I remember the dry cleaning companies advertising in Spring. The stores cleaned your fur coat and stored it in climate controlled conditions during the summer months and then customers picked up their coat when the weather cooled.
Neither of my grandmas were ever well to do. I ended up with a fur shawl from my late grandma, and then my living grandma lovingly gave me her old mink coat because she said I was the only one she knew would cherish the vintage item. I found a vintage mink hat on FB marketplace that is a close match to the coat. I love my furs... and my rabbit fur lined leather gloves in the winter that were also my late grandma's. I don't want to contribute to any fur industry but having my special vintage pieces is very special to me.
Surely your grandma's are so proud of you and really happy. I find your comments so adorable... Vintage fur is full of treasure and we find beautiful pieces !!! I'm surely you are special during winter season when you wear them...
I don't want to contribute to fur farming, either. However, I do eat meat, so it would be hypocritical of me to criticise the use of leather and thus sheep fur, for example. And I have 2 pairs of sheep fur gloves (in this climate they are first and foremost practical) and now I've gotten a sheep fur muff, also very practical. I'd accept rabbit too (just like I'd eat it.) But I wouldn't ever buy mink fur.
I think it’s also cultural. In Black community of Detroit, getting and wearing fur (coat, hat, jacket etc) is sign of wealth, respect style, “being grown”. Many girls remember their 1st piece of fur, and feeling like a grown up. It’s same with boys who get their first pair of gators
I was coming to say that. this is a very monocultural take. I often think about the Black Glama campaign and the hip-hop influence on mainstream fur fashions since the 1990s.
Yes I totally agree, I see often black ladies wear fur, the most popular is the mink full length. Honestly I find this ladies absolutely beautiful and so elegant... Real pleasure to see ladies wear them...
Fascinating as always! I inherited my mother’s short mink coat, and since I live in Canada I feel OK wearing this 50 year old vintage garment. Surveys have shown that about 2/3 of Canadians think it’s OK to wear fur, given our winter weather. This is especially true in Northern Canada where Aboriginal people depend on it to stay warm. However, during the pandemic, Covid-19 was found to be circulating among farmed mink in BC, and the Provincial government legislated the phase out of mink breeding.
Yes! I’m in Winnipeg and fur is a huge part of indigenous and Metis history here. I know quite a few people who process fur and tan their own hides for garments.
Very much agreed! I am concerned about ethical hunting and harvesting, and you can't beat the old ways for that. I'm honestly so grateful to the animals keeping me warm this winter - synthetics are not sufficient at -30°!
I agree that fur has great utility in particularly cold areas, I got a pair of rabbit fur earmuffs lined with beaver fur several decades ago at a winter craft market where I live in Ontario and I still wear them every year during the winter months and on particularly cold days I wear them underneath other wool layers since they are just big enough to cover my ears and they always keep my ears toasty warm even down to -40°C. I think that both rabbit fur and shearling fleece is particularly uncomplicated in it being thought of as ethically okay to use by most people, with possible exceptions for people who think animals shouldn’t be farmed at all, because it’s created as a byproduct of food production of rabbit and lamb meat for both people and pets food, but some other furs are a bit more nuanced in how they are grown and collected as to whether it’s thought of as ethical by the majority of people, for example some animals just aren’t able to live happy lives in captivity even when given good conditions especially if they’re naturally solitary animals and so farmed furs of those animals might be less ethically defensible than rabbit fur but the same sort of fur if it was caught in the wild from a large healthy population of those same animals that was then hunted or caught without causing undue distress to the animal before it died and in a trap that couldn’t accidentally catch any other types of animals that might be also in that area but are maybe endangered or someone’s lost house pet then that’s also usually thought of as perfectly fine especially if there’s a way to use more of the animal than just the fur, secondhand antique and vintage furs of all sorts that are used as is or remade into other items are also usually thought of as ethically perfectly fine so there’s a bit of nuance to the topic.
@@gerardacronin334 nobody on this comment response above has written just a single sentence, unless you were referring to your own comment? Sentences can be as long or as short as is necessary to finish a whole thought, and can be separated into as many discrete portions as is needed to meet that requirement by many different forms of punctuation; commas are very useful, but if it bothers you that several have been used in a row there are other options. Commas, semicolons, and periods can sometimes be used for the same pause in a thought, but they each require small changes in the words that have already been typed to use them if a whole thought has not been able to be succinctly expressed in as few words as possible the first time something is written down, and revising a comment on TH-cam as if it’s being graded by an English professor isn’t very high on my priorities list. I always disliked the nitpicking about punctuation and sentence length in school and how many revisions and hours of work were necessary to get a good grade in English class for a single paragraph so I don’t do that anymore and my thoughts are still expressed in an understandable way, but it requires much less time and makes my brain feel like an overheated motor without enough oil in the cogs less often, so excuse me if commas are still my favourite form of punctuation.
I remember back in the 90s PETA splashing paint onto ppl who were wearing fur. It permanently turned me off of wanting even a FAKE fur coat b/c I was afraid someone would try to hurt me if it looked too real.
@@drnono3386Yes, having to scrub off some paint and buy a new coat is equally as violent as being slaughtered to harvest your skin. You’re a very smart person whose opinions make so much sense.
I had a fake leather jacket in the early 90’s and someone sprayed red paint on it, I wished i could have told them it was fake but they didn’t confront me just did it secretly
My textbook from tailors/fashion school has a section on how to sew/work with fur. It’s really interesting especially how they cut the fur to get rectangular and bigger pieces that look like it is one piece. In that city there are still some shops that make/repair/resell fur coats but the trade has almost died out here in Germany.
My grandma had fur coats, yes, she had several (mink, rabbit, fox, sable, even wolf) from full length, to short coats, a vest, a stole, well she had many. But she constantly wore them in winter, and she didn't believe in turning up the thermostat unless it was truly freezing weather. I remember when every department store had a fur department and grandma found good bargains from Sears. I honestly don't know why so many people have such an aversion to fur, yet don't feel that way about leather. Faux fur doesn't keep you warm as well as the real stuff and every faux fur I've found smells wrong to my nose. I inherited a couple of 'stealth' fur coats from my uncle. They're full-grain leather on the outside, but they've got a removable fur lining and still are the warmest things I wear when it gets cold.
Oh Susan your comment is a fabulous verity and I'm happy to read this one... Your grandma had a beautiful collection of fur, the paradise for a sweet winter. I share your thinking and I never understand why we banned the real fur absolutely, during a cold winter the fur become our best friend and the feeling between warmest and softness are incredible... Personally I wear a fabulous mink full length and I appreciate it so much... If we love real fur what is the problem seriously, I don't see one for me.
With leather, the connection to the animal is no longer as clear as with fur. This is exactly the same as with chicken breasts that are sold without skin. You want the product, but you don't want to be reminded that it comes from a dead animal. However, this displacement does not work with fur.
Most leathers come from a byproduct of the meat industry - skin. People who raise animals for food tend to sell as many parts of the animals as possible to maximize profits. Sales aren't limited to food and leather production. Companies that make pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, fertilizers, and many other consumer goods make use of the byproducts of the meat industry. When animals are used solely for their skins/fur, that makes the issue much more personal. Then, the buyer has to recognize that animals lost their lives to make their personal coat and no other reason. For some people, that's a non-issue. For others, it's a huge moral dilemma. Everyone that wears or buys a fur coat has to decide what their level of emotional comfort is.
I'm ok with fur as long as the animal had a nice life before they went, and were fully adult before that happened. If I were buying a fur coat, I'd pay double for an RSPCA approved notice on them.
@@lorisewsstuff1607 I understand the train of thought that says leather is a by-product and therefore ok and fur is not. But that doesn't explain why sheep, rabbits or cows are accepted as leather but not as fur. That's why I still think that it has more to do with social alienation and the taboo surrounding death than with the explanation with a byproduct or not. The argument of by-product or not can be used to reject some types of fur, but it does not explain the general rejection of all furs. An experiment was once carried out in Germany. Live geese (of course from optimal husbandry and perfectly cared for) were offered for sale in a market place; the conditions were that the goose had to be slaughtered on site by a butcher in accordance with all regulations. The experiment had to be stopped because too many of the spectators were too shocked by the idea of witnessing an animal being killed. the same people who have no problem buying a piece of meat in the supermarket. This also matches what I wrote in the first comment, as long as you are not reminded of the origin of the products or death, most people have no problem with animal products. I can't tell anyone what decisions they can make, and the excuses they use to justify decisions to themselves are none of my business. But for me, a limit is reached when others try to convince me of their excuses or want to dictate to me. That hasn't happened here in the comments yet.
Some people in the comments have mentioned getting dirty looks for wearing fur. I wonder how much of that is still because of the ethics of fur, and how much of it is the result of our deep class divides. Faux fur has become so common, and real fur so rare to see, that I would imagine most people would assume someone is wearing faux fur.
I think there's definitely a loss of what real fur even means. Is someone trying to signal wealth and showing off? Are they wearing vintage to be ethical on purpose? etc. It used to mean one thing, now it's a jumble of potentially good or bad.
@@NicoleRudolph When I wear real fur, it's because I'm cold and I want something that's actually soft and warm. Polyester "fur" doesn't come close. People just need to mind their own business.
@@johnnyboyvan personally I have mink fur collection and I wear them during autumn and winter season, I love the softness and warmest, incredible feeling... I don't have problem for wear them on street...
Thank you for covering the environmental issues from a 360 perspective. Really got a lot out of this -- I didn't know natural fibre fake fur was a thing. Oooh, looking forward to the synthetics episode!
I had a fabulous faux fur coat from my grandmother. It was made of wool, was reversible. The looser black wool weave started coming apart. I begged my professional seamstress mother to remake it but she refused and made me get rid of it. It was from the 2920s and the inside was leopard print fur and was a wool and silk blend. ❤
@@kitefan1 Oh my typing is crap today. And I just realized I am answering on my you tune channel account and not my personal one. It's been a week. Yes, Gin Joints. Those lovely speak easy places you see in the old movies. Couldn't shut them down fast enough during Prohibition. I remember a great photo of my grandparents and he was wearing a full length racoon skin coat. I asked him about it once and he told me he lost it when he had to climb through a basement bathroom window to escape the police raid. Got my first story about what they did in the 1920;s that day.
Thanks. Having lived in Russia, the furs do keep warm in the coldest weather. Wool goes down to a certain temp then the furs and shearling coats came out. Fur hats, shapkas, were ubiquitous. The ‘Persian lamb” is Karakul breed of sheep. Lots of Brezhnev style hats were of Karakul. What furs help with is that they are windproof. And there too, vanity conscience and economizing occurred. Lots of attachable fur collars that could be removed to extend the seasons of the wool coat. Small collars or collars turning into lapels. I do hope wool gets used more. So much of the wool clip gets trashed. It costs more to shear than the wool worth. In the meanwhile, I send you warm holiday feelings for such a good video.
