Before the advent of animal husbandry 10,000 years ago, all fur came from the wild. But today most come from farms, with mink and fox making up about 80%. Wild mink are no longer caught because farmed mink is superior in both the quality and color of its fur. Females are smaller and have softer, lighter skins than males. Therefore, for a quality product, women's skins are necessary. If the product is made from the skin of a female individual, then when you pick it up, you will feel incredible lightness. Let's discuss how to correctly when buying - the nuances of choosing a fur product.
Mink fur is very durable and can last for about 20 years or more if cared for with care. Everything depends on quality. First-class quality skins are used natural and will be the best and most durable.
Dyed mink is of lower quality, which is why it is dyed to hide defects that you certainly won’t notice when buying a mink coat.
It will not last as long as natural leather, but this does not mean that such models should be crossed off the list. Now on sale you can find very impressive coats made of dyed mink at an affordable price. And their cost is lower, which is no less important.
When choosing a fur coat style that suits you, the first thing you need to pay attention to is the type of fur. Mink fur is one of the most popular: luxurious, plush and lightweight. It is universal when sewing.
These products can be very attractive and are much cheaper than those made from whole hides.
Once you've chosen a fur type, the next step in the decision-making process is choosing a style. You need to think about where you plan to wear your purchase.
Because some mink coats are best for special occasions, while others are best for everyday wear. Some are universal, allowing you to squat freely without restricting your movements.
Therefore, if you are looking for something of your own, and especially for every day, keep an eye on these nuances when purchasing and choosing a mink coat.
The next nuance is fur coats with a fashionable and bold design. Think a thousand times before buying, next year you may no longer be interested in this model, but you will pay a lot of money for it. Make a choice in favor of those models that are closer to the classics.
Length is equally important. There are three common lengths that can play a role in deciding which jacket is ideal for you:
Now that you have chosen the type of fur along with the style, the next decision you need to make is the color. Classic colors such as black and white are always a popular choice and will guarantee you a classic and elegant look.
On farms, individuals with original colors that have not been seen before are constantly being selected. Today there are about 200 different shades of fur. Let's discuss the most basic colors.
DARK BROWN/MAHOGON
Dark brown mink - Russian, Scandinavian and American "mahogany" - is a symbol of the classic mink coat.
BLACK (Scanblack)
"Scanblack" is a common name for all natural black mink of the Scandinavian type; in reality the fur is very dark brown. Since 2004, by law it can only be used by the Finnish Fur Auction.
Another name is known as « black brilliant » - the popular name for black mink of the Scandinavian type, in contrast to the matte “velvet” North American mink.
Officially, there is no such name; “black diamond” is a non-professional definition.
The best black mink is labeled “Black NAFA”. Therefore, almost all black mink is called either Blackglama or “black diamond”.
In China, the volume of farmed mink has recently increased, but due to the lack of qualified personnel, the bulk is dark brown mink, which is easier to breed. In low-end products, it is heavily tinted or painted and sold as black.
NUT / DARK WALNUT
All kinds of varieties of the so-called “wild type” repeat the natural color - brown with a dark ridge.
This color is known under such names as: “demi-buff”, “walnut”, “dark pastel”.
PASTEL / LAVENDER
The light gray-brown color is called “pastel”.
"Lavender" has a light lilac tint and a light undercoat.
BLUE or "sapphire"
The undisputed leader of this group is the blue mink and its rare light mutation “violet”. This group includes the well-known “silver-blue” and the gray “iris” mink, which is rare in Russia.
WHITE
White mink has always been very popular, but it is “rarely seen” on Russian streets.
More often you can see darker shades: light beige “pearl” and gray-beige “topaz”.
MUTATIONS IN MINK FUR COLOR
Currently, many fur stores and salons offer a large number of different color mutations.
The most common is the “cross” mink, in which the black fur on the ridge forms a bright cross on the white skin in the “shoulder” area.
Rare variations of the cross mutation of fur - blue and pastel - look stunningly beautiful.
The Jaguar color is white with black spots.
There are extremely rare mutations, the world's number of which can be limited to a hundred skins, for example: gray mink with tiny white patches - “stardust” or marble mink (dark yellow with chocolate stains).
