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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Can I wear fur?

137 replies

CosmopolitanCocktail · 31/12/2025 17:16

I have two fur coats previously owned by my great grandmother.
I have kept them in my wardrobe for the last 20 years.
One is a short mink coat so now bang on trend.
I am a total animal lover but these animals died 60 years ago and the pelts are beautiful. To just discard them seems wasteful so truly torn.
So would I AIBU to wear it?

OP posts:
miamo12 · 31/12/2025 17:26

I wouldn’t but nor would I criticise anyone for doing do as long as antique fur

spicycats · 31/12/2025 17:25

I donated my grandmother’s furs to a wildlife charity, they use them to provide warmth and comfort for orphaned baby animals

Idontknowwhy15 · 31/12/2025 17:24

I would wear it.

Dartmoorcheffy · 31/12/2025 17:23

AnnaQuayInTheUk · 31/12/2025 17:19

I personally think there is a lot of hypocrisy over fur. Most people have leather shoes, most women own at least one leather handbag. Some people have leather jackets. You're either ok with wearing the skins of dead animals or you're not. I wear leather shoes and boots

Be prepared for criticism though.

Leather is a byproduct of animals that have been humanely killed for the food chain. Fur absolutely is not and involves the unnecessary and cruel death of animals purely for their coats.

OrdinaryGirl · 31/12/2025 17:23

My (entirely made-up but internally consistent) policy is that I would wear anything that I would eat, as long as it’s vintage.
So, cowhide, rabbit, mink, grey squirrel - yes. I would eat all those things.

Fox, pony skin, cat of any kind - no!

So I say wear the vintage fur coats. It seems like a terrible waste otherwise. I don’t think you’re endorsing or perpetuating the demand for new fur by doing so.

Updated to add: I don’t actually own any fur but do wear leather shoes.

ArseSkinForAFriend · 31/12/2025 17:21

It's been ages since we've had a grandmother's fur thread, they used to be quite common and cause quite the outrage! 😁

sillysmiles · 31/12/2025 17:19

It's environmental more ethical to wear old fur than new synthetic fabrics

GingerBeverage · 31/12/2025 17:19

The passage of time does not erase the nature of the abuse.

AnnaQuayInTheUk · 31/12/2025 17:19

I personally think there is a lot of hypocrisy over fur. Most people have leather shoes, most women own at least one leather handbag. Some people have leather jackets. You're either ok with wearing the skins of dead animals or you're not. I wear leather shoes and boots

Be prepared for criticism though.

UniquePinkSwan · 31/12/2025 17:17

I would. It’s a waste otherwise. People will just think it’s fake anyway

randoname · 31/12/2025 17:17

Wear them, say they’re fake if challenged. As you say the animals are dead and you won’t unalive them by discarding them.

Itsmetheflamingo · 31/12/2025 17:17

BU in what respect? If you mean will someone throw paint on me most will assume it’s fake (and you can just tell them this)

morally- that’s for you and you alone to decide, surely?