I have my grandmother's full length mink coat. It is so soft and luxurious. When I was little I used to love to sit by her when she was wearing it so I could lean on her coat and rub my face on it. The body of it is faux fur, and the collar is real. She wanted one in the 40s, but could not afford it. (Children came first ) In the 70s there was an ad in the paper of somebody selling the one they got in the 40s so her then adult children (my father my aunt and my uncle ) all chipped in and bought it for her. For years after she gave it to me (she was moving to Florida in 2000) it still had her perfume in it, but that was a long time ago. I am 60,. Unfortunately, I only wear it around the house. The last couple of times I wore it outside I was subject to people's cruel looks and words as if I killed it myself and advocate for doing so. You think people would know that it was vintage.I still absolutely love it and the memories of my grandmother in it. Sometimes I have wished they would come back in style, but fully agree on why it is not a good idea.
Nothing can give you the warmth and comfort as natural materials like fur, skins etc. I recently had a spending splurge on some furs and sheepskins from Ebay and local charity shops. It never ceases to amaze me what you can pick up these days for very little money. I got nearly new thirty year old sheepskin for 20 pounds uk and the warmth it gives is just different to anything man made. I also got some furs for about the same. The thing is these coats will be around for another thirty years and that's more important than ever.
Oh, although not popular, they are certainly not fully dead in our age. But perhaps fur coats are way more appropriate for very, VERY cold climate? I still remember that when I was a schoolgirl my mom used to give me her natural fur coat for warmth, when it got below -30 °C. It really was extremelly effective, but oh golly was it HEAVY :D My shoulders used to end up sooo sore and tired on those days
I had a leather bomber jacket lined in mink, and it was the warmest thing I've ever owned. That being said, sometimes quality could be the issue. The closest thing to that coat for warmth was my father's WWII pea coat. A co-worker accidentally grabbed it leaving work, and I had to wear his Viet Nam era pea coat home. We both noticed the difference in how warm they kept us: both were navy issue with the same materials but what a difference.
What a serendipitous video to be coming out right now! I restored a mink coat a while back that was gifted to me by a good friend, and then another friend who works in a thrift store was donated a white fox fur that couldn't legally be sold, so the options were either trash or gift, and it was gifted to me too! As I listen, I'm hand-sewing it into a hand muff (and will soon be making a Russian hat with the rest.) I really share the qualms people have with fur as an industry if it's ONLY aesthetics driven, but man, there's a lot to be said of the really good FUNCTION of fur (and leather.) There's nothing as warm as that mink coat, and I feel really lucky to have the means to utilize the fox fur that would have been otherwise discarded and turn it into something warm and lovely for winter. (It's the 'using the whole buffalo' feeling, y'know?) That being said, the coat is indeed, so beautiful. lol. So aesthetics are still a part of the experience. I haven't noticed any dirty looks so far wearing it out. Usually I get compliments, and when I say it's real and restored, people seem really interested. But I also go to events where vintage dress is common (lots of swing dancing), and I bet many people there tend to share my perspectives about preservation and restoration and the like. Very cool video! Thank you for making it!
Never had a coat but in the 80's my parents raised rabbits and as a child I owned a rabbit fur muff. (Think tube on a cord to hide your hands in) It was the softest and warmest thing I've ever had. 🥰
I own lots of second hand furs, all second hand. My biggest argument is: should the fur not be worn? That would be a waste! Before my real fur coats i had a fake one from plastic. It wasnt warm at all and took on smells too good. My furs keep me warm, they will last me for such a long time (though I do resell them). The only bad thing about them is the care you should give them. Ive come to realize, that owning fur coats also means caring for them. Just because I can afford them (they are quite cheap where i live, not very much in style) doesnt mean i can care for them properly, give them to a furrier for repairs. Plus, they are really heavy. So props to those, that know how to care for them and have the time and money to do so. Furs make a great accesoire and are so good for a cold windy day. Thank you for this great video. PS i in fact own a bubblegum pink coat that is lined with bubblegum pink fox fur
Your comment is so true, your argument is just logical and wear vintage fur is the perfection... Surely this is warm, soft and don't forget the elegance... What vintage fur you have ? Real pleasure
One of my friends got kicked out of a bar last fall for wearing a vintage fur coat. They fully refused to serve her, we were all shocked and thought the bartender was joking at first
The thing about fur coats… they’re much more effective with the fur INSIDE ! The way they’re worn by the majority of people from very cold climate wearing fur traditionally. I’m absolutely here for faux-fur not made from plastic. And 2nd hands garments of course.
That genuinely surprises me since the fur's on the outside of the animal that made it. You're never safe from learning when you're reading the comments of a Nicole Rudolph video.
I always wondered about this. Makes sense, that’s how I layer clothes myself. Wondering why the animal is the opposite, oh wait I’m dumb as hell skin and stuff.. Jesus I surprise myself sometimes.
Indigenous Australians wore their fur cloaks with the fur inside and the waterproof skin outside. Whenever white people took their photo, they insisted that they wear the cloaks inside out so the picture would look more impressive to Europeans.
@saulemaroussault6343 my vintage coats do have the fur inside. Also, the fur lining is removable so I can get the fur and the leather shell cleaned separately. Also makes it more versatile since the leather shell can still be worn during slightly warmer seasons.
I have a mink from the 80s and a beaver coat from the 50s, both of which were given to me. I live in Ottawa Canada and these are hands down the best things to wear in winter
It's not just in the garbage/ landfill that plastic clothes stick around, but as they degrade they end up in our watercolumn, and in our bodies. Gross. Ask me why I try to stay away from plastic now...
One of my absolute favourite fake fur garments is the iconic 'Teddybear Coat' (officially called "Smocks; Wool Pile"), which were worn by the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) during the Second World War. The ATS was the women's branch of the British Army during the war. The smocks were extreme cold weather garments, supplied to those women who helped man the Anti-Aircraft gun sites all across England. I've had the pleasure of handling a real original one that my friend owns, and it's just the snuggliest wool pile! Plus it looks so cute and cosy when worn 😊
i think too that a lot of people dont wear fur bc of the whole peta-throwing-paint-on-fur-coats thing. That definitely holds me back bc i dont want to make a huge investment for it to be potentially destroyed by some stranger. not sure how much that still happens but its seeped into the subconscious
@@argon3 Good on them why? Just because their campaign was effective doesn't mean it was for a good cause. Did you just forget about them putting down animals in kill shelters, kidnapping dogs from homeless people and putting them down, etc?
I love vintage furs. I just got a 3/4 length sable for $37 from a Goodwill auction in the late summer time. It will last me for many years and not end up in the landfill 🕊🕊🕊
Oh you find a treasure, very good price for a sable fur, surely you appreciate wear it during cold weather... Do you have other vintage fur ? I'm curious really sorry. I love vintage fur too.
My grandma had her grandmothers old fur shawl (I’m assuming mink) but it was in terrible disrepair with not much left of it. She ended up getting somebody to make it into a teddy bear and it was such a beautiful way to preserve history while repurposing it.
I inherited my grandmother's mink coat and silver fox stole but I have never worn them because #1 I have much broader shoulders than she did, #2 I live in California where it rarely snows so I have no practical reason to wear them, #3 the anti-fur protests of the 70's and 80's stopped my grandmother from wearing them in public before they became mine (I think she obtained them in 1930's when she married a banker), #4 I do not go anyplace where fancy clothing might be worn. I did have a coat with a fake fur collar that I wore decades ago, but had to throw out when the polyester began to deteriorate just like you said. Fibers literally started flaking off into dust.
My Aunt had a fur stole in the late sixties that was an entire fox. The fox's jaw came around to clamp on the tail. My mother was annoyed when I asked my Aunt, just as they were leaving how it worked. Aunt was happy to show me. Creepily fascinating.
I can remember back one summer, some 20 years ago some mink saver group released someone's gaggle of Minks in the Seattle area, to save them from cruelty. Turns out most of the critters that were able to make it safely across the freeway, died from stress, heat & inability to find water. Perhaps they were Chinchillas, IDK? I guess the do-gooders meant well; it was actually horrific & well, cruel.
Hi, greetings. Loved this video. My mother had a short black mink that was given to her by my grandfather in the 50s. When she died in 1993, the coat was in fabulous shape. My grandmother had a black Persian coat and several fox stoles. Fur coats last for ages. Happy christmas!!
Fun fact: real fur coats are still extremely covered in modern-day ex-USSR countries. For example, for my Russian mom, getting a new fur coat is a dream come true. As a child in the USSR, I had a rabbit fur coat, and my mom would be highly obsessed with me not making it dirty or ripping it. It was very coveted!
I also had a rabbit fur coat as a child (growing up in New York near the Canadian border). When I was 8, my mother and I went to Toronto for a weekend and she bought me my rabbit fur coat and a full-length raccoon fur coat for herself. She gave away my coat a few years ago, but still has her coat. I wore it a few years ago one winter and it was divinely warm!
A late boss of mine was an animal rights fanatic, and she and her friends fought against faux fur and animal print clothes because they were "a gateway." If you wore them, you were automatically going to want the real thing. Just like the argument that if you smoke pot, you're automatically going to want heroin.
I remember vividly as a little girl when my father bought my mother a full length mink coat. Thought was a really big day in her life fashion life, fashion wise. It's kind of also meant that my father had achieved a level of success. Almost all my mother's friends had mink coats or jackets. My grandmother certainly had a mink jacket. I still have one of her tippets I have a 60-year-old mink coat that belong to my brother's mother-in-law. It's still in great shape and it's warm as all get out. I'm going to have to at some point fairly soon have it relined and have the furs conditioned but I'm going to hang on to it. It was made somewhere in Europe. As she was Dutch
At least in American fashion, I think there are has also been such a shift towards comfort and ease of care, that I don't think most people would want to deal with the upkeep of real fur.
I wore a fur stole to prom maybe six years ago-- my mother got it second hand. About the only time I've wore fur. I have never seen a full fur coat in my life, I live in the kansas, and we get cold, but not that cold. I would like the celebriteis that said that animals shouldn't be killed and torutures to satify the whims of the famous to think aout how many people have to suffer for their lifestyle-- it's just as stark. Animals have more support that workers in america
Thank you so much for helping me understand these materials and the ethics and class-based history of them. I have new goals to research. Have an awesome 2025!
I don't think I would ever buy a brand new fur coat, real or fake, even if I could afford it. But I would buy and use a vintage fur. No new animals harmed or more plastic pollution caused, please.
I live in Michigan and theres a huge stigma against fur here because most people stay inside in winter. As I love both nature and fashion, I adore being outside in the winter, but weather people like it here or not, it gets so cold here, a fur coat is obviously the most sensible thing to wear here once we hit January. The sheltered, cowardly privilege of it all kind of drives me crazy.
