It's a definite NAY from me. I recently did a project about how animals a killed for their fur and in order to preserve as much as the fur as possible, methods such as suffocation and electrocution are commonly used. How anybody could justify making an animal suffer like that for something as shallow as fashion is beyond me. And it fur often smells disgusting too, why not just go for a good quality faux-fur coat I ask?

Posted by: sophie | February 20, 2006 3:39 PM

I have a pair of Mukluks, and wear leather and suede. I would happily wear a fur coat- vintage- if it suited the place and occasion. I completely understand that people have objections to fur, but, in my experience, good fur is insurpassable in terms of warmth, softness and comfort. I also think that fur can look exceptionally stylish. I don't see a huge problem in skins such as rabbit being used in clothing, as rabbit as so common, but I would have a problem with any endangered/rarer species being used for fur in fashion. I think that would be irresponsible.

Posted by: fairy | February 20, 2006 3:41 PM

Oh and just to let you know I am vegetarian, so meat is a no-no for me BUT I do sometimes wear leather shoes, purely because I am a poor student and leather is the only fabric that seems to stand the test of time. Until someone creates some good quality pleather shoes, I'm afraid that's the way it has to be.

Posted by: sophie | February 20, 2006 3:42 PM

It's no to fur and a very reluctant yes to leather -- but only on shoes (no handbags or coats/trousers) -- from me. Why? The lack of easily available and decently styled vegetarian shoes; alternatives to fur are everywhere!

Posted by: Rachel | February 20, 2006 3:55 PM

I think there is a great deal of cruelty involved in both killing animals for food and clothing. However, I eat meat and while I try to go for free range, or welfare grade meat, I also wear leather shoes, and they don't (as yet) come from free range animals...

I think wearing fur is different to wearing leather, in that it takes a greater number of animals to make a fur coat than it does to make a leather bag, or pair of shoes.

Also, I have no problem with people wearing fur in climates that deserve it - it is a fantastic means of keeping warm, and probably more environmentally appropriate than using some synthetics, given that most of them have a petro-chemical base. But seeing people wearing fur purely for decoration does make me a bit uncomfortable.

So, while you say it is time to come down off the fence, I still think I am balancing up here just fine!

Posted by: Erica Jane | February 20, 2006 3:57 PM

Hmmm.....For me personally, this has always been an easy one.

1.There is a big difference between wearing fur and wearing leather shoes. Why? simple. Shoes are a necessity.

2. Fur vs Mcdonalds? again, there can be no comparisons as I don't belive comparing food (which we eat and subsequently excrete and most celebrities would not be caught dead eating) can be compared to £££ fur.

The opposition to the above two arguments i belive are mainly for Vegetarians/Vegans.and that is a whole other can of worms.

As a meat eater myself i cannot comment on the notion that "people still believe that leather is fine because it's a by-product of the meat industry " vs the wearing of fur as those two things have no corresponding similarities for me.

One thing i will say on the shoe issue is that as an average person, I need to wear shoes!, we all do!, and if in the couple thousand years that the earth has been in place, in the process of evolution mankind has been able to figure out the best materials to use as means of survival (ie using cement for bulilding, using wood to make tables, using metal to make pots, using leather to make shoes) there is a reason why that is so.

The fur issue, i look at from a Christian point of view (yep, certified happy clappy ; ).

Fur for the red-carpet, award ceremonies, music videos is an unecessary extravegance.
I try to model my thoughts on the way Jesus behaved and things he said, and one thing i do understand is that such extravagance while causing harm to another living creature is not something he would condone.

there is absolutely NO NEED to rear an animal, then kill it JUST for its fur. its bananas!! do people really grasp the concept??

I mean, if they really want us to belive that they love the pattern or feel of the fur, why don't they get a fake??

There are many synthetic materials available today that can mimic the appearance and feel of fur. It is purely for materialistic reasons that many people wear fur.

On the other hand though, some anti-fur people are too agressive, you don't send people death threats and pelt them with things if you want them to see your point of view. (duh!)

To summarise : As much as I belive in freedom to excerise your rights, I do not belive in wearing fur as it is an extremely unreasonable indulgence.

Even if i could afford it, i WOULD NOT wear real fur.

