SuzieC

Just an aside. When I was in Paris, the forecast for the next day was rain, and lots of it.
So that "next day" I'm out and about with my raincoat, umbrella and well, I get a little damp.
I'm sitting at the window of leFumoir watching the world go by at lunchtime.
One "grande dame" came by, she was drenched to the skin. And what I mean was, her dark mink full length shawl collared, cuff-sleeved, WITH matching hat, was soaked and matted down.
OK, I confess...I thought it was pretty darned funny.

Dukey

And here I thought women in Europe had started shaving their legs!

Cimbrone

Good post, Faina. This is why, ironically, kosher meat should be outlawed. Bleeding to death is no fun...

ira

Hi C,

>This is why, ironically, kosher meat should be outlawed. Bleeding to death is no fun...<

You might wish to read www.grandin.com/ritual/rec.ritual.slaughter.html
regarding protecting an animal from unecessary pain during Kosher and/or Halal slaughter.

Jolie

I'm not going to get into the morality of wearing fur (I do feel bad for animals that suffer, but I eat meat myself).

But I never understood the desire of fur simply from a fashion point of view - even the skinniest women look fat in it. A discrete fur-lined collar looks fine, but anything more makes the lady look like a pimp. I would vote "no" in wearing the fur simply for fashion reasons.

sandi

You paid for it, wear it.

I wear my furs; cold is cold and I wouldn't give them up for anything or anyone

... and eat the fois gras.

But, I'd have to agree that you'll probably encounter more rain than snow in AMS. You should have gotten an Ebay reversible mink/poplin/satin.

And, who in their right mind goes out without an unbrella in the rain regardless what you're wearing. Doesn't one always have a small umbrella in their pocket. Thankfully my furs have never been matted by rain or snow... just shake them out and their as good as new!

fishee

I agree fur makes people look huge and shapeless but it's the warmest possible coat for the coldest climates. It's unfortunate that they are killed in such a cruel manner and I don't wear fur, myself.

Shearling is not fur -- I'm a bit defensive about this since I love shearling and it's extremely effective in blocking out the cold. But people often seem to think I'm wearing fur when I'm not -- shearling is the same as wearing leather since they use the rest of the sheep for other purposes. I think. Feel free to correct me and then I have to go around wearing a friggin North Face parka.

FainaAgain

Cimbrone, gimme that vodka bottle, go take a nap and come back, we'll talk!

Cimbrone

Ira, thanks for the link and for clarifying for me why kosher slaughter is thought by animal welfare advocates to be so inhumane. It's not just about the bleeding to death.

Faina, LOL. The libations are yet to flow tonight. But I'm in a mojito mood--never vodka!

Did you know our beloved Switzerland is among those countries (rightly in my opinion) that's banned kosher meet production entirely? There's been talk about banning its importation as well, creating a lot of controversy.

weiwei22

As someone who lives in Amsterdam, may I suggest that you go ahead and wear your fur coat. True, women here do not wear as much genuine fur as say Milan/Vienna, I would attribute it to practicality rather than ethical reasons. It does rain often in Amsterdam, but usually drizzling rather than downpours. All the more reason to brighten the day and streets with a chic fur coat and bright umbrella. Please no raincoat, that will get people staring. It rains so often here that people realized they would look the same year round if they used a raincoat to shield rain.

IMHO, as a designer, fat women will look fat even if they wear skin tight clothing; thin women will look THINNER in a big fur coat because that is the visual illusion created by the contrast of the thin neckline and legs with that of a substantial coat. It is the same logic why women look cute and fragile in a man's dress shirt.

Lastly, Dutch people are very tolerant and appreciative of individuality. And rude people will be rude even if you are not wearing a fur coat. There is bigger chance of pickpocketing rather than mugging, though more depending on the ease of your purse buckle/zipper rather than how you are dressed.

Hope you will find these pointers helpful

FainaAgain

Cimbrone, anti-semitism is not something new. And of course, you didn't read the article, I can tell.

To be a vegetarian is not natural. Our tummies are designed to digest meats. Stop making yourself sick

ekscrunchy

Kosher slaughter is banned in Switzerland? And halal slaughter as well? Surely this cannot be the case. (???)

Trophywife007

I hate to repeat myself from another thread, but if you are not going to wear your fur, why did you buy it? Donate it to a homeless person or let your pet use it as a bed. (Or perhaps you could return it to Faina.)

Otherwise, wear it and let critics be d_____.

robjame

Well I bought my wife a fur coat but I was assured that all the animals died of natural causes... well except this one pelt but he was road kill.

FainaAgain

In Russia, then USSR, in 1980s, people wouldn't let dogs out of sight, they would be killed and fur hats made.

In all northern countries animal fur is used for hats, mittens, coats, winter coat collars, boot lining, boots, shoes. There is no synthetic product to match fur for extreme cold of Syberia and other snowy places. Nothing wrong with that.

amp322

Fur is warm. Period. If you think an Eddie Bauer parka is the same, sorry. You are missing out. On the coldest days, I reach for my racoon coat, and walk around hot, compared to others who are in wool or some kind of down.

I bought a beautiful fur coat on Ebay last year, as well. Can't wait to wear it. My sheared mink makes me look thin, because it is sheared, not a big puff ball. My white ermine is also quite chic.

However, Amsterdam is not the dressiest of towns. When I walk around there, I actually dress down, so I don't stick out. If snow is in the forecast, fine. But, as others have said, it's a rainy place, and you will be a matted furry beast, if you don't have an umbrella.

Whatever you wear, enjoy Amsterdam. If you decide to go with the fur, you can buy insurance to cover accidents, etc, and you can also always buy another one at Ebay!!

FainaAgain

And if you don't have allergy to feathers and dawn, the pillows cannot even be compared to the ones filled with synthetic concrete!

Dukey

Down jackets are just as warm as fur coats, Fishee, especially if you are fortunate enough to be inside one with someone else. You really ought to try it sometime.

luvtotravel

I do not have a political stance one way or the other to the wearing of fur.

I can't help but wonder why it is okay to kill animals for food, but not for clothing. Why is it politically correct to kill poor, defenseless chickens? Is it the wearing of animal skins, or the way the animals are killed to get the skins that people object too?

I lived in a cold climate in the 60s and 70s. I remember one favored wool coat that had a fox collar that kept me very warm while waiting for a bus that was always late.

Don't worry about what other people think. Do what is right for you.

Madison

Amp - Thank you for telling us all about your fur wardrobe. I, for one, am not impressed. Have you no guilt for all the suffering these poor animals had to go through to provide you with your "needs."?