This video reminded me of the fact, that we still have my greatgrandma's fur coat. I don't know when she got it or when she last wore it, because I never saw her wear it but she never got rid of it, probably because she thought it valuable. I think she stopped wearing it because wearing real fur became a thing to frown upon. After she died and we gave away most of her clothes, my grandma insisted we keep the coat. In a "real fur is too good to donate" kind of way. On the one hand I think it is kind of sad, that the coat now collects dust in a wardrobe, but on the other I don't know what to do with it since I'm not even sure our clothing donation places take fur? The whole topic just leaves a bitter taste for me 😕
I have a several furs, live in a warm weather so I don’t get to wear them too much, and I’ve never put them in cold storage and they are perfectly fine after decades and decades.
Wouldn’t the fur be warmer if it were fuzzy side in? Due to the increased surface area that translates into more dead air space? So these fur coats are even more extra- showing that the buyer can afford a coat that won’t even keep you as warm as it should.
Nicole: I have a Borgana coat that I received from mother & father for my high school graduation, (many moons ago). It still looks new and I still wear it, especially with my jeans. It still looks smashing. I just love it! Carol from California
I used to work at a private club. While I was there they renovated their side entrance and installed a cedar lined fur closet. The dinner hostess kept the key, or if there was a function, the coat check staff. It was used quite often here in north eastern PA. I was quite surprised to come across a fur store in Macon Georgia about 15 years ago. I don’t remember what the prices were like, although I knew they were more than what I could afford. I did go into a fur shop in Quebec City. I had to ring a bell for entrance. The woman was so nice, and allowed me to try on quite a few of the men’s jackets and coats. I would have bought one or 2 of them, if I could have.
I had a Swedish university instructor who had lived in the former Soviet Union in the 70s. She said that fur was absolutely essential there in the winter. Brought her fur from Sweden, though. My Canadian mum, her mother and aunts all had fur collars on their winter wool coats.
Thank you for your always well-researched topics. I was a teenager when fur coats went out of style. It's an interesting topic. I would still buy a fur coat with a chamois lining and am mostly vegetarian - so where does one draw the line? I'm looking forward to hearing your take on synthetic fabrics and even cellulose-based fibres like rayon. Happy holidays and best wishes for the new year!!
I have a collection of furs, and as soon as it drops to 55 degrees, I bring out my girls! They're all vintage, and most of them are from the 40's and 50's, they're very real and very beautiful. The most cost me $85 snd they're in excellent condition!
I find your comments so true and I know you are proud of wear fur and you have all my support... When we have a fur collection if important to wear it, I have fur too and i understand the feeling and the softness...
Cheap mink coats were made of weird bits of pelt previously discarded. Mink head coats were thrilling to groups that couldn’t afford mink, but were pretty obvious. $125 didn’t get you Blackglama, it got you weird off cuts pieced in particular patterns. Do not assume that furs are created equal or that cheap mink was an equalizer. It was not. I worked in a major southern department store in the eighties. Got to see a lot first hand.
This reminds me to wear my fur, I bought a mink stole at a estate sale for $80. And this summer I bought a rabbit fur hat for the husband to keep his head warm as hes balding.. we look dashing in fur ❤
This is good investment for the head of your husband, surely the mink stole is lovely... Wear fur is always a fabulous experience during cold weather... personally I wear it and never bad comment i hear.
I thrifted a short fake fur coat (wool based) for $40 dollars. It’s warm and easy to care for. There was a mink collar coat that made its way from great-grandma to a contemporary cousin. It’s 80 years old and has kept 4 generations warm and well dressed. I see it as remake and reuse at its best.
I wear a lot of early 1940s vintage style clothes for everyday, but I also have an SCA background. As a result I have access to a lot of vintage furs that I can repair and refashion. Sometimes it is a lovely fur capelet for a nice evening evening out, but sometimes it is also taking a torn and damaged fur coat and using the fur to trim some SCA garb. I have also made a couple of blankets over the years from vintage coats (I am working on one at the moment that was huge marmot coat from the late 1930s) and turn them in to blankets- perfect for keeping warm in a winter medieval encampment which gets close to freezing overnight.
Ack, you've triggered the embarrassing memory of my Aunt having a manikin stripped of its fake lambs wool "fur" coat with leather trim, and having me dressed in it while on the floor of Lord and Taylor's in NYC. I was probably 7 or 8, she liked to borrow me since she had no kids. It was not a warm coat, it might have been fine in the city and very fashionable for the early 70's. But, I lived 3-4 hours away in a river valley where waking up to well below freezing temps was not uncommon at that time. I was required to wear it to school. Thankfully, I outgrew it before the next winter.
Great video. It shows us that faux has an interesting history of its own. Contemporary nylon faux-fur is part of the plastic industry and is bad for every animal on the planet including the person sweating in it. More sustainable to buy an old (real) fur and wear it for decades. My grandmother was a furrier, she also remodeled and the same coat could last for 50 years refashioned. BTW, most fur coats and jackets, including Persian Astrakhan, Karakul lamb, aren't naturally heavy, it's the hessian interfacing and/or other interlinings that make them so. Outerwear was constructed to keep warm whatever the aesthetic. I guess we take heating for granted now, even when we're on a train or in a car.
I had the opportunity to buy 50s fur coat for a reasonable price. I live in north where I could have put it in good use. But I was too afraid of what other people would think about me wearing fur with all animal rights activists and such. So I didn’t buy it even though I was soo warm 😢 and I’m still sad about it. It had very lovely cut too
Honestly why thinking in a first time about what people thinking if you wear this fur coat, thinking in the first time about your personal life and your pleasure... If you want wear a fur coat who is superior for judging your life. Honestly, buy abd wear it with the smile and no matter about activities or other people thinking...
If they only thought, I wouldn't care, unfortunately many activists are not exactly squeamish when it comes to violence. “People can be hurt, animals can’t” is apparently the motto of many activists.@@kev6397
@ you would think it’s that simple, right? But it wasn’t for me back then. It was my first time wearing it so I’m not used to it, that’s first. Second in my country we have a strong stigma about wearing animal fur even though we live in north. So just thought going out first time wearing fur and feeling judged was too much for me. Of course I now regret thinking like that but what’s done is done
@@HaHaHaLMFAOtv I understand your explanation about the difficult aspects of wear fur. Now if you have a new opportunity, you buy a vintage fur coat ?
I think my Mom inherited a fur coat from my grandma. I work in a thrift store in clothing processing and I see so many different kinds of fabric come through. I prefer the cotton, linen and wool based items just from touch alone. Plus the amount of clothing that we sort through each day is mind boggling.
My mum had a fake mink coat in the 60/70s, which she passed off as real. She had a real leopard skin hat. I inherited it. It was all legal (CITES Certificate etc). I did not know what to do with it. I thought of cutting it up and turning it into a collar for a black wool suit. Never did so. But if I had, I would have pretended it was a fake. It lives in a drawer now, still smelling of her perfume.
My favorite coat is my "Teddy fur coat" that I got at Goodwill when I was in highschool. I also inherited my mother's short multi colored fox fur coat. Even though it gets super cold where I live I never wear it because it is real fur.
Good overview. I can't stand synthetics but a quality silk or wool faux fur sounds really good. I do love my furs but I always get them 2nd hand or from humane sources.
I have a Collectif Pearl coat with the faux fur cuffs and giant collar. I am drowned in positive comments every time I wear it. Women and men, everyone tells me how stunning it is. I think it’s because we rarely see plush, heavy coats where I live. I have and wear vintage mink. If I lived in a cold climate, I’d wear it much more.
Beautiful comment and I'm happy of reading this one. Fabulous for you be complimented when you wear this coat. Do you have compliments when you wear the mink ? Personally I wear vintage mink too and I love the feeling.
I was so happy to see your video on my list. I adore fur coats and faux fur I love. Another great video, I love to learn new things, btw I love your style and your super pretty!💗✨
I have a number of faux fur pieces and a single mink stole that I inherited from my Oma, I believe my Dziadek bought for her c.1980, and it’s by far the softest thing I’ve ever felt. I think sustainable acquisition methods to natural furs are the way forward, personally.
I have a rabbit fur lined hat (thrifted) and its so cozy in a way that modern faux fur just can't be, especially cuz the fur is on the inside. I would *love* more affordable fur fabric made of natural fibers. I've put off making a fursuit cuz of how bad i feel about all that plastic and the inevitable microplastic shedding
I would never buy a new fur coat, but would not be adverse to a vintage one. I do not support an industry that farms animals just for their fur. I have a problem with commercial meat to so don’t anyone come at me for that! In fact, I rarely eat meat anymore. Anyway…upon her passing, my grandmother’s fur coat was made into old fashioned jointed bears for my cousin and I. I absolutely love that I have this part of her with me always. As for faux fur, well, much as I would like one, it would have to be of very high quality and actually keep me warm for me to get it! I enjoyed this video and thank you very much for all the work you put into teaching us about the fashion history!
I read an article recently within the last two weeks that a long time business is closing in our community the furrier store after I believe it said 150 years. I was given my mother in laws fur collar coat when she moved to Florida in 1999. I’m not sure it still fits. I had my mother’s fake fur coat that the lining was shredded on into an extra large memory bear and a large bunny. Along with her wool felted coat to make a set(s). The bunnies I gave to my niece for a wedding present. I kept the bears, I collect bears. Fake fur trim was popular on parka style coats when I was about middle school age.
Awesome video, thanks! I am currently doing research on the history of fur garments and types of fur used. The real fur/vs. Faux is a complex issue There aren't many skilled Furriers left, especially in the states, but I've had a chance to talk to some and they have fascinating takes on the evolution of transportation and how it shaped practicality in fur. (Aka, shorter fur coats are much easier to get in and out of cars/taxis vs time period or region where people walk most places.) You can also date most things made with Fox fur by the color and type used.
My mom and I looked at fur coats at antique stores rhis summer. We had great fun looking at them and trying them on. I wish i looked shapely in them, and they were long enough in the arms. I am a tall, willowy woman..
My granny was VERY SERIOUS about her fur coats and my other grandmother wears hers EVERY WINTER! It’s actually the only coat I see her in on Sundays or to nice events. Lots of the older generations save their coats for nice occasions and sundays. But most older ppl I know even if they dnt wear it, have a real fur coat.
Where I live, it's probably cold enough not to overheat in fur a few days or nights a year. I have a USA union -made wool coat (not sure if it's cashmere or merino) that is so warm, I only wear it a few times a year in Northern California coastal areas. It's a heathered dark grey double-breasted peacoat, full-length, obviously inspired by military coats. It's 20 years old and although it's not as fluffy and soft after a few dry-cleanings, it shows no signs of wear. It still fits despite my gaining over 20lbs since I bought it. At this rate, this lovely coat should last the rest of my life (I'm almost 60).
