If you’ve been thinking about how to ban fur from your wardrobe recently, you’re not the only one. It’s a hot topic in the fashion world, especially in light of recent events: California has become the first state to ban animal fur products and Queen Elizabeth is going fur-free.
Fur is traditionally worn for warmth and protection, as it’s a great insulator. So naturally, making a coat out of fur seems like a good idea. But think again.
The Facts on Fur
There are about 10 million animals worldwide that are killed for fur every year. These animals include foxes, seals, mink, and raccoon dogs that are raised on farms in horrible conditions. These poor animals live in tiny cages, often not having enough room to even move.
These fur farms also do major harm to the environment. Mink farms alone create millions of pounds of feces, and the phosphorus found in feces pollute rivers and streams.
Even worse is that some real fur is being mislabeled as faux. In China, dogs and cats are killed for their fur. Their fur is then exported to consumers around the world, labeled as safe faux fur alternatives.
After reading these facts, it’s easy to want to give up all fur for good. But thankfully, there are faux fur options!
No Animals were Harmed in the Making of this Coat
Faux fur is the popular alternative to turn to when banning fur from your wardrobe. And with eco-friendly alternatives, it takes the worry of being able to wear faux fur sustainably away! Here are a few brands to browse through to help you decide where to shop.
- Calcaterra
Italian designer Daniele Calcaterra has developed a faux fur material from plastic bottles. The coats are so glossy and furry, you’d almost think it was the real stuff!
- Stella McCartney
This vegan designer prioritizes the welfare of animals and doesn’t use fur in her collections. Her ‘Fur-Free-Fur’ is a great alternative to the real thing and proves that animals never need to be harmed for fashion. Though made of acrylic, making them non-biodegradable, McCartney urges her customers to care for their items and to never throw them away. Faux fur can be easily upcycled or donated to a thrift shop for someone else to find and enjoy.
- SpiritHoods
If you’re looking for something a little more fun, this brand is for you! While they make normal faux fur coats, they also make funky hoods with attached mittens. Pick which animal you’d like to be and take a walk on the wild side!
Adopting (and making!) Faux Alternatives
Faux fur is great, but what if you can’t afford to pick up a new coat for this winter? Don’t worry, there are options for you too!
- Get Thrifty
Stella McCartney had it right: never throw faux fur away! Instead, just donate it. There are plenty of second-hand shops where you can track down a new faux fur coat without breaking the bank. Try local thrift stores in your town, or if you want something specific, Depot and Poshmark are online shops where people sell their gently used clothing.
- Get Crafty
You could also make your coat! If you sew, you can create your own perfect faux fur coat. Another alternative is taking a denim coat and shredding pieces to create a faux-fur look completely out of denim.
Whatever you choose, just make sure it’s fur-free, and you’ll look fabulous. Don’t forget to give some love to those animals with fur, and go visit an animal shelter like our local favorite, PAWS Chicago! Check us out on Instagram for more kitty content, too!
