Despite the large selection of materials from which outerwear is made, fur coats made from natural fur do not lose their popularity. But even in this case it is not so easy to make a choice. There are dozens of types of fur obtained from different animals. Fashionistas increasingly prefer fur coats made from arctic fox or mink. Which of these products is warm?
About thermal properties
How warm the product is depends on the density and size of the fur and the stiffness of the hair. The number of air bubbles located between the villi and the density of the inner layer are of great importance. Experts often pull the core to reduce the overall weight of the finished product. But as a result, the thickness of the lining decreases, the distance between the fibers increases, and the fur coat cannot cope with frost, allowing cold air to pass through.
Experts divide all types of fur into three categories based on the thermal properties of the material:
- The coldest ones are goats, rabbits, ground squirrels, and ermine.
- The skins of beaver, mink, chinchilla, and arctic fox fur have mediocre properties.
- Experts consider the fur of the muton, sable, silver fox and wolf to be the most comfortable.
Based on these categories, mink and arctic fox models are in the same line. But, in addition to thermal qualities, a fur coat should be beautiful and pleasant to the touch. Therefore, it is worth considering fur from the point of view of attractiveness.
Beautiful and practical
When choosing which is better, arctic fox or mink, remember that arctic fox products will keep you warm even in the most severe frosts. This fur easily tolerates air temperatures within the range of -55-60 0 C. Plus, fur coats made from Arctic foxes look amazing. Outerwear made from blue fur of an arctic fox or silver fox will look spectacular on any girl. Arctic fox fur coats are preferred by ladies from the northern corners of Russia. In harsh winter conditions, you simply cannot find a warmer and more practical option.
Residents of central Russia are recommended to purchase mink fur coats. Compared to the Arctic fox, this is a more practical type of fur. It can withstand both frost and rainy winter weather, which is not uncommon in recent years. Today, designers offer a lot of interesting and original models of fur coats made from mink. Therefore, girls are not limited in their choice of beautiful and stylish models.
Fashionistas living in the southern regions of the Russian Federation are increasingly choosing products from:
- a rabbit,
- gopher,
- goat,
- ermine.
These furs are not able to keep you warm in severe frosts, but they create an excellent stylish appearance for a girl. Fashionistas often purchase fur coats from the above types of fur to wear in the off-season - autumn and spring.
Products made from silver fox look elegant and original. The fur has excellent thermal characteristics and is suitable for wearing on frosty winter days. However, long fibers create a voluminous effect, which may not appeal to every girl.
Choosing the right one
Not all buyers know what is more expensive: mink or arctic fox? Studying the assortment and offers of fur boutiques, we come to the conclusion that products made from arctic fox are more expensive. Products made from this fur are considered not only warm, but also beautiful. And in combination with gloves and an angora hat, an arctic fox fur coat can transform any girl.
But how to choose the right fur product so that it is not only beautiful, but also practical? It is important to consider the region and climatic conditions in which the clothing is intended to be worn.
- For the middle zone, purchase fur coats made from chinchilla and mink.
- For the northern - silver fox, sable.
- For the south - from rabbit, beaver or gopher.
We also pay attention to the filling of the product. To reduce the cost and improve thermal properties, manufacturers often use wool linings. However, if the fur is high quality and 100% natural, no lining is needed.
In order for a fur coat made from an arctic fox or mink to be warm and practical, it is important that it is sewn from whole pieces of trim. If the manufacturer used stretched scraps during the sewing process, the finished product will not be warm.
Important characteristics are structural details. we are talking about the length of the product and sleeves, the presence of a hood and a belt. Remember, the longer the fur coat, the more expensive its price. If a girl plans to be outside for a long time, it is better to purchase outerwear made from practical otter, nutria or beaver. These materials can easily withstand rainy winters and high humidity. Don't forget to choose mink and fox hats for a stunning look.
Summing up
Note that when choosing, one of the important characteristics of a fur coat made of natural fur is the thermal qualities of the material. The warmest and most expensive are products made from arctic fox. Cheaper and “cooler” are mink and chinchilla fur coats. For inhabitants of the southern regions, hats and fur coats made of rabbit and beaver are suitable.
Animal skins have been used by people since ancient times. To obtain them, a person had to risk his own life. Today the situation has changed, but to purchase this item of clothing you will have to save a considerable amount of money. Taking into account the high cost of a fur product, you need to know which fur coat is the most practical and which fur is generally the warmest.
The warmest fur
The warmest fur coat will always keep you warm in severe frosts. But for this it must have the following characteristics: long, thick fur and elastic pile. A warm fur coat, capable of warming and retaining heat, is sewn only from the highest quality flesh.
Manufacturers often stretch the fur to reduce the weight of the fur coat. As a result of this, the inner layer becomes loose, and the air layer that retains heat between the hairs decreases.
- The coldest fur is considered to be the fur of gopher, goat, ermine and rabbit.
- The average place in the ranking in terms of thermal characteristics is taken by the fur of mink, beaver, chinchilla and arctic fox.