In the NYC Area in the 1970’s, it was a very real concern that you’d get attacked with red paint or dye. And the environmentalists were not careful or quiet about hurling the red paint. I saw this happen and it was quite scary.
in europe, many mink farms had to kill all their mink because they got covid. also it seems that only Russia and China have been the countries where fur skins were purchased, but many fashion houses stopped using real fur and the price of fur collapsed at some point. The era of animal furs has long passed because many fur companies have stopped operating or a law has come into force that has banned the breeding of fur animals
The climate also makes a difference. For instance, in Canada men still wear fur felt hats in the winter bc they’re a functional item. At the same time, in LA, even in the middle of winter women just can’t find boots in retail due to lack of demand. Our friends from LA were shopping for boots while visiting SF.
I bought my fur from Neiman's in 1991. I saw it on a mannequin across the store; I thought it by far the nicest coat there. I made up my mind to try it on, so I would at least know what I was aiming for. It felt so soft and lush, and it draped beautifully in the back. Imagine my astonishment and delight when I discovered it was fake and only cost 500 dollars! It was constructed exactly like the ones costing 20 times as much. I would have suspected some skulduggery with the price tag, but fortunately the saleslady was there to reassure me - and she agreed that it was the most beautiful coat in her large fur shop.
My bffs mom gave me her families vintage furs. I have 2 coats and 2 cashmere with fur trim sweaters. I love them and only wear them on special occasions. They are so warm and beautiful. The coats are monogramed too. My MIL has furs as well that I'll inherit. She lent me one for an event I attended with her son while we were dating. (now that we're married she hates me and I'll only see "the good stuff" after she dies) 🙄 I personally love fur as long as it either vintage or made in part with using of the whole animal to survive.
If you love fur and you appreciate wear it. Why you wear only during special occasion ? Wear your fur everyday during cold season. I love fur too and understand you perfectly...
Me, watching this while wearing a 10-year-old reversible fur/raincoat on a cross country bus ride in the desert. Natural textiles last decades longer than synthetic, are breathable, hypoallergenic, odor resistant, and biodegradable. There really is no substitute.
As a LARPer, we prize having ethically sourced furs to add to our kits. I personally have a fox that I use for more fancy occasions in game. Existing in a community where things like furs and leathers are okay and not frowned upon (as long as you do your research and get them ethically) really changed my views on them.
Possum/merino wool is gaining traction here in NZ as a pest control measure. (Brush tailed possums are hard on ecosystems they don’t belong in) Its kind of a stealth fur and incredibly warm (lasts for years as well)
My grandma had my great-grandma's fur coat from the mid 20th century- a hip length sable capelet. It was a Big Deal that she had one, as a poor-middle class midwestern farmer and 2nd generation immigrant- thank you for the context as to why!
I'd love a faux fur coat in a natural fibre, there's something super cosy about fur but I'm not interested in actual fur! Also I think even if people aren't in the same demographic, having 'lower wealth brackets' wearing similar looking clothing can definitely bring down the value of the original highly expensive item, see Burberry chavs for a more recent example 😂 It just shows the inherent fickleness of fashion, that it's about looking unaffordable rather than wearing something you enjoy
My grandmother is still immensely proud of her real fur coat. She is 92 and came over from Germany during ww2. She was a farm girl and she met my grandfather in the US who had also came from Germany. He started sweeping floors at a construction supply company. He went from that to growing a company with a couple of partners to buying out those partners. Along the way when they were finally making a profit and more than just making ends meet (while raising 4 kids) he bought he the fur coat. She only takes it out for special occasions so it still looks pristine. But she preens when she wears that coat. Because to her it is kind of like say they made it.
When I was a child I had a used "fur coat" my mother picked up at a thrift store. The inside was unlined with fabric but rather had this leather-like "skin" with the soft plush fur on the outside. I always insisted it was "real fur" but my mother said it was fake. Did they make fake fur coats with a "leather" lining?
@@lisettegarcia It was the softest thing and I loved rubbing my hands over it. And it was very warm, but heavy. It was an incredibly dark brown but the fur was short. I wonder what kind it was
That was likely a sheepskin! Most furs don't have the interior exposed because it's actually rough to the touch (not so much scratchy, but not smooth).
Fur coats are usually lined, not because the skin feels uncomfortable, but because the seams could be scratchy and are not particularly nice, and there are a lot of seams. There is not enough information to answer the question of what type of fur the coat was. The color and length of the hair says relatively little, you can do everything with fur that a hairdresser can do with hair, and even more. It would be interesting to know how big the individual pieces were that were put together and how heavy the coat was. From this you could deduce whether it is: cow, unlikely because the hair is very short and hard and the leather is very heavy. A shorn and dyed sheepskin would be large pieces that don't necessarily need lining, but wouldn't be as soft and cuddly either. Mink, beaver or seal would also be conceivable and would fit the description of hair well, but then the inside would be full of seams . Depending on which country the coat comes from and when it was made, a whole range of other types are also possible. On the other question, whether it was real fur or fake fur, I'm pretty sure it was real fur, although there was already artificial leather in the 1930s, the effort involved in adding artificial leather to the inside of a fake fur is too high and therefore unlikely.
@@JonaWolf11 Definitely not cow because I know what a cow feels like and it wasn't that. I also don't think sheep because it wasn't "sheep-y" it was soft like fur. Also I'm allergic to wool so I don't think my mother would have put a sheep-skin coat on me. I don't remember how many seams, I'm pulling up memories from almost 50 years ago, I just know it had some. As far as weight, it seemed heavy to a 11 year old child, but that's all relative, so I can't really say. I always said it was seal, but this from a child who'd never seen a seal outside of a zoo and certainly never touched a real one so I don't really know. I don't think it was bear, not at all, but my nick-name when I wore that coat became "Little Bear" just because it was brown and furry and I guess I looked "bear-like". The inside felt rough, not smooth, and reminded me of leather, but not smooth leather like a purse or boots, but much rougher than suede. I wonder if it did have a lining at some point but was torn out of it before my mother bought it. I wish I still had it, not that it would fit me anymore, but it was a cool coat. It's funny the things from your childhood that you miss and wish you'd kept.
I have a real Persian lamb my mom got from her aunt. It was from the 40's. My Mom went to a Furriers and had it remade in the 80's. I have it now. It is heavy but I wear it when in is below zero. It is warm.
My grandmother had two, which she handed down to my mother, but fur went out of fashion and she didn’t really wear them after the mid 80s. She never replaced them and I wouldn’t either but I live in a temperate climate so it’s not a necessity. I think if it was for survival I’d wear fur but not for fashion.
Thank you for the reminder, still have a fur coat a coworker passed on to me to rework into something Late Medieval. You can't really wearfur coats these days, but just throwing them out also feels very disrespectful.
A major thing got left out here. Real fur doesn’t get bought. It’s rented. Every year it needs “to go to storage”. Heat wrecks furs, they can’t sit in a closet. The skins dry and go brittle. They go to a refrigerated warehouse where they get linings removed and cleaned and glazed. Repairs are made. It costs a fair bit. The middle class people who could afford fur and the upkeep pre Reagan just don’t have the disposable income.
I mentioned this on your insta as well, my grandmother (b. 1910) had a fake fur Borgana coat that she loved. I have no idea when she bought it, but she still had that thing when she died just shy of 92 in 2002. It was soft and I wish it fit me as I would have figured a way to keep it. (She was 5' in her old age and I am 5'9". I used to like to go up behind her an rest my chin on her head. lol)
My mother was *obsessed* with owning real fur in the 1980s, and we could definitely not afford her owning a nice fur coat. To her, a crappy real fur coat was more important than a nice coat that was just plain and warm. Not that I am opposed to natural fur or leather- I’ve spent a couple thousand on goat hides for the Krampus costume I’m wearing in my profile picture. She was just spending money she couldn’t afford on a garment that wasn’t worth what she was spending.
I live in Texas where fur would be a hinderance given that it doesn’t get cold enough, but this video is informative about the social practices around it when it was the preferred method of staying warm.
Fun story. My cousin owns property that used to be a mink farm. He has a photo of what the property used to look like with multiple barns for the minks. Currently only one 1 is left. And the harvesting room is creepy. But, the two men who owned the farm decided they were wasting have the product using only the fur of the minks. So, the meat became dog food. Specifically Iams dog food. That is if my cousin was told correctly. Eventually the two farm owners split up. One took the fur business. One took over the dog food business.
Personally i appreciate your video. I have a collection of mink coat from grandma and grandpa. I wear a trench with mink inside, this is a vintage piece and I'm proud of wear it, real fur is soft, warm and a real comfort... I see grandma and mom wear fur since I'm children and i don't have problem with the idea of wear animals. I eat meat and I don't have a hypocrite attitude !!!
I remember the dry cleaning companies advertising in Spring. The stores cleaned your fur coat and stored it in climate controlled conditions during the summer months and then customers picked up their coat when the weather cooled.
Neither of my grandmas were ever well to do. I ended up with a fur shawl from my late grandma, and then my living grandma lovingly gave me her old mink coat because she said I was the only one she knew would cherish the vintage item. I found a vintage mink hat on FB marketplace that is a close match to the coat. I love my furs... and my rabbit fur lined leather gloves in the winter that were also my late grandma's. I don't want to contribute to any fur industry but having my special vintage pieces is very special to me.
Surely your grandma's are so proud of you and really happy. I find your comments so adorable... Vintage fur is full of treasure and we find beautiful pieces !!! I'm surely you are special during winter season when you wear them...
I don't want to contribute to fur farming, either. However, I do eat meat, so it would be hypocritical of me to criticise the use of leather and thus sheep fur, for example. And I have 2 pairs of sheep fur gloves (in this climate they are first and foremost practical) and now I've gotten a sheep fur muff, also very practical. I'd accept rabbit too (just like I'd eat it.)
But I wouldn't ever buy mink fur.
I think it’s also cultural. In Black community of Detroit, getting and wearing fur (coat, hat, jacket etc) is sign of wealth, respect style, “being grown”. Many girls remember their 1st piece of fur, and feeling like a grown up. It’s same with boys who get their first pair of gators
Same thing i was thinking while the general world might see it as old and out of style in my community fur still has a prominent place
I was coming to say that. this is a very monocultural take. I often think about the Black Glama campaign and the hip-hop influence on mainstream fur fashions since the 1990s.
@ omg It’s Julian. I collect your patterns for my imaginary husband 🙃
Yes I totally agree, I see often black ladies wear fur, the most popular is the mink full length. Honestly I find this ladies absolutely beautiful and so elegant... Real pleasure to see ladies wear them...
So true. I still have my great grandmother’s coat that she got from Dittrich’s furs.
