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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Very conversational- fur coat

81 replies

Mitzicoco · 31/05/2019 10:56

I inherited a fur coat from my mother who left me it in her will. I know it was already a second hand coat when my father bought it for her in the sixties. Should I wear it? Am complete torn. I did not buy it new, so didn't pay for the poor rabbit's death. But then again I wear leather shoes and eat meat. Feel really confused as to what to do with it. It was my mother's (although she never wore it!) so don't know what to do with it. Sorry if this seems stupid.

OP posts:
Original poster
Mitzicoco · 31/05/2019 10:57

Oh God, sorry I meant CONTROVERSIAL!!!!

OP posts:
IcelandicYoghurt · 31/05/2019 11:00

Given that you inherited it rather than funding the fur trade by buying it I personally don't think it would be "wrong" (although of course there's the argument that you are encouraging the fashion). That said, I don't think I'd wear it in public due to what many people would think of me. Maybe keep it for small gatherings where everyone knows you and will know it wasn't bought new?

IsolaPribby · 31/05/2019 11:00

Well it certainly would start lots of conversations if you wore it! Grin

Is it a style you could get away with now, or does it look quite 70's. I can't even remember the last time I saw any one in a fur coat, fake or otherwise.

NiceLegsShameAboutTheFace · 31/05/2019 11:01

OK, this may be controversial too but I also have a rabbit fur coat. I'm an omnivore and I wear leather. Rabbit is not an endangered species; I eat it and I have no problem with wearing the coat.

I wouldn't wear a coat made of fur from an endangered or rare species.

That's just my take on it. I'm sure there are plenty of other opinions Blush

ArfursSixpences · 31/05/2019 11:03

Dw's Polish granny offered her an old but very lovely fur coat as she didn't need it any more - she turned it down as she knew it's go down like a lead balloon in the UK.

RezCowgirl · 31/05/2019 11:03

I would say its personal preference. I have no problem with wearing it nor do I have a problem with others judgment of me wearing it.

Laiste · 31/05/2019 11:04

Personally i wouldn't wear it. The age of the coat doesn't detract from the problem with it for me.

I think i've read a thread just like this before and i remember some posters suggestion you can donate fur coats to costume companies for period dramas ect. If you don't want to wear it or sell it, that is.

Laiste · 31/05/2019 11:05

Is it definitely rabbit?

NailsNeedDoing · 31/05/2019 11:05

I think it would be wrong to wear it.

The fact that rabbits aren't endangered is irrelevant, it about the suffering that the rabbits you would be wearing had to endure. There are a lot of people who may get not say anything, but rightly or wrongly, would silently judge you and think less of you if you wore it.

Original poster
Mitzicoco · 31/05/2019 11:07

Hmmm. I suppose I am slightly worried that people will have a go at me if i wear it in public. But then it was my mother's. But then I don't remember her ever wearing it, although she must have loved it as she passed it on to me. (And I was vegetarian in my teens).

OP posts:
Original poster
Mitzicoco · 31/05/2019 11:08

Definitely rabbit

OP posts:
WoahMySocksAreOnFire · 31/05/2019 11:10

I have a rabbit fur coat, no one I’ve ever met whilst wearing it has realised it’s real because the high street is flooded with faux fur every winter.
Wear it, enjoy it

SlimGin · 31/05/2019 11:14

In the same circumstances I think I'd wear it. Most people probably won't realise it's real and if they ask you then you can explain how it came to you.

NiceLegsShameAboutTheFace · 31/05/2019 11:17

The fact that rabbits aren't endangered is irrelevant

Not to me it isn't. The issue of cruelty is a whole different debate. I eat rabbit, hence it wouldn't make much sense to refuse to wear a coat based solely on the fact that the animal may have suffered.

Using an endangered species for its coat is a whole different ball game. In my opinion Blush

Lister169 · 31/05/2019 11:22

I agree most people will believe it is fake fur. Also, the animals are dead and I suppose if it is practical and warm it would be worse to bin it given the waste of life. You could wear it and claim it is fake.

I do think fur (faux or real) is a grim look though fashion wise!

NiceLegsShameAboutTheFace · 31/05/2019 11:25

I do think fur (faux or real) is a grim look though fashion wise!

Mine's lovely. Each to their own, I guess Smile

Lister169 · 31/05/2019 11:25

. I eat rabbit, hence it wouldn't make much sense to refuse to wear a coat based solely on the fact that the animal may have suffered.

How is rabbit fur farmed these days? There are strict laws in place for killing animals for meat... If a rabbit fur coat is made as a by product of them being killed for their meat then that could be classed as good because of no waste. If they are being killed purely for fashion then that is a different story. Either way, the OPs coat already exists as a bit of an antique so I guess it's a separate issue really!

ToffeePennie · 31/05/2019 11:27

If you don’t want to wear it, can I have it please?
I’m fully devastated that my Nan got ride of her two fur coats. They would be perfect with my usual 40s/50s get ups!
How luxurious to own a real fur coat!
(I think I might be a bit young to be aware of the fur trade and issues surrounding it - but to my mind the animals were going to be killed to be eaten anyway: why not make something useful from the fur? My Nan also worked in the leather industry so...)

VaggieMight · 31/05/2019 11:27

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at poster's request.

m0therofdragons · 31/05/2019 11:28

I wouldn't due to judgement.

You could say artificial fabrics are more harmful for the environment and most of us happily wear leather shoes but I don't think I'd risk it. My dm has one too so it'll move from loft to loft Confused

UnicornBrexit · 31/05/2019 11:29

I dont see the difference between leather and fur, morally. But TBH, fur is just so, Essex isnt it?

RiversDisguise · 31/05/2019 11:31

If it rains a bit you will stink like a wet dog.

Source: years spent on the continent sharing public transport with fashionable women who stank like wet dogs.

TrickyD · 31/05/2019 11:32

I have a mink coat left to me by my mum. It lurks in the back of a spare room wardrobe. I have only worn it once, to a perishingly cold December funeral. I am a veggie, but have leather sofas etc. Lovely DIL is a strict vegan, no leather, wool or honey..Hope she doesn't investigate spare room wardrobe.

SignedUpJust4This · 31/05/2019 11:32

Wear it. Tell people it's fake

HeartContainer · 31/05/2019 11:33

I eat meat. Many practices are cruel in the killing of animals

I drink milk and eat dairy. The trade is brutal for many cows.

I wear the skin of animals in the form of leather. I sit on a leather couch.

I really don't see the difference in fur.

If people say 'Oh but the fur trade is unnecessary' so is leather. So is dairy. So is meat. There are an abundance of alternatives to them all

So unless you are a strict vegan I really don't think you can comment without deep hypocrisy.

I wouldn't wear fur because I don't like the look of it but I don't judge people who do because I am just as bad.