Transform Mink Coats into Mink Stoles

Some people purchase mink coats and then find they have no use for it after a special occasion or they wear it a few times. Other people inherit them from relatives who have passed away. No matter how you happen to become the owner of a beautiful mink coat, if you have no use for it, it serves no purpose for you. Therefore, you should consider making the change from a mink coat into luxurious mink stoles you will be able to wear more often for a variety of purposes.

Find the Right Furrier

If you are thinking about transforming your mink fur coat into mink stoles, it is important to find the right furrier for the job. Not all furriers are trained and experienced in restlying fur coats into something else. If you take your mink to the wrong furrier, you may find the item you receive in the end isn’t of the right quality. Once the coat has been cut and transformed into something else, you aren’t likely to be able to fix the problem. The right furrier will work with you to achieve the exact look you desire for your furs.

Determine What You Want

Once you find a furrier who is able to transform your mink coats into mink stoles, you need to determine exactly what you would like to do with the mink. Even though there is one basic style for stoles, you may want to look at the various options available so you can choose an exact style for your stole. If you aren’t sure what options are available, you can meet with the furrier and find out what they think will work well for the mink you already have. Sometimes feedback is necessary to determine what your options are.

Check Prices

Before you allow any furrier to work on your mink, it is important to evaluate the price they charge for their work. Because you are supplying the fur for the mink stoles, the cost of restyling is often much cheaper than having to purchase a new fur product entirely. However, different furriers will charge different prices for their work. While it isn’t necessary to spend a lot of money, those who charge extremely low prices are also often likely to perform low quality work that won’t provide you with the item you have been dreaming about.

If you have purchased or inherited a mink fur coat and you aren’t sure what you would like to do with it, you may want to consider changing it over into mink stoles. Stoles are more versatile than fur coats and can provide you more use than a coat, especially if you live in a climate that doesn’t get particularly cold. Once you make the decision to transform your fur coat into a fur stole, you need to find the right furrier, determine exactly what you want and compare prices for the work so you can get the quality you desire for an affordable price.

The Types of Fur Wraps

Fur wraps are a great way for you to stay warm while staying fashionable when you are out and about. When it is too cool to head out without adding an extra layer, but it isn’t cold enough to require a full coat, especially one made from fur, a wrap can be the perfect alternative. If you don’t yet own one, you will need to look carefully to find one in the right color and fur type to best suit your style. There are many types of furs to consider when you are shopping for the perfect wrap.

Fox Fur

Fox fur is a popular choice when it comes to fur wraps. This fur is available in a variety of stunning colors to allow you to choose the one that will best match your wardrobe. You will be able to find wraps that come in one of several colors, including red, silver, white, black, gray and brown. If you are looking for something completely different from what you might see on most other people, you can choose a wrap that is lined with fox fur.

Mink Fur

Mink is one of the most luxurious furs; however, it is also one of the most expensive furs. When you choose fur wraps that are made from mink, you can expect a soft piece that is bound to draw compliments from the people around you. You will not often find mink as a trim but rather as the main fur type. In some cases, you may find a mink wrap that still has the head and feet attached for a natural look. Mink was once considered a status symbol, only owned by those who were rich. Today, mink is more affordable, making it an excellent choice for many people.

Muskrat Fur

If you think of fur apparel, you don’t often think of muskrat, but this type of fur is often used in wraps for a variety of reasons. Not only do muskrats have a beautiful natural color, including gray and brown, their fur is also more capable of holding dye than many other types of fur. This means if you want a wrap that is a color you can’t find naturally in fur animals, you should consider a dyed muskrat wrap. Whether you choose a natural color for your wrap or decide to dye it a unique color, your wrap is sure to turn heads wherever you go.

When you are looking to make a fashion statement and ward off the cooler weather without feeling too warm, choosing fur wraps can be your best option. If you have made the decision to wear a fur wrap, you will have to choose from the different types of fur animals that are used to create these popular fur accessories. Some of the most popular fur types for wraps include fox, mink and muskrat, allowing you to find the perfect color to complement you wardrobe.

The Differences between Fur Shawls and Fur Stoles

Some people look at all the fur wraps that are available and think they are all pretty much the same thing. While many of them do serve the same purpose, there are distinct differences, especially when it comes to fur shawls and fur wraps. Understanding what those differences are and how each item has been used historically can help you choose which one is the best option for you. 

Original Stole Uses

In the early stages of the use of stoles, they were mostly used as scarves that served primarily religious purposes to distinguish preachers from the rest of the congregation. However, these weren’t the only uses of stoles. In years’ past, fur stoles were worn around the neck to attract pests, such as lice and fleas, so the people who wore the stoles weren’t infested with these creatures themselves. They would attach themselves to the stoles, which could then be discarded or washed, keeping the wearer safe.

