Real Vs. Fake Fur, What's the difference?

Do We Really Need a Real Fur Coat? 

We love fashion. We love glamour. We love everything that screams luxury. But let’s talk about furs and where they stand in today’s world of ethical fashion. Can we still be the ultimate fashion girlies while questioning the role of fur? Absolutely. We worship fashion houses—let’s be real, we practically breathe them. But even we have to ask: Do we really need fur in today’s industry? If a brand’s identity is built around leather goods, like Hermès or Ralph Lauren, or furs, like Dior, then fine. But if fur is just a side piece and not the main event, is it really necessary? 

Furs in Fashion: A Legacy of Luxury 

Before ethics entered the chat, fur was a staple. The conversation wasn’t about which brands used fur—it was about which ones didn’t. Fur was the default for cold-weather fashion: coats, scarves, hats, glove linings—you name it. It was practical, warm, and luxurious. It’s been a symbol of status for centuries, worn by aristocrats, royalty, and later, Hollywood icons. If you had a fur coat, you had made it. 

In the mid-1800s, when many of today’s legacy fashion houses were born, fur wasn’t just luxurious—it was necessary. Winters were brutal, central heating wasn’t a thing, and synthetic alternatives didn’t exist. But the key difference? Fur production was on a much smaller scale. Demand was limited, and most of the furs were either hunted in the wild or farmed in ways that weren’t industrialized yet. In other words, fur wasn’t the ethical nightmare it would later become. 

But then, the late 1800s rolled around—and that’s when everything changed. The Industrial Revolution turned fur into a full-blown industry. Production scaled up, and suddenly, fur farming was no longer about hunting a few animals for a coat. Instead, it became about mass production, breeding animals only for their pelts. The ethics left the chat. Fur farms popped up everywhere, and regulations were basically nonexistent. As labor globalization took off, production shifted to countries with fewer (or zero) regulations, making things even worse. 

Faux Fur: The Fashion Industry’s Game-Changer 

With real fur becoming increasingly controversial, the industry needed a solution. Enter: faux fur. But when did faux fur actually hit the market, and what’s it made of? Let’s dive in. 

Faux fur made its first big appearance in the 1920s, but it wasn’t exactly the stylish alternative we know today. Early faux furs were made of alpaca hair blended with other fibers, but they lacked the softness and warmth of the real thing. It wasn’t until the 1950s and 1960s, when synthetic fabrics like acrylic and modacrylic became more advanced, that faux fur actually started feeling like real fur. Designers and brands caught on quickly, and by the 1980s, high-quality faux fur had officially entered the fashion scene. 

So, what’s faux fur made of today? Most faux furs are crafted from acrylic, modacrylic, and polyester fibers. These materials are woven, treated, and finished to mimic the texture and appearance of real fur—sometimes so well that you’d need an expert to tell the difference. Today’s faux furs come in all sorts of textures, colors, and finishes, making them not only an ethical alternative but also a creative one. Designers can experiment with colors and patterns that real fur could never achieve, pushing fashion in a more innovative direction. 

When Things Began to Change 

So where do we stand today? The reality is that consumers hold the power. If people refuse to buy a product, brands have no choice but to adapt. And that’s exactly what happened with fur. 

Luxury fashion houses started phasing out fur—not because they suddenly had a moral epiphany, but because people stopped buying it. Many fashion houses realized that fur wasn’t the defining factor of their brand. Gucci, Chanel, and Prada didn’t need fur to be iconic. They were already legendary. The shift toward fur-free fashion became less about ethics alone and more about smart branding. If people weren’t buying fur, why bother producing it? 

But let’s be real—there’s a reason why some brands still hold on to fur. The heritage brands that built their identity around furs and exotic skins (think Hermès and Max Mara) have a harder time letting go. It’s not just a trend for them; it’s part of their DNA. 

Why Fashion Houses Rooted in Fur Shouldn’t Have to Drop It Completely 

Listen, we’re all about ethical fashion, but we also respect history. Some brands were built on fur and leather—it's their thing. And if fur is an integral part of a brand’s legacy, it’s not our place to erase that history. What is our place? Holding them accountable for ethical sourcing. 

If a brand insists on using fur, the bare minimum is ensuring it comes from ethical sources. And some fashion houses are stepping up. Max Mara, for example, is one of the rare luxury brands that sources its fur from certified European farms that follow strict ethical regulations. Hermès, which still uses exotic skins like crocodile and alligator, has started to enforce ethical farming standards as well. 

We’re not saying fur is good—but if you’re going to wear it, at least make sure it’s ethically sourced. 

Fashion and Fur in the World Today 

The days of fashion houses doing whatever they want without consequences are over. Consumers will hold brands accountable. If a brand makes a move we don’t like? We’ll call them out, boycott, and force them to change. That’s exactly what happened with fur. 

Over 75% of major luxury fashion houses are now fur-free, including: 

But some brands are still holding on:

Fendi (Owned by LVMH, known for its fur craftsmanship) 

What to Look for When Buying Faux Fur 

We live in a world where some brands will try to take advantage of consumers who are looking for an alternative, and we want to make sure the fashion babes aren’t buying crappy fake fur. So, what should you look for when buying faux fur? Most faux furs are made from plastic, and like with anything in life, you get what you pay for. If you want to stand against animal cruelty while still being eco-conscious, we suggest Stella McCartney and House of Fluff. These brands take extra care in treating their faux furs to ensure they don’t shed excessively while still maintaining a luxe, authentic look. 

Unfortunately, like anything, you get what you pay for. So, if you're buying a faux fur coat for $20, you’re getting a coat that looks like it’s worth twenty bucks. Cheap faux fur is almost always made from thin plastic fibers that shed like crazy and never break down. Be sure you're investing in the good stuff that’ll last—otherwise, it's kinda worse for the environment. 

For the girls: You deserve faux fur that’s as chic as it is ethical. Choose wisely, babes. You’ll look fab, feel fab, and be fab—inside and out.  

Buying Vintage Furs: Ethical or Not? 

Okay, so this is definitely a grey area, but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Buying vintage furs from fashion houses that no longer make fur products is probably the best way to get the real thing without adding to the system. Think about it: there's no way the fashion house will release more fur because you bought a second-hand vintage piece. You’re not fueling demand for new furs—you’re simply going thrifting... and honestly, that’s a slay. 

But here’s the catch: buying vintage furs from fashion houses that are still producing furs creates a demand for their new furs because people can still buy them, which continues to contribute to animal cruelty. At the end of the day, we’re in the business of fashion, not the business of telling you what to do. So that's vintage fur according to us lol.  

Our Position on Fur 

We get it—sometimes you just want the real thing. Like diamonds, you might not need them, but you want them. And honestly, we respect craftsmanship. What we don’t respect? Cruelty. If you’re going to invest in fur, do your research. Make sure the brand follows ethical practices. The best flex is knowing your iconic piece wasn’t made at the expense of animal cruelty. 

Our Final Thoughts 

Fashion evolves, and so do our values. What was once considered a status symbol is now a conversation about ethics, sustainability, and conscious consumerism. Real fur is still out there, but more and more brands are proving that you don’t need it to be luxurious. 

At the end of the day, the choice is yours. But if you ask us? The most iconic fur coat you can wear is one that aligns with your values. Stay stylish, stay informed, and remember: the power is in your hands (and in your wardrobe).