The Vintage Fur Thread

GlamourDoll · Jul 18, 2009

I'm a 40's girl and I try and stay true to that era. Although I have been known for wearing 50's dresses. I personally wear alot of 40's crepe dresses since that is what was mostly worn then.

But I have to argue...if normies (non-vintage wearers) see me out driving my 1941 Oldsmobile convertible wearing dresses from the 40's and wearing a mink stole. They are going to know that I'm not ness. suporting the fur trade. They just understand that I have a love for the past.

Maybe it's just the area where I live at. IDK. But people seem to be more knowledgeable about the past.

SayCici · Jul 18, 2009

Viola said:
If you don't mind me asking, what do you wear? Linen/cotton or mostly synthetic products? How do you balance the greater environmental impact (and thus habitat destruction and cruelty to animals) of petroleum based artificial materials against things that use animals but does not kill them, like wool and peace silk?

I mean it as a thoughtful question not a AHA WHAT A WEIRDO I HAVE YOU NOW sort of question.

Of course! I didn't see it that way.

Right now my wardrobe is either all vintage, or now that I can sew, pieces made from vintage patterns, and so far I've only used fabrics made from 100% cotton or linen. But I don't know much about the textile industry!

About wool - while the animals are not traditionally killed, a lot of farms do use harmful techniques like mulesing. I know not all do, but ultimately I prefer not to have any part in taking advantage of animals or treating them like a resource.

MissAmelina · Jul 19, 2009

This is always a hairy topic (ba-dum kish!)

but I am of the opinion that it is wasteful to cast aside a garment that was made from an animal back in the days of yor. You might as well wear it, lest that animal die in vain.

I have a mink trimmed coat and matching hat that belonged to my Grammy on my dad's side, and my mom still has a sealskin parka made by a tribe in Alaska in the 40s--here is a pick of my Grammy wearing it.

It has matching muk-luks too. Bear in mind, the Eskimos used every single bit of the seal to survive---or at least they used to. And they had sacred rituals to thank the animal for their "unwilling sacrifice." Because it is tribal, my mom will be sending it back to the Eskimo village from whence it came to be placed in a museum.

As for my other Grammy's coat and hat, I have only worn them two or three times for wintery vintage events. In fact, I think i would only wear them if I were dressed to the nines in vintage attire. The times that I have worn it, I have been afraid that I might get heckled (or heaven forfend, spraypainted) but I have only received positive comments. I do believe this is due to the "days gone by" appearance. I inherited them when I was about 16, and wore them for the first time to a Big Bad VooDoo Daddy show circa 1995.

I personally would not wear a new fur, unless I was stranded naked in an icy forest, and wrassled an elk down with my bare hands so I could keep warm while I built my snow fort.

Life feeds on life, afterall.
But I would never judge anyone else if they chose to.

HadleyH · Jul 19, 2009

SayCici said:
But something like fur I can't accept old or new: I'm not saying to throw away your grandmother's jacket, but to me, wearing something like that out, when most of the people who will see you don't know the history of the garment, is saying fur is fashionable and you should go out and get yourself a fox stole too.

:arated:

I agree.

Serena · Jul 19, 2009

I don't mind buying certain kinds of new fur if I know where it has come from. In many places animals such as rabbits, possums (Australia/NZ), mink, coypu and grey squirrels (UK) are culled to reduce population numbers or remove them completely if they are threatening endangered species in the same habitat by competing for the same food etc. It is harder to find fur that is a by product of environmental management and I suppose I am lucky that in New Zealand a lot of the fur comes from this sort of activity.

Viola · Jul 19, 2009

SayCici said:
Of course! I didn't see it that way. Right now my wardrobe is either all vintage, or now that I can sew, pieces made from vintage patterns, and so far I've only used fabrics made from 100% cotton or linen. But I don't know much about the textile industry!

About wool - while the animals are not traditionally killed, a lot of farms do use harmful techniques like mulesing. I know not all do, but ultimately I prefer not to have any part in taking advantage of animals or treating them like a resource.

That's really interesting. I was just curious. I can't buy all vintage, especially not for things like shoes because I have hyooge wide cinderblock-like feet, but I really admire your vintage-and-handcrafted wardrobe.

I really do prefer the feel of breathable, natural materials, (I still can't figure out working out in spandex - I much prefer even Hanes cotton undershirts because they don't hold your sweat) but of course things like rayon can be vintage too.

It'd also let me justify satin heels, wouldn't it? I saw a pair the other day that were adorable.

