Wednesday, January 18, 2012

What a dump and something rather controversial for the Fashion Police.

We got a surprise when we woke up this morning...
a dump of snow overnight!


The North side of The Humble Bungalow


The east facing covered front porch!



Our resident hummingbird at the feeder
I bumped up the amount of sugar this morning.
We take this in at last light and put it out at first light.

There were two of them buzzing around today.
One sits on a branch very close to the feeder conserving energy and possibly standing guard
marking the territory.


Miso soup a warming concoction was made in a jiffy by a chilly hostess.


Carrots, parsley water and miso paste
oh so easy peasy.

Now for the controversial portion of the post
fasten your seat belts!

Some of the following images may be disturbing
so proceed with caution.


Fashion Police look away!

Sperry Boots
Jules and James Jeans
Lands End cashmere cardigan
Lands End T shirt
Vintage Fur Coat


I have no idea what type of fur this coat is made from...
it's very old.


rolled cuffs

 by Eaton's Fur Salon 
I am guessing sometime in the 1940's


Please do not judge me too harshly...

I thank you on behalf of 
my great aunt Tirzah.

A lady of some style whose many fur coats were bequeathed to various family members
upon her demise.

I have a confession to make...
this is the warmest thing I own for these minus weather conditions.
I do feel like a target for the red paint brigade.

I put on bright red Chanel lipstick just in case there might be a sighting
one does want to be co-ordinated!


So I am interested to know where do you weigh in on vintage furs?
love em?
hate em?

If you were given one would you wear it?



58 comments:

Susan B said...

I just inherited a gorgeous vintage fur, probably from the early 1960's. It rarely gets cold enough here to wear it, but I am debating whether to take it on our ski trip to wear in the evenings. On one hand, I hate to promote the fur industry. On the other hand, it's a vintage piece, the poor furry critters are over half a century gone...I remain undecided.

Anonymous said...

I am all for it Vintage is great . Donna

Sydney Shop Girl said...

Hostess
I love vintage! Yours looks fab and is appropriate for the snow and cold of your winters.

SSG xxx

Sydney Shop Girl blog

Anonymous said...

If you have one - wear one, I say. The fashion police probably are not patrolling on this cold day.
My friend, whose Dad lives in your city, sent up photos of five hummingbirds at his feeder this morning - two were sitting on the railing of the patio and three feeding, but way up on the top of the branch/tree was a sixth hummer standing guard. Guess folks in the East of Canada do not want to see these pics. Peg Stay warm!

Gretchen said...

I will say I am more surprised by the hummingbirds (they don't fly south??) than the vintage fur. While I cou
D never purchase a new one, I have two very old (40s or 50s) mink stoles that I wear around the house to stay warm as I am plagued by terrible cold I simply cannot alleviate. I justify it by remembering these poor creatures were sacrificed a very long time ago and I'm merely recycling, instead of pushing the thermostat ever higher and wasting energy. We made miso soup for dinner last night with mushrooms and edamame!

Priscilla said...

My daughter and I proudly wear fox, mink, and sable, fur coats, scarves, and my muff. These silly fanatics who throw paint and get so worked up over fur can just go eat a plate of tofu and stay out of my face!

Duchesse said...

I too wear vintage fur, a sheared mink duffle coat bought on eBay. (I also have several smaller pieces- hat and muffler.) *Nothing* is warmer. I 'm happy to live in Montreal, where all kinds of people wear all kinds of fur. At the present, though, I look for secondhand fur from animals that were not steel trapped. Your coat looks like maybe muskrat; I'm sure a furrier could identify it. And the whole outfit is fun!

I was once accosted by an "activist" who harshly and loudly criticized me for wearing fur. However. I was wearing a fake fur. I told him that if he could not tell the real thing from fake, perhaps he should remain quiet. My language was not this polite.

Kas said...

I wish I had kept the mink coat and fox coat left to me by my great aunt (also 1940's). I gave them away when I moved to a warm state many years ago, didn't need them in Seattle for several years, but am moving back to a cold winter state next year. Brrrr. Yours is beautiful.

Suburban Princess said...