So its a big fat NAY!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: tordiva | February 20, 2006 4:06 PM

Unfortunately when it comes to leather, like becoming a full fledged vegetarian, convenience sometimes trumps conscious for me. I'm not proud of it, but I think it makes sense that when there are simple things I can do - eat vegetarian at restaurants or when cooking for just myself - avoid fur or leather handbags when I can find something I like as much in a synthetic - I do them. It is much harder to either force my family to eat vegetarian or make two separate meals, so I do eat fish and poultry with my family - though I do stick to cruelty free/free range products.

Convenience has also been a big problem for me in terms of animal testing. Literally every facial soap/lotion/shampoo/etc that you can find at your average drug store is owned by a company that does animal testing (or the company is owned by a company is owned by a company, etc.) but the cruelty free alternatives aren't always in my budget.

It just seems the responsible thing to do to take these simple steps to protect animals and prevent their abuse, but I suppose your level of committment to finding alternatives depends on your level of committment to the cause vs. how much you can afford pay. Stella McCartney's vegan shoes - love them! Unfortunately they weren't in the H&M collection, so it's still leather for me. (Does it seem weird to anyone else that leather shoes are the more affordable alternative to fashionable synthetics?)

P.S. I should probably say that while I write for a link to Papierdoll.net, these are purely my views and do not reflect those of Papierdoll.

Posted by: Andrea | February 20, 2006 5:02 PM

I'm find with Skins taken from farmed animals.

Furs are a nay from me. A large majority of the fur market is taken from animals that live, had lived, in the wild. I have no problem with some one that hunts and uses the meat to feed thier family. I doubt the fur industry peserves the meet to be sold, so a majortiy of the animal that was killed is wasted.

Also, leather is duriable and furs aren't you have to be careful with furs and take care in the way you store them.

While rabits are farmed I think it is a waste to kill so many rabits to make a coat.

Now that I think about it a bit more, I guess my oppion on furs is relative. Because in very cold climites, such as Russia and Alaska, fur lining on coats is a very effect way to keep warm.

Posted by: Multifaceted | February 20, 2006 5:05 PM

Nay to fur, though I don't have a problem with vintage so much... but it really has no place in the modern world.

Posted by: Kristina | February 20, 2006 5:20 PM

I'm going to place myself firmly on the fence here...
I wear leather shoes, and until someone comes up with a good-quality, affordable (and non-smelly) pleather I will continue to do so. I'm also not fussed by people wearing vintage fur coats or second hand ones - I myself own a 1950s fake fur coat that resembles fur so much I'm afraid to wear it, and a second-hand 70s-style sheepskin. As far as sheepskin goes, I'm all for it; lambskin is frequently a byproduct of the meat industry on smaller farms. If you live in a cold (ie arctic) country fur is a very good insulator - although you're going to be wearing it with the skin facing outwards.

But newly-made modern fur is a definite no if it comes from endandgered species, if you're going to be wearing it to make a "look at me!" statement - the "statement" fur is more likely to be a waste of animal than a keep-me-warm fur. That said, I'm also anti-snakeskin; I feel it comes down to the same thing (and I personally don't like it)

I think if anyone is going to wear fur, however, the least they can do is shell out that bit more to make sure it's ethically produced - the animals have been killed humanely (yes, it is possible) and not just for thier fur/skin.

Posted by: emma | February 20, 2006 5:55 PM

I have no problem with certain types of fur, such as rabbit, because I have no problem eating rabbit, so wearing its fur isn't a bit stretch for me. I also have no problem with vintage fur (and indeed own some) in the same way I'm not throwing out my family's ivory heirlooms, most of it comes from times when fur wasn't taboo and I have no problem with it.
Like any sane person I'm against furs from endangered animals but that really is a no brainer. But my position is that if I eat or can eat it, I don't mind people using fur/skin from it.

Posted by: Xara | February 20, 2006 6:45 PM

Given that this is a UK website, I’d love to know how many of the anti-fur brigade here are British. As I understand it, fur is not fashionable in the UK, maybe because of ethical reasons and also because it’s a bit chav, whereas in the good ol’ gauche US this isn’t quite the case. You see plenty of women parading around in fur coats here, and not just those who team their furs with Juicy and fake nails.

