Checking Fur: Real vs. Faux

When you’re out hunting for the fur coat of your dreams, remember that there are two types: natural or real, and synthetic or faux. You should know that each type has their distinct advantages and disadvantages that may or may not play well for your skin and the climate in your area. Here are some tips on distinguishing real from faux fur:

The Label

The Federal Trade Commission has mandated all manufactured and imported fur coats or vests for distribution in the United States to have what’s called the Fur Label Authority tag. This tag details whether or not the fur is real or synthetic. This only applies, though, to fur that have been sold after 1951, so there is still a number of vintage coats, jackets and vests without it.

Backing

Look underneath the lining of your fur; find a spot where you could easily see inside, or at least feel the underside with your hands and open up the seam just enough to poke your finger inside. Fur made of real animal pelts should feel as smooth as leather and is often sewn together in strips or sections.

Photos

When buying online, and you have nothing but the pictures to use as a guide, don’t despair; you can still identify real from synthetic fur, as long as there are high quality pictures of the vest. Close-up pictures of synthetic fur often reveal signs like a scruffy appearance or an unnatural-seeming glossiness.

Caring for Fur Jackets: The Basics

Winter is fast approaching, so it’s only right that you let your fur coats and jackets out once again. If you want your fur to keep protecting you from the cold (and your neighborhood fashion critics, too), you have to keep it clean and well-maintained throughout the season. Here are some cleaning tips that you can try out.

After Use

After a day of shopping or simply hanging out geared with your trusty furs, make sure that they are properly stored. Never use plastic to cover your fur jacket or coat; remember that the material will cause the fur to dry out and the silk lining to rot. Instead, use a dark-colored fabric cover and hang it on a padded, broad-shouldered hanger.

Closet Specifics

Never store your fur in a cedar cabinet, either, nor should you store it with moth balls, since being stuck up with the smells of these materials for a long time will allow the odor to stick to your fur. You should also keep the space as dark as possible, as direct contact with light can fade it.

Say No to Perfume

Don’t put on perfume while you have your fur jacket on; the alcohol will cause the pelt to dry up, not to mention that it will stain the lining and the smell could inadvertently remain and stay in your fur, much like the mothball and cedar from earlier. If you must, spray on the perfume first, and then put on your fur wear.

Fur Coats 101: Cleaning

Fur coats are great articles of clothing: they look great, they age well if well-maintained, and they keep the wearer warm on cold winter days. If worn properly, men and women alike can look classy with the right fur coat.

Like all items, however, fur coats can gather dust and become dirty when kept in storage for an extra long period of time. A dirty fur coat is an unattractive fur coat, so cleaning has to be done in order to get the coat back to its pristine condition.

Here are some of the things one has to consider whencleaning fur coats:

1. Determine the type of fur. Determining the type of fur the coat has is helpful in the cleaning process. Different kinds of furs have different peculiarities that the owner has to be aware of, or she might risk ruining the coat.
2. Be careful with liquids. If a fur solution is to be applied to the coat, spray it evenly, with one spray per area. Do not soak the fur. If the coat gets wet after getting exposed to the outside, shake the coat out and hang it in a cool, dry space away from the sunlight.
3. Trust the professionals, and have it cleaned annually. Furriers have extensive experience with different kinds of fur coats, and they know what appropriate actions are to be done. Make sure that the coat gets cleaned at least once a year, be it DIY or professional work.

Trendy Ski Jackets For The Slopes

As part of the American culture, a lot of Americans enjoy going down the slopes of a snowy mountain with a pair of skis or a big snowboard. Once a means of transportation, it has developed into a sport that is now covered by the Winter Olympics.

Along with the fun and physical activity that comes with skiing is the gear and clothing that people wear specifically for the sport. Ski clothes have become as interesting as the activity itself, and a lot of skiers have taken close attention to their looks when they ski.

The ever-changing trends in ski wear show just how important looks are in skiing. Here are some of the trends that are making people excited once more about updating their ski wear:

1. The return of color. There was a time when ski resorts were dominated by a sea of black and white. Today, brighter colors dot the pristine white hills, representing energy and action. Aside from that, it helps in avoiding collisions as the colorful jackets are effective warning signs for other people.
2. Technological upgrade. Ski wear technology is also improving. Bulkier items may not necessarily mean better protection and comfort, after all. Now, most ski jackets are designed to be lighter, while at the same time stronger and more effective in protecting against harsher environment conditions.
3. Fur is back. Fur is always appealing; not only is it functional, it is also aesthetically pleasing. 

Classic Bikers' Fashion: The Leather Jacket

John Travolta and Olivia Newton John schooled us all on how to make leather jackets look cool in Grease. The fascination for this apparel, however, can not exclusively be attributed to the T-Birds. Bikers, in particular, have consistently been stereotyped as jacket-leather donning folks, paired up with a pair of mean cowboy boots and bandanas. It's not the most comfortable piece, though, so it does beg a lot of curiosity why a lot of people still prefer to wear this.

Some veteran riders say that leather jackets are highly versatile pieces of outer apparel. They state that leather’s thick composition allows the rider to withstand various environmental conditions out on the road. For instance, the material protects the riders’ skin from being singed by UV radiation during daylight and to prevent soaking the upper body from water during downpours.

The leather jacket may serve as an effective armor as well from small, flying debris that the bike rider is usually exposed to on the road. Most importantly, in the unfortunate event that they skid off the road, a biker wearing leather jacket can minimize scratches and bruises, thanks to the material absorbing the friction.

