Fur has been considered a staple in fashion for centuries now, but in recent years, there has been a growing debate over whether faux fur or real fur is the better choice when it comes to ethics and sustainability. While both fake fur and genuine fur have their pros and cons, there are several differences between the two that you should consider before purchase either.
I’m going to also add a disclaimer: I wrote this article to address questions that I receive from readers about both types of fur, not to open debate or be critical.
As both are a type of fluffy fabric in nature, one of the most obvious differences between faux fur and real fur is the way they are created. Faux fur fabric is typically made from synthetic materials, such as polyester, while real fur comes from animals like mink, fox, and rabbit. This difference means that fake fur is often significantly less expensive than real fur and does not involve the ethical concerns associated with using animal products.
With this in mind, the debate over which is more sustainable, faux fur or real fur, is ongoing. While faux fur appears to be the more animal friendly option, it is not kind to the environment. The production of synthetic materials has been shown to have a significant impact on the environment. As well, synthetic fur is not considered to be as biodegradable as real animal fur is. At the same time the production of real fur can have a negative impact on animal welfare and can contribute to environmental issues such as pollution and deforestation.
Let’s now look at each fur type in more detail!
What Is Faux Fur?
Faux fur – sometimes called fake fur, synthetic fur or imitation fur – is a synthetic material which tries really hard to mimic the look and feel of real animal fur. It is often used as a substitute for real fur in clothing, accessories, and home decor.
How Is Faux Fur Made?
Faux fur is made from a variety of synthetic materials, including polyester, acrylic polymers, and nylon. These materials are woven or knitted into a fabric that is then treated with chemicals, and this process helps to create a soft, fluffy texture that resembles animal fur.
The process of making faux fur is much less expensive and time-consuming than harvesting and processing real animal fur. It also eliminates the need for animal farming and hunting, which can be environmentally damaging and is ethically questionable.
Reasons for Choosing Faux Fur Fabric
- It is more sustainable as it does not require the use of animal products
- It is more affordable making it accessible to a wider range of consumers
- It is easier to care for and does not require expensive storage or maintenance
- It can be manufactured in a variety of colors and patterns, allowing for greater creativity in fashion and design
Reasons Against Choosing Faux Fur Fabric
- It is made from synthetic materials that are harmful to the environment if not disposed of properly
- It can sometimes be lower quality than real fur, and may not last as long
- It can be difficult to differentiate from real fur, leading to confusion and potential mislabeling
- Some people believe that clothing made from faux fur perpetuates the idea that wearing fur is fashionable, and may contribute to the continued use of real fur
What Is Real Fur?
Real fur is fur that comes from animals such as minks, foxes, rabbits, and chinchillas. It is often considered to be more luxurious and durable than faux fur fabric. Being a ‘natural’ material – it is animal skin after all -it is also biodegradable, so it will break down over time.
How Is Real Fur Made?
Real fur isn’t ‘made’, as it is a naturally occurring part of animals. The process of gathering real fur involves the trapping or farming of animals for their fur. The animals are then killed and skinned, and their fur is processed and treated before it is used to make clothing and other products.
Arguments for using real fur is that it is considered to be a byproduct of the meat industry, as the animals are raised for their meat as well as their fur. I can’t personally say that this is true, after all we don’t ‘consume’ animals like mink, fox or chinchillas. There are also very valid concerns about the treatment of animals on fur farms and the environmental impact of fur farming.
Reasons For And Against Real Fur
There are several arguments for and against the use of real fur in fashion:
For Real Fur:
- It is biodegradable and so will break down over time
- It is often seen as a byproduct of the meat industry (even though it rarely is)
- It is more durable and long-lasting than faux fur
Against Real Fur:
- There are concerns about the treatment of animals on fur farms
- Fur farming has a negative impact on the environment
- Many people consider the use of real fur to be unethical and cruel
When choosing between real fur and faux fur, it is important to consider the environmental impact, the treatment of animals, and your personal ethics and values.
Environmental Impact
Both real and faux fur fabrics have some impact on the environment, but to what extent is one more damaging than the other?
Faux Fur’s Environmental Impact
We have discussed how faux fur has gained popularity as a more ethical and sustainable alternative to real fur. However, the production of faux fur has an impact on the environment as it is made from synthetic materials – one of the main concerns is the use of petroleum-based materials in the manufacturing process – which are derived from non-renewable resources. The production of these materials has been shown to contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and pollution.
The production of faux fur also involves the use of chemicals and energy-intensive processes, and these can also have a negative impact on the environment. The chemicals used in the production of faux fur can be harmful to both human health and the environment while the energy-intensive processes used in the production of faux fur can contribute further to climate change and other environmental problems.