- Well, the warmest fur coats are made from fox, mouton, wolf and sable.
- The warmest fur has such characteristics as the thickness of the fibers and down. You can check it in this way: blow on the fur and you will see the density of the down. Pay attention to the pile: it should be long and shiny. The following rule applies here: the longer the pile of a fur coat, the warmer it is.
Which fur coat is warmer?
An arctic fox fur coat is recognized as the warmest and most practical, because this animal is able to withstand even the most severe frosts down to -60 degrees. It is thanks to the long fur that fur coats made from arctic fox are very warm. In addition, this fur is soft and looks expensive and elegant. This is especially true for the fur of the blue fox.
When choosing the warmest fur coat, consider how and where you will wear it. If you spend quite a lot of time outside and live in central Russia, buy a fur coat made from the fur of waterfowl: beaver, nutria or otter.
Rating of furs by thermal properties
Mouton and mink.
A mink coat speaks eloquently about the status of its owner. It is expensive, but looks glamorous. But if we talk about the thermal characteristics of the fur from which the warmest fur coats are made, then mouton fur is much warmer than mink fur. Just ten years ago, fur coats made from mouton were not in demand. Today the situation has changed and thanks to the high-quality finishing and method of fur processing, mouton coats look no worse than mink ones. Mouton does not require special care, has the highest resistance to dampness and is warm.
Fox.
Due to the thickness and length of the fur, a fox fur coat is the warmest fur coat. In addition to its thermal characteristics, it has bright, original fur. Silver fox fur is used to sew elite outerwear.
What to choose?
Since fur coats are quite expensive, not every woman can afford to change them every year. Therefore, when choosing this type of fur product, you should take into account not only the fashion trend, but the practicality of fur.
When considering the properties of warm fur, you need to take into account its durability and thermal characteristics. The most wearable fur is otter fur. An otter fur coat can be worn for up to 20 years! This is 100% wearable. In the table below you can see how durable the furs of other animals are and how many seasons they can last.
The durability of the fur of the warmest fur coats and its warmth depend, as a rule, not only on its natural properties, but also on the processing method.
As a rule, the coloring of fur affects the degree of its wear, and cutting, on the contrary, increases the service life. That is why fur with long pile is cut to further prevent it from being squeezed and breaking off. But this method also has another, other side of the coin: such fur warms worse than uncut fur.
If you decide to purchase a fur coat that you plan to wear for more than one or two seasons, but a little longer, adhere to the following rules when choosing the warmest product.
Keep in mind that fur coats made from the fur of animals such as rabbits will not last you more than 3 years, even if you honestly take care of it according to all the rules. It is for this reason that vests, hats and fur coats for children are made from the skins of hare, squirrel, and rabbit. Despite this, they all have excellent thermal characteristics; you will feel warm and comfortable in them even though they are short-lived.
1. Fur and flesh
The fur of the warmest fur coat should be thick, and it should not have bald patches. Its appearance should be excellent: shiny and pleasant to the touch. As for the flesh, it should be soft and light, and when the fur product is shaken, it should not make a rumble or rustle.
Be on the lookout! As a rule, manufacturers who certify their product and provide a guarantee for it do not sew the lining to the flesh, so by looking under it, you can see and evaluate the workmanship and quality of the flesh.
2. Style
When purchasing a fur coat, you can choose from two options: a fur coat sewn into pieces or a whole fur coat. As a rule, tailoring depends on the fur of the animal. Fur coats are sewn from thick and dense flesh. This is the kind of flesh found in boron, raccoon and nutria. This is done so that the fur coat fits well and does not look like a bag. As for thin mesh, tailoring here depends on the length of the product and its style.
3. Coloring
Sometimes unscrupulous manufacturers dye fur in order to hide some flaws on it. In practice, it needs to be painted if the natural color is unattractive. For example, nutria fur. Modern dyes for fur allow you to dye it any color without losing quality. To check whether it will leave marks on your skin and clothes, rub a few of its fibers with a handkerchief before purchasing a fur coat. If there are no traces of paint left on it, then the coloring is of high quality and you have nothing to fear.
4. Dressing
To determine that the quality of the workmanship is high, crumple some part of the fur coat. If she straightens out quickly, then everything is fine. Well, in order to determine the quality of the pile, move your palm against the growth of the hairs: they should not fall out or break; on the contrary, the undergrowth should be visible.
5. Fake
Stay alert. Some manufacturers cleverly sell coats made from cheap fur as if they were made from expensive ones! For example, instead of sable, they may try to slip you a marten, and instead of a mink, an ordinary rabbit! A fake can be distinguished by its fur. A rabbit's is tougher than a mink's.
