Buying fur/animal skins second hand

GrammarGirl

I went to a vintage fair on Saturday and saw the most beautiful croc skin handbag. It was a 1930s original, amazingly crafted and a joy to look at. At £50 it was a bit too much for me a week before pay day but I wondered if, had it been the day after pay day, I'd have bought it.

So, what do you all think about buying fur or animal skins second hand? I have always been staunchly anti-fur, but I was thrown by this bag! Does even a vintage buy show support for a cruel and unnecessary industry, or is it more like buying a piece of history from a time when such issues were unconcerning?

the_devil_made_me_do_it

What do you think?

muffintop

I always thought I was utterly anti-fur, but when I was invited to my friend's wedding a couple of years ago I saw a fox cape - 1930s - in a vintage shop in Liverpool. It was gorgeous and after much inner wrangling, I bought it. I love it but only wear it very occasionally. What eventually made me buy it was that it had already been killed once and someone else would have had it if I hadn't. So, I wouldn't buy new fur, but recycling vintage fur seems better than simply burning it. Those foxes shouldn't have died entirely in vain.

GrammarGirl

the_devil_made_me_do_it wrote: »

What do you think?

I'm inclined to agree with muffintop, but then I wonder if my lust for the bag is clouding my better judgement!

Ultimately I think I'd feel uncomfortable carrying it in public and so would probably only use it very rarely. Also, my boyfriend was horrified I'd even entertain the thought of buying it, so I think if I took my 'oooh, pretty thing!' head off I'd regret it.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

Sorry but you are both deluding yourself. Second hand or new, it's still horrific and ugly. However, it's your conscious that you have to live with.

GrammarGirl

the_devil_made_me_do_it wrote: »

Sorry but you are both deluding yourself. Second hand or new, it's still horrific and ugly. However, it's your conscious that you have to live with.

I'm not deluding myself at all - I'm clearly saying I am unsure and am actually being very honest about my feelings. I'm not trying to convince myself it's right - the fair is finished, bag is gone and I didn't buy it.

I know some people are very against buying animal skin of any kind, but using emotive language like 'it's your conscious you have to live with' is not what this thread is about - I want to know what YOU think, not what others SHOULD think according to you.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

Ok. I think fur for fashion is ugly and horrific. I would never find myself in a position to question that. Would make no difference if it were second hand or not. I still couldn't justify purchasing it.

Obviously, there are those who are able to justify purchasing second hand fur goods, I just find it a tad hypocritical.

GrammarGirl

the_devil_made_me_do_it wrote: »

Ok. I think fur for fashion is ugly and horrific. I would never find myself in a position to question that. Would make no difference if it were second hand or not. I still couldn't justify purchasing it.

Obviously, there are those who are able to justify purchasing second hand fur goods, I just find it a tad hypocritical.

Thank you. I agree, it is hypocritical to say you're against the trade but to then justify a second hand purchase. I find my own opinion on it hypocritical, although not fully formed.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

I don't particularly find faux fur ugly. If I found an item that floated my boat, I'd probably buy it.

Bob_the_Saver

As this is a money saving forum I would like to draw your attention to the three free cats in my garden, please help yourself.

SugarSpun

I probably wouldn't buy it, and I wouldn't buy new fur/crocodile products. Antique I have less of a moral issue with - but for the most part my aesthetic wouldn't allow me to buy them anyway.