For these reasons alone, it should now be settled why leather jackets are actually an integral part in the bikers' wardrobe, not only because it fits the stereotype, but because they really do need an apparel like it. 

Fur Coats: Winter Luxury or Necessity?

If you’re in the northern latitudes nowadays, you may be feeling the chills wherever you go. As such, you will need some sort of protection as the temperature degrees plummet further. Furs may just seem like an unnecessary luxury to add to your closet, but there is no denying its functionality, particularly during the long winter nights.

To start, fur coats are highly comfortable; many are made from animal hide, thereby having the natural resistance against cold. Mink, sable, fox, or grey wolves are just some of the examples of sources of good fur.

Versatility is a key element in any fur coat, whether natural or faux. Suppose you have a fur coat that has been passed down your family for generations, but its design is not quite to your tastes. You can ask a reputable fur coat company to restyle it according to your preferences. Another advantage of a fur coat is that it can be worn at formal events, especially darker colors that can go well with the dress code for black tie affairs. The length and measurement of the garment is a factor as well to ensure you'll get optimum comfort.

Donning a fur coat for the winter is a surefire way to keep warm. Despite its cost, too, it sure is a worthy investment. 

“Skin Care”: Tips for Cleaning Shearling Jackets

Shearling jackets may be stylish and durable, but they’re not completely impervious to dirt, grime, moisture, and the like. Unlike ordinary clothes, these jackets require special treatment for cleaning and maintenance since they’re made from sheepskin. Liquid stains, for instance, tend to stick to the fabric and so must be removed slowly with a small damp cloth. Harder stains require the application of a corn starch mixture to dissolve them.

If the jacket gets drenched, excess water must first be shaken off before being hungit out to dry. Rubbing a wet shearling jacket is strongly discouraged, because this will force the water to seep deeper into the skin. Dry-cleaning may also be a bad idea because the treatment can remove the natural oils of the garment which give its distinctive texture and scent. Hand or machine-washing should only be considered if the jacket’s label says it’s safe to do so.

As for storage, shearling jackets are best kept in room temperature so that the integrity of their garments are preserved. If possible, they should be kept away from direct sources of heat such as heaters, blow-dryers, and even some kinds of lamps. For traveling purposes, shearling jackets shouldn’t be stored in plastic or vinyl bags because these materials don’t allow the garment to breathe.

Types of Outdoor Coats For Everyone

Even though they’ve been around for hundreds of years, coats derived from animals remain to be a classic, stylish outerwear worn by both men and women. Much have changed since then as far as the creation of these coats are concerned. Fur coats, in particular, can either be made from genuine or synthetic materials, otherwise known as faux fur. Generally speaking, outerwear such as these can still be classified based on the material they’re made from.

Wool or wool blend coats are mostly derived from sheep or lamb fleece, although they can also be made from other materials, like camel hair. Because of this variety in materials, wool blend coats can be coarse or soft to the touch, sometimes both. Cashmere blend coats are roughly the same as wool coats, but they are much more durable. Fleece coats, meanwhile, are universally soft and lightweight. They also have a certain degree of insulation, which makes them a popular outerwear for avid outdoorsy people.

For those who don’t mind the additional bulkiness, the traditional fur coat would suit them as it gives even greater insulation while being stylish at the same time. Shearlingcoats, in particular, have a very smooth texture that make them comfortable to the skin. Faux fur coats are more affordable and mimic the appearance of real fur, although not so much in terms of texture and comfort.

In The Wild: Determining Types of Fur at a Glance

Fur doesn’t refer to a single type of textile; instead, it’s a catch-all term used to describe numerous pelts. Those new to the world of fur will find it useful to know exactly the differences between each type, especially among furs that look oddly the same at first glance. Additionally, the ability to appraise and correctly identify fur can help buyers make smarter purchases.

If the fur’s color is between gray or slate blue, the garment is likely made from chinchilla. Otherwise, if the fur is dense and tan in color, it might be coyote fur. Should the fur appear white with black tips, it’s undoubtedly made from ermine, one of the most iconic furs there is. There are many other fur types possible, and owners can tell them apart simply by looking carefully at the fabric used. Simply put, the appearance of a fur can be a dead giveaway to its origins, and most furs are used without dye, making identification easier.

Some owners can be confused in determining the type of fur used in their garments. There are furs, after all, that look exactly the same yet are made from different pelts, such as mink and fox. Those itching to properly identify their fur clothes might want to take them to a professional fur dealer who can properly evaluate the textile.

Furred Friends: On Fur Coat Care and Upkeep

Fur is one of the most exquisite textiles in the world, and it’s largely because of the style the fabric exudes. It helps that fur makes for an extremely breathable piece of clothing, and is very soft to the touch. However, as fur is made from the hide of animals, it’s usually even more vulnerable to wear and tear versus other clothing materials.

Naturally, those who own fur coats should learn how to properly take care of them. From the way they’re hung to how they should be worn, there are specific guidelines on how to take good care of a fur coat. Proper treatment can extend the life of a fur coat, as well as maintain its beauty and appeal for the wearer. Well-preserved furs can even have a higher resale value, considering that vintage pieces are much sought after.

Because of its special quality, owners of fur coats should be extra careful when it comes to their cleaning and storage. Being exquisitely delicate material, furs should not be stained, and owners are advised to leave the cleaning only to trained experts. Also, fur should be kept in a closet with proper air circulation so that the hide doesn't crack with dryness. Preferably, it must be kept out of direct sunlight, too, to prevent discoloration. Some advice guides recommend homeowners to hang their fur coats in cool and dark closets, to protect the quality of the fur.