My personal view, and I am American, is that the modern fur industry may indeed be disgusting – and yes, it’s a no-brainer that skinning endangered animals is bad – but vintage fur is okay. The animals are long dead, and I wasn’t around to promote the fur industry that made the products 50 years ago. My closet contains two 1950s stoles, my great-aunt’s custom mink trapper hat, and a short beaver coat bought by my mom decades ago. I know there is an argument that by simply wearing these vintage furs, I am promoting the look and encouraging others to wear (possibly new) furs, thereby supporting the modern fur industry. To this I would say: (A) The same is true of anyone who wears a good fake and (B) Much as I fancy myself a fashion plate, I seriously doubt that my wearing a fur will result in a massive horde of others doing the same.

I also have to question the statements that “fur often smells disgusting” and “there are many synthetic materials available today that can mimic the appearance and feel of fur.” I have never noticed a bad smell on fur, unless it was that unfortunate musty “vintage” smell that clings to all old fabrics. As for the synthetics, some of them look convincing, but never once in my life have I found one that truly mimics the feel or the warmth – and I live in Boston, where it is currently in the 20s Fahrenheit, so I need the insulation.

Finally, as to the argument that “it is purely for materialistic reasons that many people wear fur” – it is purely for materialistic reasons that all of us are on this website in the first place. This is a site about pretty clothes, for God’s sake. No one here can deny with a straight face some degree of materialism. Similarly, the person who said that leather shoes are okay and fur is not because “shoes are a necessity” did not stop to consider that *leather* shoes are not a necessity. She could shop at Payless, where everything is made of plastic (as is much fake fur). If she doesn’t, I can’t imagine that her reason for shunning Payless has anything to do with plastic being non-biodegradable.

Posted by: C | February 20, 2006 7:27 PM

Fur has no place in the fashion world and I would never and never will buy it...no animal will be skinned alive for my wardrobe. If you are on the fence then I suggest you take a look at the videos on the PETA website of the horrific insane cruelty to these animals in China where 75% of all fur comes from. I do believe that a lot of people who wear fur are ignorant to the whole process and if educated may have a change of heart.
NAY NAY NAY from me!!

Posted by: andrea | February 20, 2006 7:34 PM

I personally would not wear fur because i hate the the way it looks. Even though it often costs an arm and a leg, it still ends up looking naff on people. It makes people look as if they are trying too hard. So for me it is not a question of yay or nay it is just a case of personal taste.

Posted by: Caresa | February 20, 2006 7:47 PM

Pets that are allowed into any city apartment?

Priceless.

I've been harrassed for wearing vintage fur long before anyone could save it -- simply irritating. Everyone's a right to their opinion, but not forcing it upon other people.

Posted by: KRiSTOPHER DUKES | February 20, 2006 8:42 PM

I don't wear fur. I live in Vancouver, Canada and there is no excuse to wear fur up here. It's never THAT cold. And I find fur to look very... chunky and is deadly in a city where it rains 9 months out of 12. It can look sexy in a music video but I think they're just over the top for daily use, even for celebs. It's almost... tacky looking.

I think the difference for some people is that the fur animals are CUTE while cows are not. It really is all about the cuteness factor not the details.

Why do I wear leather? Because the best comfortable and gorgeous (and expensive eep) shoes are leather. Any shoes not using leather are killer for your feet and I know it since I do have some in my wardrobe (because I'm not rich). I use some non-leather bags because I feel bad for a leather bag to use it everyday in all the sorry conditions in classes and such. But usually nothing beats the durability and softness of a leather bag.

And really... cows are NOT CUTE. :P

Posted by: Andreea | February 20, 2006 9:55 PM

I don't eat meat or wear fur or leather. Leather is by FAR the hardest to avoid, although the search for cute animal-friendly shoes is fun and keeps my bank account happier.

I think fur is particularly egregious because it's so unnecessary - there are tons of warm synthetics that are just as effective as fur. I'm sure the cuteness factor also comes into play, as people always seem to be more concerned about fluffy bunnies than cows. There's also a class issue; wearing fur sends the same message as driving a Hummer (I take it to mean "Look at me! I have tons of money but no class, and I want everyone to know it!").

