Why faux fur gives me pause - YouLookFab Forum

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Why faux fur gives me pause

Aziraphale

Veteran

This is a confession. I just can't get my head around the look. The models in today's blog post look chic and lovely, of course, but somehow whenever I see fur, something in the back of my brain screams 'Caveman!'

I have the odd yabba-dabba-doo moment when looking at animal prints, too. But objectively, I can see that tastefully worn animal prints are classic and stylish. What's up with that? It's a bit like my inexplicable aversion to the colour magenta.

Does anyone else have an irrational aversion to anything fashion-related? I wonder what the root of such aversions are.

General

16 replies

Latest reply was from Marley

catgirl

Veteran

Shouldn't you have said it gives you "paws"?

*rolls on floor clutching stomach*

Aziraphale

Veteran

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! I can't believe I missed that joke. It was staring me in the face!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Hahahahahaha!

We had a thread about this a while ago...the "poison eye" thread. (Una's term).

I used to have an irrational aversion to animal print; now I'm wearing it! But only in tiny doses.

I used to have an irrational aversion to boots with bare legs; now I am wearing them! (Well, not now, because it's already too cold to do that where I live. But I did it for the two weeks that it made sense to do it.)

I used to have an irrational aversion to certain types of clothes in non-summer weight fabrics or non winter weight fabrics. Where and when would a person ever wear that, wondered I? And then I moved for a time to a different climate, and began to appreciate why a person might.

I seem to be losing my weird aversions with age.

ironkurtin

Veteran

You're not alone. I can't stand it either. I like textured things, but fake fur is too bulky IMO. I just don't like it.

It doesn't help that I got a giant, very expensive, looped vest for my birthday - did I mention giant? It's not fur, but the loopy texture is similarly bulky. When I wear it I look like I need a horned helmet and an axe to plunder the shores of Denmark. I'm not a big gal, but when this thing is on, I'm a cro-magnon linebacker. Ugh.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

That's okay, Elisabeth! You don't need to like faux fur. We all have things that do NOT make it through our style filter

rachylou

Veteran

The thing about fur is that it's so theatrical. When you see someone in it, it looks like they've walked out of the playhouse in full costume...

Aziraphale

Veteran

Suz, I hear ya. The older I get, the more I'm inclined to give things a chance. On rare occasions, I have been known to change my mind.

Ironkurtin, at least you have a Halloween costume. Just get the plastic Viking hat and you're good to go! hehehe seriously, though, I know what you mean. Even if I didn't have a general objection to faux fur on the grounds that it makes people look like extras in Clan of the Cave Bear, I don't think it would work for me personally anyway. I'm always trying to make my top half sleeker and fill out my bottom half, so any kind of fur coat on me would probably make me look like a tribble on a stick. Not a good look.

Angie, glad to know I have your official permission to dislike certain things! I want to be open-minded, really I do, but sometimes I just can't.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Ditto to what everyone else said. I personally will always see Peg Bundy from Married With Children in regards to wide belts, leopard, and leggings as pants. It's just one of those weird associations we get...

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

Oh no. I hadn't made the link to Peg Bundy. Did you know she was a back-up singer for Bette Midler at one time? She can really sing.

On topic now. I like the more streamlined faux fur vests but not the thicker ones. I bought one last year and wore it once and decided this fall to put it in the donate pile. I only had one tiny regret.

Suz, I know what you mean. Many, many years ago, I thought I would never wear heels with jeans. That ages me but when I was growing up we wore runners with jeans and they were casual. I too am letting go my fashion prejudices and trying to join in on trends before they are almost over. Not easy at times but I am trying.

ironkurtin

Veteran

I recently bought a vest, which I guess is supposed to be fake fur, but is light and SO soft. I basically intend to wear it as texture over white tops (it is white). My husband was dubious ("How many vests do you need?" "Honey, what is this n-word you keep using?") until I put it on and said, see, hug me! You'll like it too! And he did.

I think the key is the balance of the texture to the shape and function. My white vest gets a pass. Neanderthal giant black loopy vest gets a fail. I'll post a pic when I get my nerve up (and a better mirror).

Also, Peg Bundy looked freaking amazing in those spandexy outfits! I remember the actress moaning how hard it was to wear them, she had to work her butt off to stay in shape.

JennyAnne

(website)

Veteran

I hear you! I like the more subdued faux fur, but the extreme, Yeti-like ones of late don't appeal to me. My personal fashion hurdle I cannot jump is high-waisted ANYTHING. Maybe it's my body and proportions influencing me subconsciously, but I think high-waisted is so unflattering.

Anonymous

You mean we don't all want to be the Teddy bear?!...long furry vest, hairy Uggs, then the fuzzy hoods with animal ears attached...there must be a deep psychological reason behind these fashions....or...not

HelenInCanada

Veteran

Interesting thread, especially for the potential repressed memories it may unleash. I kid.

Oh, my daughter has many animal-ear hoodies and she loves 'em. She is two.

I have an aversion to "pleather" (cheap leather look) now. Remember it was EVERYWHERE - skirts, vests, jackets, you name it? I did own a very nice pleather cropped jacket from Le Chateau eons ago, but I became so conscious it was "fake" while I was wearing it, and it was also so bloody hot, even in early mild spring I couldn't bear putting it on anymore. Pleather shoes, too. Never, ever again.

Also, polka dots and paisley prints - on blouses, scarves, anything. Paisley, especially, is just ugly to me. Like ameobas in the early stages of a disease. Or...Perhaps they remind me of my tortured 80s youth? I LOVE stripes, certain patterns, etc...but those two will send me screaming from the aisles pronto!

Marley

Veteran

I have an aversion to anything that has a military vibe to it - from camo to epaluats (how do you spell that?????) - its just something that I choose not to wear - totally irrational, but it reminds me of ridgidity, uncompromising structure, loss of independence or thinking for myself - and war. I know, irrational!

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Marley -- along those lines, here's my irrational aversion: skinny jeans or leggings tucked into tall boots. I know it's a popular look here on YLF, but I still have trouble with it. (I did post a WIW of it once.) My mother is German and most of the males in her family had some role in the German army. The first time I wore this look I got an SS joke from someone (because he knew about my German heritage). I just can't do it!! And when I see it on others, I struggle now as well.

Marley

Veteran

Oh Denise! That's awful! But, I totally get it - in fact, you may have just "ruined" that look for me!