Fur coats are made from animal skins, providing warmth and fashion. However, the use of fur is controversial due to animal slaughter. Faux fur is a popular alternative, but some still prefer real fur. Fur activism has led to a decrease in sales in the US, but fur coats are still available in many countries. Proper care is necessary for fur coats, while faux fur coats have easier care instructions.
Fur coats are outer garments that are made from animal skins. Some of these animals include foxes, minks, certain large cats, stoats, seals, otters, and rabbits. Animals that produce wool, such as sheep, are usually not fur animals, although whole skins from these animals can sometimes be used in coats.
One advantage of fur coats is that they tend to provide significant warmth, and humans have used them for millennia for this purpose. In the past it was common not only to make fur coats, but also to make other types of clothing out of them. Today, fur trim can decorate other clothing, but fur coats are one of the most common uses for fur.
There is considerable controversy regarding the use of fur coats, as animals must be slaughtered to obtain the fur. The introduction of so many fibers that can actually hold heat as well or better than fur makes fur superfluous in most circumstances. For this reason, fur coats are considered very fashionable, especially in the industrialized world, without being really necessary. They are typically much more expensive than coats made from other natural or synthetic materials, and for the “look” of fur, many people turn to beautifully crafted forms of faux fur.
This is not always the case. Some people still prefer real fur coats and pay thousands of dollars to get high quality ones. Less expensive forms of fur like rabbit can be purchased much more cheaply. The use of fur can lead to significant clashes between anti-fur and pro-fur activists. Especially in urban areas, anti-fur groups may protest loudly outside well-known furriers or shops that sell fur.
Fur activism in the United States has contributed to making fur coat sales much rarer, which usually only increases the price and may increase convenience for some people. The skin is still available at many local stores in the US, although there have been some efforts to ban certain types of hunting that exploit endangered animals or that are hunted only for the skin, which have had a partial success. However, most fur animals are raised rather than hunted. The use of fur for coats in other countries varies and may depend on local traditions, styles, and how people view the fur trading industry.
Even in countries where this issue is controversial, fur coats are easy to find and various types and styles of coats can reflect current fashion trends. Different styles of coats can include long coats modeled on the trench coat type, coats, short or pea coat styles, and leather jackets. One of the things that must be observed with fur clothing is proper care and cleaning. Fur sellers will offer plenty of care tips, and these coats are generally never machine washable. Instead, they should be taken to cleaners experienced in cleaning fur.
Many forms of faux fur coats have an advantage in this regard. In addition to being available in as many styles as real fur coats, they can have much easier care instructions. Some can be thrown in the washing machine and tumble dried, which can save time and money.
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