SayCici · Jul 19, 2009

Viola said:
That's really interesting. I was just curious. I can't buy all vintage, especially not for things like shoes because I have hyooge wide cinderblock-like feet, but I really admire your vintage-and-handcrafted wardrobe.

I really do prefer the feel of breathable, natural materials, (I still can't figure out working out in spandex - I much prefer even Hanes cotton undershirts because they don't hold your sweat) but of course things like rayon can be vintage too.

It'd also let me justify satin heels, wouldn't it? I saw a pair the other day that were adorable.

I don't mind the discussion.

It definitely took me a little while to swap out my more modern clothes with vintage - that's mostly how I could afford it, selling the old! I haven't been able to replace most of my shoes with vintage either, usually when I can find an 8 it's either a formal shoe or too expensive because of demand!

GlamourDoll · Jul 21, 2009

MissAmelina said:
This is always a hairy topic (ba-dum kish!) but I am of the opinion that it is wasteful to cast aside a garment that was made from an animal back in the days of yor. You might as well wear it, lest that animal die in vain.

I have a mink trimmed coat and matching hat that belonged to my Grammy on my dad's side, and my mom still has a sealskin parka made by a tribe in Alaska in the 40s--here is a pick of my Grammy wearing it.

It has matching muk-luks too. Bear in mind, the Eskimos used every single bit of the seal to survive---or at least they used to. And they had sacred rituals to thank the animal for their "unwilling sacrifice." Because it is tribal, my mom will be sending it back to the Eskimo village from whence it came to be placed in a museum.

As for my other Grammy's coat and hat, I have only worn them two or three times for wintery vintage events. In fact, I think i would only wear them if I were dressed to the nines in vintage attire. The times that I have worn it, I have been afraid that I might get heckled (or heaven forfend, spraypainted) but I have only received positive comments. I do believe this is due to the "days gone by" appearance. I inherited them when I was about 16, and wore them for the first time to a Big Bad VooDoo Daddy show circa 1995.

I personally would not wear a new fur, unless I was stranded naked in an icy forest, and wrassled an elk down with my bare hands so I could keep warm while I built my snow fort. Life feeds on life, afterall.
But I would never judge anyone else if they chose to.

I totally agree with you! If only I could have found those words for the first post on fur.

Cheers to you!

melanie · Jul 9, 2010

Nigella Lawson- Love her or hate her? And a question on wearing real fur.

I have always liked Nigella, I love her cooking, her style, but last night, while searching the net, I found a comment she had made on tv. she was asked on the One Show if she would buy fur, to which she replied she would only buy fur in a moment of weakness, but then she went on to say that she would happily kill a bear and wear it's skin as a trophy, now, I really do not like this comment, while she made this comment she made stabbing actions with her hand.
This has put me off Nigella some what, as I am a huge animal lover, and I have seen the video on PETA on how the animals are treated and skinned alive for thier fur, and it is sickening, I cried for hours after watching the video, it was horrific, and for Nigella to make such a flippant remark and make a joke out of it almost, well, it has really put me off her.

I can not stand people who wear fur, I really and hinestly do not know how they could put an animals skin on their back, knowing the pain and suffering that animal has been through in order to obtain its skin, it is sickening.

What are your views on this?

dwebber18 · Jul 9, 2010

I have actually thought about this a bit more recently. I doubt anyone is going out and shaving beavers or rabbits for the hat fur, but I'm sure shoe leather is harvested from cows killed for food so I guess I don't mind that since I eat them. Don't know anyone who eats beaver though

KittyT · Jul 9, 2010

Fur is a HUGE point of contention here that most have agreed is best not discussed. It borders on political, which the Lounge discourages and, as you've already noted, it stirs up a lot of feelings. It has been touched upon in many threads here - I thought there was a dedicated fur thread but my search abilities are failing me at the moment (maybe it's been deleted?)

Melanie, I'm not saying I disagree with you at all, it's just that fur discussions get heated and are best left alone. Also, you feel quite strongly about this - do you really want to read all about how many gals here love and wear fur? I personally have a difficult time doing that without breaking and saying nasty things to people.

TillyMilly · Jul 9, 2010

I was a vegan for many years but I have gone back to eating meat following a shift to a paleo lifestyle (as much as I can).

IF the fur is grown and harvested in a humane way I have no problem with it, as with leather or wool, honey, meat etc. or any other animal product.

I am definatly against the mistreatment of animals though. I believe that it's definatly possible to raise and slaughter livestock humanly.

Gracie Lee · Jul 9, 2010

To me, fur is a guilty indulgence. I collect antique clothes, not vintage, mind you, antique, and fur crops up quite frequently in collecting circles. I love the feel of it, I admit I can't help myself.