Fur wear resistance table:
| Fur | Seasons | Wear % |
| Otter | 20 | 100 |
| River beaver | 18 | 90 |
| Sea seal | 15 | 85 |
| Sable | 12 | 80 |
| Mink | 10 | 70 |
| Raccoon | 9 | 65 |
| Arctic fox | 7 | 60 |
| Marten | 7 | 50 |
| Astrakhan | 6 | 50 |
When choosing a practical and warm fur coat, it is worth taking into account the purpose for which you are doing it. If you want to demonstrate your wealth, then it is better to give preference to a mink model. Well, if you spend quite a lot of time outside, in the frost and cold, then the most suitable option for you in all respects will be a fur coat that has the warmest fur: from a wolf, a fox or a mouton.
If you're on a budget but still want to treat yourself to a new purchase, buy yourself a rabbit or hare fur coat. But be prepared for the fact that you will only be able to wear it for a few seasons.
07/12/2017 at 22:57 · Pavlofox · 3 330
What kind of fur makes the warmest fur coats?
The warmest fur coats - which fur to choose for outerwear for the harsh Russian winter? This issue is relevant not only for residents of the northern regions. When choosing a fur coat for the winter, you pay attention to several factors, and one of them is the warmth of the fur coat. I want an expensive item to be not only beautiful and fashionable, but also to keep me warm in cold weather. So what kind of fur are the warmest fur coats made from? Experts believe that the fur that best copes with severe frosts is the fur of reindeer, wolf, fur seal and bear, but fur coats made from such materials are almost never found.
10. Ermine fur | The average price depends on the specific order
Open the Top 10 warmest fur coats and fur products ermine. Ermine fur is highly valued for its velvety, softness, shine and thickness. Ermine fur coats look incredibly beautiful and elegant, but they will not save you from severe frosts. The length of the ermine fur pile is only two centimeters, and the thermal insulation properties of any fur product directly depend on the length of the hairs. Ermine coats are a sign of status. This expensive product is not affordable for everyone. The owner of such a fur coat will not stand at a bus stop in winter waiting for public transport. In a product made from ermine, you can only walk from a car into a room, showing others your high status.
It is difficult to say the average cost of an ermine fur coat, since they are usually sewn to order.
9. Mink fur | Average price 130 thousand rubles
In 9th place was a fur coat minks. It should be taken into account that the thermal insulation properties of fur depend on the place where the animal is bred. Southern mink fur is light and has a fine undercoat. A fur coat made of such fur will not warm you any better than a fur coat made from a rabbit. Northern mink fur is heavy, with a thick and dense undercoat. Mink coats are highly wear-resistant and, if stored properly, will last at least 20 seasons. Mink fur has an even pile with high plasticity. The beauty of mink fur has made products made from this material extremely popular among women.
The average cost of a mink coat is 130 thousand rubles.
8. Sable fur | Average price 350-400 thousand rubles
In 8th place in the ranking of the warmest fur coats are fur products sable. Sable fur firmly holds the status of the best fur in the world in terms of beauty, density and quality. The natural color of sable is so beautiful that its skins are used only in their natural form, without dyeing. Sable fur is fluffy, thick, with a lot of fluff.
The cost of sable fur coats starts at 350-400 thousand rubles.
7. Chinchilla fur | Average price from 250 thousand rubles
In seventh place in the Top 10 warmest fur coats are fur products chinchillas. This is one of the most popular materials, which is characterized by its amazing silkiness, thickness and lightness. This is one of the densest furs in the world. Resembling thick down, chinchilla fur has high thermal insulation and will warm you even in the most severe frost.
The average price for a chinchilla fur coat is from 250 thousand rubles.
6. Marten fur | Average price from 250 thousand rubles
In sixth place in the ranking of the warmest fur coats are fur products martens. The fur of this predatory animal is highly valued because of its qualities: it is thick, long, beautiful and retains heat excellently. Marten fur, having a magnificent shine, is ideal for making coats, sheepskin coats and long fur coats. Marten products are expensive because the animal does not breed in captivity.
The average cost of a marten fur coat is from 250 thousand rubles.
5. Mouton fur | Average price 30-50 thousand rubles
The list of the warmest fur coats includes products from mouton. More recently, fur coats made from natural sheepskin were not particularly popular due to the unattractive color of the fur. Nowadays, thanks to new technologies for processing and dyeing sheepskin, mouton fur coats have become stylish and beautiful. One of the main qualities of mouton is its excellent thermal insulation properties. A fur coat made from a mouton is not afraid of severe frosts and wind. She easily tolerates slush. Mouton fur coats are popular for their heat resistance, durability and reasonable price.
The average cost of a mouton fur coat reaches 30-50 thousand rubles.
4. From arctic fox fur | Average price 100 thousand rubles
Some of the warmest fur coats include fur products arctic fox. Arctic fox fur has a long pile and a thick undercoat, which makes it very warm. In nature, you can find animals of two colors: white and blue. Blue Arctic fox fur is prized for its beauty. It is used mainly to create luxury products, the price of which reaches several thousand dollars. In addition to excellent thermal insulation, arctic fox fur is highly wear-resistant. A blue fur coat will last up to 12 seasons. Products made from white fox have a slightly shorter service life - 8 seasons, since over time the coat becomes yellow.