Fur, or anything that means other living things have to suffer for what I feel like wearing, is the biggest fashion NAY I can think of.

Posted by: Julia | February 20, 2006 10:09 PM

Definately Nay!!

I once read this and it totally sums it up for me.....it takes 40 beautiful dumb animals to make a fur coat and only 1 ugly dumb animal to wear it !!

Posted by: andrea | February 20, 2006 10:17 PM

I don't wear fur, but I do wear leather - shoes, coat, the occasional handbag when I can afford it. For me, the decision to wear fur, even fake fur, is a fashion choice. I think it tends to look ridiculous, and I don't really have a burning desire to emulate JLo. But I like leather. It's soft and durable, and I have no ethical quandary when I wear it.

Posted by: Amanda | February 21, 2006 12:37 AM

Julia sums up my position perfectly. I don't mind not wearing leather shoes at all - there are many fun colorful options availiable in canvas or velvet or plastic. I'm also opposed to wearing fake fur, because even though no animals were killed to make it, it glorifies the fur lifestyle, which is essentially brutal and unnecessary.

Posted by: Florence | February 21, 2006 1:29 AM

I don't understand why everybody focuses on fur when leather is essentially the same thing. It is made from animals' skin, no? I find little wrong with fur unless animals were tortured in the making of it. I'd never wear it anyways because I think it's ugly.

Posted by: Madi | February 21, 2006 1:47 AM

All the anti-fur harassment from animal-rights extremists simply denotes another reason to hate someone else who may have differing beliefs. Animal-rights extremist hate is no different than hating someone because they are black, gay, wear a turban, etc. The only difference is this type of hate and intolerance is simply more media and celebrity palatable at the present time. It is more palatable to harass someone, assault someone, intimidate someone, who may think wearing fur is acceptable, rather than hate someone who is of a different color or ethnicity, so for the time being it has become acceptable. Although now, I think that view may be starting to change a little bit whether harassing people for believing wearing fur is acceptable in the least.

Just imagine what the response would be if say, PETA supporter, Moby, or maybe Elton John was being harassed incessantly, and having crap thrown on them because they happen to be gay. We'd have seen a much different response than we currently see, of people who are being harassed and assaulted over furs instead of being gay, or different ethnic group.

PETA's hate group certainly isn't ethical enough to make any type of judgement on this issue, due to their OWN HATE GROUP'S UNethical slaughter of puppies and kittens in the backs of moving vehicles, then dumping the cute little corpses in trash cans, out of sight of the media cameras, of course. PETA would rather spend contributors' money on having lavish parties for their Hollyood hate groupies, rather than saving animals in real life.

See this site for a close-up view of PETA's cutest tiniest victims, that PETA's employees tried to dispose of in trash bins:

http://www.petakillsanimals.com/petaVictims.cfm

Posted by: Red Ryderz | February 21, 2006 5:11 AM

Fur is not only cruel, it generally doesn't even look good. You either end up looking like a high class hooker/ho in a music video or an old fuddy duddy woman.

Posted by: Xine | February 21, 2006 5:15 AM

Yeah, fur is really GROSS and cruel. I wouldn't be caught dead in real fur.

Posted by: Tahler | February 21, 2006 5:34 AM

FUR IS FOR UGLY OLD FAT PEOPLE WHO SMELL LIKE TOO MUCH PERFUME!!!

Ugly and disgusting. I just watched a video at www.FurIsDead.com and I can't get the images of animals being SKINNED ALIVE! It's no joke. I never knew if it were true...but it is. I just saw the video. And the camera doesn't lie.

Fur sucks! Cruelty is cruelty...and fur is cruelty to the bone. Litterally.

Posted by: Jodi | February 21, 2006 5:38 AM

Wearing fur, and being gay, white or whatever, is not the same, Ms Red Ryderz. Unlike the other things you mentioned, wearing fur is a choice, and a bad one too, especially if wearing it for show. Living in an arctic climate myself, I agree that fur is not something you wear to keep warm anymore. No one does that! Not even the ones with nomadic life styles, living in tents in -50 celsius! It's impractical, not to mention a lot heavier than the breathing, water and wind resistant, ultra light materials they wear now adays. I repeat, people living in cold climates, do not wear fur to keep warm! They do however make fur shoes, but that's for tradition, and, I guess, another story.

