I went to the North American Fur Association fur competition for design students last month and was hoping to see some edgy pieces. I got more than I was expecting: neon pink and orange fur bomber jackets with green leather trim or a cheerleader skirt with white mink and gold chiffon panels, anyone? To be fair, one of the judges warned me beforehand that the designs were about creativity, not "commercial viability." The pieces that worked well were light on fur and complemented something wearable, like the short, dark brown mink hoodie with embroidered silk sleeves worn over a soft pink dress.

Less-is-more modern furs - both real and faux - tend to translate well into a high-street context. For example, a short-waisted jacket evokes a retro '80s look and works nicely with skinny jeans and winter boots. For a little flair, go for something a bit bulky, like the fox fur jacket by Bebe (RMB 1,200, Li Mengbai), or opt for a sleeker look with a black fur hide jacket with silk tie (from RMB 1,000, Qin Li Si Yu).

Have ethics? You're not alone. But shunning fur doesn't necessarily mean forgoing luxurious warmth. Faux fur is a cosy, attractive alternative: Sisley's furry, single-breasted acrylic jacket with faux leather belt-tie (RMB 1,495) or Dutch retailers Morgan de Toi¡¯s cropped velour jacket with matching satin ribbon (RMB 1,995) are both fashionable and ethically conscious.

Whichever way you go, accessories may work better for you than pieces that are larger than your pet. Belts, scarves and boots with fur accents are more subdued and still offer some serious warmth. Vero Moda's fur-trimmed or fur-accented pieces include an incredibly soft white wool scarf interspersed with rabbit fur (RMB 349). My best find so far, though, is a satin-lined fur muff with an attached gold link-chain. The chain drapes around your neck so that the muff rests perfectly on the midriff (RMB 90 Li Meng Bai).

While the ethical "to fur or not to fur" debate continues, the fact remains: Beijing is cold, and fur (and its synthetic equivalents) are warm. With the softest, most stylish fur or fur-esque pieces around your neck, the Beijing winter won't stand a chance. Sherisse Pham

Li Meng Bai (Ritan Office Building, Store 1008)
Qin Li Si Yu (Ritan Office Building, Store 1016)
Vero Moda (Oriental Plaza)
Sisley (Guomao)
Morgan de Toi (Guomao)