Fur, Guilt, and the Comeback: How Fashion Reclaimed Its Most Controversial Luxury

Fur has been deeply ingrained into our history. It began as a need for protection, the animals pelts would be repurposed for survival during the winter. As time progressed and we got used to these more modern luxuries of heat and quickly produced clothes. Fur sort of faded out as a necessity, puffer and wool coats were more prevalent because of the ease and price to produce. Furs became a luxury and style statement, most people wouldn’t wear them everyday but on fancier occasions. It became a pinnacle of wealth and luxury, still people dreamed of having their own piece of fur to showcase their financial stability.

This changed in the early 2000s with a campaign by PETA (people for ethical treatment of animals). It was graphic, they showed a dead animal skinned with the tagline “this is the rest of your fur coat”. To stop eating meat felt out of so many peoples grasp but a simple thing of no longer buying felt easy, it was our little way of “giving back” to the animals. This was really the only PETA campaign that worked as. people don’t like feeling responsible for brutality. And very quickly fur moved out of fashion. 

But of course people craved the material itself, it brings a different medium to the clothes we wear. And so faux started to be popular, it was cheaper to produce and weighed less on many’s conscience. We only saw the true resurgence when thrifting became popular, people started to realize they could still have these luxury fur item without the guilt. There is always a large array of fur coats at any thrift store you go to, though they are usually met with a very hefty price. And so fur is making a resurgence, it’s beginning to not only be luxury but worn with streetwear as well. As a writer it is something I have craved as well, it has once again been separated from the animal roots but only a fashion statement. 

XOXO, The Fashion Stock Market