As a vegetarian who has a very keen interest in fashion , I have often come across the same dilemmas time and time again. Faux fur? Real leather? What’s an animal loving vegetarian to do?! Do I even have a place in the current fashion world and if so, where are the limits? Now don’t get me wrong , I’m not here to preach or judge, I just want to hear out and discuss numerous opinions on the matter. My main question is…Will you pay the price for designer goodies (even if the price is an animals life?)
- Fur is a sticky issue for all fashionistas out there. We are stuck between wanting to keep up with the most fashionable trends but at the same time, sticking to what we consider to be right and just. I think we as consumers, need to use our money as a way to vote. If you boycott the purchasing of real fur, you are decreasing the demand for it and eventually the production levels will drop. We also need to banish this absurd idea that real fur is fashionable and best. We need to get the message across that you can still be a trendsetter AND animal friendly because really, since when was cruelty on trend?
About a week ago, I decided to conduct my own form of research in the form of a survey. I posted this survey on my own personal Facebook and Twitter and asked people to take part. It consisted of only 5 short questions based around people’s thoughts on real fur and leather. Here are my results:
- Would knowing that an item of clothing contains real fur, put you off buying that item? 80% said Yes and 20% said No.
- Have you thought about or do you have any knowledge of how fur is produced in the fashion world?80% said Yes and 20% said No.
- Do you wear/buy real leather? 60% said Yes and 40% said No.
- Would you consider yourself an animal lover? 90% said Yes and 10% said No.
- Have you or would you wear real fur? 10% said Yes and 90% said No.
Overall, people seemed to support the idea of faux fur, which meant big smiles over here at Sleepingbootay world. However, this lead me to wonder…. with so many people seemingly “against” the idea of real fur, why is there still such a high demand for it and why in such a progressive world, is the process of killing animals for fashion still allowed?
As well as doing the survey, I’ve also found myself doing some serious web-research on the topic and this resulted in some pretty upsetting information. Apparently it takes up to 18 foxes, 40 rabbits or 40 mink to make just one full length fur coat! According to BornFreeUSA, over 50million animals are killed per year for fashion! Methods of killing these poor animals include genital electrocution, neck snapping and gassing. After an animal has been slaughtered, his or her skin is treated with toxic chemicals to keep it from rotting and decomposing in the buyer’s closet. Pretty gross right?
I’m not the only one ditching real fur in favour of an animal-friendly substitute.Today numerous conscientious celebs are jumping on the bandwagon. Conscientious couture includes big names such as: Calvin Klein, J. Crew, Ann Taylor, Polo Ralph Lauren, Stella McCartney, Tommy Hilfiger, Vivienne Westwood just to name a few! (3 cheers for these folks!) As well as celebs and big designers, the retail world is also becoming more animal friendly. Progressie retailers include: Urban Outfitters, Gap, Abercrombie & Fitch etc.( 140 new stores added as of March ’09…woooh!)
At the end of the day, do we even need to compensate? If it looks and feels like the real deal then why the hell not? In my opinion, there’s simply no excuse when it comes to fur, with high street stores bringing in such amazing quality faux fur dupes, it’s never been better to shop for faux! Back in the day, real fur was held with high regard- a sign of wealth and prosperity.In 2013, it’s a sign of ignorance! So c’mon DITCH THE FUR FOR FAUX!!!
I’d love to hear some of your thoughts on the matter, so please leave them in the comment section below!
For more thought-provoking facts, head over to http://www.bornfreeusa.org/facts.php?more=1&p=452
Thanks again for reading guys! 🙂
-KATE- x
A Tiny Slice Of Kate 
Thank you for posting this! I’m also a vegetarian and I’ve struggled over the years over what to do about leather. While I don’t advocate killing animals to wear them, what about secondhand? Vintage pieces from family? I’m talking about leather, not fur, although really, what’s the difference (one is just skin with the hair still attached).
I don’t buy new leather goods anymore, but I can’t bring myself to get rid of my mother’s beautifully worn leather jacket… it’s older than me. It seems my ethics become a bit murky when emotions and nostalgia get involved.
Anyway, thanks for your thoughtful post 🙂
Hi there!
Thanks so much for commenting! I think with any issue like this, there’s always going to be a grey area. I think buying vintage in a sense is the most ethical..as you are only recycling existing leather/fur. Same goes for hand-me-downs or family heirlooms. I wouldn’t feel guilty for holding on to that jacket,it has obviously been much loved and means a lot. Enjoy it!
Thanks so much for commenting! 🙂
It’s good to know that even though the animals may be defenceless in cases like this, they’ve got you as an advocate.
Welldone!
Wow! Thanks so much for such a lovely comment. My blog is mainly lighthearted, filled with beauty and fashion chit chat but every now and again, I like to throw in a serious post. So thank you for your support! 🙂 x
Awesome post!.. I love the pix too.. Speaks a thousand words!
Thanks so much lovely! It’s a really important issue for me! So its nice to get positive feedback from it! :)x