On a more personal note, I don't think fur looks good, so I don't wear it, fake or not. Leather is different because you can't walk around in slushy snow wearing fake leather, you'll get wet. Water resistance fabric doesn't mean you can bathe in water, and wellies don't keep you warm, so leather is sadly the most practical way to stay dry, and warm.

Hope this helps!

Nay to fur, yay to leather.

Posted by: June | February 21, 2006 9:21 AM

Nay to fur - don't need it, don't want it in my life - animals need it more than I

Posted by: Deb | February 21, 2006 9:52 AM

I have nothing against old fur that can be found in second hand shops, must of the that fur has been around for at least 30years, and the animals back then were killed in a more respectable way then any cow has ever been killed for mcdonalds.
so many people eat rabbit - but are strongly against fur... I don't see the diffrence - killing an animal for fur or for meat - BUT THE WAY ANIMALS ARE BEING KILLED HAS changed... and I'm very against NEW fur.
old fur has been dead for years, if you really must wear fur, I'd rather people wore old fur, as it is a big waste to waste the fur... but I can't believe people are still killing animals just for fur!
old fur is just as "nice"' as new fur!
I don't like the fact that fur has become trendy, but fur has - and will - alway be worn, I think it's time to stop making a fuss about cruelness and start changing the way the animals are killed, make it more diginified, the same goes for the meat industry.
We humans ARE CRUEL and if some terrible thing happens to kill 90% of us, only then will animals have peace!
it's not just fur, people are just horrible to animals, think of all the monkeys we've killed because people want wooden furniture... I think you can't just say fur is wrong, as almost everything we do, means another animals dies or suffers.

Posted by: sophie | February 21, 2006 10:04 AM

Fur is a luxury item. A fabric that necessitates caging, mistreatment and torture of animals (including cats and dogs) is not acceptable to me, especially when the alternatives are so good.

Hopefully leather will enjoy a similar campaign now that better alternatives are available. Designers like Stella McCartney are already making luxury goods in non-leather materials. Soon there'll be no need for leather either.

Personally, I don't wear even second-hand fur at all (because it creeps me out), but I will buy lightly-worn leather shoes on ebay. I don't eat animal products either.

Posted by: Olivia | February 21, 2006 12:20 PM

As far as fur goes, I will have to say nay. I'm not an animal rights activist, I just think it looks trashy. It always reminds me of streetwalkers. Besides, why not take all the money it costs and donate it to charity instead of walking around looking foolish? I'm sure no normal person who works 5 days a week would be taken seriously in fur. Faux fur coats make women look fat (who wants that?). I'm not going to throw red paint on anyone wearing fur, I would just snicker at them (enough that they would know it too).

Posted by: Miranda | February 21, 2006 9:06 PM

Definitely NAY- fur is cruel and unnecessary. I live in Ottawa, Canada where it can get as cold as -40 degrees celsius. Still, there's no excuse. People who climb Mt Everest dont wear fur- in this day and age, there are lots of choices in fabrics out there that can keep people warm and style-wise, it's just plain tacky.

Posted by: Yasmeen | February 22, 2006 1:59 AM

Oh, also!

http://coquettefauxfurriers.com/

Posted by: olivia | February 22, 2006 5:46 AM

I eat meat and wear leather. I do not have a problem with fur as long as it does not come from an endangered animal, I think that it is hypocritical to be against using the skin of an animal just because its cute, what about the ugly ones?

Oh and please remember people do eat rabbits.

Posted by: Syreeta | February 22, 2006 4:51 PM

I can't believe you would put a link to the Animal Liberation Front in your piece - those people are out and out terrorists and have no place in a serious debate. Search the recent news for examples. Peta supports them too.

Posted by: Kate | February 22, 2006 4:55 PM

Kate, I tried to link to a wide range of sources, but that doesn't mean I necessarily agree with what they do. The point is everyone is allowed their beliefs, and I wanted to give people the chance to read the thoughts of many different organisations and make up their own minds. I'm not condoning the actions of any of those groups I've linked, I'm just providing you all with the chance to educate yourself however you wish, rather than simply writing all my views and expecting you all to agree.

