With the exception of diamonds, nothing says luxury quite like fur. And just like diamonds, no symbol of riches is quite as controversial either. The fur industry strips animals of their right to live in much the same way that the horrors of the diamond mining industry have destroyed the lives of families all over Africa.

Also like with diamonds, the fashion industry has turned to vintage as a way to honor the allure of all things luxe and shiny, while practicing social responsibility at the same time.

As fur remains one of the winter season's trendiest options, many of us have a decision to make. Is wearing vintage fur a more ethical choice? What about faux fur?

I'm not going to lie: I like the look of fur. The right fur can make you look both touchable and sophisticated. But if you've ever petted a rabbit or a chinchilla, the thought of actually wearing its pelt, knowing that the animal suffered tremendously in its making...well...let's just say all of that touchy-feely goes away!

Not really one of those people who can tell the difference between vintage, faux, real or otherwise, when it comes to fur, I'm wondering if it even matters. Does even faux perpetuate the idea of fur as style, indirectly endangering the rights of animals? Should we just send the trend out to pasture, and abandon fur completely? But what are the environmental implications of that?

Read up on Vintage vs. Faux Fur; where do you stand on this issue? Come back and give us your take in the comments section.

Also, check out  the Vintage Fur vs. Vintage Faux Fur image gallery, for the best, and latest retro options on offer at shops around the web!

*Photo: Splash News and Pictures

Bell bottoms, or, flare leg jeans and pants, are back!

Since flares re-entered the style spotlight during the Spring/Summer 2011 fashion season, there've been no end of writers and bloggers who've cringed, complained, and predicted it's demise. "Ugh," they'd write. "They're baaack?". "It won't last". Instead, here we are in Winter 2012, and flares are still with us.

Some say we should just leave flares and bell bottoms in annals of questionable proportions past. That the trend has long outlived its trendiness. That we should all just bow to the skinny jean. Vintage-lovers and bohemian chic devotees will never be able to understand this kind of talk. Flares are a staple in my closet, for instance, no matter what is happening in the shops.

It isn't just the fact that what's trendy may not be what looks best on everyone. Certainly there are those who simply look better in flares than skinnys, and no amount of ink spilled by the fashion press is going to change that. It's also about having a variety of looks to pull from in your closet. Who wants to wear the same cut day after day?

Flares and bells may have come from the us from the mid-19th century (Yes! They're THAT old!), but find the right cut for your body (I've found low rise to be best for me, as I have a shorter torso and long legs: find what works for you), and flares are an invaluable addition to any wardrobe, no matter what year it is.

Alas, it is 2012. Officially, the future. Flares and bells do not have to look hippie. Indeed, they should not look hippie! Pair your flares with luxe, modern separates to achieve the look of NOW.

Celebrities have been on board for months. In How To Wear Flares, everyone from Salma Hayek to Miley Cyrus shows us the Do's and Don't's of this distinctly vintage-inspired,  hit-or-miss trend.

Photo: Matrix

Vintage-lovers are a diverse bunch. Their motivations for shopping vintage run the gamut. Some come to retro for the price. Others are seasoned vintage style enthusiasts and can only the only places that fit their personal style in vintage shops. Vintage clothing is trendy these days, and yet others shop vintage, oddly, just to be connected to the what's happening now.

What Kind of Vintage-Lover Are You?

"Tribal", African, "Native", Asian, or more vaguely, "ethnic", no bohemian chic wardrobe is complete without these culturally culled prints. The ethnic print inspires the modern hippie every year, all year. However, they were hot on the 2012 runways recently. Case in point? The above look from Fall 2012 Missoni show, where even the socks are in print, and the disparate prints are mixed in the most visually appealing way.

High end designers aside, when we think ethnic prints, normally we think of tiki, turquoise, and all other manner of warm weather delights. The thrifty shopper knows that any piece can be taken from summer to winter and back...why not the ethnic accent? Check out 7 Ways to Do Ethnic Accents in Winter, for ideas on how to  spice up your winter wardrobe with fashionable textiles from around the globe--and through the decades!