A fur coat is more than a fashion piece that provides warmth in the winter; it is an investment that requires careful consideration before purchasing. The market has so many options to choose from that the first-time fur buyer can be slightly overwhelmed. Do you go with faux fur? An inexpensive rabbit fur or a luxurious mink? And is vintage fur ever a good investment? By knowing what is on the market, you can make a wise decision and feel confident that you have selected a jacket that is high quality and the best investment for your money.
Faux Fur
Not only is faux fur animal-friendly, it also weighs less than real fur, is easy to care for, and costs much less than the real thing. Current styles and designs look much like real fur, making it hard to distinguish between the two unless the faux is in a garish or unnatural color. One thing to keep in mind is that although it is cruelty-free, faux fur jackets are made of a petroleum product.
To find a faux fur that closely resembles the real deal, look for jackets that have slash pockets and one-button closures. Typically, real fur jackets have one designer button at the collar and hook-and-eye closures the rest of the way down, and the pockets are slashed since they fall in between the pelt sections.
Rabbit Fur
Rabbit fur is soft, versatile, and affordable. Rabbit fur jackets are lighter-weight than other fur jackets while still providing warmth and a soft feel. Rabbit fur jackets come with either the guard hairs intact or sheared off to expose the underfur. Guard hairs are the animals’ long topcoat; they are sometimes coarse but provide protection from the elements. Underfur is the soft, shorter undercoat that provides the animal with insulation. Sheared rabbit fur jackets have a slightly sportier look than jackets that sport the guard hairs. Rabbit fur dyes easily, making it useful in contemporary jacket designs.
Mink Fur
Mink is the most popular fur sold worldwide; it is lightweight and has a luxurious feel. Mink comes in both casual jacket designs and formal designs. Mink jackets can come sheared or with the guard hairs intact. Sheared mink looks like thick velvet and is plush and soft.
The price range on mink fur jackets is wide, from $1, 000 to over $10, 000. High quality mink jackets have well matched pelts, even undercoats, and silky guard hairs. A mink jacket should fit well and be well constructed. A high quality mink fur jacket is durable and lasts for many years.
Vintage Fur
Vintage fur jackets have advantages over modern and faux jackets; they evoke the glamour of old Hollywood but do not directly contribute to the modern fur farming industry. Going vintage is a good choice for the socially responsible fashionista. Another plus of going with a vintage fur jacket is they cost much less than their contemporary cousins.
One way to tell if a fur jacket is vintage is to look for the head, tail, or feet of the animal the fur comes from. Jackets made in the 1920s and 1930s feature these items; it was not until the 1950s that most manufacturers switched to using just the body fur. Even without these obvious features, it is still possible to tell if the fur jacket is vintage.
Although vintage furs are not as soft and silky as new furs, and can even have a coarse feel, to be in good condition the fur should be supple, and there should be guard hairs as well as the underfur. One test is to grasp a bit of the jacket, if a few guard hairs come away in your hand then it is a vintage coat. It is highly unlikely to find a vintage fur jacket in as pristine condition as a new one. Furs are delicate and susceptible to deterioration as they age. This is why it is so important to store and care for them properly. If possible, find out how the jacket was stored, as vintage fur kept in cold storage is generally in the best condition.
How to Buy a Fur Jacket on eBay
You can find many fur jackets on eBay, including faux, real, and vintage fur. To find them, type the sort of fur jacket you are interested in looking at into the search bar. For instance, search for rabbit fur jackets, vintage mink jackets, or simply type "fur jacket" for the widest range of options.
Fur jackets come in a variety of designs that fit many different styles. You can find sporty fur jackets to wear with jeans during the day or more glamourous evening fur jackets that are an ideal choice for a cocktail party or night out. Whatever style you are looking for, choose a fur jacket that is well-made and high quality to ensure you get many years of wear from your jacket.