Further to a comment a poster made upthread about leather being a by-product of the beef industry, for the most part, it isn't. In fact, a lot of leather used for clothing, shoes, handbags and gloves isn't a by product of the meat industry at all. Indeed, it's worth noting that kid (baby goat) leather or calf skin is used to make many leather accessories from, and these animals are bred for their hides.
And what about leather upholstery too? Again, the more expensive the product, the chances are the skin will come from an animal that's been bred for its hide.
Most cheap 'fast fashion' brands use something called 'split skin' which is pig skin that's been split in two. It's cheap, nasty and doesn't last. It also comes from animals that haven't been raised well, who have mostly been reared intensively for their meat. On the other hand, the brands who sell accessories and handbags use skis from animals that have been treated well, who have been raised properly and killed with as little harm to the animal as possible. This way, the skins are in better condition, and contain less stress markings. PETA and other such organisations are highly selective with the truth, and it's worth remembering this.)
Oh, and as for 'exotic skins' such as Ostrich, Alligator etc. etc. houses like Louis Vuitton and Hermes (to name just a few) invest heavily in the farms which breed the animals, and the animals are treated well, at great cost, something that is reflected in the price.
And this is why I try not to buy cheap leather goods, particularly those made in China, as I know the animals haven't been treated well. And all I want from an animal I eat, or one I wear is that it's led a well-cared for and happy life.
Anyway, onto fur -
With regards to fur, I'd probably not buy new (mostly because I can't afford to) but I have no issue buying vintage fur. In fact, for me, I'd rather wear real fur than fake fur, which I think its ugly, both to look at and feel. I also don't like the way its made as it uses process and materials that are damaging to the environment, as a poster has mentioned earlier up thread.
To the poster asking about vintage -
I think for clothing, it has to be at least 30+ years old (possibly even more) to considered vintage. (I have to confess that when I spy something a season old from a high street store on ebay listed as vintage, I fall about laughing, because it's not. (I think Patsy in Ab Fab made a joke about how one day, clothing coming back from the dry cleaners will be considered vintage.. I think we're pretty much there.)