Fascinating as always! I inherited my mother’s short mink coat, and since I live in Canada I feel OK wearing this 50 year old vintage garment. Surveys have shown that about 2/3 of Canadians think it’s OK to wear fur, given our winter weather. This is especially true in Northern Canada where Aboriginal people depend on it to stay warm. However, during the pandemic, Covid-19 was found to be circulating among farmed mink in BC, and the Provincial government legislated the phase out of mink breeding.
Yes! I’m in Winnipeg and fur is a huge part of indigenous and Metis history here. I know quite a few people who process fur and tan their own hides for garments.
Very much agreed! I am concerned about ethical hunting and harvesting, and you can't beat the old ways for that. I'm honestly so grateful to the animals keeping me warm this winter - synthetics are not sufficient at -30°!
I agree that fur has great utility in particularly cold areas, I got a pair of rabbit fur earmuffs lined with beaver fur several decades ago at a winter craft market where I live in Ontario and I still wear them every year during the winter months and on particularly cold days I wear them underneath other wool layers since they are just big enough to cover my ears and they always keep my ears toasty warm even down to -40°C. I think that both rabbit fur and shearling fleece is particularly uncomplicated in it being thought of as ethically okay to use by most people, with possible exceptions for people who think animals shouldn’t be farmed at all, because it’s created as a byproduct of food production of rabbit and lamb meat for both people and pets food, but some other furs are a bit more nuanced in how they are grown and collected as to whether it’s thought of as ethical by the majority of people, for example some animals just aren’t able to live happy lives in captivity even when given good conditions especially if they’re naturally solitary animals and so farmed furs of those animals might be less ethically defensible than rabbit fur but the same sort of fur if it was caught in the wild from a large healthy population of those same animals that was then hunted or caught without causing undue distress to the animal before it died and in a trap that couldn’t accidentally catch any other types of animals that might be also in that area but are maybe endangered or someone’s lost house pet then that’s also usually thought of as perfectly fine especially if there’s a way to use more of the animal than just the fur, secondhand antique and vintage furs of all sorts that are used as is or remade into other items are also usually thought of as ethically perfectly fine so there’s a bit of nuance to the topic.
@ You know, it’s OK to write more than one sentence! 😅
@@gerardacronin334 nobody on this comment response above has written just a single sentence, unless you were referring to your own comment? Sentences can be as long or as short as is necessary to finish a whole thought, and can be separated into as many discrete portions as is needed to meet that requirement by many different forms of punctuation; commas are very useful, but if it bothers you that several have been used in a row there are other options. Commas, semicolons, and periods can sometimes be used for the same pause in a thought, but they each require small changes in the words that have already been typed to use them if a whole thought has not been able to be succinctly expressed in as few words as possible the first time something is written down, and revising a comment on TH-cam as if it’s being graded by an English professor isn’t very high on my priorities list. I always disliked the nitpicking about punctuation and sentence length in school and how many revisions and hours of work were necessary to get a good grade in English class for a single paragraph so I don’t do that anymore and my thoughts are still expressed in an understandable way, but it requires much less time and makes my brain feel like an overheated motor without enough oil in the cogs less often, so excuse me if commas are still my favourite form of punctuation.
I remember back in the 90s PETA splashing paint onto ppl who were wearing fur.
It permanently turned me off of wanting even a FAKE fur coat b/c I was afraid someone would try to hurt me if it looked too real.
True
Terror tactics. Just as violent as the activities they were supposedly against.
@@drnono3386Yes, having to scrub off some paint and buy a new coat is equally as violent as being slaughtered to harvest your skin. You’re a very smart person whose opinions make so much sense.
I had a fake leather jacket in the early 90’s and someone sprayed red paint on it, I wished i could have told them it was fake but they didn’t confront me just did it secretly
That started in the 80s. It turned me off to fur as well.
My textbook from tailors/fashion school has a section on how to sew/work with fur. It’s really interesting especially how they cut the fur to get rectangular and bigger pieces that look like it is one piece. In that city there are still some shops that make/repair/resell fur coats but the trade has almost died out here in Germany.
@@Cantseemuch woher kommst du? In BaWü gibt es noch relativ viele Kürschner.
Shout out edelweiss, shout out der schwartzwald, shout out my vintage fallschirspringen hosen, shout out Lichtenstein.
My grandma had fur coats, yes, she had several (mink, rabbit, fox, sable, even wolf) from full length, to short coats, a vest, a stole, well she had many. But she constantly wore them in winter, and she didn't believe in turning up the thermostat unless it was truly freezing weather. I remember when every department store had a fur department and grandma found good bargains from Sears. I honestly don't know why so many people have such an aversion to fur, yet don't feel that way about leather. Faux fur doesn't keep you warm as well as the real stuff and every faux fur I've found smells wrong to my nose. I inherited a couple of 'stealth' fur coats from my uncle. They're full-grain leather on the outside, but they've got a removable fur lining and still are the warmest things I wear when it gets cold.
Oh Susan your comment is a fabulous verity and I'm happy to read this one... Your grandma had a beautiful collection of fur, the paradise for a sweet winter. I share your thinking and I never understand why we banned the real fur absolutely, during a cold winter the fur become our best friend and the feeling between warmest and softness are incredible... Personally I wear a fabulous mink full length and I appreciate it so much... If we love real fur what is the problem seriously, I don't see one for me.
With leather, the connection to the animal is no longer as clear as with fur. This is exactly the same as with chicken breasts that are sold without skin. You want the product, but you don't want to be reminded that it comes from a dead animal. However, this displacement does not work with fur.
Most leathers come from a byproduct of the meat industry - skin. People who raise animals for food tend to sell as many parts of the animals as possible to maximize profits. Sales aren't limited to food and leather production. Companies that make pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, fertilizers, and many other consumer goods make use of the byproducts of the meat industry.
When animals are used solely for their skins/fur, that makes the issue much more personal. Then, the buyer has to recognize that animals lost their lives to make their personal coat and no other reason. For some people, that's a non-issue. For others, it's a huge moral dilemma. Everyone that wears or buys a fur coat has to decide what their level of emotional comfort is.
I'm ok with fur as long as the animal had a nice life before they went, and were fully adult before that happened. If I were buying a fur coat, I'd pay double for an RSPCA approved notice on them.
@@lorisewsstuff1607 I understand the train of thought that says leather is a by-product and therefore ok and fur is not. But that doesn't explain why sheep, rabbits or cows are accepted as leather but not as fur. That's why I still think that it has more to do with social alienation and the taboo surrounding death than with the explanation with a byproduct or not. The argument of by-product or not can be used to reject some types of fur, but it does not explain the general rejection of all furs.
An experiment was once carried out in Germany. Live geese (of course from optimal husbandry and perfectly cared for) were offered for sale in a market place; the conditions were that the goose had to be slaughtered on site by a butcher in accordance with all regulations. The experiment had to be stopped because too many of the spectators were too shocked by the idea of witnessing an animal being killed. the same people who have no problem buying a piece of meat in the supermarket. This also matches what I wrote in the first comment, as long as you are not reminded of the origin of the products or death, most people have no problem with animal products.
I can't tell anyone what decisions they can make, and the excuses they use to justify decisions to themselves are none of my business. But for me, a limit is reached when others try to convince me of their excuses or want to dictate to me.
That hasn't happened here in the comments yet.
Some people in the comments have mentioned getting dirty looks for wearing fur. I wonder how much of that is still because of the ethics of fur, and how much of it is the result of our deep class divides. Faux fur has become so common, and real fur so rare to see, that I would imagine most people would assume someone is wearing faux fur.
I think there's definitely a loss of what real fur even means. Is someone trying to signal wealth and showing off? Are they wearing vintage to be ethical on purpose? etc. It used to mean one thing, now it's a jumble of potentially good or bad.
@@NicoleRudolph When I wear real fur, it's because I'm cold and I want something that's actually soft and warm. Polyester "fur" doesn't come close. People just need to mind their own business.
I love my furs: Sable scarves, Sable jacket and black mink jacket. Tres chic. I wear them only in special places. We need to get over envy.
@@johnnyboyvan personally I have mink fur collection and I wear them during autumn and winter season, I love the softness and warmest, incredible feeling... I don't have problem for wear them on street...
Thank you for covering the environmental issues from a 360 perspective. Really got a lot out of this -- I didn't know natural fibre fake fur was a thing.
Oooh, looking forward to the synthetics episode!
I had a fabulous faux fur coat from my grandmother. It was made of wool, was reversible. The looser black wool weave started coming apart. I begged my professional seamstress mother to remake it but she refused and made me get rid of it. It was from the 2920s and the inside was leopard print fur and was a wool and silk blend. ❤
Thought this was about time travel for a second. I take it it's just a typo of 1920s. Still, sorry to hear about the loss.
@@wilburjuice Hahaha. Good catch. Yes, 1920's. Back when she and Poppy used to sing in the gib joints.
@@thisoverstuffedhouse gin?
@@kitefan1 Oh my typing is crap today. And I just realized I am answering on my you tune channel account and not my personal one. It's been a week. Yes, Gin Joints. Those lovely speak easy places you see in the old movies. Couldn't shut them down fast enough during Prohibition. I remember a great photo of my grandparents and he was wearing a full length racoon skin coat. I asked him about it once and he told me he lost it when he had to climb through a basement bathroom window to escape the police raid. Got my first story about what they did in the 1920;s that day.
Tube. TH-cam channel. I need to go back to bed and start this day over. LOL
Thanks. Having lived in Russia, the furs do keep warm in the coldest weather. Wool goes down to a certain temp then the furs and shearling coats came out. Fur hats, shapkas, were ubiquitous. The ‘Persian lamb” is Karakul breed of sheep. Lots of Brezhnev style hats were of Karakul. What furs help with is that they are windproof. And there too, vanity conscience and economizing occurred. Lots of attachable fur collars that could be removed to extend the seasons of the wool coat. Small collars or collars turning into lapels.
I do hope wool gets used more. So much of the wool clip gets trashed. It costs more to shear than the wool worth. In the meanwhile, I send you warm holiday feelings for such a good video.
I have my grandmother's full length mink coat. It is so soft and luxurious. When I was little I used to love to sit by her when she was wearing it so I could lean on her coat and rub my face on it. The body of it is faux fur, and the collar is real. She wanted one in the 40s, but could not afford it. (Children came first ) In the 70s there was an ad in the paper of somebody selling the one they got in the 40s so her then adult children (my father my aunt and my uncle ) all chipped in and bought it for her. For years after she gave it to me (she was moving to Florida in 2000) it still had her perfume in it, but that was a long time ago. I am 60,. Unfortunately, I only wear it around the house. The last couple of times I wore it outside I was subject to people's cruel looks and words as if I killed it myself and advocate for doing so. You think people would know that it was vintage.I still absolutely love it and the memories of my grandmother in it. Sometimes I have wished they would come back in style, but fully agree on why it is not a good idea.
thats when you yell its fake go get you're eyes checked
Modern people don't know vintage fur if it bit them in the rear
@HosCreates personally, I prefer vintage fur and never I wear faux fur. Vintage fur is the perfect alternative for wear fur...