Based on the quality of the wool, you can give an exact answer as to where it originated. Denmark, USA and Finland have the highest quality. You can find good minks from China (if you look really hard, but you may be disappointed), Russia, Canada, Sweden and Norway. Lynx skins from North America are a guarantee of an excellent fur coat, and men's fur coats from Russia offer the highest quality. Beaver furs are best from Canada, and fox furs are from Finland.
PRODUCTION PLACE
Where was the fur coat made? This is almost as important as the fur's original location. The best fur coats are usually from North America and Europe. Most fur is made in China, you can find good fur coats from China if you know what you are looking for and where you are looking for it.
If you decide to make your first purchase for winter, then take into account all the nuances of how to choose the right mink coat when purchasing. This will guarantee that you received a good thing that will be worth your money. Many people, when purchasing, do not understand what they are buying at all.
Winter is in full swing. Remembering the natural disasters of recent times, it’s not a fact that it won’t freeze us specifically. A warm, soft, cozy and, most importantly, luxurious outfit that allows you to feel like a king or queen in any weather - that’s what a fur coat is.
Let's remind those who are not too late how to choose the right fur products.
Let's illustrate our conversation with examples from the site fur factory "Kalyaev" .
Of course, before buying a fur coat, like any other small item, it is very important to decide for yourself how much money you can spend. You can also think about what effect you want to achieve? What goals are you pursuing when buying this fur product? After all, it can be used as a universal (prestigious) option for several seasons, and as warm outerwear, and as a light fashionable outfit, and as something else.
So what do we choose? For example, if you need something universal, you should take a closer look at the classic models. After all, it is known that trendy new items are chic today, and bad manners tomorrow. Ideally, you need to choose the fur that will come into fashion next year, and not the one you have been dreaming about for the last five years. At the moment, the most versatile fur that will look relevant for a long time and will suit any situation is, of course, mink.
The most demanding and less dependent on financial expenses strive to demonstrate status. Particularly expensive fur or a flashy fashionable style will help with this. Such clothes will let everyone know that its owner easily allowed himself to buy an expensive item for one season. :) Naturally, in order to arouse the envy of others, you should wear an outfit not only of a trendy style, but also of the most expensive fur, for example, sable and chinchilla.
But there is another group of buyers. For them, a relatively budget-friendly type of luxury is products made from rabbit fur.
In order to choose the right fur coat model, you need to think not only about your own style, but also about your lifestyle. If you have to be outside for a long time, it is better to choose a long, warm model. For car enthusiasts, sellers strongly recommend short fur coats and jackets with wide sleeves. Universal clothing - a short fur coat to the knees.
Choosing the right fur is easy. A good fur is one that you don’t want to let go of. First, the fur coat needs to be ironed - in the direction of the pile and back. Your hands should not feel greasy, and the fur should easily return to its original state. It should not crumble, crumble or break. And leaving paint on your hands too.
Choosing a natural fur coat is not easy. The buyer needs to take into account a lot of nuances: be able to correctly evaluate fur, distinguish mink from rabbit, and beaver from nutria, know good producers. With this approach, a fur new thing will not only become a luxurious decoration, but will also last for many years.
The choice of a fur coat depends, first of all, on the woman’s preferences. Criteria such as body type, lifestyle, current fashion trends, and taking into account the opinions of experts play a big role in this important matter. As for the latter, they recommend paying attention to the following points:
Don't forget about the modeling function of color. A plump woman will look slimmer in a dark brown or black fur coat. And for skinny girls it is better to prefer lighter outerwear.
The most important guideline when choosing a fur coat is its compliance with the body parameters. The main thing is that the product is not tight. Classic models have a loose fit. A fur coat that fits a voluminous figure is obviously a wrong decision. This outfit loses its most important “plus” - elegance.
A product that fits will provide one hundred percent comfort. You don’t want to pull him back or move him forward, pull back the collar squeezing your neck or roll up his long sleeves, like Pierrot’s. Once you try on such a fur coat, it will be difficult to part with it.
