7 DECEMBER 1991, Page 26

Wolf's clothing

Sir: Here in what you would call the Frozen North, we have learned something about dressing for cold weather. Simon Courtauld ('Fur better or worse', 23 November) should be told that nobody, and by this I mean nobody, wears furs for warmth. Fur is heavy, clumsy, and awkward to wear. Nylon-covered downy-fills, the cold-weath- er garments of choice, are light, warm, and give ease of movement. Fur is, in fact, worn only as a status symbol by those who have more money than sense.

The further suggestion that we should all wear furs so that aboriginal people can earn a living is as witless as it is callous. There are better ways to keep the wolf from the door, as Mr Courtauld no doubt knows.

I seriously question Mr Courtauld's statistics, but even if only a small percent- age of animals has to die in leg-hold traps so that the Courtaulds of this world can flaunt their status, it is nevertheless uncon- scionable for him to condone this kind of cruelty in the name of fashion.

We have a saying around here: `Fur coats are worn by beautiful animals and ugly peo- ple.'

Grace Linem'an

10214 - 111 Avenue, Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada