How to Choose a Fur Coat

Vintage fur coats can be funky and fun

Fur keeps you toasty, chic and ready for anything, especially if it involves cold weather. Even if you’ve never invested in such a luxurious item, you don’t have to be clueless. When shopping for fur, don’t ever let the salespeople know you’re clueless or they’ll try to talk you into buying an ugly grey sable that no one wants. You can choose a fur coat with confidence and on your own terms with a few simple tips.

Instructions

1. Decide if you want real fur. In these politically correct days of paint-hurling animal fanatics, you’ll have to decide if you’re ready to possibly one day face that wrapped in silky mink. A lot of synthetics are very close to the real thing, or you can get a real fur and simply say it’s an awesome weave of polyester.

2. Figure out how much you want to spend. Knowing your budget will immediately whittle down your possibilities. If you are topped out at $50, it seems you’re going to end up with a cute but fairly short bunny jacket. If you can spend in the thousands, the sky is the limit.

3. Pick a length. The longer the coat, the dressier the occasion. If you are constantly flitting off to gala ballroom affairs, a lengthy, sweeping coat is going to be the one for you. Hip length works for hip chicks decked out in jeans. Mid-calf is a good length for a variety of uses, as it still goes well with slacks but also covers dresses when worn with boots.

4. Choose your animal. Mink is soft and silky. Fox is thick and plush. Leopard print, if you can find it, makes an ultimate statement. Look at, try on and feel a number of different selections so you can opt for the proper texture, weight and thickness that works for you.

5. Find the best color. The tail end, excuse the pun, of the fur coat choice is picking the hue. You can go with natural fur color, which often comes in several shades, or get a little zany with something died a bright maroon. Since most fur places won’t dye a $12,000 coat bright maroon unless they know someone is going to buy it, you can have your coat custom dyed if for you the au natural is au boring.

6. Inspect your choice. Carefully run your fingers through the fur, as well as checking the seams, lining, pockets and fasteners for any defects.

Tips & Warnings

• When you go to try on fur coats, make sure you are wearing something you would conceivably wearing, like long sleeves or a sweater, so you know if the fit is right over winter clothing.

• Shop for fur in the spring, when stores are moving their winter stock into storage and would rather sell than stuff something in the back room.

• Shop around. Fur coat prices vary greatly depending on where you get it. Some places charge more for quality. Others are charging more just because they think they are the ultimate.

• Bargain. Don’t be afraid to ask the store’s owner for a discount. Fur prices are jacked up quite a bit. He can afford to give you a break.

• Vintage coats can offer some funky styles at less expensive prices.

• For new furs, it's best to go for a classic style, rather than a trendy cut. For a big investment like fur, you want something you can wear every year for years to come, not something that looks dated by next winter.

• Vintage fur coats can be less expensive but they can also be falling apart. Inspect them very carefully, especially along the back seams and armpit areas. Bargain accordingly, or pass on it altogether if it appears to have been ravaged by moths.