Not wearing a vintage fur isnt going to put it back on the animal so wear it and keep warm!

Lacey R said...

I say go for it! I would love to have one!

Debbi@SheAccessorizesWell said...

I think you have a lovely vintage fur. I wear fur and don't feel the least bit bad. If one wants to be totally vegan and not wear any animal products, more power to them, but I will wear it to keep warm.

Pondside said...

I'd wear it. For years I wore my Aunt Annie's college raccoon coat and it is now being worn by my niece at Queen's. I inherited two furs when my Aunt Alexandra died and I had them made into teddy bears by a professional toy maker - in return for the two mink coats I received the bears. I thought it was a fair exchange.

itsmidnight said...

Vintage rules :) I say love the fur and wear it without worrying about other people's opinions. I have several vintage fox collars and they are the warmest, most wonderful accessories in frigid weather. (They also look a lot better than some of the ratty faux furs out there!)

I'm not usually looking to see how people react to my outfits when I'm out so I probably wouldn't notice dirty looks anyway:)

Another thing...regardless of a person's personal opinion on anything, manners should still matter. If someone chooses to be rude by commenting on my attire, well it's not my problem in the end. Wear your beautiful coat in good health!

frugalscholar said...

Vintage is great! My immigrant grandfather started a business making collars out of the scraps of the fur coat industry. Maybe early 1920s? He was almost 100 when he died and up to the end, he was pinning little mustaches on Groucho Marx masks. Always working.

No Sacrifice Bags said...

As a born Canadian, I was brought up amongst fur wearing relatives, and my mother owned several fur coats; which I now have in my own collection.

Canada'a history is steeped in the fur trade, with Hudson's Bay, and Holt Renfrew founding their iconic stores selling furs.

I own furs from the 1940's through to 2010, and although I am an animal lover, I don't feel any acute remorse donning my furs.

Leslie, your vintage fur, looks to my eye (based on your photos, which are a bit dark on my monitor) to be muskrat. It has a similar look to mink.
Muskrat is often sheared, giving it a very soft and velvety hand, which is referred to as "Hudson Seal"
I had a beautiful dyed Hudson Seal coat from Leonards Fur, in Toronto.
I bought it at a church rummage sale, in 1990 for $2.00, and took it to Leonards to replace the lining. "Old" Mr Leonard came out from the back and told me he cut the skins himself fifty years before! He was so thrilled to see it come back through his door, and educated me greatly in fur, as I continued to purchase from him, and now his son, to this day!

Wow. Sorry for the novel!

Cheers,
Donna

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Our local hummingbirds stay here all winter.
I was a dinner guest in a home a stone's throw from the beach where a gentleman had installed heating coils to keep his feeders from freezing!

Peg you were right, the Fashion Police were otherwise engaged!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

We have local hummingbirds that stay here all year.
Wearing your mink stoles around your house sounds very chic, like something from a vintage film!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I love how confident you sound!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Montreal is a very cold city in winter so I think furs have been accepted. My "rich" cousin sent me a mink trimmed coat and leggings set from Montreal where they lived when I was in elementary school. When I wore it I felt like the Queen of Sheba, until Mother told me to lose the attitude!

I bet that fellow felt embarrassed...

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Kas- Oh I understand why you gave them up, one cannot keep everything especially when making a move. Perhaps another vintage one will find it's way into your possession once you move back to a cold climate.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Suburban Princess- I did wear it out today and there was hardly a soul out and about. It was so quiet as few cars venture out without snow removal equipment. The side streets are impassable unless you have a 4 wheel drive.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Maybe you'll find one in a vintage shop. Back east there must be so much more available.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Debbie- I don't think I have seen a post with you wearing fur. I'll look for one in the future :)

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Pondside- Well that seems perfect that you passed on Aunt Annie's coat. I'll be sure to pass mine on down, especially with the family connection.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Midnight you're so right about manners.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Duchess- You are a fountain of knowledge! Imagine buying a vintage fur for $2.00 that's incredible luck. The fact that you met the original furrier is just amazing. I love your comments and your response adds so much richness to my post, please never feel that you cannot be as wordy and detailed as you desire.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I meant to say be bold and wear it!
Typo's are a major pain!