However, I am also a biologist and do volunteer work for several animal rescues. I do not support the modern fur industry. I do own fur, but all of it is antique, and most has come down to me through family and close friends. I also feel I should mention that I have no problem with tanning furs and hides from animals that were legally and ethically hunted for their meat. To me, that is part of responsible hunting, letting as little go to waste as possible.

On a side note, this is one heck of a touchy subject. I don't mean to offend, but I feel as though I've struck a balance that is right for me.

And I have no idea who Nigella Lawson is

Gracie Lee · Jul 9, 2010

Oh, and just for the record, I'd root for the bear

No reason on earth to kill a bear - if it's attacking you, you probably screwed up somewhere along the line.

melanie · Jul 9, 2010

I am sorry, I did not realise that this kind of thing should not be discussed on here, so I do apologise.

As for animals been treated humanely, well, from the knowledge I have of the fur industry, none of the animals are treated humanely. Have any of you watched the video of the animals been skinned for their fur?

I agree that if the animals are going to be killed for their meat, then their hides should be used, as to me, it seems best to use every part of the animal if you are going to kill it, so that its life and death were not in vain.

I am a vegetarian, I have been for 17 years now, and I could never ever eat meat again.

melanie · Jul 9, 2010

KittyT said:
Fur is a HUGE point of contention here that most have agreed is best not discussed. It borders on political, which the Lounge discourages and, as you've already noted, it stirs up a lot of feelings. It has been touched upon in many threads here - I thought there was a dedicated fur thread but my search abilities are failing me at the moment (maybe it's been deleted?)

Melanie, I'm not saying I disagree with you at all, it's just that fur discussions get heated and are best left alone. Also, you feel quite strongly about this - do you really want to read all about how many gals here love and wear fur? I personally have a difficult time doing that without breaking and saying nasty things to people.

I think I would have a difficult time restraining myself too Kitty, so I will try my hardest to leave this alone now.

Gracie Lee · Jul 9, 2010

dwebber18 said:
Don't know anyone who eats beaver though

As an interesting side note, beaver is traditionally trapped in New England as a food source. They're quite numerous up there, and rumored to be delicious as well. Very tender, I've been told. Never tried it myself.

SGT Rocket · Jul 9, 2010

Tishkaminx said:
I was a vegan for many years but I have gone back to eating meat following a shift to a paleo lifestyle (as much as I can).

IF the fur is grown and harvested in a humane way I have no problem with it, as with leather or wool, honey, meat etc. or any other animal product.

I am definatly against the mistreatment of animals though. I believe that it's definatly possible to raise and slaughter livestock humanly.

+100

I agree with the above statement. I would also like to add the old saying "to each, their own."

We all have different experiences as individuals. We should all respect each other as "flawed" human beings. Weather you perceive the other person's "flaw" as eating meat or wearing fur.

Just because some person has a "flaw," or we disagree with them, doesn't mean we should hate them for it. We should see the whole person, not one aspect of him or her.

I do eat meat and wear leather. My mother passed down a mink fur coat to my wife after my mother died. My wife hasn't worn it yet (nothing to wear it with and no occasion to wear it).

BTW, has anyone see the documentary Grizzly Man? It's about a bear lover named Timothy Treadwell. I recommend that everyone see it. It's really great and gives you insight into one man who loved bears~ a little too much I think.

I believe that in a man vs animal fight, we should always root for the man or woman. For me, human life is just more important than animal life. If my best dog and a stranger were drowning and I could save only one, I would save the stranger.

SGT Rocket · Jul 9, 2010

Nigella Lawson

Oh, I have no idea who Nigella Lawson is, but she has a cute photon on Wikipedia...

KittyT · Jul 9, 2010

SlyGI said:
BTW, has anyone see the documentary Grizzly Man? It's about a bear lover named Timothy Treadwell. I recommend that everyone see it. It's really great and gives you insight into one man who loved bears~ a little too much I think.

Great movie. I love Werner Herzog.

I believe that in a man vs animal fight, we should always root for the man or woman. For me, human life is just more important than animal life. If my best dog and a stranger were drowning and I could save only one, I would save the stranger.

I don't agree at all. I believe that animals are just as important as humans but for different reasons. They comprise an ecosystem that sustains us as life on this planet, and I don't really believe that because I am human my life is as important as another's.

As for dog vs. human, again I don't agree. If there were 2 humans drowning, a stranger and your best friend, you would save your best friend wouldn't you? If my cat (my best friend) or a stranger were drowning, you could bet your *ss I'd save my cat first.

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