April 1, 2026 by Katie Plue (‘27)
There is a classic vibe that comes from putting a real animal pelt around your neck. The recent resurgence of vintage trends strikes again. Following this prospect is a chic and timeless piece, animal stoles.
During the Victorian Era, animal stoles found access to Europe through the fur trade and were only owned by wealthy elites. Through the 1920s and 1950s, women wore stoles as a symbol of sophistication. Often worn by Hollywood stars, a real animal stole would show status and money. Whether it comes from a mink, fox, or rabbit, a fur stole can make an outfit look classy and expensive.
In the 1980s, there were protests against the use of real endangered animal fur in clothing, contributing to the rise in faux fur. Fur continued as a trend through the 2000s, but everyone switched to faux due to “moral reasons.” Faux fur has been a trend in recent seasons, seen in coats and lining boots or hoods. Frankly, faux fur is tacky and cheap. Real fur is a worthwhile investment, just don’t think too hard about where it comes from.
The production of stoles is more complex than you may think. Fur farms were developed to raise mink and ultimately lead them to their death. But it’s ok! They are euthanized in a very humane way, not at all a cruel way to end their life before it’s off to a storefront to be bought by the newest it girls. Plus, I’m sure they have exceptionally good living conditions on a giant breeding farm where their species has been held for over 150 generations.
The skinning of the animal is what really brings it all together. The fur is cleaned and dyed so it doesn’t look so dead anymore. After that, they lay each one out and sew them into a garment big enough to wear. Why own one real chinchilla, when you can buy a couple, all sewn together to keep you warm? So, they may not be ethically sourced, but who cares about that, right?
There’s no real downside to wearing a stole. It’s easy to put on, keeps you warm, and even doubles as a little friend when you’re lonely. Wouldn’t you like to have a ferret’s head dangling from your outfit?