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Real Fur vs. Faux Fur: Which One to Choose From?

When it ultimately boils down to a choice between real fur or faux fur, real fur offers a bigger advantage.

Real Fur vs. Faux Fur – How to Tell Real Fur from Faux Fur

How to tell real fur from faux furs.

Unlike Kaufman furs in New York City, not every furrier offers genuine fur. In recent times, a number of furriers have engaged in fraudulent activities; they sold items that pose as real fur while, in fact, they are faux fur! Therefore, as a fur enthusiast, you must learn how to tell real fur from faux fur.

1. Check the Label

If you have purchased a garment like a fur coat, it must have a label. Make sure the label is genuine, not a forged one. The label entails the description of the product such as what materials are used in manufacturing the coat. There is no mention of fur if it was either not used at all or if it was used sparingly. However, you cannot always tell real fur from faux fur by relying on these labels as labels do lie!

2. Roll Your Fingers Around the Fur

If you are distrustful of labels, you can place faith in your hands. Run your fingers through the fur, and you can tell real fur from faux fur by keeping the following guidelines in mind.

  • If you can run your fingers smoothly and feel an extremely soft touch, similar to when you pet a cat,  it is likely that you have real fur in your hand.
  • If you sense the fur to be rough and coarse to touch, it maybe a faux fur. In humid weathers, there is an additional sign; faux furs can become sticky, confirming their fakeness.

While this simple test often works well, some manufacturers have mastered the art of duplicating the “feeling” of real fur, imbuing the same to the faux fur. Therefore, in some cases, this strategy can falter.

3. Run the Burn Test

If your furrier authorizes it, take out some hairs from the fur until you have quite a few fibers in your hand. Hold an ignited match close to these fibers and carefully inspect the outcome, focusing on how it smells and burns. This test might work better in a closed space like a bathroom sink, allowing you to assess the odor more deeply and tell real fur from faux fur.

Real fur burns like human hair with a distinctive smell. Additionally, you will also find it harder to light it. It crinkles up speedily and becomes fine ash upon burning. If you have a pet, pluck a small hair sample and compare the test results with it for a more accurate comparison.

Conversely, faux fur does not only light easily, but it also burns and melts down into a ball or clump. The “plasticky” smell often gives it away as faux fur.

4. Inspect the Lining

Perhaps, one of the best ways to tell real fur from faux fur is to inspect the area underneath the backing and see through the fur’s back. Scan the fur and pick an area which can either allow you to touch the fur’s underside or let you see the inside of the lining. Go through the lining’s seam by not more than an inch; you only need to insert your finger and determine the backside. Real fur is not too different from suede leather in terms of smoothness.

On the other hand, faux fur repeats a uniform pattern that encompasses ribbed fabric. On close inspection, you can find tiny rows, similar to a knitted sweater.

5. Look for the Tips

Real fur and faux fur are available in various lengths and colors. However, if you observe real fur in detail, you can find the tips from the longest hairs. These hairs taper into a specific area, similar to a sewing needle. You need a magnifying glass and bright, reliable lighting to monitor the fur properly. However, there is a catch: this test can fail if some hairs were plucked or sheared.

6. Perform a Pin Test

You can tell real fur from faux fur by using a pin for your fur-based clothing. Hold the pin and slowly move it across both the fur and its lining. If you find some sort of resistance, it is possible that you are holding real fur in your hand. However, if the opposite occurs, .i.e. the pin is inserted easily in the fur, it is more likely to be faux fur.

Now that you know how to tell real fur from faux fur, you are going to need a trustworthy furrier. In this regard, have a look at Kaufman furs in New York City and one of the most reputable furriers in the US: Mark Kauffman. For over the last 150 years, they have been offering the highest quality fur garments at different prices. Whether you are a celebrity like J Lo or just a regular buyer, you’re sure to find something you like at Kaufman furs.