A stylish cut of a fur product, taking into account the specific proportions of the body, height and build - isn’t this the dream of every customer? To make it come true, you need to keep in mind the following nuances:
Knowing these little secrets will greatly benefit women who want to harmonize their silhouette and keep up with fashion.
Bear or reindeer fur provides the best warmth, but products made from these materials are not common in our country. The skins of sable, arctic fox, raccoon dog, and beaver are considered very warm. They are distinguished by the largest amount of guard hair and the thickest down. True, they are all quite heavy.
Less heat-resistant are astrakhan fur, mink, ermine, and chinchilla. Products made from goat, rabbit, or marmot leave little hope of not freezing in severe frost. And the fur of gophers and hamsters practically does not warm.
Fashion trends of recent years dictate the choice of fur products taking into account the purpose of purchase. In this regard, fur coats can be divided into two categories:
To find out how many seasons a new fur coat will last, you need to take into account the following gradation (the numbers in it indicate the number of seasons that the skins of the listed animals can withstand):
First, let's outline the general characteristics of real fur. Unlike a cheap fake, it is soft and manageable, does not stain your hands, does not crumble, does not have a specific smell and, of course, is pleasing to the eye.
Now let's talk about the nuances of choosing the right natural fur coat from different types of real fur:
A natural fur coat made from mink or fox, rabbit or astrakhan fur is an expensive pleasure. The correct choice of a good product and pickiness to every nuance will allow you to enjoy your purchase for many years.
After examining, feeling, and shaking the fur coat, you must definitely put it on. It is recommended not just to look at yourself in the mirror, but to “live” in your new clothes for about five minutes. If during this time she becomes your own, you have to take her!
Even global warming will not force a woman to give up a beautiful, soft, warm and cozy fur coat. Natural fur is a very popular element of modern fashion, having a truly magical effect on beautiful ladies. And not only because a fur coat made of natural fur saves you in cold weather and is pleasant to wear, but also because it adds elegance and chic to the owner’s image. In other words, the question of having or not having is unimportant, but the question of how to choose a quality fur coat is always relevant!
Fur, as you know, is the most ancient material. Primitive people made clothes from skins, obtained by hunting. Their functionality was limited by the need to keep warm, and the cost was equal to the physical costs of the hunter. Nowadays, the value of fur clothing sometimes reaches sky-high heights, and in order to purchase an expensive new thing, you just need to go to the store.
IMPORTANT!
So, you have decided to get the best fur coat in the world, and this means that the dream product should be warm, wearable, skillfully sewn, and the material itself should be perfectly crafted. So, the main question is which fur to choose? No, not only. The fur coat should fit perfectly, taking into account the characteristics of the figure. However, in order:
The choice of fur from which a fur coat is made is directly related to its wear resistance and durability.
We have prepared comparison table of furs, where the most important characteristics of the most popular types are given. Using the table, it is easy to determine which product will last the optimal long time, will be guaranteed to provide warmth and be comfortable to wear.
TYPE OF FUR | SEASONS | WEARABILITY | HEAT RESISTANCE | WEIGHT |
Otter unplucked/plucked | 20/18 | 100/95% | high | heavy |
Wolverine | 20 | 100% | high | average |
Brown and black bear | 19 | 95% | high | heavy |
River beaver unplucked/plucked | 18 | 90/85% | high/moderate | heavy |
Sable natural/dyed | 16 | 80/65% | high | heavy |
Raccoon natural/dyed | 10 | 75/60% | moderate+ | heavy |
Mink natural/dyed | 10 | 70/55% | moderate+ | average |
Marten soft natural/dyed | 7 | 65/50% | moderate | average |
Sheepskin/mouton | 7 | 65/55% | high | average |
Karakul/karakulcha | 6 | 50/15% | moderate/low | average |
Arctic fox blue/white | 7 | 60/45% | high | average |
Wolf natural/dyed | 6 | 60/40% | high | heavy |
Mountain martennature . | 5 | 45% | moderate | average |
Muskrat natural/dyed | 5 | 45/35% | moderate | heavy |
Nutria unplucked/plucked | 5 | 40/25% | moderate | heavy |
Fox natural/dyed | 5 | 40/35% | high | heavy |
Lynx natural/dyed | 5 | 30/20% | high | average |
Squirrel natural/dyed | 4 | 27/20% | moderate | light |
Silver fox | 4 | 25% | high | average |
Ermine | 4 | 25% | moderate | average |
Chinchilla | 2 | 15% | moderate | light |
Rabbit | 2 | 10% | low | light |
Brown hare | 1 | 5% | moderate | average |
A sure way to avoid fraud when buying a fur coat:
If you are denied this, for one reason or another, do not hesitate to turn around and leave - it is better not to risk it. We want to choose a quality fur coat for more than just one day, don’t we?
