashtray made of a gorilla hand.

Yes! So much this. Show me one person who is a PERFECT shining example of being 100% vegan all the time, or fruitarian for that matter. All of us are hypocritical in some way. We get so worked up over others' choices when we would do best just to worry about our own. I struggle with this myself but do try to maintain some level of self-awareness.

 

[Andelain]

Okay, I admit to having worn two fur coats- The first was a black mink. I loved it and wore it many times. Its one downfall was that it was heavy - especially to carry.

I thought I looked pretty spiffy like all the fur-wearing ladies in Toronto

I eventually sold it and salivated over exceptionally beautiful lynx coats. I had tried many on and they were as light as a feather.

We found an exceptional upscale fur vendor and tried on several of his samples, none of which were the right fit for my taste. It was December and there was a gentleman's only night at this store. Just before they get rid of the ladies, we were shown the #1 Canadian pelts for far too much money (but they were head and shoulders above any other coats we had seen- except the Russian lynx pelts)

DH stayed at the store to participate in the 'draw' for the #1 Canadian pelts. He received a discount of 25%. I was ecstatic; he was alarmed. While I scrimped and saved for those beauties, they were stored in their own facility. Finally, the wait was over and I had a custom made coat that was beyond gorgeous. I wore it with pride treating it like a precious piece of jewellery. There are rules for this too. I had the whole ensemble - leather boots, perfect gloves and purse, and even a gorgeous hat. That was in the 80's. Life was good.

Fast forward to the present day, where we now have PETA and other groups who abhor anyone wearing real fur. I was afraid that red paint would soon adorn my beauty so have had it in cold storage ever since. I'm sure I've paid half the price of the coat in storage fees.

I've tried to sell it, but that was futile - everyone wanted a 'deal'.

Since I've been diagnosed with breast cancer, I've been wanting to take it out of storage and use it as a throw, but DH keeps telling me not to. Is he in denial? I'm not sure, but I'd feel better cosying up to my beautiful fur than just an ordinary blanket.

Isaku, I didn't know about your diagnosis. I am very, very sorry to hear that, and I hope that your treatment is both swift and exceptionally effective.

I also think that using the coat as a throw is an excellent idea. Why does your husband object? You'll be warm, you'll have memories of a wonderful time to shore up your spirits ... what's not to like?

I agree with this, take it out and enjoy it. I'm sending dust for your treatment, here's hoping you can kick that cancer to the curb.

I have an ankle length mink that I like to wear when it gets cold enough. I had a guy come up to me with a can of red spray paint once. Before he sprayed me, I asked him if he wanted to be responsible for the deaths of even more animals. He asked how that would happen, and I told him my coat was insured. If he ruined it, my insurance would replace it. I also told him that if he insisted on assaulting me, I was completely ready to defend myself. He thought better of it and left. That's the only time I've ever had an issue while wearing a fur. I've gotten a lot of complements on that coat and other I've had.

 

[LaraOnline]

I don't see why someone who eats meat cannot make discernments for other uses of animals. It's like saying someone who eats meat cannot judge someone who say owns an umbrella stand made of a elephant foot or an ashtray made of a gorilla hand.

Interesting conversation, but if cruelty is the measure that is of concern, then surely the industrial cruelty that happens most commonly is of greatest concern (if you're the type to spray paint on people lol).

By this measure, steak and seafood restaurants should be picketed daily.

When it comes to the illegal killing of protected wildlife, yes, that is a certain type of grotesque cruelty, partly because it is under the radar, conducted by criminals.

But when I think of gorillas and elephants - and YES I am very greatly concerned about both these species - I am most concerned about environmental sustainability and cruelty as exercised by illegal renegades.

Perhaps as with ivory the issue that anti-fur people are most concerned with is the concept of a greedy market. Yet if fur is farmed, and does not involve illegal and irresponsible 'harvest' of an endangered wild species, where is the connection with elephant byproducts?

ETA: I think a major issue I would have with an elephant umbrella stand (eek it hurts writing that) is that I would feel it was a shocking and diminutive way to look at a highly intelligent animal - as a kind of grotesque souvenir or novelty. Are fur coats seen as a novelty, or a souvenir of far-off climes? Hmmm. But anti-fur people do argue that fur products are diminutive of the animal. I'm not sure if fur animals are smarter than, say, cows.

Have to say though, if any idiots WERE prepared to farm their own elephants, and then harvest products from them, after killing them humanely I'd have fewer concerns. Although at such a level of intelligence, humane killing is not easily possible in a standard public production line scenario. Many animals are smart enough to know what is going on wrt murder that occurs in front of them.

 

[arkieb1]

It's a hot issue forgive the pun. I don't own a fur coat and have no desire for one, I have seen too many videos of people clubbing animals to death and a few of the ones Ginger mentioned killing dogs in Asia just so we can wear cheap fur vests.

Having said that there is hypocrisy from most of us, lets face it we own leather bags, leather shoes and most of us eat chicken, beef, lamb, seafood etc. I think the moot point is how the animal was raised and how it is slaughtered. There has been a big push here lately for better treatment of mass farmed chickens destined for the supermarket. I think that is a good thing.

 

[momhappy]

^Yes, an individual can pick and choose moral issues as they see fit, but at the end of the day, most of us do not have 100% awareness about the products we use/wear/eat every day.

 

[LaraOnline]

^Yes, an individual can pick and choose moral issues as they see fit, but at the end of the day, most of us do not have 100% awareness about the products we use/wear/eat every day.

That's certainly true. I. Don't really know the full ethical argument surrounding fur as it's generally too hot to wear here. And there must be many, many different and unrelated manufacturers and methods.

Has to be said though, as a fashion lover and aesthete, fur is a beautiful material, and imitation cannot come close *shrugs*.
I mean , we are on a diamond forum here. We don't 'do' copies over the real deal... do we lol?

In my view the answer is increasingly accountable industrial standards wrt cruelty but good luck with that, it's a slow and complicated road. The mulesing debate for wool lambs (and ugg boots) is an example of that. Mulesing is in itself a shockingly painful practice but it is a 100 per cent guarantee that the lamb will not be eaten alive by maggots, so...