Every Christmas I drag my mink jacket out of storage. During the season, I wear it with casual slacks/jeans during the day as well as with dresses at night. It keeps me warm without being too hot when I'm inside. For the rest of the winter I tend to only wear it on the very coldest days.

We're going to Italy and Paris in January and I was just wondering if you see many fur jackets there? I doubt I would take it---too bulky. But, if the weather forecast is for extremely cold conditions, I might consider it.

I hesitated to even post this question. I'm aware of all the strong objections to fur garments---and I probably wouldn't buy it if I were doing it today. But I've had this jacket for many years and it does look elegant with whatever I'm wearing. I just want to know whether one still sees fur jackets on the streets of Rome and Paris, both night and day?

Thanks.

You’ll see plenty of fur coats in Paris – but mainly on old ladies, russian gangster’s molls and 500 euro tarts in hotel lobbies.

The french aren’t as snotty about animal rights (this is the country of foie gras after all)

...and the same is also true of Italy. They love their fur.

London, on the other hand, is a different matter entirely.

We love animals and hate children

so so true

which is why I'm quite happy about spending this Christmas Day with my siblings dogs, and less so about their (combined) 7 children

Even boiled.

david--but child pelts don't have much fur.

Though I've noticed that as I've aged my back is getting more and more luxurious.

Well, I AM an old lady so it's unlikely I'd be mistaken for a 500-euro tart or a Russian gangster's moll! LOL!

Why do I get the feeling this thread will take on a life of its own?!

Jeanne, I don't understand your question. If you "doubt you would take it" why are you asking? If it keeps you warm, makes you feel good and you can manage to bring another coat or jacket for warmer or wetter weather, take it. You will see plenty of fur in cities in Italy.

I said I doubt I would take it, but if extremely cold weather is predicted at departure time, I might reconsider.

It would have to be pretty extreme for me to deal with the bulkiness, though.

"Why do I get the feeling this thread will take on a life of its own?!"

You wish.

Wow David !!
You pay €500 !!!!!!!!

Thats a rip off matey

Muck

No muck - I don't pay €500. That's what I charge - that's how I know the price!

Jeanne; you see quite a lot of fur in Paris and Italy in winter, and not just on tarts and old ladies! Fur is very much in fashion at the moment; lots of fake fur and jackets in shops like Zara, Mango. And lots of fur stoles too.
The only place where I wouldn't wear one is Amsterdam.

David, does the 500 euro include knickers or not?

Knickers is extra.

Many young, beautiful and trendy women in Italy will be dressed in furs.

Well, this is a valuable item that you will have to protect. I can't see just leaving it in your hotel room.

Too bulky, not multi-use enough, and must be protected. I wouldn't do it (just supposing I did--or would--own a mink jacket). But I have to carry my own luggage

I think it is not a very practical item for traveling. It is too bulky, valuable, and you'd certainly need to pack a second jacket or coat if you took it. So for me from a practical point of view... well a mink jacket just isn't.

If you wear it at home with casual clothes, I would certainly bring it with you if you want to. You will see many, many women with furs in both places. I am not sure where you would have to guard it so much; it will be on your back when you are outside, you can put it over a chair when you eat. I can't imagine where you would be in danger of losing it, with reasonable precautions. And the main thing: it will be both warm and lightweight. And you will feel great. Not sure why you would need another coat since you can wear it with everything.