The average price of an arctic fox fur coat is 100 thousand rubles.
3. Made from raccoon fur | Average price from 50 thousand rubles
In 3rd place in the ranking of the warmest fur coats are fur products raccoon. Raccoon coats are not as popular as mink and mouton coats, but they are also highly valued. Raccoon fur is voluminous, fluffy, flexible and light. Its main advantages: good thermal insulation, moisture resistance and wear resistance. Fur coats made from raccoon are not as beautiful and glamorous as products made from arctic fox or sable, but they will keep you warm in severe frosts.
The estimated price of a raccoon fur coat is from 50 thousand rubles.
2. Fox fur | Average price 45-100 thousand rubles
Fur products take 2nd place in the ranking of the warmest fur coats foxes. Such fur coats are suitable for those who value originality and brightness in outerwear. Fox fur coats have not gone out of fashion for decades. Fox fur has a long pile and a thick undercoat. It is soft, bright and silky. Fox fur coats provide excellent protection in winter weather and are highly wear-resistant. With proper care, a fur coat will last about 8 seasons.
The fur of the silver fox, a mutant species of Canadian fox, is especially prized. In the wild, the silver fox is extremely rare.
The estimated cost of a fox fur coat ranges from 45 to 100 thousand rubles.
1. Beaver fur | Average price 50-60 thousand rubles
The warmest fur coats are made from fur beaver. This material has a number of advantages. Beaver fur is fluffy and thick, soft and pleasant to the touch. It perfectly fits the figure and perfectly protects from the most severe frosts. Beaver fur has extremely high wear resistance: over time it does not wear out or fade. With proper care, a beaver fur coat will last faithfully for up to 20 seasons.
The average price for a beaver fur product reaches 50-60 thousand rubles.
Readers' Choice:
The coming cold season whispers: “You’ve been waiting for the fur coat of your dreams!” You fall asleep and wake up with the thought of a fur coat, freeze in front of the windows of fur salons or watch every woman in fur, mentally wondering how they will look on you... So, it’s time to immediately go in search of the fur coat of your dreams, armed with our advice. Where is the best place to buy a fur coat, how to determine the quality of the fur - we will tell you in this article.
A beautiful fur coat not only gives you a feeling of warmth and comfort, it allows you to look chic and makes you even more beautiful. Since natural fur itself is not cheap, products made from it also require significant material costs. Therefore, you need to approach the choice of natural fur coat responsibly.
How to choose a fur coat
To choose a fur coat, first decide what you need it for. Do you need a chic mink coat for “going out” or do you need warm outerwear, for example, from a high-quality mouton. Those who are primarily interested in image are less concerned about issues of heat preservation and service life. More often in such cases, the decisive factor is a well-known fashionable name on the label and an impressive number on the price tag. Those who have nothing but a fur coat to warm them in winter pay attention to its functional qualities.
If for you a fur coat is a chic outfit for walks in cool weather or to show yourself in all its glory, then you don’t have to limit yourself in choice; not the warmest mink, or even less warm, but more decorative ermine, will suit you and marmot, as well as any sheared fur. It is considered by definition colder than an uncut one.
A fur coat, which is designed to warm and protect from snow and wind, should be made of fox or mouton. They are considered the warmest. If this is not “your” fur, then pay attention to sable, arctic fox, beaver, chinchilla, nutria or mink. Types of fur are listed in descending order of properties, that is, for example, a beaver coat will warm you better in cold weather than a mink coat.
The service life of a fur product depends on the type of fur. The fur of the beaver and river otter is considered the most wear-resistant. You can wear coats made from this fur for up to 20 winter seasons. Sable will delight you for about 12 seasons, mink - 10, a slightly smaller raccoon - 9, arctic fox and marten up to 7 seasons, astrakhan fur and sheepskin - 6, fox and nutria about 5, sheared rabbit - about 4 seasons. The fur of a hare is considered the most fragile and unwearable - a fur coat made from it will only be worn for one season.
Of course, in addition to the properties of the fur itself, wear resistance is also influenced by the quality of dressing and production of the fur coat, as well as methods of caring for the fur and rules for wearing it. In any case, weigh your financial capabilities. If there are not enough of them, then it is better to choose a beaver of high quality than a mink, but of dubious quality.
The most practical fur coats and fur products
Products that have adjustable cuffs, a wide silhouette, and a three-quarter length will last longer. Welted loops with fur trim and a zipper fastener, on the contrary, will very quickly put your coat out of order.
To avoid the temptation to put a mobile phone, a bunch of keys and a loaf of bread in your pocket at the same time, it is more practical to have only an internal pocket on your fur coat.
The best material for a fur coat belt is fur, since suede and leather belts quickly damage hair.
Where and for how much is it better to buy fur coats and furs?
