Helpful tips for caring for fine furs

Helpful tips for caring for fine furs

Before buying, determine why you want a fur coat and consider the styles that best fit your needs and desires. For example, coyote is often the choice when more durable fur is needed, while chinchilla is more fashion-oriented and mink can go either way.

Consider the price range of your budget. Nowadays, quality mink coats under $4,000 are rare, with fine mink coats generally starting around $12,000 and ranging as high as $50,000.

Finding out a fur’s country of origin and date of manufacture can provide insight into its value and possible political ramifications. Often, that information is printed on a label sewn into the coat. Some countries have regulations on how animals can be killed for their pelts; others don’t. Fur quality can vary from country to country.

Beyond fur salons, check out vintage stores, consignment shops, resale stores such as Goodwill and online sources.

These hints will prolong the life of your fabulous fur:

U Hang a fur coat on a padded, broad-shoulder hanger rather than a wire one, and hang it far enough from other garments so that it does not get crushed.

U Never leave a fur in a bright space because light can cause it to oxidize and change color.

U Pinning jewelry and spraying perfume or hair products on a fur coat can damage it.

U If a fur gets wet, shake it out and hang it to dry in a place with good ventilation – but not close to heaters and radiators, which can dry out the fur.

U Get your fur cleaned annually by a fur specialist.

U Skip the closet, basement and attic and store your fur in a furrier vault equipped with temperature, humidity and light controls.

U Hang your fur in a cloth bag rather than a plastic or rubber-lined bag so that it can breathe.