Fur coats are a luxurious and timeless investment that will keep you warm and stylish for years to come.
They’re made from the furs of animals such as fox, rabbit, and mink, to name a few. It is usually sold in two types: natural or artificially manufactured, and there are countless styles and colors to choose from.
With so many considerations, how do you choose? Well, we’re here to help get you on track to buy your first fur coat.
Finding an experienced furrier.
When you’re shopping for the perfect fur coat, either for you or as a special gift, it’s essential to start by finding a reputable and experienced furrier; As not just, any furrier will do.
You want someone knowledgeable in the different types of furs, various styles and can help you find the perfect coat for your needs. After all, you’re making quite the investment, so having someone helping you along the way will be in your best interest.
Experienced furriers are generally easy to find. Most will have been in business for years and only specialize in furs. These are typically small businesses that have been family-run fur salons, and that’s all they do. Furs are their expertise.
Big departments stores that sell furs are generally a bad option as they don’t have experts on their staff. Their staff sells all sorts of products, whereas a fur salon focuses on fur coats and accessories.
Also, keep in mind that this furrier will be the best option for maintaining your new purchase. They’re experts in cleaning and storing the fur, so it lasts the test of time.
Real fur vs. faux fur, and which should you choose?
Many people get fur because it is the ultimate in luxury fashion. It’s luxurious, stylish, and chic all at once. However, be on the lookout for faux fur imitation products. These coats and accessories may look like the real thing from afar, but once you put them on, you’ll quickly realize there’s a big difference.
You can’t get that same sleek look with faux fur because the fibers are nowhere near as elegant and soft as real fur. Real fur also has an air of the best quality to it, while faux fur often looks like last season’s rejects. Side by side, it’s easy to see which one is for you.
Purchasing a natural fox coat may be more expensive than its faux counterpart, but for a good reason. It will never go out of style and will last you years longer than its synthetic counterpart.
Remember, when you buy an authentic fur coat you’re getting amazing quality and durability.
Narrow down the types of fur you want.
Coyote Fur
At this point, you realize you want an authentic fur jacket, and you’ve found the furrier you want to work with. Now it’s time to think about which fur is right for you.
Not all furs are the same. They have a different feel, various protective properties, and some are even warmer than others. It’s all a matter of what you’re in the market for and what matters to you.
If you’re looking for something a bit more fluffy, then fox or coyote might be a good idea. However, you might not have the soft silky feel you want with coyote.
Sable Fur
Perhaps you want something a little sleeker, like a lamb shearling or a mink jacket. Both are great options but give a different look and feel than other pelts.
There are also combinations of different furs you can go with. You might want the sleek feeling of a shearling, but with fluffy cuffs and hood, that fox can bring to it. An expert furrier can guide you in the right directions or even have a custom-made garment just for you.
We’ve discussed other types of furs before, so check those out to learn more about the different types of piles.
Shorter or longer: various styles of fur coats.
This is a significant decision by any fur lover, novice or experienced: which jacket style is best for you. In fact, you might already have a style in mind if you’ve made it this far.
Where you live, and your outdoor activities might dictate this option more than other options.
Are you looking for something shorter for a sassier look? Or maybe something longer like a full-length or seven-eighths length for a more confident and sophisticated look?
There are plenty of styles and options so be sure to take a look at all of them to see which fits you the best.
Color options for fur jackets.
Royal Blue and Black Fox Fur
When it comes to choosing the color of fur for your next coat, you can go with something more natural or dyed.
The natural colors have a more traditional appeal and highlight the beauty of the fur itself. Like fox, for example, has beautiful and elegant golden browns and tans. Maybe a darker natural color is what you’re after; you might consider a dark mink that almost appears black.
You can get just about any type of fur in a dark natural color. But what if you’re going for something more fun?
In addition to the natural colors, furs can be dyed into just about any color you can imagine. Red? Blue (like natural blue)? If you can imagine it, you can get a coat in that color. Again, that’s why you go to an expert furrier who can dye the fur the color you want.
New vs. vintage fur coats.
So you’ve determined the style of the coat with the colors that you want, but there’s one last question. Do you want something new or an aged vintage fur coat?
With a new fur coat, you’ll be able to choose your style and color and get the coat exactly how you want it. But with all of that, customization comes with an increased price.
Vintage fur coats, however, can be found at deep discounts – sometimes. Some vintage jackets are considered antiques and will demand a higher price, but others you might be able to pick up relatively inexpensively. The downside of vintage fur is that you’re limited on options. Styles may have changed over the years, and the stock on hand is all you have to choose from.
Like many other luxury items on the market today, fur coats offer a lot of benefits, but there are so many considerations to think about when buying a coat.
They provide warmth and protection against the elements; they’re durable and can last for years.
When you buy a quality fur coat from a reputable furrier, whether it is new or vintage, you’ll have the peace of mind that you’re buying high-quality fur that is going to grace your wardrobe for years to come.
