Windsmoor coat, fur collar dilemma

[MidnightBlue]

Hi all,

Not posted for a while. Not even lurked. Its so cheeky when real life gets in the way!

I was in town today, and in a charity shop came across a lovely 3/4 length Windsmoor coat, which may or may not have any vintage. It was 100% wool, grey, fitted me beautifully, was in great condition and best of all only £11.99! My main problem was the collar. I believe it was real fur, but as I've never really handled fur I couldn't be sure. I stood there for a while trying to make a decision on getting it, but the time was up on the car and my son was finishing school so off we went.

My problem is that I love the coat, but have never been entirely sure on my feelings on fur. I'd never buy new, but second hand is more of a grey area for me. I'd appreciate hearing other's views on this. Also I may be worrying over nothing as it seems Windsmoor use and have used both real and faux fur, and as they are a quality label, I'm guessing any faux fur they use would be pretty good quality also. Third quandry is that the collar only seems lightly hand stitched to the collar underneath which added to my thinking that the coat was either older and/or the fur was indeed real, am I right? Anyone know anything about aging the coat? If it is real fur is the collar likely to be good quality underneath, ie if I took the fur off?

And of course will I stress myself over this all night, decide to go back in the morning, and find its gone!?

thank you ladies, Keri x

 

[Miss 1929]

You will hear both sides, for sure!

I approve of vintage fur. You didn't kill it, you didn't create the market for it, its already dead, and it would be wasteful to put it in the landfill. It is historically accurate.
It feels nice, it keeps you warm.

Since I eat meat and wear leather too, I have no problem with it - I wouldn't want to buy new fur, as I think it is unnecessary as long as there is nice vintage fur out there.

But you will also hear people who are vehemently against it.

And re the public reaction when you're wearing it, I have only had negative hassles when wearing FAKE fur. By stupid punks clad in leather.:eusa_doh:

The collar may be OK underneath, or it may not even have fabric there, depends on how they constructed it. In the worst case scenario, you lift up a bit of collar and discover you have to sew it down again.

Here I am swathed in furs...

 

[SayCici]

I think most people's feelings on this were expressed in the other fur thread.

As a vegan and bleeding-heart animal hugger, I'm only fine with wearing vintage wool and leather when I don't think the material is obvious, as in shoes and a knit dress are okay, but an old leather jacket and fur are not. The latter encourages the idea that those things are fashionable and worth taking lives for. I honestly wouldn't wear that stuff anyway because of the smells those things tend to carry.

Looking at Miss 1929's example, I think depending on how you personally feel about fur, wearing vintage fur to an event themed within a certain time period or decade is very different than just walking the mall in it. You're sending different messages to completely different types of audiences.

 

[Miss 1929]

And of course it isn't for everyone, I would never negatively judge a person who didn't feel comfortable wearing fur!
And I forgot there is another fur thread... check it out.
It also does make a difference where you wear it. In a major metropolitan area, you probably won't get as much negative attention as you might in say, a college town!

 

[ThesFlishThngs]

See, I have this problem too. I don't eat meat, and try not to buy new leather products (though now and then I will, particularly shoes). There has been no new fur in my wardrobe since the early 80s, when I had one of those barbaric, wildly dyed rabbit skin vests. However, after my grandmother passed away, I found myself in possession of a number of her things, including a fur (maybe mink, I don't really know) capelet thing. Now I have no memory of her wearing it, ever, and knowing my grandfather, I presume he bought it for her in the 50s or 60s, as some sort of success symbol. So it hangs in my wardrobe, and I'm conflicted about it. The animal is long dead, but it's not a thing I'd wear out and about.
If there were a local vintage costume affair (our own Gatsby weekend, perhaps) I might be able to bring it out, but so far, it's just there, taking up space.
Possibly against my better judgment, here's a photo circa mid-80s, of me wearing fur. And leather. Please don't hate me.

 

[MidnightBlue]

Thank you for all your viewpoints. I honestly did search for fur topics and it came up with nothing found?

I went back this morning and the coat was still there, so taking it as a sign (any excuse) I bought it Now having it home I've had a better look. Without taking anything apart I'm pretty sure the collar is real fur. It will stay in tact for now at least. I do know someone online who makes wraps, collars, muffs, etc with good quality faux fur, so one option would be to replace the collar, but that would defeat the object of this being a very bargainous coat.

The label says Hylan Booker for Windsmoor, which after a little googling, I think, dates the coat as 70's. Its in great condition, a lovely dark grey colour that would go with almost anything, and as I said labelled as 100% wool so this will definitely be kept carefully in the wardrobe as my smart coat

I'm a happy bunny

 

[Paul]

Hi all,

My problem is that I love the coat, but have never been entirely sure on my feelings on fur. I'd never buy new, but second hand is more of a grey area for me. I'd appreciate hearing other's views on this.

Keri x

I can fully appreciate what your saying Keri about fur,

As I went through a similar thing six weeks ago as I have thought I would like to try a fur coat (Vintage one) if one come on the market which I liked in my size and within budget as one never did it was more theoretical then anything. When I found one on a rail of my regular vintage dealer which fitted all my criteria .

As I do understand both sides of the debate and in a way agree with both at the same time this gave me a problem and had to think about it for a while, would i be able to wear it, and enjoy wearing it even if for limited time, and these days admit that i like the look and be brave en ought to be seen wearing one, or just keep it in the box which then I might as well buy something else I like.

I think both SayCici and Miss 1929 are right if you do wear one then it is more about how and when your wear one today.
Any way I did buy it, while I accept other do hold different opinions and do not want to upset them personally I think it suits me and I am enjoy wearing it.
I am please you bought your coat and do not do anything too quicky with the collar have a think andthen decide how you feel even if in the end you decide to have it altered.