Posted by: Gemma | February 22, 2006 7:19 PM

YAY - Synthetics just can't compare. PETA is an extremist organization full of crazies who don't respect freedom of choice. Pelting people with flour, paint, and pies? That's very low.

Posted by: Victoria | February 23, 2006 1:19 AM

I think synthetics actually do a pretty good job. There's so much funding and money going into new technology- the stella mccartney adidas line? And in general, a majority of high performance shoes are non-leather. First and foremost, I have to say I'm not crazy about PETA- but you can't argue with all those clips and raw footage. You can't argue when you see cats and dogs from like, China being skinned and sent to other countries under vague labels like, "Fur from China". I believe PETA has valid arguments. It's about speaking up for those animals who don't have a voice. I guess this is just me, but Leather isn't a necessity, and as mentioned before- is certainly not purely a byproduct. The fashion/leather industry is going on strong enough and normal enough that it's definitely more than enough it's own industry for killing animals for skins alone. This is what I think: I think animal skins are a paradigm. Leather is a paradigm. And tanneries and all those chemicals..eugh- my mother went to a tannery once since she was studying textiles and it wasn't a pretty experience by far. We've all "grown up" with it already in our heads that fur is a luxury item etc etc. (I hate that it's coming more mainstream) and all of that is a paradigm. Gosh...I mean, any designer can create something hideous and just stick a huge chunk of fur on it and go- "mwah. luxury piece." Of course I'm probably exaggerating..

My take on vintage fur is...no. By wearing something fur- one is promoting that it's OK to wear fur. That person on the street won't know that it's "vintage". And so everyone keeps wearing it.

I mean, it's a new day and age, you know?

this stuff is cruelty we can control. to stop that sort of stuff.
so obviously, fur is a nay. nayyyyy.

Posted by: Gloria | February 24, 2006 3:53 AM

If what the ALF's article says is true, that information is available from other sources. Terrorists have no credibility.

Posted by: Kate | February 25, 2006 2:21 PM

i am against all fur and skin. if u r against fur, i believe that u should b against skin as well. so wut if its 'just' snakes, alligators, or lizards? they matter too! all animals should have rights, b/c they have a special place on earth, and r VERY important! i've heard it b4, "they're just animals," "those animals arn't important,". well, animals r important. i read zoobooks, and it made a really good point! if u were to take every species on earth, and put them into a pyrimid, with humans on top, then all of the blocks taken away are extint species, then how many blocks can u take away, b4 they all fall, making us fall with them? "they're not important,"! i mean, that is just NOT (repeats 999000 times) true!!!!!!!! without animals, we wouldn't b here! i know that not every1 is a christian, but if the animals dont matter, then why did god create them in the first place? (think about it 4 a while, pleaz)*makes cute sad puppy dog eyes*

Posted by: naturegirl | August 6, 2006 2:31 AM

People need to be open minded & think carefully before accepting everything we are told by animal rights activists. Firstly, It is usually only vermin such as fox etc which are killed. Secondly, what is wrong with using rabbit fur etc which is part of the food chain anyway (esp pet food etc). Thirdly, they always talk about animals being electrocuted etc, but it has to be killed somehow doesn't it? The chicken we buy from the supermarket are electrocuted too! Fake fur causes enormous environmental damage-and its just a business at the end of the day. So let's not be intimindated from wearing fur for political reasons. They show us a horror video or 2 and try to tell us that this is always how it is done! They cannot be allowed to intimidate people into agreeing with them!

Posted by: Samantha | October 7, 2007 10:18 PM

I am a no on the fur. As for leather, well since so many people choose to partake in eating meat, i feel that wearing leather is not making waste of the cow, where as who eats fox and eagles? If you kill it...eat it.

Posted by: Malina | November 13, 2007 2:02 AM

ME? NO FUR, NO LEATHER, NO MEAT OR SEAFOOD (WHICH IS MEAT!), NO HUNTING, NO CRUELTY....SIMPLE! And I am from the U.S. (WI to be exact). And no one has nominated me for TLC's What Not To Wear, yet. Imagine that!

Posted by: jmew | January 25, 2008 1:29 AM