Fur Basics
We have been dressing customers for decades in premium furs from around the world. We carry high-quality fur and fur-trimmed garments and accessories, including fur hats, jackets, full-length fur coats, fur handbags and warm winter accessories like fur earmuffs, collars, scarves and gloves.
If you ever wondered what the difference is between say, fox fur or raccoon fur, or been curious about how rabbit fur feels compared to long-haired mink fur then we have made a helpful overview of the different fur types we use, describing the features, look, and feel of each type so you can know exactly what you’re shopping for.
In general fur consists of two layers, each with a different type of hair.
Underfur:
This is the bottom – or inner – layer, composed of wavy or curly hairs with no straight portions or sharp points. These hairs, which are also flat, tend to be the shortest and most numerous in the coat. Temperature regulation is the principal function of these hairs, which insulates a layer of dry air next to the skin.
Guard Hair:
Guard hair is the top – or outer – layer of the coat. Guard hairs are longer, generally rougher, and are nearly straight, protruding through the layer of softer underfur. Guard hair repels water and blocks sunlight, protecting the undercoat and skin in wet places, and from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation.
Mink
Mink fur is one of the most popular fur types. Mink comes in a number of natural colours, greys and browns plus shades of white. The fur can also be dyed almost any colour. It is extremely soft and silky and has a bright sheen.
Mink is a short fur. The guard hairs on the mink are relatively short in comparison to many of the other furs and has a large number of hairs per square cm/inch.
Mink fur clothing is extremely comfortable as it is both warm and lightweight, as well as very durable lasting a long time without any noticeable changes.
Fox
Fox fur is almost as versatile as mink. It comes in many different colours like red, white, grey, silver and even blue. In addition, the natural colours can be dyed many other colours.
Fox fur is nice and fluffy, the guard hairs of fox fur are long and lustrous and it is often used as the trim on coats and other garments.
It is also very warm and lightweight compared to other furs.
Beaver
Beaver fur is one of the warmest furs. Beaver fur is also incredibly water-repellent as beavers live in the lakes and rivers, and also stays dry in rain or snow.
The fur has stiffer outer guard hairs and very soft, thick underfur. It does not look as fluffy as other furs but it performs well in very cold climates and is extremely rugged and durable.
Sheared Beaver
Sheared beaver fur is the same as regular beaver fur except the stiffer outer guard hairs are removed so that the softer under hairs are exposed making it feel incredibly soft.
The soft under fur is what provides the animal with the warmth they need during the coldest winter months, so gives high level of warmth which is ideal for winter outerwear.
Beaver fur is also water-repellent as beavers live and work in the lakes and rivers which means it also stays dry in rain or snow.
Sheared beaver fur is also very lightweight, so not heavy to wear. The fur is firmly attached to the skin and is very thick so it is very hard wearing and clothing will last a long time and should never get bald spots. It is also less expensive than other furs, up to 50 percent less in some cases.
Sable
Sable furs are incredibly attractive but can be a lot more expensive than other types due to its rarity. For this reason it is used as an accent piece rather than for full fur coats.
It usually comes in a deep, luxurious brown colour, the tips usually have a silver colouring to them that can take on a bluish hue in certain lights.
There are two types: Russian sable, which is a brown colour with a small silver sheen, and Canadian, which features gold and amber tones.
It is smooth and silky to the touch, no matter which way you stroke it. When other furs are stroked against the grain, they feel rough.
Sable is a very lightweight fur and so easy to wear.
Chinchilla
Chinchilla fur is one of the highest quality furs you can find and also one of the priciest of furs.
It is soft and silky and the texture is unmatched. It is one of the most comfortable types of furs you can own.
Chinchilla is not only ultra-soft but also hypoallergenic.
Rabbit
Rabbit fur is very versatile and probably the most affordable. Everything from full fur coats as well as numerous other accessories can be made from rabbit fur.
It is easy to work with, so it can be styled many different ways even crafted into coats and accessories resembling other types of fur such as mink.
It is also very lightweight, yet the guard hairs are nice and dense, which makes it a warmer choice.
Rex Rabbit
The Rex is a type of rabbit whose fur lacks the longer guard hairs typical of the more common short-furred rabbit. Each hair in a Rex rabbit coat is evenly short in length and, because of the density of those hairs, rex fur is often described as plush or velvety.
There are many different colour varieties available of the Rex rabbit breed, some of the more common ones include black, blue, amber, chocolate, chinchilla, red, tortoiseshell and white.
Shearling
Shearling is a skin from a recently shorn sheep or lamb that has been tanned and dressed with the wool left on. It has a suede surface on one side and a clipped fur surface on the other. Usually the suede side is worn outward. Real shearling breathes and is flexible, heavy in weight and the fur is quite dense.
It is water-resistant and provides excellent protection from cold winters and freezing winds. Shearling hats, coats, jackets and accessories are very functional and durable. You can wear them in a light rain or on a snowy day and can be confident that your garment will remain in perfect condition.
Raccoon
Raccoon fur is soft, dense, and fluffy and makes beautiful collars and trims, thanks to its unique colouring and fantastic loft. With long, tipped guard hairs and thick, dense underfur, raccoon offers terrific warmth and is quite durable when cared for properly.
Sometimes the distinctive black tail fur with tan rings is used for trim, but the black-tipped, silver-grey body fur is more commonly used.
Marmot
Marmot that is used for fur comes from Russia and China and they are well-suited for cold climates.
Their fur tends to be coarse, although the guard hairs are silky and the underfur is thick. It is bluish in colour before hibernation and yellowish afterwards. Although it may be used in its naturally bluish colour, it can also be dyed to resemble mink. Marmot is reasonably durable and not expensive.