Nothing can give you the warmth and comfort as natural materials like fur, skins etc. I recently had a spending splurge on some furs and sheepskins from Ebay and local charity shops. It never ceases to amaze me what you can pick up these days for very little money. I got nearly new thirty year old sheepskin for 20 pounds uk and the warmth it gives is just different to anything man made. I also got some furs for about the same. The thing is these coats will be around for another thirty years and that's more important than ever.
Not even a single mention of Cruella DeVille!? 😆
The most luxurious fur for coats is Dalmatian of corse!
Oh, although not popular, they are certainly not fully dead in our age. But perhaps fur coats are way more appropriate for very, VERY cold climate? I still remember that when I was a schoolgirl my mom used to give me her natural fur coat for warmth, when it got below -30 °C. It really was extremelly effective, but oh golly was it HEAVY :D My shoulders used to end up sooo sore and tired on those days
I had a leather bomber jacket lined in mink, and it was the warmest thing I've ever owned. That being said, sometimes quality could be the issue. The closest thing to that coat for warmth was my father's WWII pea coat. A co-worker accidentally grabbed it leaving work, and I had to wear his Viet Nam era pea coat home. We both noticed the difference in how warm they kept us: both were navy issue with the same materials but what a difference.
What a serendipitous video to be coming out right now! I restored a mink coat a while back that was gifted to me by a good friend, and then another friend who works in a thrift store was donated a white fox fur that couldn't legally be sold, so the options were either trash or gift, and it was gifted to me too! As I listen, I'm hand-sewing it into a hand muff (and will soon be making a Russian hat with the rest.)
I really share the qualms people have with fur as an industry if it's ONLY aesthetics driven, but man, there's a lot to be said of the really good FUNCTION of fur (and leather.) There's nothing as warm as that mink coat, and I feel really lucky to have the means to utilize the fox fur that would have been otherwise discarded and turn it into something warm and lovely for winter. (It's the 'using the whole buffalo' feeling, y'know?)
That being said, the coat is indeed, so beautiful. lol. So aesthetics are still a part of the experience. I haven't noticed any dirty looks so far wearing it out. Usually I get compliments, and when I say it's real and restored, people seem really interested. But I also go to events where vintage dress is common (lots of swing dancing), and I bet many people there tend to share my perspectives about preservation and restoration and the like. Very cool video! Thank you for making it!
I’m literally wearing legal white foxes in my picture. What made a fox fur coat unable to be sold?????
Never had a coat but in the 80's my parents raised rabbits and as a child I owned a rabbit fur muff. (Think tube on a cord to hide your hands in) It was the softest and warmest thing I've ever had. 🥰
I had one as well as a child, with matching ear muffs and coat. My mother just loved to dress me up, I was the youngest and her only daughter.
I had one too. Loved it. There was a hat too. I felt so special wearing them.
I own lots of second hand furs, all second hand. My biggest argument is: should the fur not be worn? That would be a waste! Before my real fur coats i had a fake one from plastic. It wasnt warm at all and took on smells too good.
My furs keep me warm, they will last me for such a long time (though I do resell them). The only bad thing about them is the care you should give them. Ive come to realize, that owning fur coats also means caring for them. Just because I can afford them (they are quite cheap where i live, not very much in style) doesnt mean i can care for them properly, give them to a furrier for repairs. Plus, they are really heavy. So props to those, that know how to care for them and have the time and money to do so.
Furs make a great accesoire and are so good for a cold windy day. Thank you for this great video.
PS i in fact own a bubblegum pink coat that is lined with bubblegum pink fox fur
Your comment is so true, your argument is just logical and wear vintage fur is the perfection...
Surely this is warm, soft and don't forget the elegance... What vintage fur you have ?
Real pleasure
One of my friends got kicked out of a bar last fall for wearing a vintage fur coat. They fully refused to serve her, we were all shocked and thought the bartender was joking at first
The thing about fur coats… they’re much more effective with the fur INSIDE ! The way they’re worn by the majority of people from very cold climate wearing fur traditionally.
I’m absolutely here for faux-fur not made from plastic. And 2nd hands garments of course.
That genuinely surprises me since the fur's on the outside of the animal that made it. You're never safe from learning when you're reading the comments of a Nicole Rudolph video.
I always wondered about this. Makes sense, that’s how I layer clothes myself. Wondering why the animal is the opposite, oh wait I’m dumb as hell skin and stuff.. Jesus I surprise myself sometimes.
Indigenous Australians wore their fur cloaks with the fur inside and the waterproof skin outside. Whenever white people took their photo, they insisted that they wear the cloaks inside out so the picture would look more impressive to Europeans.
@saulemaroussault6343 my vintage coats do have the fur inside. Also, the fur lining is removable so I can get the fur and the leather shell cleaned separately. Also makes it more versatile since the leather shell can still be worn during slightly warmer seasons.
I have a mink from the 80s and a beaver coat from the 50s, both of which were given to me. I live in Ottawa Canada and these are hands down the best things to wear in winter
It's not just in the garbage/ landfill that plastic clothes stick around, but as they degrade they end up in our watercolumn, and in our bodies. Gross. Ask me why I try to stay away from plastic now...
One of my absolute favourite fake fur garments is the iconic 'Teddybear Coat' (officially called "Smocks; Wool Pile"), which were worn by the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) during the Second World War. The ATS was the women's branch of the British Army during the war. The smocks were extreme cold weather garments, supplied to those women who helped man the Anti-Aircraft gun sites all across England. I've had the pleasure of handling a real original one that my friend owns, and it's just the snuggliest wool pile! Plus it looks so cute and cosy when worn 😊
i think too that a lot of people dont wear fur bc of the whole peta-throwing-paint-on-fur-coats thing. That definitely holds me back bc i dont want to make a huge investment for it to be potentially destroyed by some stranger. not sure how much that still happens but its seeped into the subconscious
Exactamundo!!
Also I don't want to be attacked just b/c of my clothes!
Good on PETA. That campaign was very effective.
Another reason why I won't wear my grandmother's fur outside. Afraid someone will purposely ruin it.
@@argon3 Good on them why? Just because their campaign was effective doesn't mean it was for a good cause. Did you just forget about them putting down animals in kill shelters, kidnapping dogs from homeless people and putting them down, etc?
I love vintage furs. I just got a 3/4 length sable for $37 from a Goodwill auction in the late summer time. It will last me for many years and not end up in the landfill 🕊🕊🕊
Oh you find a treasure, very good price for a sable fur, surely you appreciate wear it during cold weather... Do you have other vintage fur ? I'm curious really sorry. I love vintage fur too.
My grandma had her grandmothers old fur shawl (I’m assuming mink) but it was in terrible disrepair with not much left of it. She ended up getting somebody to make it into a teddy bear and it was such a beautiful way to preserve history while repurposing it.
I inherited my grandmother's mink coat and silver fox stole but I have never worn them because #1 I have much broader shoulders than she did, #2 I live in California where it rarely snows so I have no practical reason to wear them, #3 the anti-fur protests of the 70's and 80's stopped my grandmother from wearing them in public before they became mine (I think she obtained them in 1930's when she married a banker), #4 I do not go anyplace where fancy clothing might be worn. I did have a coat with a fake fur collar that I wore decades ago, but had to throw out when the polyester began to deteriorate just like you said. Fibers literally started flaking off into dust.
My Aunt had a fur stole in the late sixties that was an entire fox. The fox's jaw came around to clamp on the tail. My mother was annoyed when I asked my Aunt, just as they were leaving how it worked. Aunt was happy to show me. Creepily fascinating.
I can remember back one summer, some 20 years ago some mink saver group released someone's gaggle of Minks in the Seattle area, to save them from cruelty.
Turns out most of the critters that were able to make it safely across the freeway, died from stress, heat & inability to find water. Perhaps they were Chinchillas, IDK? I guess the do-gooders meant well; it was actually horrific & well, cruel.
Hi, greetings. Loved this video. My mother had a short black mink that was given to her by my grandfather in the 50s. When she died in 1993, the coat was in fabulous shape. My grandmother had a black Persian coat and several fox stoles. Fur coats last for ages. Happy christmas!!
Fun fact: real fur coats are still extremely covered in modern-day ex-USSR countries. For example, for my Russian mom, getting a new fur coat is a dream come true.
As a child in the USSR, I had a rabbit fur coat, and my mom would be highly obsessed with me not making it dirty or ripping it. It was very coveted!
I also had a rabbit fur coat as a child (growing up in New York near the Canadian border). When I was 8, my mother and I went to Toronto for a weekend and she bought me my rabbit fur coat and a full-length raccoon fur coat for herself. She gave away my coat a few years ago, but still has her coat. I wore it a few years ago one winter and it was divinely warm!
A late boss of mine was an animal rights fanatic, and she and her friends fought against faux fur and animal print clothes because they were "a gateway." If you wore them, you were automatically going to want the real thing. Just like the argument that if you smoke pot, you're automatically going to want heroin.
Being an animal rights activist is a gateway to being a human rights violator 😂
Omg
I remember vividly as a little girl when my father bought my mother a full length mink coat. Thought was a really big day in her life fashion life, fashion wise. It's kind of also meant that my father had achieved a level of success. Almost all my mother's friends had mink coats or jackets. My grandmother certainly had a mink jacket. I still have one of her tippets
I have a 60-year-old mink coat that belong to my brother's mother-in-law. It's still in great shape and it's warm as all get out. I'm going to have to at some point fairly soon have it relined and have the furs conditioned but I'm going to hang on to it. It was made somewhere in Europe. As she was Dutch
At least in American fashion, I think there are has also been such a shift towards comfort and ease of care, that I don't think most people would want to deal with the upkeep of real fur.
I feel there’s a shift toward the opposite coming. Less garments, natural materials, upkeep and all that. I even foresee starching making a comeback.
@lindboknifeandtool wool is slowly coming back , but I haven't seen fur yet. I hope it does!
Furs are everywhere in Milan, Italy 🇮🇹. Only the really rich have Russian Sable. So they are still a sign of status.
I've seen good wool coats treated as an investments recently in the way the furs mentioned here were
I have a decent trench coat I wore for 20 years (I would still wear it but it’s too big now)
I wore a fur stole to prom maybe six years ago-- my mother got it second hand. About the only time I've wore fur. I have never seen a full fur coat in my life, I live in the kansas, and we get cold, but not that cold. I would like the celebriteis that said that animals shouldn't be killed and torutures to satify the whims of the famous to think aout how many people have to suffer for their lifestyle-- it's just as stark. Animals have more support that workers in america
Thank you so much for helping me understand these materials and the ethics and class-based history of them. I have new goals to research. Have an awesome 2025!
