So you’ve decided to go ahead and invest in your very first real fur coat. Congratulations! You’re likely well aware of what a gratifying investment a fur coat is; however, you may want to take a few details into consideration before you settle on a purchase. For instance, would you rather buy a brand new coat, or go with something older. Vintage fur coats are very popular choices among the fur fashion crowd, thanks largely to their aesthetics and proven longevity. Should you decide to go vintage, you’ll need to know how to tell it apart from a modern coat. Here are a few tips to help you learn the key differences.

What Type of Fur Is It Made From?

As with any other fashion subcultures out there, trends rise and fall within the fur fashion world. In the specific case of fur, however, trends typically mean the type of animal a piece of fur apparel was made from. You can expect vintage fur coats to be made from these particular animals:

• Beaver fur has one of the longest histories within the fur world, having gained its original popularity in the 1500s. In fact, its popularity grew so immensely that literal war erupted over the lands beavers inhabited and whether furriers had the right to hunt there! You can pick out beaver fur by its durability and heat. Beaver fur will rarely pull away from its backing and is naturally cozy to the touch.

• Mink is one of the most common types of fur to be made into coats. It is typically brown in color (and any number of shades), sleek and plush-looking, but coarser to the touch.

• Alpaca is a “newer” type of vintage fur, having enjoyed its popularity throughout the ‘70s. It is always thick in terms of both sight and feel, though the type of thickness depends on the age of the animal it was sheared from. The fur from a baby alpaca will be fluffy, while adult fur may bring to mind those old shag carpets that were also popular during the decade.

• Muskrat fur is generally more fragile. Should you find a muskrat coat in the shop, you can expect it to have left its mark on the shop floor and perhaps the other coats surrounding it. Many of today’s existing muskrat coats have lost quite a bit of their original fur. However, muskrat fur is extremely smooth and sleek.

• Chinchilla coats will often feature a “patchwork” design, due to the animal’s natural size. Its fur color will also create a unique pattern, as it transitions from light to dark from the sides to the middle. This type of fur is also one of the most likely to have dye applied.

• Rabbit is the first most likely fur to have dye applied. Like chinchilla coats, rabbit fur coats may also come in a “patchwork” design, but are also incredibly soft and fine.

• Fox fur is also of the softer variety, and tends to transition in shade across the full length of the coat. It’s also known for its longevity.

We at Morris Kaye & Sons strive to be the very best source for real fur coats in Dallas and San Antonio! To learn more about our collection of real fur coats, as well as other fur-related services we offer, contact us here!