What to Look for When Purchasing Fur Coats

Having a difficult time spotting real fur from fake? Well, just remove one or two strands from a corner of the coat and hold them in the flame of a matchstick. Does the emitted odor bear any resemblance to that of burnt human hair? If yes, then, my friend, you're lucky to have bought real fur!

Fur fashion has come a long way, and has captured the imagination of one and all. Today, you see people sporting fur jackets and coats in beautiful cuts and elegant designs. Perhaps the best part about fur coats is that they keep you warm and make you look elegant and stylish. But before you buy a fur coat, you should know how to spot high quality fur so that you make the correct choice.

Here are some tips and tricks that will help you make the right choice the first time around, even if you haven't ever ventured out to buy fur before. Sounds cool? Then, let's get started!

The type of fur also plays a key role in deciding how comfortable you feel in your fur coat, and hence, you're advised to choose one accordingly. If you want a fur coat that feels really warm, go for wolf fur. However, if the purpose of the fur coat is to serve as a style statement, then you should opt for rabbit, chinchilla, or fox.

One of the primary things to check is the quality of the pelt. Pelt is a term for the skin of an animal with the fur or hair intact. When you choose a fur coat, make sure the pelt is smooth and silky, and not coarse and prickly. Also, the pelt should be of uniform luster.

Feel for the underfur beneath the guard hair. Is it prickly or is it dense, soft, and smooth? Fur of good quality not just has a glossy finish, but also a dense underfur. The underfur should feel soft and dense, no matter how you run your hands through it. It should be tightly sewn.

So, you're sure of the fur, but what about the finish of the coat? To find this out, carefully check the stitches on the coat, and look for a professional finish at the neckline and the hemline.

When you are looking at a fur coat that is made using two or more types of fur, then you should look at the finish carefully, to make sure there are no obvious patches, and the pieces of fur blend seamlessly.

If you have markings on the fur, such as those present on raccoon fur, then check if they are of uniform color and have the right alignment throughout. The fur coat should have a glossy finish.

While most fur coats are lightweight, some fur coats, especially full-length ones, can be heavy due to the cumulative weight of the pelts. Before you make a purchase, make sure you've tried it on to see if it's comfortable and is the right fit.

Note that a fur coat that is a few sizes larger, can make you look really bulky. Never go for a fur coat that appears too heavy when you try it on. After all, it's your coat, and you should feel comfortable in it.

A fur coat of good quality should be well-balanced and tightly sewn. The material that lines the inside of the fur coat is also important, as a real fur coat is lined with leather. If you find any other stuff, it's probably not the real thing, but faux fur. The leather should be soft with some amount of elasticity.

The construction of the fur coat should be your next concern, once you know you have high quality fur in your hands. Your fur coat should ideally have as few seams as is practically possible. This is because, more the number of joints or seams, the higher the chances of the pieces falling off.

It's not just the look and feel of the fur that you should consider, but also the occasion. Before you set off to buy a fur coat, decide if you want it for formal events or casual outings with friends. While a full-length coat is a great way to dress up for a formal occasion, a medium-length coat is more versatile and can be used for both formal as well as casual occasions.

Before you venture out to buy a fur coat, decide on a budget. How much can you afford to spend for it? Once you've an answer to this, do a little research on the prices of fur coats of the desired length that are made from different furs. it will be easier to find a coat as you'd know what to look for.

Before you make a purchase, make sure you've shopped around enough to know what's on offer at different furriers in your locality. While price is not the deciding factor for fur coats, a good bargain never hurts, does it?

Even if it's your first fur coat, you should not get intimidated by so many choices at the local furrier's. Take your own time as you browse through the collection, feeling each piece with your hands.