A fur coat bought at the market is definitely cheaper than its “friend” from a store - salon or boutique. But the market is always a lottery, and therefore a new thing later can not only disappoint with its quality, but also cause a skin disease, for example, an allergy. In addition, if you make a purchase at the market, as well as at an off-site sale or abroad, then, in case of any problems with the quality of the fur coat, you will not be able to make a claim to the seller.
Therefore, in order not to buy a pig in a poke, go to a fur salon or a store that has proven itself for many years to make a purchase - such companies care about their reputation, and therefore the quality of their products. In addition, they will give you a warranty card for a period of one year.
Pay attention to the markings on the product. Sewn by well-known companies, it must also have special “identification marks”, in addition to the tag on the back of the lining.
The price of a fur product usually depends on the quality of tailoring, brand, style, quantity and quality of whole animal skins. The more pieces of skin a fur coat is made from, the cheaper it is, as a rule. Manufacturers can so cleverly glue pieces of fur onto a fabric base that no one will suspect anything. A single piece of skin is considered to be a piece measuring 15 by 15 centimeters. If the area of such a cut is smaller, then the cost of a fur coat should be 20-30% cheaper than the cost of a product made from whole skins. Buy a fur coat that suits your budget.
What is the best fur to buy?
The most luxurious and most expensive fur coat made of sable, lynx and marten fur. The most valuable among the varieties of sable is the Barguzin sable. His fur is amazingly beautiful, the color of dark chocolate with gray and blue down. The most fashionable houses and world-famous fur designers prefer and love to work with Russian sable. Sable is practically the only fur that is used in its natural form, that is, it is never dyed or cut, it is so self-sufficient and magnificent.
But even with this fur there are mistakes. Sometimes an inexperienced lover of fur items is offered products made from Canadian sable; in fact, there is no such animal, but under its guise they sell Canadian marten. This began when in America, thanks to Hollywood divas, the demand for expensive furs sharply increased and marten began to be passed off as sable. Of course, marten fur is also very beautiful, but it cannot be compared with our Russian sable. A chinchilla fur coat is considered a very prestigious fur coat. But sometimes it happens that expensive fur coats are not always the best fur coats. Poor workmanship and low quality fur can also ruin sable furs, turning them into a cheap and ugly fur coat. One of the important parameters by which the quality of fur is determined is its softness and silkiness.
How to check the quality of fur to buy a quality fur coat
Lay out the fur coat on the counter and examine it carefully - the fur should be thick, shiny, with a thick undercoat, without bald spots. If even during a superficial inspection you find external defects, it is better to forget about this fur coat.
To check the quality of the fur, feel it: squeeze the fur in your palm and then unclench it - it should quickly straighten out and return to its original form. Fur fibers should not stick together. Also, if you run your hand over them against the growth of the fur, they should not break. The fur should not remain in your hands if you pinch the fur coat a little.
By touch, you can, by the way, distinguish a rabbit or a marmot from a mink, for which they are sometimes passed off: the rabbit is too soft, and the guard hairs of the mink are hard; Marmots have hair of different lengths, while minks have hair that is the same and does not prick.
If the fur is dyed, then run a light (or even slightly damp) cloth over it. If the cloth is stained, it means that the fur was dyed poorly, in violation of the technology.
Feel free to smell the fur coat. The pungent and unpleasant smell indicates that the skins were tanned using an artisanal method.
Finally, weigh the fur coat at arm's length. If the fur coat is very light, don’t rush to rejoice. In order to save fur, furriers often stretch the skins: the thickness of the skin decreases, and the distance between the hairs increases, as a result the fur coat becomes cold.
After you are convinced that the fur of the fur coat is processed with high quality, check the quality of the skins and seams. To do this, you need to look under the hem of your fur coat. If the lining is not sewn to the hem, then the manufacturer has nothing to hide from the buyer. If the hem is sewn tightly, it’s worth thinking about. Ask the seller to carefully prop it up.
To determine the quality of the skins, you need to feel the inside - this is their reverse side. It should be soft and elastic. If the flesh crunches and rustles when squeezed, it means the fur is overdried. Undyed skins have a white back side. The yellow color of the flesh indicates that the fur is old. You can't wear a fur coat like that for long.
Pay attention to the seams, they should be stitched thinly and neatly. Feel them. If they cannot be felt at all, it means that glue was used instead of threads, and in a few days your fur coat will simply fall apart.
If you prefer a well-known manufacturer, check all tags and labels, as there are many fakes. Large manufacturers usually provide information on how to distinguish their products from counterfeits on their website.
How to distinguish fur from fake
Often, cheaper fur is passed off as more expensive; for example, marten fur used to be passed off as expensive sable fur. A chinchilla fur coat should consist of separate pieces, the size of which is no larger than a man’s palm. If you notice that the pieces are much larger, then they are trying to sell you a chinchilla rabbit. Here are some more tips on how to distinguish the fur that you are offered to buy from a fake.
Beaver fur and nutria fur
Beaver fur is often counterfeited with nutria fur. To distinguish the fur of a borb, pay attention to the undercoats; the fur of a borb is thick. The second thing you should pay attention to is the awn - the beaver has a longer awn.