Perhaps having a certificate is not enough of a guarantee for you? Well, a few tips below will help you determine the authenticity of the most popular types of fur.
The very popular and valuable mink fur is often passed off as a specially bred and shorn rabbit or marmot. Falsification can be revealed by simple stroking: mink is somewhat stiffer and more elastic - the fur instantly absorbs the shock. A rabbit is much softer and if you run your hand against the fur, the hairs will not return to their original shape.
In addition, a genuine mink has dense and even guard hair and undercoat, while a rabbit's guard hair is uneven and slightly prickly if it has been clipped.
An unplucked beaver is difficult to fake - it is too recognizable, but a shorn and plucked beaver is often replaced with the fur of a cheaper nutria or ferret.
Plucked beaver, due to the complicated plucking technology, is more expensive and wears easier and lasts longer. The most important thing here is to distinguish it from fakes. And this is not difficult to do, just run your hand against the fur and feel a light and sharp tingling sensation in the hair. This characteristic feature is inherent only to this fur.
Another defining feature is weight. Beaver fur cannot be called light, due to the dense down that does not allow air to pass through, among other things. Blow on the fur, and if the skin is not visible, the sign of authenticity is obvious.
Finally, the beaver belongs to the family of aquatic rodents, and not only is it not afraid of moisture, but under its influence the fur becomes even fluffier and more luxuriant. Of course, only a crazy seller will allow you to pour water on your fur coat to check, but the very first test with wet snow will convince you of the correctness of the purchase.
IMPORTANT!
A genuine silver fox is distinguished not only by fur that is uniform in length and density, but also by an exclusive three-color color. The palette of shades is as follows: bottom - pearl gray, middle - milky white, top - pearl black. And nothing else. This color cannot be falsified.
The most popular and affordable Russian fur is often replaced by careless manufacturers with low-grade analogues, or, even worse, with faux fur. How to choose the right quality mouton fur coat?
You can diagnose naturalness by the reverse side - the flesh should look like tanned leather, which in essence it is, in contrast to the fabric base on faux fur.
The quality of the product is easily determined by squeezing and quickly releasing the fur in the hand. A good mouton straightens out quickly and its hairs do not stick together.
The seams should be smooth and tactile. If they cannot be felt, it means that gluing was used instead of seams, and this is a sign of counterfeit.
You should also definitely check the quality of the color of the mouton by running a white cloth over the fur - there should be no traces of paint left on it.
IMPORTANT!
Almost everyone knows the regret when it turns out that a new thing is not very comfortable to wear due to the wrong size or bad style. It can be especially unpleasant when it comes to an expensive purchase. Regardless of whether you become the owner of luxurious fur or pay attention to a modest, elegant model, do not rush. Before you buy a fur coat that will be the ideal choice, it is recommended, in addition to knowledge, to take into account several personality characteristics:
If you are somewhat plump, the best choice would be a trapezoidal silhouette, flared down, sewn loose. Overweight ladies are not recommended to wear a model with long-haired fur - it will make the figure visually more voluminous. The same will not work for a customer with small facial features. Otherwise they will become completely expressionless. Let the lush, voluminous fur be used only for the collar, and the fur coat itself will be made of short-cut fur.
Slender legs look great in a fur coat shortened to mid-thigh. Graceful women can take a closer look at fur coats with a belt. Moderate width will emphasize a thin waist and visually enlarge the bust.
I would like to encourage petite ladies to give up long garments and pay attention to fur coats above the knees. But only if you wear boots with heels. Short fur coats that barely cover the hips or even shorter are suitable for lovers of flat soles of small stature.
