Vintage Fur - ethics and repairs!

CamillaRhodes

My parents cleared out their attic, and my mum found her mother's (my grandmother's) fur coat, which was her 21st birthday present. She gave it to me yesterday, knowing I've always loved fake fur.

I'm now having a bit of an ethical squirm. I would never buy real fur new, but this jacket was made almost 100 years ago; not wearing it now won't bring those 100 yr old animals back from the grave. Plus it's the only thing I've ever inherited from my grandmother (her jewellery was all stolen in a burglary when I was a kid) so it feels really special to have a third generation heirloom.

But am I being hypocritical to say I care about animal rights and wouldn't buy new fur, yet I'd wear the pelt of multiple dead animals? (I do wear leather, btw, but since I'm a carnivore see leather as an inevitable by-product of the food industry).

Would you wear the coat? Would you judge someone who did?

And finally, if I do decide to wear it (I think I'm swinging towards wearing it, until the moment someone chucks a bucket of red paint over me); it needs some repairs (is coming apart slightly on one seam) - is there anywhere that would repair vintage fur, that isn't one of the modern furriers? I'd prefer not to give them my business.

ams

I inherited my gran's fur coat also - its currently hanging in a press at home. I guess I'm just afraid people will be upset if I wear it - maybe someday I will though.

dudara

As you said, the animal is well dead at this stage, and I don't see any issue with the coat. In fact, I think it would be a shame to let it disintegrate.

The only furrier I can think of is Barnardo (www.jmbarnardo.ie), located between Trinity and Grafton St.

fits

I think you should go to a proper furrier as they will know what to do with it.

And I wouldnt have any qualms about wearing it either.

Stheno

fits wrote: »

I think you should go to a proper furrier as they will know what to do with it.

And I wouldnt have any qualms about wearing it either.

I'd agree with this.

There is also a furriers called Rohu just at the back of Georges St. arcade in Dublin

Twee.

As said, get it repaired at a furriers. Another one is Sydney Vard on Sth Anne Street.

I have a real fur that I got from my Grandma, and I wear it every winter. The only time something's been said to me has been from drunk lads, and I (not always kindly ) tell them to mind their own business.