La Vie Quotidienne said...

My grandfather made his living as a furrier and I remember my Mother Aunt's and Grandmother's great pride in their fur coats...so natually I have a positive appreciation of vintage furs. And from what I hear, nothing keeps you as warm. So, I say enjoy!

Anonymous said...

Personally, I would never wear the fur coat. I wouldn't worry about what other people thought, it's me that would be bothered. Just because something is vintage, doesn't mean that its worth keeping. I can think of quite a few vintage items, practices, and ideas that should be, and many have been, gotten rid of :) Luckily today, we don't need fur coats to keep warm. By the way, I also enjoy tofu!

Lynne said...

Without a doubt I would wear the fur . . . I have my mother's although it is unwearable, weathered and cracked from aging and not being stored properly. I remember fondly . . . riding in the car with my head on my mom's lap and on her fur coat . . . (before seat belts.).

The warmth is the best . . . please wear your coat and enjoy it . . .

mette said...

First. I don´t like vintage anything.
Second, I would, and do wear my fur coat, because it is warm.
I am uncertain of old furs. Maybe you should take your´s for a check-up. A professional could judge, if it is wearable. So often old fur coats might fall apart without a warning, and that is not something you would wish to experience! The color of your fur coat goes well with your hair : )!!!

Anonymous said...

I love fur, nothing keeps me warmer, that's beautiful shade you have there, glam it up hostess!

Ma'mie and Lola said...

Love vintage fur and only wish it would get cold enough here to fox-trot mine out of the closet. You look awesome.

Anonymous said...

If it keeps you warm, wear it. Living in LA, the fur issue is one I don't have to deal with. Not sure what I'd do in a very cold climate - probably wear fur if that's what it took to keep me warm.

LPC said...

I had a mink-edged fox jacket that I wore in New York, 30 years ago. In California no fur required, so I haven't had to re-examine my values. Let me just say that in a cold climate, I do not look harshly upon women in fur. In San Francisco, it seems unnecessary, and therefore more problematic.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I'd have to agree about the warmth factor...
do you have any furs from your grandfather's collection?

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I appreciate your comment and thoughts on the subject. I was hoping for some pros and cons when I posted.
Truly in minus degree weather the fur is warmer than my down coat even with layers of cashmere underneath.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Perhaps you can have a teddy bear made with your mother's coat?
Gosh it's a miracle we survived those days before seat belts but then there were fewer cars on the roads!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Oh I had no idea it might fall apart...
wearing it once in a blue moon I guess I will take the risk!
Vintage is not for everyone I agree...

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Tabitha I don't know how to do glam...
Please help!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Hi Sarah,
I don't think we've chatted before...
welcome and thank you!

Hostess

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I'd love a bit of your sunshine right now!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I bet you looked divine in that coat!
NYC in the winter would require something warmer.
SF does get chilly in the fog, last time I was there my Gore tex jacket was more than ample to keep me warm.

Anonymous said...

I have a vintage fur car coat, made of alpaca and mink, which was bequeathed to me on my college graduation from my Great Aunt Guthrie. I make no apologies in wearing it! She was a grand lady and the first member to be considered chic on my mother's side of the family. It fits me because I am built exactly like her (tall, narrow shoulders, huge bottom). My great aunt lived in Corpus Christie, TX, and I like to think I carry on the tradition of this 60 year old coat in wearing it during the short winter in Austin.

Chanel red lipstick is the most important accessory with vintage fur!

Anonymous said...

I'm surprised that you didn't receive more comments against wearing fur too! I don't know anyone that would be comfortable wearing it. I've lived in the SF Bay Area, Boston, and now Seattle. And, while there are people in each of those areas that wear fur, I've not known anyone that would.

I'd never speak to anyone on the street about their fur coat. And, out of respect, I'd never mention it if an elderly friend wore one. But if I met a good friend wearing one, I'd probably let them know that I am surprised they would wear fur. Much the same way we'd chat about politics and I'd say I'm surprised they would vote for that nut :) And since this is like a friendly coffee klatch, I wanted to voice my opinion.