Floor-length models look impressive on tall and slender ladies. Which fur to choose in this case, with long pile or vice versa, depends on taste.
Depending on how you usually move and what places you will visit, you should choose a model. In the morning rush, getting to your place of work by public transport, a luxurious and long doha is unlikely to be appropriate. Moreover, an expensive item will quickly become dirty and worn out even if the raw materials are of good quality. In such realities, it makes sense to opt for a midi fur coat or even shorter, to mid-thigh.
For a car lady, the most functional would be a short fur coat that does not restrict movement.
An elegant long model will decorate a lady on a leisurely walk, when visiting the theater and other exquisite entertainment.
And one moment. If you are used to practical, cozy clothes, for example, sports style, then do not rush to buy a classic fur coat with rich fur. You may not want to make any drastic changes when building your wardrobe. You can choose a high-quality fur coat from models of a more familiar style. Take a look at these wonderful fur coats. Cute, lightweight, comfortable to wear products, perhaps perfect for all occasions.
Happy shopping and long wearing of your fur coat!
Fur coats come in different varieties:-) From natural fur and artificial fur, different colors and shades, different styles, etc.
And, of course, all fur coats have their price. For example, a faux fur coat from H&M and a sable fur coat are two very different things. And we must admit that for most girls, buying a fur coat made of natural fur is an investment.
Therefore, you need to approach your purchase wisely :)
Before choosing a specific model, it would be useful to ask yourself a few simple questions.
Question one - how often do you plan to wear a fur coat?
If you are going to dive into your fur treasure with the onset of the first cold weather and not get out of it until spring, then the issue of wear resistance comes first. Chinchilla, orylag (dyed rabbit) and other delicate furs are not suitable for such active wear. Also, various plucked models wear out quickly during active use. The raccoon, muton, otter and beaver, astrakhan fur and mink have proven themselves best.
Among professionals, by the way, otter fur is considered the most wear-resistant; without resorting to furriers, it can be worn for up to twenty seasons (3-4 months of daily wear) in a row. For everyone's favorite mink, this life span is 10 seasons.
Second: where will it go and how to get to this “where”. By public transport or by car. Whether at a party, in the world, or on the subway - no floor-length styles or lady's jackets!
A hemline in a crush of dirty snow will quickly leave you with only memories, and a fur coat that reaches your lower back will not protect you from the frost.
The optimal length - mid-thigh or knee-length - depends on the proportions of your figure and personal preferences. The choice of fur coat style and specific fur depends on them.
Over the last couple of years, faux fur coats have been at the peak of popularity. They look better and better, and are significantly cheaper. To have a little fun or experiment with style - this is what you need :-) Take a closer look at them!
_
The longer and more voluminous the pile, the more voluminous the fur coat and figure look. Therefore, if you do not plan to add a couple of extra sizes/kilograms, then choose short-haired smooth fur. For example, an arctic fox fur coat will significantly increase your figure in proportions, but a mink coat, if you choose the right style and length, will not do anything undesirable to your figure!
Fur coats with longitudinal horizontal stripes also add volume to the figure. Therefore, if you want to look slimmer and more graceful, choose smooth, uniform fur.
The ideal style for all times is a straight coat or cocoon. A-line fur coats look common and not very fashionable, but, of course, sometimes there are happy exceptions.
How to choose a hat to match a fur coat? No, this is not a silk “flowered handkerchief”. A basic hat is our everything. It goes well with a basic fur coat. You can read about hats.
By the way, the combination of a fur hat and a fur coat is rarely successful. So this option will either turn you into the noblewoman Morozova or the Snow Maiden, or prove to others that you have a good sense of humor.
Fur coats are influenced by fashion trends. For example, it is fashionable to wear colored fur for several seasons in a row!
And not just colored, but also printed!
However, if this is your first (and perhaps for a long time only) fur coat, it makes sense to purchase an option that will not go out of fashion in 2 months and will look appropriate and relevant over the next seasons.