One final concern is the potential for it to shed microfibers, which can contribute to ocean pollution and harm marine life. While some companies are taking steps to address this issue by using recycled materials and developing innovative production methods, it remains a concern for the industry as a whole.
Real Fur’s Environmental Impact
The production of real fur also has a significant environmental impact. The raising of animals for fur production requires a large amounts of land, water, and feed. This often leads to deforestation, habitat destruction, and water pollution. Throw in the use of pesticides and fertilizers in the production of feed for fur animals and you have a larger contribution to environmental degradation.
As well as the environmental impact of fur production, there are also ethical concerns we should be aware of too. The treatment of animals raised for fur has been a subject of controversy for decades, with many animal rights organizations such as the Humane Society International advocating for the end of natural fur production altogether. The fur industry has been linked to environmental degradation and pollution, as well as the spread of zoonotic diseases.
The environmental impact of both faux fur and real fur production should be considered when making a decision about which to wear. While faux fur may be more ethical in terms of animal welfare, it is not necessarily more sustainable or environmentally friendly than real fur. Ultimately, the decision of whether to wear faux or real fur is a personal choice that should be based on your own individual values.
Ethical Impact
While there are no animal ethics regarding faux fur, it is often made in countries with lax labor laws, and this has led to concerns about worker exploitation and poor working conditions.
Real fur on the other hand has long been associated with animal cruelty, and for good reason. Animals used for fur are often kept in cramped, filthy conditions and subjected to inhumane treatment, including painful trapping methods and electrocution.
However, those with a love of real fur continue to argue that it can be produced ethically and sustainably. They point to the use of traditional trapping methods, which can be more humane than other methods, as well as the use of fur from animals that are raised for food. Additionally, some indigenous communities rely on fur as a source of income and cultural heritage.
Quality and Durability
Faux fur is made from synthetic fibers and as such, its quality and durability can vary depending on the type of material used to manufacture it.
High-quality faux fur can be soft, warm, and long-lasting, but lower-quality versions may shed easily or lose its shape over time. It is also generally easier to care for than real fur is, and can be machine-washed without fear of damaging the material.
Real fur is biodegradable and the quality is generally considered to be more durable than faux fur, which means it lasts a lot longer. The biggest rule when it comes to real fur is that the quality of the fur depends on the quality of the animal’s life. The fur of animals that are raised in captivity or inhumanely treated may not be as high quality as that of animals that have been raised and treated well. Real fur is also warm and insulating, making it a good choice for colder climates, but it does require special care and maintenance to keep it looking its best, which can be both time-consuming and expensive.
Cost Comparison
Faux fur is generally cheaper than real fur, with prices ranging from $200 or less for a faux fur coat. On the other hand, a real fur coat can cost thousands of dollars depending on the type of fur and the quality of the garment.
While faux fur is more affordable, it is important to consider the long-term cost of the garment. A faux fur jacket may need to be replaced more frequently than a real fur jacket due to wear and tear while real fur jackets, on the other hand, can last for decades with proper care and maintenance.
That said, there is more skill and craftsmanship to make real fur garments and this definitely adds to the cost. I know when I briefly worked with real fur (rabbit only) I needed to take extra care and use a different machine and sewing machine foot to sew it with in order to not ruin the fur. Contrast that with the process of sewing the four fur jacket for my Graduate Fashion Week collection, and all I needed was a standard ball point needle on my industrial machine.
This is why faux fur is often considered the better choice, despite its environmental impact. Yes it is made from synthetic materials that do not harm animals or the environment, but it is cheaper and easier for the fashion industry to produce fur clothing from synthetic fur.
Learning More
If you’re keen to learn more about the uses of faux and real fur within fashion, then do look to the many activists and organizations that exist.
The Humane Society International has a petition to world leaders to end fur farming worldwide. You can learn more about that here, and there’s also People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) who do a lot of work against animal cruelty.
In terms of anti-fur / ethical designers, Stella McCartney is a RTW fashion designer who has only ever included faux fur in her collections, as this aligns with her principles on vegetarianism and animal welfare. Michael Kors did include the use of real fur in his collections for some time, but as of 2018 has only used the synthetic version.
There are many more designers who have moved away from using real fur in their designs, but there are still some high end fashion brands who do as they view it as a ‘luxury’ and not something to move away from.
What are your views on the ethics and sustainability of both faux and real fur? Let me know in the comments – but let us keep is respectful and friendly please.