Here is a photo of my 1950's mink coat

 

[Miss_Bella_Hell]

First, here's the fur thread: http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=25408 (You can't search for terms with three letters or less )

I agree with these two sentiments from SayCici:

I'm only fine with wearing vintage wool and leather when I don't think the material is obvious, as in shoes and a knit dress are okay, but an old leather jacket and fur are not. The latter encourages the idea that those things are fashionable and worth taking lives for.

[...]
Looking at Miss 1929's example, I think depending on how you personally feel about fur, wearing vintage fur to an event themed within a certain time period or decade is very different than just walking the mall in it. You're sending different messages to completely different types of audiences.

 

[C-dot]

I am an animal lover and consummate meat eater. The Native Americans were too. They realized they had to kill animals to survive, so they gave utmost respect to the animal - killing it painlessly, and using every part of it. This includes the furs, which they would use to keep warm.

Nowadays, everything is done in excess of these practices. We no longer depend on animals for survival, so the respect flies out the window - We kill them for furs, or for food, only. This is why the vegetarian and vegan movements are so strong.

It is immensely difficult nowadays to determine whether or not an animal we are using was killed with respect - for this reason, I avoid genuine leather and fur. However, in the Golden Era (especially the 50's) fur was extremely popular. Instead of buying new furs, we can use the resources we already have - namely vintage fur. Isn't that similar to the Native views of respect for the animal, and using what we have as opposed to greedily seeking more?

 

[Lily Powers]

While I love a good, friendly debate, I think I'll keep my opinions of fur to myself. But maybe if you aren't comfortable with the fur collar, what about having it replaced with a plush velvet?

 

[NicolettaRose]

To me, there is nothing wrong with vintage fur, you didn't buy it new and the animal is long dead. I am an animal lover, but I also don't see anything wrong with new fur items as well ( although vintage is much cheaper!). I come from San Francisco, and the activists love to stand in front of Neiman Marcus in Union Sqaure and protest, but once it gets to be December in SF, people pull out their fur jackets and are just happy they are kept warm.

I would never spend thousands of dollars on new furs, but I do have a number of vintage/used fur pieces. My thought is, I respect people who are against fur, but if you are going to be against fur, you should not be wearing leather either. I see people protesting fur while they have their leather shoes or handbag.

 

[Kitty_Sheridan]

As a collector of vintage, I think you have to look at the era.

If it is a vintage coat you're ruining a piece of history by removing the collar.

I wouldn't buy fur now, but mainly because I don't like the look of it.

I do have problems with peoples general attitudes to where their meat and clothing come from. I think we like to disassociate ourselves from reality somewhat.

 

[HadleyH]

But maybe if you aren't comfortable with the fur collar, what about having it replaced with a plush velvet?

I second that suggestion wholeheartedly.

 

[The Shirt]

I'm with Nicoletta and Miss 1929 on this one. I have a few vintage coats that I assume the fur is real. I am a huge animal lover, on and off vegetarian, and generally try my darndest to buy synthetics when plausible and nice options are available. However I also have been back and forth on this same issue. I love the cut, the drape and all that goes along with my vintage pieces that the collar never stood in the way. I do have a vintage shrug that was purchased for me and to be honest I have only worn a couple of times to vintage events. I love it but am torn.

 

[Miss 1929]

Here is a photo of my 1950's mink coat

That is a fabulous, excellent mink coat!

 

[Paul]

Thank you very much Miss 1929

 

[Dutchess]

This autumn and winter fur and faux fur are very much 'in fashion'. So people will probably think it's fake and won't harrass you about it. But although I love the look of fur and agree that second hand fur is not as bad as new, I must say that wearing real fur equals showing you appreciate it and like it as a fashion item. So ideologically, it's not okay, but practically (no extra animals killed) it is.

 

[NicolettaRose]

This autumn and winter fur and faux fur are very much 'in fashion'. So people will probably think it's fake and won't harrass you about it. But although I love the look of fur and agree that second hand fur is not as bad as new, I must say that wearing real fur equals showing you appreciate it and like it as a fashion item. So ideologically, it's not okay, but practically (no extra animals killed) it is.

I totally agree on your last point, I think by buying new fur its saying to the people killing the animals that they should continue producing new items, but if we are recycling vintage pieces its both better for the animals and our pocketbooks.

 

[miss_smith]

I recently purchased a wool coat with a fur collar and I adore it...that being said, I completely approve of vintage furs. Furs are delightful and soft and warm and if you take care of them, they will last you a long time.

 

[23SkidooWithYou]

I recently purchased a wool coat with a fur collar and I adore it...that being said, I completely approve of vintage furs. Furs are delightful and soft and warm and if you take care of them, they will last you a long time.

We have a couple of fur collared 3/4 sleeve 50's coats still floating about from my Grandmother's days. Indeed, she told me the man who sold her one of the coats said her Grandchildren would wear it. Just to make her happy, I slipped it on and said, "See Gram, he was right." My Gram passed several years ago, but the coat is still in fabulous condition. Unfortunately, I can't really wear it as she didn't clear 5' and probably weighed 100lbs at the time. I'm 5'4" and have many pounds on her.

I wouldn't go out of my way to find a fur, but if there were trim on something I'd be okay...unless it has a face. I think the whole critter stoles are very glam when I see them over the shoulder of a structured suit, but I personally can't handle my accessories staring at me. <shudder>

The pic of all the gals in their furs is terrific!