Ideal Bite

Is imitation the best form of flattery?

Submitted by tmeronek on Tue, 02/03/2009 - 2:45am.

The Bite:

When it comes to fur, it is. Since the chinchilla sports his coat better than you would anyway, faux is the way to go. Now there are stylish, U.S.-grown, organic cotton fakes that'll make you look as cute as a lil' critter without putting one in harm's way.

The Benefits:

Covetable, cruelty-free couture.
Enviable energy savings. Many fakes are made using oil, but the energy it takes to raise an animal for fur is still 20 times the amount needed to make a fake.
Organic cotton copycats. New-ish imitations made from organic cotton are oil-free.

Personally Speaking:

Jen's newest obsession? Real fur - but it's not quite what you think. Check out her take on paihamu pelts in the blog.

Wanna Try:

Loyale Costilla Jacket - made from U.S.-grown organic cotton, this jacket makes a toasty 'n' good-looking addition to your wardrobe ($420).
Fabulous Furs Red Fox Faux Fur Throw - U.S.-made; it's not organic cotton, but we love ours so much we couldn't leave it out; available in three sizes ($169-$249).
Linda Loudermilk - some of this eco-designer's high-fashion looks use organic cotton "fur."
Coats for Cubs - donate old furs for use at wildlife rehab centers.
Humane Society - fact sheet that shows you how to tell real fur from fake. Also: check its list of fur-free retailers.