How to Enjoy Leather and Fur the Ethical Way

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Image source: Fursource

 

The appeal of leather and fur is no mystery. You see those bikers with their greased hair, chiseled jaws and, well, their leather jackets, and you turn green with envy. You see a glamorous woman wrapped in luxurious fur, and your heart skips a beat. Fur and leather are popular fashion items that have captured the hearts of the style-conscious for decades. But as we also know, these products aren’t exactly known for being the most ethical choice when picking out your wardrobe; after all, an animal had to die to make that scarf or handbag. But it doesn't have to fill you with guilt — we looked into it, and it's completely possible to enjoy your leather and fur without sacrificing your moral code.

Overpopulation and the Food Industry

When a hunter goes out with his rifle and smug look in tow, he usually defends his actions with "it prevents overpopulation," and that isn't entirely incorrect. It's a sad truth, but predatory animals known for their fur (coyotes, foxes, mink, etc.) can decimate ecosystems if populations go unchecked. This can lead to serious harm for both wild game populations and farmers’ domesticated herds.

 

Also, leather is a by-product. Animals will be always killed for food; to expect everyone in our society to go vegetarian/vegan is unrealistic. The question to follow that is whether or not you as a consumer want to take advantage of the entire animal, utilizing it for food and clothing, fuel, and other similar products. Leather is an efficient (and of course stylish!) way to support a cyclic ecosystem and to make the most of animals already killed for food's sake.

 

And the best part about leather is it's biodegradable — unlike faux leather — and works out well in the grand scheme of things; an animal is fed, it's harvested for leather, and its body decomposes, providing food for plants to feed the next generation of cattle with. And then when your leather wears out, it can return to the ground and be absorbed into the ecosystem for the benefit of all creatures.

What You Can Do

Be conservative about how much you buy. Leather is nice, but you don't need a thousand coats. Leather and fur products are durable, last very long time (with good care), and can even be passed down to your children as heirlooms. There's a deep connection to leather in our culture. Just don't buy so much it drives up demand. That would push leather production over the amount that is provided from food-cattle.

 

Preserve your leather/fur. Research leather preserving oil and find the best fit for you. This stuff keeps your leather nice even longer and, of course, if your leather doesn't wear out or lose its luster, you won't have to buy as much!

 

If you have fur, storing it correctly can lengthen its lifespan. In terms of rugs, these tend to be easier to care for. Keep them out of direct sunlight, clean messes with wool shampoo, and avoid dry cleaning.

 

So you can enjoy your leather, and ethically too. Be smart about it, research your options, and go out there looking fabulous. Everyone's watching.

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