"Can I wear vintage fur"? Everyone has an opinion on fur and faux fur. Is it ok to wear it or, is it not? I would not suppose to tell you what to do or, engage to alter a moral compass. I will only tell you what I think. Isn’t that what a blog is for? To create thoughtful discussion? To be clear at the outset, I do not believe in new real fur (with the exception of using the pelts of pests i.e. possum) do not agree or support farming animals for skin only. I also do not support creation of newly produced faux fur - it has been discovered that they often use real fur in new faux! I quote from (The New York Times,
“In this global marketplace, there are fur farms in China that raise dogs for clothing that is labelled as fake fur here in the U.S. because that’s what the market best responds to.”
Of course, the moral/ ethical aspect is a hot issue! However, I do stock vintage fur and vintage faux fur in the store and personally wear all through the winter to keep warm https://www.peta.org/about-peta/faq/what-is-petas-stance-on-faux-fur/.
I do not support the manufacture and use of new faux fur either. This is yet another contributor to our disposable fast fashion trend cycling and waste culture as well as oftentimes manufactured under cruel practice. With cheap synthetics you get what you pay for, plus they are manufactured en masse from man-made nasties which don’t break down.
Vintage fur or vintage faux fur is substantially different in the way it feels. In a practical scheme of things, real vintage fur is generally much warmer than faux. As well, in my view the majority of true vintage, more often than not, the construction is also superior.
My thinking is this: if either a real or synthetic fur item was made 50 or more years ago (vintage), any ‘negative’ impact or moral perception of it is ‘dated’ too. The environmental impact has most likely been negated by now. Longevity can often equal cost per wear. PLUS!, vintage clothing can be held onto (collectors), or passed on to someone else, for the ultimate in recycling and zero waste. As an aside, some feel to dispose of vintage fur dishonours the life of the animal it came from. So for me, this is the essence of what makes vintage fur and vintage faux a sustainable option.
However, if you have any moral issue with fur (new or old) in general, it won’t be for you. And that’s ok too.
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