Faux Fur Friday Date in the current year: December 6, 2024

For tens of thousands of years, people killed animals and wore their fur out of necessity because it was the only thing that could keep them warm during the cold months. As the world evolved, however, fur garments transformed from a necessity into a luxury affordably only to a select few.

Faux fur, also known as fake fur, imitation fur or mock fur, was first introduced as an alternative to real animal fur in 1929; it was made from alpaca hair. The quality and availability of fake furs began to increase in the 1940s thanks to advances in textile manufacturing, but it wasn’t until the 1950s that modern fake furs were introduced to the market. They were made from acrylic polymers instead of alpaca hair.

Modern fake fur is a pile fabric that can be made from a variety of synthetic materials such as acrylic, nylon, or polyester. It can be used to make clothes, fashion accessorizes, bedding, pillows, stuffed animals, craft projects, etc. High-end faux furs are up to par with most real furs in terms of feel, durability, comfort, and style.

Fake fur has a number of advantages compared to real fur. For one, it is more affordable than real fur. Fake fur is easier to clean and does not require special storage conditions, whereas real fur needs cold storage to stay viable and can be eaten by moths. Being a fabric, faux fur is also easier to sew than real fur.

Last but not least, the production of faux fur does not require killing innocent animals. Various animal welfare and animal rights organizations have been promoting fake fur as an animal-friendly alternative to real fur for decades, and an increasing number of celebrities and fashion brands have been ditching real fur in favor of faux fur. Between 1990 and 2020, dozens of celebrities participated in PETA’s iconic “I’d Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur” campaign and switched to wearing faux fur.

That’s not to say that faux fur is without its drawbacks. It is less insulating, breathable and biodegradable than real fur. Unlike real fur, faux fur is unable to prevent snow from melting and refreezing, which is crucial in outdoor winter activities. However, all the advantages of real fur over fake fur do not outweigh the suffering of animals that are killed for their pelts.

The origins of Faux Fur Friday are unclear, but it does not prevent animal rights activists, animal welfare organizations, advocates of sustainable fashion, and vegans from celebrating it every year. You can join the celebration by donning a faux fur coat or jacket if you have one, getting yourself a new faux fur item, and even throwing a fake fur-themed party for your family and friends.

And don’t forget to spread the word about the holiday on social media with the hashtag #FauxFurFriday to raise awareness about the devastating effects of the animal fur industry and the many advantages of fake fur.