I don't think I would ever buy a brand new fur coat, real or fake, even if I could afford it. But I would buy and use a vintage fur. No new animals harmed or more plastic pollution caused, please.
I live in Michigan and theres a huge stigma against fur here because most people stay inside in winter. As I love both nature and fashion, I adore being outside in the winter, but weather people like it here or not, it gets so cold here, a fur coat is obviously the most sensible thing to wear here once we hit January. The sheltered, cowardly privilege of it all kind of drives me crazy.
*whether! Not weather :)
This video reminded me of the fact, that we still have my greatgrandma's fur coat. I don't know when she got it or when she last wore it, because I never saw her wear it but she never got rid of it, probably because she thought it valuable. I think she stopped wearing it because wearing real fur became a thing to frown upon. After she died and we gave away most of her clothes, my grandma insisted we keep the coat. In a "real fur is too good to donate" kind of way. On the one hand I think it is kind of sad, that the coat now collects dust in a wardrobe, but on the other I don't know what to do with it since I'm not even sure our clothing donation places take fur? The whole topic just leaves a bitter taste for me 😕
Just dust the coat off and wear it!
It’s also expensive to clean fur and pay cold storage until the next winter.
I have a several furs, live in a warm weather so I don’t get to wear them too much, and I’ve never put them in cold storage and they are perfectly fine after decades and decades.
Wouldn’t the fur be warmer if it were fuzzy side in? Due to the increased surface area that translates into more dead air space? So these fur coats are even more extra- showing that the buyer can afford a coat that won’t even keep you as warm as it should.
Nicole: I have a Borgana coat that I received from mother & father for my high school graduation, (many moons ago). It still looks new and I still wear it, especially with my jeans. It still looks smashing. I just love it! Carol from California
I used to work at a private club. While I was there they renovated their side entrance and installed a cedar lined fur closet. The dinner hostess kept the key, or if there was a function, the coat check staff. It was used quite often here in north eastern PA. I was quite surprised to come across a fur store in Macon Georgia about 15 years ago. I don’t remember what the prices were like, although I knew they were more than what I could afford. I did go into a fur shop in Quebec City. I had to ring a bell for entrance. The woman was so nice, and allowed me to try on quite a few of the men’s jackets and coats. I would have bought one or 2 of them, if I could have.
I had a Swedish university instructor who had lived in the former Soviet Union in the 70s. She said that fur was absolutely essential there in the winter. Brought her fur from Sweden, though.
My Canadian mum, her mother and aunts all had fur collars on their winter wool coats.
Thank you for your always well-researched topics. I was a teenager when fur coats went out of style. It's an interesting topic. I would still buy a fur coat with a chamois lining and am mostly vegetarian - so where does one draw the line? I'm looking forward to hearing your take on synthetic fabrics and even cellulose-based fibres like rayon. Happy holidays and best wishes for the new year!!
I-suffer-terribly-from-the-cold.
I have a collection of furs, and as soon as it drops to 55 degrees, I bring out my girls! They're all vintage, and most of them are from the 40's and 50's, they're very real and very beautiful. The most cost me $85 snd they're in excellent condition!
I find your comments so true and I know you are proud of wear fur and you have all my support... When we have a fur collection if important to wear it, I have fur too and i understand the feeling and the softness...
Cheap mink coats were made of weird bits of pelt previously discarded. Mink head coats were thrilling to groups that couldn’t afford mink, but were pretty obvious. $125 didn’t get you Blackglama, it got you weird off cuts pieced in particular patterns. Do not assume that furs are created equal or that cheap mink was an equalizer. It was not.
I worked in a major southern department store in the eighties. Got to see a lot first hand.
This reminds me to wear my fur, I bought a mink stole at a estate sale for $80. And this summer I bought a rabbit fur hat for the husband to keep his head warm as hes balding.. we look dashing in fur ❤
This is good investment for the head of your husband, surely the mink stole is lovely... Wear fur is always a fabulous experience during cold weather... personally I wear it and never bad comment i hear.
I thrifted a short fake fur coat (wool based) for $40 dollars. It’s warm and easy to care for. There was a mink collar coat that made its way from great-grandma to a contemporary cousin. It’s 80 years old and has kept 4 generations warm and well dressed. I see it as remake and reuse at its best.
I have a wool coat that I saved up for, for two years. I have had it for 6 years now and it's still going strong. 😊
I wear a lot of early 1940s vintage style clothes for everyday, but I also have an SCA background. As a result I have access to a lot of vintage furs that I can repair and refashion. Sometimes it is a lovely fur capelet for a nice evening evening out, but sometimes it is also taking a torn and damaged fur coat and using the fur to trim some SCA garb. I have also made a couple of blankets over the years from vintage coats (I am working on one at the moment that was huge marmot coat from the late 1930s) and turn them in to blankets- perfect for keeping warm in a winter medieval encampment which gets close to freezing overnight.
Ack, you've triggered the embarrassing memory of my Aunt having a manikin stripped of its fake lambs wool "fur" coat with leather trim, and having me dressed in it while on the floor of Lord and Taylor's in NYC. I was probably 7 or 8, she liked to borrow me since she had no kids.
It was not a warm coat, it might have been fine in the city and very fashionable for the early 70's. But, I lived 3-4 hours away in a river valley where waking up to well below freezing temps was not uncommon at that time. I was required to wear it to school. Thankfully, I outgrew it before the next winter.
Great video. It shows us that faux has an interesting history of its own. Contemporary nylon faux-fur is part of the plastic industry and is bad for every animal on the planet including the person sweating in it. More sustainable to buy an old (real) fur and wear it for decades. My grandmother was a furrier, she also remodeled and the same coat could last for 50 years refashioned.
BTW, most fur coats and jackets, including Persian Astrakhan, Karakul lamb, aren't naturally heavy, it's the hessian interfacing and/or other interlinings that make them so. Outerwear was constructed to keep warm whatever the aesthetic. I guess we take heating for granted now, even when we're on a train or in a car.
I had the opportunity to buy 50s fur coat for a reasonable price. I live in north where I could have put it in good use. But I was too afraid of what other people would think about me wearing fur with all animal rights activists and such. So I didn’t buy it even though I was soo warm 😢 and I’m still sad about it. It had very lovely cut too
Honestly why thinking in a first time about what people thinking if you wear this fur coat, thinking in the first time about your personal life and your pleasure... If you want wear a fur coat who is superior for judging your life. Honestly, buy abd wear it with the smile and no matter about activities or other people thinking...
If they only thought, I wouldn't care, unfortunately many activists are not exactly squeamish when it comes to violence. “People can be hurt, animals can’t” is apparently the motto of many activists.@@kev6397
@ you would think it’s that simple, right? But it wasn’t for me back then. It was my first time wearing it so I’m not used to it, that’s first. Second in my country we have a strong stigma about wearing animal fur even though we live in north. So just thought going out first time wearing fur and feeling judged was too much for me. Of course I now regret thinking like that but what’s done is done
@@HaHaHaLMFAOtv I understand your explanation about the difficult aspects of wear fur. Now if you have a new opportunity, you buy a vintage fur coat ?
I think my Mom inherited a fur coat from my grandma. I work in a thrift store in clothing processing and I see so many different kinds of fabric come through. I prefer the cotton, linen and wool based items just from touch alone. Plus the amount of clothing that we sort through each day is mind boggling.
My mum had a fake mink coat in the 60/70s, which she passed off as real. She had a real leopard skin hat. I inherited it. It was all legal (CITES Certificate etc). I did not know what to do with it. I thought of cutting it up and turning it into a collar for a black wool suit. Never did so. But if I had, I would have pretended it was a fake. It lives in a drawer now, still smelling of her perfume.
My favorite coat is my "Teddy fur coat" that I got at Goodwill when I was in highschool. I also inherited my mother's short multi colored fox fur coat. Even though it gets super cold where I live I never wear it because it is real fur.
Good overview. I can't stand synthetics but a quality silk or wool faux fur sounds really good. I do love my furs but I always get them 2nd hand or from humane sources.
So informative, as always! I'm also excited for the video on synthetic fabric.
I have a Collectif Pearl coat with the faux fur cuffs and giant collar. I am drowned in positive comments every time I wear it. Women and men, everyone tells me how stunning it is. I think it’s because we rarely see plush, heavy coats where I live.
I have and wear vintage mink. If I lived in a cold climate, I’d wear it much more.
Beautiful comment and I'm happy of reading this one. Fabulous for you be complimented when you wear this coat.
Do you have compliments when you wear the mink ?
Personally I wear vintage mink too and I love the feeling.
I was so happy to see your video on my list. I adore fur coats and faux fur I love. Another great video, I love to learn new things, btw I love your style and your super pretty!💗✨
@@AirinMMilf09 beautiful comment, you are real fur lover since you are young ? You have more vintage fur or more faux fur. Pleasure to read you...
I will always wear my furs proudly
This is the best mentality, me too I love fur and wear them with the smile and proudly. The feeling of fur is incredible and i love my mink so much...
I have a number of faux fur pieces and a single mink stole that I inherited from my Oma, I believe my Dziadek bought for her c.1980, and it’s by far the softest thing I’ve ever felt. I think sustainable acquisition methods to natural furs are the way forward, personally.
It is AMAZING how much warmer fur is than anything else! I would not buy a new fur, but I love my vintage furs.
Great video btw, thank you a lot for sharing quality content !
I have a rabbit fur lined hat (thrifted) and its so cozy in a way that modern faux fur just can't be, especially cuz the fur is on the inside.
I would *love* more affordable fur fabric made of natural fibers. I've put off making a fursuit cuz of how bad i feel about all that plastic and the inevitable microplastic shedding
I would never buy a new fur coat, but would not be adverse to a vintage one. I do not support an industry that farms animals just for their fur. I have a problem with commercial meat to so don’t anyone come at me for that! In fact, I rarely eat meat anymore. Anyway…upon her passing, my grandmother’s fur coat was made into old fashioned jointed bears for my cousin and I. I absolutely love that I have this part of her with me always. As for faux fur, well, much as I would like one, it would have to be of very high quality and actually keep me warm for me to get it!
I enjoyed this video and thank you very much for all the work you put into teaching us about the fashion history!
I read an article recently within the last two weeks that a long time business is closing in our community the furrier store after I believe it said 150 years. I was given my mother in laws fur collar coat when she moved to Florida in 1999. I’m not sure it still fits. I had my mother’s fake fur coat that the lining was shredded on into an extra large memory bear and a large bunny. Along with her wool felted coat to make a set(s). The bunnies I gave to my niece for a wedding present. I kept the bears, I collect bears.
