*Collaborative post.
It’s often difficult to have a civilized debate about real fur as it quickly spirals into something nasty. This is mainly due to the fact that anti-fur advocates passionately defend their stance and can sometimes miss the broader picture.
In this post, we are not going to talk about the negatives of fur. That’s something that has already been covered about in plenty of posts. Instead, we are going to present the other side of the story that often goes unheard.
The first thing you need to know that wearing and manufacturing fur coats in the United States is not illegal. In fact, you can even buy men’s fur coats online.
While wearing fur is completely legal, slinging red paint on someone’s coat because they are wearing fur is illegal. So is verbally assaulting someone for wearing fur.
Another misconception about fur is that it somehow contributes to the very real concern of animals going extinct. When it reality habitat destruction, pollution, and release of exotic invasive species are the main culprits.
Ethical fur coat manufacturers source pelts from farms and ranches. That’s because farming ensures a steady supply of high-quality pelts and is more sustainable in the long run than going hunting. It’s not in the interest of manufacturers to destroy the natural habitat or deplete the population of the very animals they depend on to earn their living. There are also strictly enforced laws pertaining to trapping animals in the wild. While China has little to no laws to protect animals, there are laws in the United States and Europe to prevent animal cruelty.
Our Biased Approach to Animal Farming
Do you feel guilty about buying a leather jacket? If not, then you shouldn’t feel guilty buying fur coats. There is no debate that animal farms that involve killing animals are cruel. The very act of killing an animal can never be “humane”. However, we tend to focus our attention to farms that involve killing cute furry animals. We don’t care about how we treat chickens, cows, lambs, pigs, crocodiles, and other animals we farm for food.
The popular argument justifying that these farms are okay is because they are for food production. We need food to survive, so it’s okay. However, we also need coats to shield ourselves from freezing temperatures.
Both in terms of meats and winter fur coats, there are non-animal alternatives. We can choose to have tofu instead of chicken just as we can choose to buy a faux fur coat instead of buying the real thing. The only difference is faux fur coats also comes with its own baggage of negatives.
Faux Fur is Not All Sunshine and Rainbows
While it doesn’t involve killing animals directly, the production process of faux fur is anything but clean. The production of synthetic fur requires petrochemicals and massive amounts of energy. The coats are not biodegradable and can take thousands of years to break down. This puts a lot of pressure on already overloaded landfills. The production process of faux fur is also highly polluting. The dumping of waste materials, as well as high energy demands, can cause severe environmental damage, which contributes to habitat destruction and in turn extinction of animal species.
Manufacturing of real fur coat demands much less energy and space. It causes little to no pollution and the end product is completely biodegradable.
There is also the question of quality. While real fur coats provide excellent protection against extreme cold weather, most faux fur coats often prove to be inadequate.
Whether you choose to buy a faux fur coat or a real fur coat still remains your call. However, we do hope that this post encourages you to think and discuss the issue in a constructive manner. Feel free to leave your comments below to start an honest discussion.
A very valid well written post Stella. I like it. You haven’t given your own opinion on whether to wear it or not. You have given both sides of the story. Personally I dont wear either as it is too much for me re skin reaction, preferences and eo on.
Glad you like the post. I see a lot of arguments both sides so I thought to start off an honest conversation. Thanks for reading and commenting Carol.
Hi Stella, this is a very well written piece- the information is quite valuable.
Do you know whether there are some types of fur that are more “humane” to wear than others? (Assuming that all are farmed and not hunted)
I’ve been an advocate of faux fur due to the high controversy of real fur and my love for animals; but now that I’ve read your post which I understand in no way advocates or dismisses, you have sparked my curiosity to know more.
More on this please:)
Thanks,
Nour
Happy to know I have sparked your curiosity. Glad you like the post. Not too sure about certain furs being more “humane” than others to be fair.
Very informative post! It is an eye opener for many in the fashion industry and those who just love fashion. Personally, I do not buy clothes or accessories with real fur or faux fur. I don’t like the idea of a dead animal’s fur on my body and I also dislike the thought of the complicated process of making faux fur only to cause damage to the environment.
Glad you like the post. I see your point.
I have not worn fur before, but glad to read this post about it. I am of course not a fashion person, just a small town chick. I do enjoy learning more about fashion from you though 🙂
Glad you enjoy reading about fashion.
I want one actually to imitate squall on FFVIII but its to hot in here lol we are in a tropical country lol
Lol 😂
After reading these both side views, I just realised that one of my friend is against animal cruelty so much that she don’t choose diary products too. But, she uses these fur coats and leather products. I have seen all those people who go veggie but wear leather and fur clothes. Thought provoking post.
I have seen many of these types of people too! Conflicting messages they send out. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Fur is really beautiful, I can’t blame other people for wearing it, I don’t wear such animal fur, and it also makes me sad to know it came from an animal. So glad to know I’m not alone with this thought.
Yes you are not alone.
A great post and well done for speaing out about this topic. I do like faux fur but never owned one as never found one I felt truly comfortable in. And real fur is out of my price range so never been something I have thought of
Glad you like the post. Thanks for stopping by.
I have never ever thought of wearing a fur coat as I like more simple affordable stuff. Also it has somehow never appealed to my senses.
Ah ok.
I love how well the piece was written you wrote from a perspective that we miss so much some time
Thank you.
I personally don’t like fur, we don’t have a need for it in a tropical country. Still, I liked how you present your arguments. Intelligently written, I must say.
Thanks Ivan.
I love fashion but whenever I see clothes that has a fur in it, I don’t buy them. I don’t know why people keep supporting this kinds of cruelty.
I have no clue.
I agree with you. I have always thought the slinging of paint on someones expensive fur coat is a horrible act. People spend countless thousands of dollars for these items. Thank you for posting the positive side of fur manufacturing opposed to faux fur. It’s something that is not touched on much.
Glad you like the post. Thanks for reading.
I also avoid wearing fur from animals but I do have some faux fur clothing. I use them whenever I make product reviews. ^^
Oh good.
I can’t avoid buying faux fur. And I never buy the genuine fur coz – I can’t afford it! I stick to the faux.
Aha ok.
Some very valid points. We do tend to cherry pick when it comes to different points of view.
Yes we tend to do just that.
I am not an animal protector but also don’t like fur product. I don’t quite understand that someone spend a huge amount of money to buy such a fur coat. There are enough alternatives out there.
Very true.
Not much of a fur coat fan but thanks for giving both a fair opinion.
Thanks for stopping by.
Thank you so much for the balanced view on talking about fur!!! My husband and i both buy, wear and support real fur. We have several real fur coats each. They are extremely warm, well made and are 100% from farmed sources.
Mink are in the rodent family and are hazardous to populated communities. Most have no issue with killing mice and rats in and around their home. Mink is one of the animals which falls into this exact same category. Rather than just killing them, they are turned into beautiful coats and stoles to keep people warm.
Thanks for reading. Glad you like the post. A balanced view is needed for issues like this.