A basic fur coat will serve you faithfully on the way to the office or to an important meeting, as well as when meeting with friends in a trendy cafe or on a date with the man of your dreams (hello Mr.Big!). I tell you in detail about buying a basic fur coat with examples of how to do it and how not to do it, in one of the lessons of the Basic Course. By the way, the course pays for itself instantly, especially if you buy a fur coat or seriously update your wardrobe. In this case, you will be reliably insured against unsuccessful or thoughtless purchases :-)
But the 3-5-10... fur coat can be bought with an inscription on the back or with sequin inserts :-) After all, you already have one universal lifesaver in your wardrobe. You can also behave like a hooligan!
The worst and most unpleasant news for every girl is to understand after purchasing a fur coat that the color of the fur coat does not match most of the things in her existing wardrobe! To avoid such troubles, you need to be able to combine colors beautifully and know your ideal shades. Because your basic fur coat can be any color, the only question is how you know how to handle colors and shades :)
Bad news for lovers of authentic Italy or Germany: many Italian productions have now been moved to China (as well as American ones), and German furriers are completely disappearing as a class. This is neither good nor bad, these are the laws of the market, forcing the development of production where labor will cost the least. If this is a large-scale mass production, the quality is, of course, monitored by specialists from Europe and America. Some brands have concentrated their production in Greece. Luxury brands, whose product prices start from 10-15 thousand dollars, can still boast of truly European origin.
To determine the quality of the fur, carefully examine the selected fur coat for holes and protruding threads. If you notice, hang it up, this is a defective product. If no holes are noticed and the threads are not hanging, lightly blow on the fur and sniff it. Does the pile look greasy and give off an unpleasant odor? This means that the flesh was not dried completely, and there was too much fat left in it. Shake the fur coat - does it make a characteristic rustling sound, that is, “rattle”? Here the picture is the opposite, the skins are too dry, and when worn on the fur coats, “creases” will form. Pull a few fibers - are they still in your hands? The skins are overstretched and the pile will fall off.
It’s even worse if root thickenings are not visible on the fallen villi - this is a gross violation of dressing technology, the so-called “stitching”, in which the hair follicles were simply cut off from the inside, and such fur will fall off very quickly. Of course, it’s no good if, when you run your hand over a fur coat, traces of paint remain on the fur coat. But if you haven’t found all these signs, the fur is moderately shiny, elastic, you feel comfortable and, most importantly, the reflection in the mirror is very pleasing, then congratulations, you have found your fur coat!
And remember that free cheese is only in a mousetrap! And each skin, depending on the quality of the fur, has a purchase price, which cannot be symbolic if you are promised a luxury fur coat! And the unreasonably low prices for first-class mink fur suggest that it comes from the Chinese provinces. And under the fur of an unexpectedly cheap sable, at best (!) there is a marten hiding!
If you have found the fur coat of your dreams and the long-awaited purchase has moved into your closet with honors, then now the first priority is to make sure that it does not leave that very closet for as long as possible.
Let's talk about the rules for storing our fur treasure. They are not at all complicated and will help you keep your fur coat in almost pristine condition for a long time.
To prevent the fur on your side and shoulder from rubbing off, do not wear a tight-fitting bag. Also think about whether you really need a belt or belt.
Fur absorbs any odors very well, so do not stay in a fur coat for a long time in smoky rooms
It is better to remove any stains from the pile as quickly as possible, because there may be problems with removing old ones.
Fur is afraid of excess moisture and strong heat, so if it gets caught in wet snow or rain, shake out the fur coat and hang it to dry away from heating devices.
And of course, you should not dry your fur coat with a hairdryer or iron. For the same reason, you should not abuse seat heating in a car.
About once every 2 weeks it would be a good idea to comb the fur coat with a special pin brush for fur coats. Didn't find one? No problem, a cat brush will do the job just as well. You need to store your fur coat on hangers, in a fabric bag; plastic bags will “suffocate” the fur, with an anti-moth agent.
Some sources advise dry cleaning your fur coat after each season. But I would be careful to follow this advice: dry cleaning is a very serious test for fur, therefore, firstly, dry cleaning must be chosen very carefully, and even then it is not a fact that the fur coat will not be spoiled, and, secondly, it can be carried out only a few times throughout the life of the product.
Well, now it’s the turn of the most favorite section. Let's take a look at stylish modern fur coats, what to combine them with and how to not be boring to wear them!