Mink, rabbit, marmot fur
Mink fur lasts a very long time. Mink fur is often passed off as rabbits, which will last a couple of seasons, or marmots, which last a little longer. A fake can be detected by touch. The spine of a mink is hard, while that of a rabbit is very soft. Marmot fur is not uniform along the length of the hair. Mink fur is perfectly smooth and does not itch.
Silver fox and fox fur
The silver fox can be replaced by the fox dog. Pay attention to the hair: the silver fox's hair has three colors: at the tip it is black, in the middle - white, at the base - gray, unlike the fox dog's fur - the fox dog's hair is two-colored.
Is it worth buying dyed fur coats?
Here it is necessary to distinguish why the fur was dyed. If the purpose is to hide defects in fur and its dressing (dark colors are usually used for this), then this is unacceptable. But there are other purposes for coloring. For example, for wild nutria, fur dyeing is mandatory, because... The natural color is not very attractive.
In addition, fur fashion dictates an expansion of the color range of furs, and fur tinting or dyeing it in one or more colors is very often used. Considering the high level of modern technology and the high quality of dyes, such dyeing does not significantly affect the quality of fur.
Therefore, if you like a fur coat made from a bright red mink or a purple fox, feel free to buy it and do not deny yourself anything.
Rules for caring for fur coats and other fur products
At the end of the winter season, the fur product is put away for storage, but first it must be dry cleaned and dried. The best option is storage in specialized fur refrigerators, where the required temperature and humidity are maintained. At home, it should be stored in a closed cabinet in a special case and at a distance of at least 1 m from heating devices. Do not forget to periodically ventilate the product and renew the moth repellent. You cannot sprinkle mothballs on products.
When drying a wet fur coat, shake it and then lay it out on a horizontal surface and dry it at room temperature, away from heating appliances. Carefully comb the dried fur in the direction of the pile.
Hang the product on hangers of your size and with wide brims. It is not allowed to store dyed fur products next to undyed ones.
Quality of leather and fur
The quality of leather, fur or sheepskin in a practical sense is a set of properties that provide:
a) the possibility of transforming leather, fur or sheepskin into elements of a product and connecting these elements using techniques corresponding to the level of modern production-consumer technology;
b) immutability over time, determining the duration of storage;
c) a certain service life of products under operating conditions;
d) hygienic and aesthetic requirements.
From this definition it follows that leather, fur or sheepskin, depending on the intended purpose, must have a certain appearance and be capable of deformation within the limits that are necessary with modern methods of manufacturing products and during their operation. These deformations must be elastoplastic, so that under the influence of physical and physico-chemical influences on leather, fur or sheepskin during the manufacture of the product, the shape given to it can be fixed and maintained during its operation.
The properties of leather, fur and sheepskin must vary within the limits acceptable for each type, both during storage and during operation of the finished product. Leather, fur and sheepskin intended for footwear or clothing, in the finished product:
Should not interfere with the removal of sweat;
Some change in the size of the product so that it does not have a painful effect on the body;
Products should not have a harmful effect on the body;
They must, to a certain extent, protect the body from harmful environmental influences.
The main closely interrelated factors that ensure the quality of leather, fur and sheepskin are:
Microstructure of the dermis;
Changes in the properties of its fibers during the tanning process;
Filling it and changing the properties of hair for fur and sheepskin.
The microstructure of the dermis is changed in the direction of separation in such a way as to ensure the possibility of penetration and uniform distribution of tanning and filling substances in the dermis and to give it certain physical and mechanical properties. Tanning and filling change the chemical and physicochemical properties of the collagen that makes up the fibers of the dermis, and impart certain physical and mechanical properties to the dermis itself. Changes in the hairline are made mainly in the direction of improving its appearance.
The value of an indicator of a particular property of leather, fur or sheepskin may depend on each of the main factors and is not determined unambiguously.
To determine the properties of leather, fur or sheepskin that make it possible to transform them into products with a certain service life under operating conditions, it is necessary to know the nature of the impacts to which they are exposed during manufacturing and operation.
Fur quality criteria
Regardless of the type of fur you prefer, there are universal criteria that determine the value and quality of fur. This is shine and softness, density and height of the pile. The main role is played by the type of fur skin. The best varieties of fur are used for the manufacture of solid products, the worst - for finishing products.
1. Fur quality. The fur should be shiny, elastic, soft and definitely “winter”; it has a very dense, thick down. If you run your palm against the grain, the fibers should not break and there should be no bald spots. Experts identify 5 main indicators of fur quality - its height, thickness, shine, softness and wearability. 
The height of the fur depends on the length of the hairs, and is divided into long-haired, medium-haired and short-haired fur.
The thickness of the fur depends on the thickness of the hair, and not on its quantity. The skins whose fur is the thickest and highest are the most heat-protective and will perfectly warm you in the winter cold.
