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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

Cath2907 · 31/05/2019 14:13

I have a pair of seal skin slippers (kind gift from colleagues after a year living and working in Norway). I don’t wear them for fear of damaging them but I do like them. I also have a reindeer skin rug that I use and a rabbit fur scarf that I wear. If you don’t want your coat I’ll wear it! I would not wear an endangered species and I am not veggie!

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 31/05/2019 14:23

But TBH, fur is just so, Essex isnt it?

No, it isn't .

Not unless you count Leopard or the fake fur round a parka.
I have the M&S leopard coat from a couple of years ago. It does not imitate fur , but the pattern (which is a neutral)

I don't wear fur or leather .
I wouldn't wear the rabbit coat but they are dead so it would be a waste to not use it . I would 100% agree with the donation to animal shelters.

dottiedodah · 31/05/2019 14:29

If your Mum didnt wear it ,maybe she felt the same ?.Im sure you have lots of other things to remember Mum by.The problem is that when these coats were fashionable ,it was a very different world back then.Apart from the obvious cruelty argument ,I think they just seem a bit naff now.We are much more aware of the enviromental issues and fur coats just dont blend with that outlook .

Original poster

Mitzicoco · 31/05/2019 15:27

Grrr. Still unsure what to do. But really appreciate all the advice. I know it doesn't sound like a big issue, but I'm so sad she's gone and am stuck as to what to do with it.

OP posts:

IsabellaLinton · 31/05/2019 15:33

I’m a lifelong vegetarian and abhor animal cruelty, but I wear my grandmothers mink coat during the winter. It’s seventy years old now. I don’t want those animals to have died needlessly, so I couldn’t throw it away, and I couldn’t bear to cut it up or repurpose it. I’ve never had a negative comment - but if anyone asked, I’d never admit that it was real.

DSHathawayGivesMeFannyGallops · 31/05/2019 15:34

I wear vintage including a fur coat and I've never had any problems from other people. I think maybe one person has tutted at me. I'd say you need to look like you don't care and can pull it off though. If you look apologetic for wearing it you're more likely to attract negative attention.

Oliversmumsarmy · 31/05/2019 15:34

I have never seen anyone who wearing a fur coat didn’t age them.
It is such a dated concept and the world has moved on.

Only see furs now on older women who are from overseas.

Should point out I am nearly 60 so when I say older I mean someone in their 80s

JaynePoole · 31/05/2019 15:36

I'm gobsmacked that some posters are happy to declare that they wear fur with no concern about the cruelty involved.

MulberryPeony · 31/05/2019 15:58

Another with an inherited and unworn fur coat here. I’m comfortable wearing a leather jacket and sheepskin slippers but haven’t had the guts to wear the fur (I’m sure it’s rabbit).

DoneLikeAKipper · 31/05/2019 16:14

I'm gobsmacked that some posters are happy to declare that they wear fur with no concern about the cruelty involved.

Me too, especially by some saying they’re vegetarian but would still wear it .

Technonan · 31/05/2019 16:16

I wouldn't wear it. I know you didn't buy it, so you aren't supporting the trade, but there is no humane way that animal pelts are harvested. The various killing methods involve anal electrocution and suffocation, so the pelt isn't damaged. I'd just find it a horrible thing to own.

DuMondeB · 31/05/2019 16:18

Take a nice photo of you in it and then donate it to an animal shelter (they can be cut up and used as bedding for orphaned fur babies).

BossAssBitch · 31/05/2019 17:03

Rabbit coats make the wearer look like a slightly bonkers old lady. So aging, vulgar and tacky.

At least fox fur and mink look vaguely glam, in an ironic, kitsch way.

They look amazing on the actual owner though, you know, the rabbit or the fox or the mink

tinkerbellla · 31/05/2019 17:14

You could wear it without guilt but people will judge you and maybe make you feel uncomfortable. I'd never wear fur from an endangered animal but I don't see how rabbit is different to sheepskin or even leather other than it not being a byproduct of the food industry.

PostNotInHaste · 31/05/2019 17:20

I’ve inherited a couple no way am I wearing themed I tend to donate them. Sorry to sound a twat but when you say animal rescue, any particular animal rescue ?

PostNotInHaste · 31/05/2019 17:21

That went wrong. Was supposed to be no way am I wearing them and I intend to donate them.

Honeyroar · 31/05/2019 17:22

I’m a bit baffled as to why you want to keep it because it reminds you of your mum, when she never wore it and didn’t sound like she liked it?

I’m not a fan of them. They always make me grimace a little when I see them, and I think they often smell musty (I have to hang them up at work occasionally).

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 31/05/2019 18:00

Post - PETA will donate coats to homeless charities UK and abroad.

Quick Google search for animals using the coats brings up Australia (bit far) but you could try a zoo, they'll have orphaned or rejected animals that they're hand rearing.

PostNotInHaste · 31/05/2019 19:09

Thank you very much 70

Gth1234 · 31/05/2019 19:10

It's bad enough wearing a donkey jacket, never mind a fur coat.

Bookworm4 · 31/05/2019 19:20

@JaynePoole
I fully agree, so called vegetarians yet wear animal skin, beyond hypocritical.
I'm disgusted that anyone would wear fur, are they completely ignorant of the cruelty of fur farming? 😡😡

Lister169 · 31/05/2019 19:41

Take a nice photo of you in it and then donate it to an animal shelter (they can be cut up and used as bedding for orphaned fur babies).

That is actually a lovely idea. You could even dress it up a bit and have a professional shot done with you wearing it and have a lovely memory of the coat. Best of both worlds!

WhenISnappedAndFarted · 31/05/2019 19:46

@JaynePoole I agree as well.

Some animals are skinned alive for the fur and I can't believe some people are comparing it to eating meat.

CherryPavlova · 31/05/2019 19:47

I think most people have an inherited or vintage fur tucked away and bought out for certain occasions. Women of a certain age in Verona all wear beautiful fur coats - so many that I was tempted.
If the animals already dead I can’t see it’s going to be resuscitated by not wearing the coat. I probably wouldn’t buy fur but I’ve never had negative comments when wearing a fur jacket to evening events. Most women were in similar fox or rabbit. Almost think that refusing to wear it means the animal died for no purpose.

Bookworm4 · 31/05/2019 19:54

most people have an inherited fur
Really? I do not know a single person who does. Unfortunately we don't all live in a world of inheritance and events

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