Do It Better... Real Fur vs Faux Fur

For people in fashion fur has always represented the epitome of luxury. Fur used to be a constant feature on the runways of our favourite designers or casually draped across the shoulders of favourite celebrity.

So, it’s only natural that we covet fur like crazy. Whether we’re lusting over the latest fur piece in the Harrod’s display window or putting away our pennies each month towards buying our favourite fur jacket.

But recent years and some very graphic documentaries later (hello, ‘Skin Trade’) we have become increasingly aware of the inhumane techniques used on animals in order to get fur from factory to runway, and the extent to which the fur trade puts vulnerable species at risk. Real fur is no longer synonymous with glamour, luxury and opulence but instead acts as a painful reminder of the cruel methods that go on behind the scenes.

Yet, our transition towards faux fur remains a rocky road. Whilst we are aware that there is a very dark side to the real fur trade, we still somehow can’t bring ourselves to accept faux fur as a worthy substitute for the real thing. Faux fur is still generally associated with lower quality or the belief that it ‘just doesn’t feel the same’ and this definitely shouldn’t be the case.

With both luxury and high street designers recognising the need to design collections around our ethical demands, the popularity of faux fur is on the rise. These days the variety of faux fur pieces is so vast that you are bound to find something that puts your desires for real fur to shame. 

Of course not all faux furs look and feel fabulous but that isn’t to say that it is impossible to find a faux fur piece that can give real fur a good run for its money. According to ‘Who What Wear’ the top three things to look for when buying faux fur are softness, resilience and the type of acrylic used – that way your faux fur is bound to not disappoint!

With so many varieties of faux fur pieces available, you are sure to find the item just right for you. What’s even better is that you can wear your ‘fur’ proudly and guilt free without having to live in fear of PETA protesters and their dreaded red paint.

For those of you that are still sceptical that nothing can truly beat the real thing, below are some of our favourite faux fashion pieces that are produced both ethically and cruelty free.