Your Definitive Guide To The Furs World
If you are new to the world of furs, here is a blog that will help you to understand the history of furs and how far they have come. This blog will also talk about real and faux fur, fur trades, and the different fashion apparel of fur. So, without further ado, let’s get going! for your definitive guide to the furs world.
History of Fur
Fur is probably the oldest form of clothing. People used to dress in furs as a symbol of wealth and high social status in the 11th century. In Europe, the royal families would wear fur in the form of capes, coats, and other accessories as a sign of power. They would mostly wear chinchilla, sable, or mink fur. As the 1300s rolled around, laws were set to define which social class could wear what type of fur. This set a clear line among the various classes and showed everyone’s power and social standing.
Later, during the late 1800s, the demand for furs increased drastically, causing the development of fur farms. The fur coats were worn back then did not look like the fur coats we see today. Men’s fur coats were lined with fur on the inside and the outside did not have any fur but some other materials. Women’s fur coats lined with fur in certain places like collars, cuffs, or hem. Moreover, fur coats were being used in movies, more often than not, and that boosted its popularity.
Fur became more common and affordable during the late 1950s. Many celebrities wore it outside of movies as well. This caused designers to come forward with several casual looks with fur, and so, fur coats started to be shorter, and people could style them with casual outfits and wear them at any time of day.
Almost ten years later, during the 1960s, fake fur, also known as faux fur, came into the picture, causing the rates for fur coats to drop and become even more affordable.
Now that we know about the history of fur, let’s dive into the difference between real and faux fur.
Real fur and Faux fur
The first difference between real and faux fur is that real fur, just like the name suggests, is extracted from animal pelts. However, Faux furs are of nylon, polyester, acrylic, etc., that are harmful to the environment. They are basically made out of plastic, and we all know how plastic is polluting our lands and oceans. As researched and found by The Ocean Conservancy, plastic has been found inside the bodies of more than 60% seabirds and 100% sea turtles.
Plastic takes over hundreds of years to decompose, and so, it goes without saying that if you discard your faux fur coat, it is not going to decompose any time soon. Real animal fur is a renewable resource and is eco-friendly, as it is natural. If you discard your real fur coat, it will probably decompose in a year, give or take.
Real fur coats have a definite advantage over faux fur coats. When it comes to patterns, faux fur cannot reproduce the naturalness of mother nature. There is a distinguishable difference. Your definitive guide to the furs. And the same goes for when it comes to the feel of the fur or the warmth of the fur. The feel of a real fur coat is silky soft, and it provides warmth to withstand harsh winters. Meanwhile, faux furs can only offer you mild comfort in wintertime, and the feel is not too smooth as well.
Fur trading
Here we will discuss how the real animal fur trade happens. First and foremost, the farmers breed the animals, and they look after them till they reach a certain age. When the farmers get the animal pelts, they are cleaned first and then delivered to the auction houses. People who work at these auction houses check the quality of each animal’s fur and sort them based on quality, strength, color, and other categories.
Similar quality furs are then grouped together and given a number that is then printed onto a catalog. The broker receives this catalog full of group numbers. The broker is the person who will buy the skins for his fashion house or any other such reason. Your definitive guide to the furs. Once the broker confirms the purchase, the box or boxes of animal skins are transported to the desired locations. Afterward, the designers make the fur coats and vests that you see people rocking in the streets. Let’s move on to see what types of fashionable apparel are made from fur.
Types of fur fashion
As the fur industry has been steadily expanding since the 1950s, the fashion apparel and accessories made out of fur are also increasing. Here are a few items that you can commonly find in stores now and can style in various ways to get a classy yet trendy look.
Fur coats
One of the most common items made from fur is coats. Coats are always in fasion, especially when winter hits. Moreover, it gives you a classy look, and it is easy to style.
Black Shearling Full Length Coat
Image alt text: A woman wears a Black Shearling Full Length Coat over white sneakers.
Black Shearling Coat Blue Fox Collar
Image alt text: A man wears a Black Shearling Coat Blue Fox Collar over blue jeans.
Fur jackets/strollers
Jackets are also common winter apparel that gives you a casual yet fun look! You have more freedom to style a jacket as they are shorter, and you can customize your look accordingly.
Black Shearling Stroller Hood Black Fox Trim
Image alt text: A man wears a Black Shearling Stroller Hood Black Fox Trim over a white shirt, blue jeans and black shoes.
Gray Blue Pink Varsity Shearling Jacket
Image alt text: A woman wears a Gray Blue Pink Varsity Shearling Jacket over ripped blue jeans and white boots.
Fur poncho
A poncho is not very common fashion apparel, but it is definitely something that gives you a whole new look. Your definitive guide to the furs. A poncho adds a fancier touch to your outfit and turns even your simplest jeans and shirt into a party outfit!
Image alt text: A woman models a Belted Mink Poncho over blue skinny jeans and black boots.
Image alt text: A woman models a Brown Sheared Mink Poncho over white trousers.
Fur capes
Capes are a fashion statement. They are rare but can give your attire a whole new dimension. Capes turn your outfit into something new and elegant.
Midnight Blue Cashmere Wool Cape
Image alt text: A woman styles a Midnight Blue Cashmere Wool Cape Rex Rabbit Flowers over blue ripped jeans and white boots.
Wool Cape Fringes Rex Rabbit Trim
Image alt text: A woman styles a Wool Cape Fringes Rex Rabbit Trim over black tights.
Image alt text: A woman styles a Camel Cashmere Cape Fox Trim over beige jeans and turtleneck.
Fur vests
Vests are a pretty addition to your outfit, and opt more for a casual, easy-going look. Using fur vests, you could turn your regular look into something classy!
Striped Golden Raccoon Fur Vest
Image alt text: A woman wears a Striped Golden Raccoon Fur Vest over blue skinny jeans.
Image alt text: A woman wears a Cat Lynx Fur Vest over skinny black jeans.
Black and Brown Woven Knit Mink Vest
Image alt text: A woman wears a Black and Brown Woven Knit Mink Vest over a plain white shirt and black jeans.
Fur hats
Hats are a fashion accessory that goes well with certain outfits. Fur hats, however, can take your outfit up a notch and add that fancy touch to your look.
Image alt text: A woman wearing a White Fox Headband.
Image alt text: A woman wearing a Hot Pink Fox Headband.
Conclusion
Fur fashion doesn’t seem to be going down anytime soon. People will continue to buy natural fur coats and other accessories. It has remained to be a classy representation of luxuries. Despite many people owning fur apparel and accessories, it does not lose its elegance and class!
To learn more about furs and their massive industry, you can read our blogs. And if you want to get yourself real fur apparel or accessory, you can find a massive collection of fur coats, strollers, hats, etc., in Marc Kaufman’s fur collection. Log onto our website now to get the best value for your money!
