Buying fur/animal skins second hand

LondonDiva

I have the most beautiful silver mink stole, 2 brown mink stole and a fab sable cape.

AbFab

My intention was to state the facts. I then give MY personal opinion. If you are happy with your choices, nothing I can say should make you feel bad. By all means, stand up for what you believe and hold dear. But make those choices in full possession of the facts. If I told BNP Leader Nick Griffin he was a racist, I don't think I'd make him feel bad - he's got his opinions, and he's sticking to them. In your OP,

GrammarGirl wrote: »

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?

you talk about support for a cruel and unnecessary industry. The meat and leather industries OF TODAY are cruel and unnecessary. That's fact, and that's my opinion. Fur was more acceptable 100 years ago. In 100 years' time, I think more people will be looking back at 2009 and thinking 'Did our ancestors REALLY wear leather? Were they so unconcerned with this issue? Did they really eat animals?'. You have judged generations of the past for supporting a cruel and unnecessary industry, whilst leaving yourself open to judgment for your current support of a cruel and unnecessary industry from people today, but also future generations.

Yes, many people share your views. More and more are sharing mine. One day, I hope to be in the majority on this one.

If you DO feel bad, perhaps your conscience is telling you that you aren't as happy to wear suede/eat steak as you perhaps think. Your OP certainly lead me to believe you were open to discussion on what is, and what isn't, cruel and unnecessary.

I am more than happy to bow out of this one now. I've given some information, offered my opinion - you are welcome to embrace it, explore it, or ignore it.

xxvickixx

Hmm, AbFab, that is a much better way of putting it. I think you sounded a bit harsh in your earlier posts and Gramargirl had an undeservedly rough time or just openly discussing her mixed feelings.

I eat meat because I love the taste. I do feel guilty if I think about where it comes from too much. I think anyone who has made that choice to become veggie or vegan should feel very proud of themselves but it's not for me right now.

This is a very interesting and emotive subject, but lets keep it friendly please x

AbFab

Thanks, xxvickixx.
It is indeed interesting and emotive, and something I feel passionate about.
I do feel the OP was open to such discussion, even if others' answers don't align with her POV. It was directly put:

GrammarGirl wrote: »

I'm glad this thread has resurfaced. I find the debate fascinating. I wonder, then, if having a conscience about animal issues means you shouldn't eat meat either?

I answered that in the affirmative. Apologies to all if I was unnecessarily harsh.

Peace. x

GrammarGirl

AbFab, I certainly am open to ideas, opinions and discussions. Your post above doesn't offend or upset me in the slightest. Your post before likened my attitude to slavery which was out of order, in my opinion. Anyway, no hard feelings.

I think it's necessary to accept that people will always have differing views on this - for me, supporting animal charities, buying free range/organic and not buying fur or products that have been tested on animals is enough to make me feel happy with my choice to wear leather/suede/silk/wool and eat meat. I have two vegan friends who have no issue whatsoever with my choices.

Similarly, I don't agree with fox hunting but I wouldn't force my opinion on someone who sees it as a way of life.

Mutter_2

For the past 52 years I have not eaten animal or bird.
Yes I do eat fish.
I would wear any fur or feather rather than put it in my mouth chew it up and swallow it.

If you eat it, wear it.

CaroleM_3

the_devil_made_me_do_it wrote: »

Why does it matter what people in Africa do?

I'm a bit surprised no one else has commented on this - given that the debate started with a croc skin handbag that may well have been sourced from Africa, I'd say that what people in Africa do is quite important. And I also feel that boycotting (non-vintage) croc skin goods isnt good enough if we dont also help the producers to find a way for the crocs to be more valuable alive than dead (tourism etc). Someone else has already explained that selling croc skins is the reason some families are able to eat, well I think this should be just as important to us as the crocs themselves.

Personnaly, I wouldnt have bought the bag, it would have made me uncomfortable to own it. But I do eat meat, wear leather shoes, eat dairy products and honey and wear wool. Everyone has their own moral compass, and their own compromises to make (e.g. I eat chicken but make sure its free range, I use toiletries that contain beeswax but never anything that is tested on animals), and discussing it is only useful if we respect other peoples opinions (referring to chewing gum comments etc).

Thanks to the OP and all commenters for giving me some food for thought.

vik6525

I'd have bought it without a second thought.

GrammarGirl

CaroleM wrote: »

I'm a bit surprised no one else has commented on this - given that the debate started with a croc skin handbag that may well have been sourced from Africa, I'd say that what people in Africa do is quite important. And I also feel that boycotting (non-vintage) croc skin goods isnt good enough if we dont also help the producers to find a way for the crocs to be more valuable alive than dead (tourism etc). Someone else has already explained that selling croc skins is the reason some families are able to eat, well I think this should be just as important to us as the crocs themselves.

Personnaly, I wouldnt have bought the bag, it would have made me uncomfortable to own it. But I do eat meat, wear leather shoes, eat dairy products and honey and wear wool. Everyone has their own moral compass, and their own compromises to make (e.g. I eat chicken but make sure its free range, I use toiletries that contain beeswax but never anything that is tested on animals), and discussing it is only useful if we respect other peoples opinions (referring to chewing gum comments etc).

Thanks to the OP and all commenters for giving me some food for thought.

Perfectly put and I think our moral compasses point in the same direction!

**Juice**

I've got my nanas old fur coat, from clearing her house when she died, I love it but it smells so musty and is so huge, I'd never wear it.