There are two types of fur sheen: glassy or sharp, and silky or soft. Fur that has no shine at all is called matte. True connoisseurs of fur consider the most valuable thing to be fur with a silky sheen.
There are such concepts as wear resistance and wear time. The better these properties, the higher the strength of the skin and the longer the wear life of the fur product. The durability of fur depends on the combined wear resistance of the hair and skin-fabric, as well as the strength of the bond between the hair and it.
2. The quality of dressing and processing of the skin. The flesh should be soft and elastic; undyed skins should be white; old fur should be yellow. If you squeeze a section of the product in your hand, it should quickly return to its original shape.
3. Type of fur and its wearability presented in the wear resistance table. The most wearable species are otter, beaver, raccoon, sable, and mink.
4. Fur of a cellular or wild animal.
Types of natural fur
The harsh winter climate forces us to dress in warmer and more comfortable clothes. Products made from natural fur fully meet our requirements; among the variety of outerwear, they are unrivaled. They are multifunctional, have undeniable advantages - thermal insulation, hygroscopicity and breathability, allowing air to circulate without allowing the body to sweat. Clothing made from natural fur retains its shape perfectly, does not wrinkle, looks stylish and elegant, and emphasizes the elegance and luxury of its owner.
Natural fur is conventionally divided into groups:
1. According to living conditions:
Fur of aquatic animals - nutria, seal, beaver;
Fur of semi-aquatic animals - mink;
Fur of land animals - sheepskin, squirrel, rabbit.
2. By habitat:
Fur of wild animals - bear, wolf;
Fur from animals raised in captivity - mink, sable, orylag.
3. By pile height: 
Fur of long-haired animals, wool height more than 5 centimeters - fox, arctic fox;
Fur of medium-haired animals, wool height not less than 2.5 cm and no more than 5 - sable, marten, rabbit;
Fur of short-haired animals, wool height less than 2 cm - chinchilla, mink.
4. According to fur density:
Particularly dense fur - otter, beaver, arctic fox;
Thick fur - sable, muskrat, rabbit;
Fur of medium density - fox, marten, squirrel;
Sparse fur - gopher, hamster.
5. Based on the color of the fur, they are distinguished:
With uniform coloring - mink, nutria;
With a pattern in the form of spots or stripes - lynx, leopard;
Zoned colored - raccoon, chinchilla;
With isolated gray hair - sable;
With white tips of hair - a silver-black fox;
With a black veil - veiled Arctic fox, mink.
An important role is played by the practicality and wear resistance of natural fur. Resistance to wear of fur depends on the breed and category, coloring and cutting of the fur. Products made from dyed fur lose 10-20% of their strength. Shearing increases the wear resistance of a fur product by 20-40%, since sheared fur is not felted.
Based on the value and beauty of furs, they are divided into three groups:
Group I - the most expensive - fur of black and silver fox, sable, chinchilla, American mink, marten, beaver, otter, bear (all types), white and black wolf.
Group II - medium in cost - furs of red fox, squirrel, muskrat, wolverine and ferret.
Group III - fur of Russian mink, hare, rabbit, mole.
Table of wear resistance and durability of various types of fur
Wear resistance characterizes the ability of fur material to withstand physical, chemical and mechanical stress that occurs during the operation of fur products, and to stably preserve the basic properties of fur. In accordance with the wear resistance of the skins, the durability of the fur is also determined.
According to the degree of wear resistance, fur is conventionally divided into 5 groups:
Group I - 100-90%, otter, beaver, cat.
Group II - 85-60%, astrakhan fur, mink, muskrat.
Group III - 55-35%, sable, marten, sand squirrel, sheepskin, smushka.
Group IV - 30-17%, squirrel, ermine, rabbit.
Group V - 15-5%, hare, gopher, hamster, mole.
Specialist comments: “Since the research that resulted in this table being compiled, a lot has changed. What remains unchanged is the relative proportion of wear resistance by type of fur. Today, the absolute wear resistance of products has decreased by more than half the table values. The decrease in wear resistance is explained not only by changes in animal feeding regimes, living conditions, and modern technologies for dressing and processing fur. The operating conditions of products have changed very significantly. Previously, a fur coat was of great value and luxury; it was rarely worn, on special occasions, and the attitude towards it was accordingly. Today, clothing from elite types of fur has moved into the category of everyday clothing. The use of products has become more intense and harsh, which has significantly reduced the wear period. According to the RPMS, the estimated duration of wearing mink products is now about 6 seasons (instead of 10 according to the old table), and in practice it may be even less.”