Fake fur trim was popular on parka style coats when I was about middle school age.
I would kill to see what modern textile manufacturing could churn out in terms of rayon recreations of old silk fur fabrics.
Awesome video, thanks!
I am currently doing research on the history of fur garments and types of fur used. The real fur/vs. Faux is a complex issue
There aren't many skilled Furriers left, especially in the states, but I've had a chance to talk to some and they have fascinating takes on the evolution of transportation and how it shaped practicality in fur. (Aka, shorter fur coats are much easier to get in and out of cars/taxis vs time period or region where people walk most places.) You can also date most things made with Fox fur by the color and type used.
My mom and I looked at fur coats at antique stores rhis summer. We had great fun looking at them and trying them on. I wish i looked shapely in them, and they were long enough in the arms. I am a tall, willowy woman..
Hahaha that's awesome, your mom and you finally buying fur coat ? Surely we have a great feeling on our shoulders...
My granny was VERY SERIOUS about her fur coats and my other grandmother wears hers EVERY WINTER! It’s actually the only coat I see her in on Sundays or to nice events. Lots of the older generations save their coats for nice occasions and sundays. But most older ppl I know even if they dnt wear it, have a real fur coat.
Where I live, it's probably cold enough not to overheat in fur a few days or nights a year. I have a USA union -made wool coat (not sure if it's cashmere or merino) that is so warm, I only wear it a few times a year in Northern California coastal areas. It's a heathered dark grey double-breasted peacoat, full-length, obviously inspired by military coats. It's 20 years old and although it's not as fluffy and soft after a few dry-cleanings, it shows no signs of wear. It still fits despite my gaining over 20lbs since I bought it. At this rate, this lovely coat should last the rest of my life (I'm almost 60).
In the NYC Area in the 1970’s, it was a very real concern that you’d get attacked with red paint or dye. And the environmentalists were not careful or quiet about hurling the red paint. I saw this happen and it was quite scary.
in europe, many mink farms had to kill all their mink because they got covid.
also it seems that only Russia and China have been the countries where fur skins were purchased, but many fashion houses stopped using real fur and the price of fur collapsed at some point.
The era of animal furs has long passed because many fur companies have stopped operating or a law has come into force that has banned the breeding of fur animals
The climate also makes a difference. For instance, in Canada men still wear fur felt hats in the winter bc they’re a functional item. At the same time, in LA, even in the middle of winter women just can’t find boots in retail due to lack of demand. Our friends from LA were shopping for boots while visiting SF.
I bought my fur from Neiman's in 1991. I saw it on a mannequin across the store; I thought it by far the nicest coat there. I made up my mind to try it on, so I would at least know what I was aiming for. It felt so soft and lush, and it draped beautifully in the back. Imagine my astonishment and delight when I discovered it was fake and only cost 500 dollars! It was constructed exactly like the ones costing 20 times as much. I would have suspected some skulduggery with the price tag, but fortunately the saleslady was there to reassure me - and she agreed that it was the most beautiful coat in her large fur shop.
My bffs mom gave me her families vintage furs. I have 2 coats and 2 cashmere with fur trim sweaters. I love them and only wear them on special occasions. They are so warm and beautiful. The coats are monogramed too. My MIL has furs as well that I'll inherit. She lent me one for an event I attended with her son while we were dating. (now that we're married she hates me and I'll only see "the good stuff" after she dies) 🙄 I personally love fur as long as it either vintage or made in part with using of the whole animal to survive.
If you love fur and you appreciate wear it. Why you wear only during special occasion ? Wear your fur everyday during cold season. I love fur too and understand you perfectly...
Me, watching this while wearing a 10-year-old reversible fur/raincoat on a cross country bus ride in the desert.
Natural textiles last decades longer than synthetic, are breathable, hypoallergenic, odor resistant, and biodegradable.
There really is no substitute.
I'm looking forward to the synthetic fabric video, especially if you're covering the cellulose based synthetics as well.
As a LARPer, we prize having ethically sourced furs to add to our kits. I personally have a fox that I use for more fancy occasions in game. Existing in a community where things like furs and leathers are okay and not frowned upon (as long as you do your research and get them ethically) really changed my views on them.
Possum/merino wool is gaining traction here in NZ as a pest control measure. (Brush tailed possums are hard on ecosystems they don’t belong in) Its kind of a stealth fur and incredibly warm (lasts for years as well)
My grandma had my great-grandma's fur coat from the mid 20th century- a hip length sable capelet. It was a Big Deal that she had one, as a poor-middle class midwestern farmer and 2nd generation immigrant- thank you for the context as to why!
I'd love a faux fur coat in a natural fibre, there's something super cosy about fur but I'm not interested in actual fur!
Also I think even if people aren't in the same demographic, having 'lower wealth brackets' wearing similar looking clothing can definitely bring down the value of the original highly expensive item, see Burberry chavs for a more recent example 😂 It just shows the inherent fickleness of fashion, that it's about looking unaffordable rather than wearing something you enjoy
My grandmother is still immensely proud of her real fur coat. She is 92 and came over from Germany during ww2. She was a farm girl and she met my grandfather in the US who had also came from Germany. He started sweeping floors at a construction supply company. He went from that to growing a company with a couple of partners to buying out those partners. Along the way when they were finally making a profit and more than just making ends meet (while raising 4 kids) he bought he the fur coat. She only takes it out for special occasions so it still looks pristine. But she preens when she wears that coat. Because to her it is kind of like say they made it.
When I was a child I had a used "fur coat" my mother picked up at a thrift store. The inside was unlined with fabric but rather had this leather-like "skin" with the soft plush fur on the outside. I always insisted it was "real fur" but my mother said it was fake. Did they make fake fur coats with a "leather" lining?
No. It was real.
@@lisettegarcia It was the softest thing and I loved rubbing my hands over it. And it was very warm, but heavy. It was an incredibly dark brown but the fur was short. I wonder what kind it was
That was likely a sheepskin! Most furs don't have the interior exposed because it's actually rough to the touch (not so much scratchy, but not smooth).
Fur coats are usually lined, not because the skin feels uncomfortable, but because the seams could be scratchy and are not particularly nice, and there are a lot of seams. There is not enough information to answer the question of what type of fur the coat was. The color and length of the hair says relatively little, you can do everything with fur that a hairdresser can do with hair, and even more. It would be interesting to know how big the individual pieces were that were put together and how heavy the coat was. From this you could deduce whether it is: cow, unlikely because the hair is very short and hard and the leather is very heavy. A shorn and dyed sheepskin would be large pieces that don't necessarily need lining, but wouldn't be as soft and cuddly either. Mink, beaver or seal would also be conceivable and would fit the description of hair well, but then the inside would be full of seams . Depending on which country the coat comes from and when it was made, a whole range of other types are also possible.
On the other question, whether it was real fur or fake fur, I'm pretty sure it was real fur, although there was already artificial leather in the 1930s, the effort involved in adding artificial leather to the inside of a fake fur is too high and therefore unlikely.
@@JonaWolf11 Definitely not cow because I know what a cow feels like and it wasn't that. I also don't think sheep because it wasn't "sheep-y" it was soft like fur. Also I'm allergic to wool so I don't think my mother would have put a sheep-skin coat on me. I don't remember how many seams, I'm pulling up memories from almost 50 years ago, I just know it had some. As far as weight, it seemed heavy to a 11 year old child, but that's all relative, so I can't really say. I always said it was seal, but this from a child who'd never seen a seal outside of a zoo and certainly never touched a real one so I don't really know. I don't think it was bear, not at all, but my nick-name when I wore that coat became "Little Bear" just because it was brown and furry and I guess I looked "bear-like". The inside felt rough, not smooth, and reminded me of leather, but not smooth leather like a purse or boots, but much rougher than suede. I wonder if it did have a lining at some point but was torn out of it before my mother bought it. I wish I still had it, not that it would fit me anymore, but it was a cool coat. It's funny the things from your childhood that you miss and wish you'd kept.
I have a real Persian lamb my mom got from her aunt. It was from the 40's. My Mom went to a Furriers and had it remade in the 80's. I have it now. It is heavy but I wear it when in is below zero. It is warm.
My grandmother had two, which she handed down to my mother, but fur went out of fashion and she didn’t really wear them after the mid 80s. She never replaced them and I wouldn’t either but I live in a temperate climate so it’s not a necessity. I think if it was for survival I’d wear fur but not for fashion.
Thank you for the reminder, still have a fur coat a coworker passed on to me to rework into something Late Medieval. You can't really wearfur coats these days, but just throwing them out also feels very disrespectful.
A major thing got left out here. Real fur doesn’t get bought. It’s rented. Every year it needs “to go to storage”. Heat wrecks furs, they can’t sit in a closet. The skins dry and go brittle. They go to a refrigerated warehouse where they get linings removed and cleaned and glazed. Repairs are made. It costs a fair bit. The middle class people who could afford fur and the upkeep pre Reagan just don’t have the disposable income.
Dolly Parton had a song in the 1970s about buying things on layaway at different stores. There's a line that says, "Here's a dollar on my fur collar."
I mentioned this on your insta as well, my grandmother (b. 1910) had a fake fur Borgana coat that she loved. I have no idea when she bought it, but she still had that thing when she died just shy of 92 in 2002. It was soft and I wish it fit me as I would have figured a way to keep it. (She was 5' in her old age and I am 5'9". I used to like to go up behind her an rest my chin on her head. lol)
I wonder if real furs got villainized in the 1970s because all the kids who saw Cruella De Vil were growing up.
My mother was *obsessed* with owning real fur in the 1980s, and we could definitely not afford her owning a nice fur coat. To her, a crappy real fur coat was more important than a nice coat that was just plain and warm. Not that I am opposed to natural fur or leather- I’ve spent a couple thousand on goat hides for the Krampus costume I’m wearing in my profile picture. She was just spending money she couldn’t afford on a garment that wasn’t worth what she was spending.
I live in Texas where fur would be a hinderance given that it doesn’t get cold enough, but this video is informative about the social practices around it when it was the preferred method of staying warm.
Fun story. My cousin owns property that used to be a mink farm. He has a photo of what the property used to look like with multiple barns for the minks. Currently only one 1 is left. And the harvesting room is creepy. But, the two men who owned the farm decided they were wasting have the product using only the fur of the minks. So, the meat became dog food. Specifically Iams dog food. That is if my cousin was told correctly. Eventually the two farm owners split up. One took the fur business. One took over the dog food business.
Personally i appreciate your video. I have a collection of mink coat from grandma and grandpa. I wear a trench with mink inside, this is a vintage piece and I'm proud of wear it, real fur is soft, warm and a real comfort... I see grandma and mom wear fur since I'm children and i don't have problem with the idea of wear animals. I eat meat and I don't have a hypocrite attitude !!!