The relentless media campaign against the use of fur often forces consumers to neglect the benefits of wearing fur over faux fur and other garments. The media trial against people wearing fur has been going on for a while and it often presents one side of the story.
There is no report on how environmentally friendly fur coats are when compared to the alternatives. Fur coats also offer incredible warmth and comfort to people who live in freezing climates. While there are faux fur jackets available in the market, nothing compares to the degree of insulation provided by a real fur jacket.
Apart from the comfort factor, there are plenty of environmental reasons why should never feel shame buying or wearing fur. The following are 7 of the most convincing reasons why wearing actual fur coats is environmentally friendlier than the alternative.
They are Significantly More Durable than Faux Fur Coats
Fur coats are significantly more durable than faux fur coats. This means they are much more likely to be reused or passed on to the next generation and have significantly less chance of ending up in a landfill. The durability also encourages less consumption. If you have a fur coat that looks fabulous for years you are far less likely to go shopping for a new coat.
Fur Coats Are an Investment
Unlike other fashion items, there is a market for vintage fur coats. There are shops and individuals who buy fur coats and restore them to their former glory. The ever-growing market for used fur coats goes a long way into reducing consumption. Their resalability encourages people to hold on to their old fur coats. The fact that old fur coats can be fully restored prevents consumers from discarding them.
It’s Sustainable
Plastic is not renewable. It is made from petroleum byproducts, which is fast depleting. This means faux fur coats, which have synthetic and plastic stands are also not renewable. Pelts for fur coats, on the other hand, are sourced from farms. Fur manufacturers often take precautionary steps or run initiatives to ensure the survival of the species in the wild. Much like produces that come from chicken or cow, fur is fully sustainable.
When Ethically Sourced, It Does Not Endanger the Animals in the Wild
Let’s take the example of American mink. Considering the popularity of mink coats, they should have gone extinct years ago. However, ethical farming practices ensure the species survives in the wild. American minks fall under the “least concern” category and their population is considered to be stable. Therefore, when you buy a mink coat online, you play no part in the endangerment of the species in the wild.
When buying mink coats or any other fur products make sure they are sourced from Europe or America where there are strict farming laws. This ensures farmers adhere to certain ethical standards.
The Production Process is Cleaner
Everything from cotton clothes to faux fur jackets has a lengthy production process that’s highly polluting. Cotton especially requires huge farming lands and causes water and air pollution.
Fur production, on the other hand, is a cold process that has little impact on the environment.
They Are Biodegradable
The likelihood of fur coats ending up in the dumpster is less than regular fashion items and jackets. However, even if a few fur coats end up in the landfill they degrade pretty quickly compared to faux fur jackets. Fake fur coats often have plastic strands which take hundreds of years to break down.
Easier to Recycle
Thanks to their high cost, restoring and recycling fur coats can be highly financially rewarding. Master furriers can cut away portions that are worn out and replace them with fresh pelts. The entire recycling process is done by hand is thus much more environmentally friendly.
Compare that to the recycling process of plastic or cotton, which requires giant factories and a highly polluting process.
Fur coats are a perfect fashion choice for people living in the snowy parts of the world. The negative press surrounding it is often one sided and unfair. Considering that there are no materials that can replicate the comfort factor of real fur coats, you should have no qualms about choosing fur over faux fur materials.
As discussed in the post, synthetic fashion items are causing immense environmental damage. They are not sustainable and their production process is highly polluting. Fur jackets and fashion items continue to be the most environmentally friendly clothing choice for keeping yourself warm in frigid climates.