Wear resistance table
The average service life, based on physical wear and tear, is 3-6 years for hats, 5-8 years for coats. The approximate periods for wearing various furs in seasons are indicated in the table; a season for fur clothing is considered to be a period of 4 months.
| Fur name | Seasons | Wearability, % |
| unplucked/plucked | 20/18 | 100/95 |
| Wolverine | 20 | 100 |
| brown and black | 19 | 95 |
| (Kamchatka beaver) | 19 | 95 |
| river unplucked/plucked | 18 | 90/85 |
| marine natural/painted | 17 | 85/70 |
| natural/dyed/ | 17/16 | 80/75 |
| natural/dyed | 16 | 80/65 |
| natural/dyed | 10 | 75/60 |
| Leopard | 10 | 75 |
| Skunk natural/painted | 10 | 70/55 |
| natural/dyed | 10 | 70/55 |
| natural/dyed | 7 | 65/50 |
| 7 | 65/55 | |
| 6 | 50/15 | |
| blue/white | 7 | 60/45 |
| natural/dyed | 6 | 60/40 |
| nature | 5 | 45 |
| natural/dyed | 5 | 45/35 |
| Possum natural/colored | 5 | 40/20 |
| unplucked/plucked | 5 | 40/25 |
| natural/dyed | 5 | 40/35 |
| 5 | 35 | |
| 5 | 35 | |
| natural/dyed | 5 | 30/20 |
| natural/dyed | 4 | 27/20 |
| 4 | 25 | |
| 4 | 25 | |
| Columns | 4 | 25 |
| 3 | 20/10 | |
| 3 | 20 | |
| 2 | 15 | |
| Goat | 2 | 15 |
| 2 | 10 | |
| 2 | 10 | |
| Chipmunk | 1 | 5 |
| Hamster | 1 | 5 |
| Brown hare | 1 | 5 |
Types of dyeing and cutting methods for natural fur
At the end of the 19th century, the Frenchman Emile Chapal brought the first samples of natural fur dyed with aniline dyes from America to Europe. Dyed furs came into fashion during the years of fascination with futurism, scientific discoveries and high technology. Thanks to dyeing technology, furriers could imitate expensive furs. Colored dyed furs were more like fabrics. In the 60s of the 20th century, Raso Rabanne presented dyed fur coats with metal inlays in his collection; in 1971, Yves Saint Laurent created a collection dedicated to Carmen Miranda, represented by short fur coats made of fox, painted in bright green. The leader in fur dyeing has been and remains the fashion house Fendi, which is increasingly experimenting with fur. Recently, dyed furs have become more common in everyday life, and do not cause shock, as in the last century.
There are various technologies for dyeing the ends of the pile in different colors. It is possible to dye only the ends of the hair separately, without changing the color of the base. 
“Snow Top” is a combination of dyeing and bleaching, which creates different colors for the base and ends of the pile. When dyeing, a white starting material is used so that the ends of the hair remain white after dyeing, regardless of the color of the base. Interesting effects can be achieved by combining Snow Top dyeing with a curly haircut or dyeing the ridge.
The “frost effect” is achieved by reserving the tips on any other color of the raw material. Then after painting the original color of the tips will be preserved. The “Breeze effect” occurs when bright luminescent dyes are used, resulting in a bright difference in the color of the base and ends of the hair. Used on mink, arctic fox, rabbit, llama.
By painting the ridge They call dyeing separately only a section of the skin on the back from nose to tail. The paint is applied with a brush or spray. By adjusting the speed of the spray gun and the intensity of paint spraying, you can vary the width of the stripe and the smoothness of the color change from the center to the edges.
Distinguish spine coloring with bleaching, when a light ridge is applied to the dyed skin. In this case, it is possible to make the ridge golden or silver. Backbone dyeing with bleaching is also used to eliminate color defects, especially along the backbone of spring skins. This allows you to remove the red color from the bellies of dark minks and yellow from colored minks.
Graduated dyeing or degradation is called heterogeneous dyeing with a gradual change in color in the direction from head to tail. Usually used on light-colored raw materials: colored mink or arctic fox. The dye is chosen darker than the original raw material. However, it is possible to replace the dye with bleach, allowing you to use dark raw materials.
Fantasy or chaotic coloring called dyeing each skin simultaneously in several colors, from 3 to 20 shades. A good result is obtained on light material: arctic fox, light silver fox and light mink.
Screen dyeing is called drawing a picture using various stencils. Paper stencils are more often used, and the design is applied in 1-2, less often 3, colors. The widespread use of plucked or sheared furs and double-sided products led to the invention of silk-screen printing and chemical stencils in the fur industry. The popularity of screen dyeing, combined with pinching, has forced furriers to use inexpensive furs. When making a semi-finished product, dressed and plucked skins are collected into large plates up to 1 meter, onto which various designs are applied.
Curly haircut called cutting of guard hair or underfur that is not uniform in depth. Usually narrow parallel stripes are cut in 1-2 directions. In combination with dyeing and bleaching, interesting color effects are obtained. Imitation of corduroy is also possible.
Has become more widespread uniform haircut, when the guard hair is cut uniformly to the height of the underfur or deeper, and plucking or epilation with complete removal of the guard hair. Guard hair removal is used on mink, beaver, otter, nutria, sheepskin and rabbit. At the same time, mink, unlike other types of fur, loses its uniqueness and recognition. However, the absence of guard hair is convenient when selling American type mink or European type with defects in the guard hair.