Judith said...

Eons ago I had a vintage fox fur had it restyled wore it in the snowy season,then passed it on to an amateur dramatic society.

No furs now..wear what you want that keeps you warm,the colour brown
is so rich. Ida

coffeeaddict said...

No fur or leather for me. I don't judge or attack people who wear it, but I am uncomfortable with the idea of fur.
But again, as for the question of ethics and fashion, phew, even cotton is unethical...

the veg artist said...

Wear it and be warm. I would much prefer fur, wool and cotton to synthetic fibres of any sort. Do people not realise that nylon fabrics cause no end of pollution both in the manufacture and in their reluctance to decay? What is ethical about that?

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Alpaca is not a fur I know...I knit with the wool though. Maybe you can do a blog post wearing it.
Gosh that makes two if us who have the genetic bodies of our aunts, actually I am built more like my father's mother. Short, curvy with a tendency to gain weight.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I have heard of fox fur stoles and seen some in old films...
good for you to recycle yours.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Coffeeaddict- I am guilty of wearing leather shoes, boots and carrying leather bags.
I like that you have adopted the non-judgmental approach when you recognize that someone is wearing leather/fur.
I have noticed that there is a swing to pleather here in our shops. Hemp and bamboo seem to be replacing a lot of what used to be made out of cotton...and my goodness they are as luxe as cashmere.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Veg artist- you bring up another good point.
Pollution!
BC ships a lot of coal to China where they burn it in the factories 24/7.
It is changing the weather patterns and causing extremely strong winds, not to mention what it must be like to work and breathe in and around those factories.

I wonder how long this fur of my aunt's will survive,
will it ever decay?

Ms Maple said...

I am all for vintage fur. If I was given one I would most certainly wear it with love. Your fur coat is gorgeous and I'm glad you had the opportunity to wear it. The dusting of snow was just for you and your fashion ensemble - not to mention the colour of the fur coat matches your hair!

I remember my mum had a 3/4 silver rabbit fur coat when I was little. It was gorgeous! However, your post just reminded me of a fur coat long forgotten -- it was worn by my kindergarten teacher -- Mrs Dirkson. I got sick at school and Mum wasn't able to come and get me right away. Mrs Dirkson made a makeshift bed at the front of the classroom and covered me with her fur coat! How lucky was I!

Wear Great Aunt Tirzah's fur coat as often as you can!!!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Ms. Maple- Having worked in schools for the past 24 years I can relate to giving comfort to students.
I have never worn a fur to school...you had a great teacher who could offer you comfort!

Lisbeth T. Hansen said...

Dear Hostess.
I am an antiques dealer and have sold furs in the past. I feel they are already in world and they should be used to honor the animal that already lost its life. I would however not buy a new one.
Enjoy the week end.
Lisbeth.

Leslie said...

Hi and love the posts : ) thanks for sharing... beautiful coat, yes I would wear vintage fur. Looks like mink to my untrained eye, lovely color.

Wear it proudly for your auntie : ) I think fur needs cool storage, definitely not overly warm environment. If it is getting brittle, you'll notice a dry brittle feeling of the pelts. Should feel supple...

I enjoy your website, thank you!

Leslie

Genuine Lustre said...

Wear it without apology, Hostess. The folks who frown on fur probably encourage things like abortion, which I find the ultimate evil. We all have our hotbutton topics.
I have a gigantic fur coat that I just put in my goodwill pile because the shape just doesn't suit me, but I'm having second thoughts because it is so warm. I also have a stole that belonged to husband's grandma - need to get it out and wear it with jeans and plaid shirt.

Anonymous said...

Hostess, If you want to preserve your vintage fur, please store it properly. I worked for a furrier in the very early 1990's and I saw many destroyed furs. Once the moths or other critters chomped on coats stored in the basement or closet, the cost of saving them was high and made storage look affordable. If you like the vintage look, just have it glazed, cleaned and stored. There is no need for glazing every year. Lining repairs can be made during the summer months, too. Linings make the coat sit well and hang properly. If you want, a reputable furrier can do a little update for you. Enjoy your vintage fur!

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