Original Shawl Uses

Fur shawls have historically served one major purpose. For most people, shawls were used as a method of keeping warm in colder weather. In some cases, people would wear these shawls because they did not own a coat at all. For others, a shawl was a quick item to put on to run outdoors to complete errands or use the outhouse. 

Physical Differences

There aren’t many physical differences when you are looking at fur stoles and shawls. In fact, today, they can be used interchangeably for the most part, though there are distinct differences. For instance, the stoles are rectangular and often measure only two to four inches across but can be five to six feet long. Whereas fur shawls are often much larger and shaped like a triangle. These shawls can be three feet wide and seven feet across to provide the wearer with greater levels of warmth.

A Matter of Preference

Both fur shawls and fur stoles have their place in the world of fur fashions. When you are choosing the right option for you, consider when and how you will wear the fur to help you make the right choice. For instance, if you are looking for a simple accent piece, a smaller stole can be the perfect option. However, if you are looking for something that is more likely to keep you warm in the cool night air, a shawl can be the better choice. In general, it is a personal decision which one you would like to wear with your outfit.

Some people mistakenly mix up the variety of fur wraps that are available and think they are all pretty much the same thing. This isn’t the case at all, particularly when you are talking about fur stoles and fur shawls. Learning the difference between these two items and how they are used will best help you decide which one to purchase, especially if you aren’t able to buy more than one.

Reasons to Restyle a Fur Coat into a Fur Cape

When you have inherited a fur coat, you may initially be thrilled someone thought enough of you to leave you something of such value. However, if the coat isn’t something that is your style and you aren’t likely to wear it, what should you do? You could shove it to the back of your closet where it would slowly rot away or you can take it to a furrier to redesign it. One of the best options you have to change an inherited fur coat into something you will really use is to restyle it into a fur cape.

A New Style

The biggest reasons why people choose to restyle their furs is because they simply don’t like the style of something they own. The trends for fur coat styles changes often, which means if you are inheriting a fur coat, it most likely isn’t in one of the latest styles. Depending on the original style of the coat, you may not have a lot of options when it comes to restyling. If you don’t have a lot of material to work with, restyling into fur capes can be one of the best options to obtain a style you will prefer to wear.

Eliminate Damage

Not everyone takes good care of their fur coats. If the coat you have inherited isn’t in the best condition, you can take it to a furrier to evaluate it for repairs. However, there are certain types of damage that simply cannot be fixed. If this is the type of damage the coat has incurred, it may be best to restyle it into a fur cape instead. A good furrier will be able to work around the damage so you have a quality fur cape you can be proud to wear.

A More Serviceable Option

Some people simply don’t wear fur coats for any reason. Whether you feel they are too fancy for your style or you live in a climate that really isn’t cool enough for a full fur coat, restyling coats into fur capes can be a better option. Fur capes are a little less formal and provide you with just the right amount of warmth without being too warm. When you own a fur cape rather than a fur coat, you will be able to use it more often, making it well worth any investment you made. If you inherited it, you can rest assured you are wearing the piece someone left to you, even if it isn’t in the exact same form.

Whether you have an old fur coat you bought or you have inherited one from a loved one, you may not like the style. If you want to restyle it, a fur cape can be a great option you can create from just about any type of coat. When you choose a fur cape, you will be able to choose the exact style you desire, remove any damaged areas of the fur and create a more serviceable option you are more likely to wear often.

How to Tell If You Have Real Mink Stoles

In the past, mink stoles showed people you had money and were of great stature in society. Today, mink doesn’t carry that same stature symbol, but it does still carry a high preference when it comes to types of furs. Whether you have purchased a mink piece yourself or you have inherited the mink stoles of a family member, you may wonder how you can tell if the piece you receive is real mink or fake. There are several things you should check.

Feel the Fur

One of the first things you should do is to feel the mink stoles with your hands. Real mink fur is extremely soft to the touch. It doesn’t matter which way you run your hands through the fur, it should feel soft and silky. Fake fur tends to feel coarse when you rub against the grain. It is also important to check for two levels of fur in the stole: the longer guard hairs and the softer undercoat.

Check the Leather

Even if the mink stoles aren’t the same as the coats and other items made from fur, there will still be a layer of leather to which the fur is attached. This should be natural as well. If there is a lining that was used on the underside of the stole, check to ensure the stitching is solid and tight. No hair should be caught in the stitching either. Checking for these features won’t necessarily tell you much about the origin of the fur, but it will tell you that it was well made. In general fake furs aren’t as well made as their real counterparts.

Origins

This is one of the most difficult aspects to check unless you are buying mink stoles from a dealer or you are able to talk to the person who originally bought it. Most mink comes from China, North America and Europe. If it comes from anywhere else, it won’t be as high in quality and may not even be real at all. 

Pelt Label

In most cases, furriers will sew special pelt labels into mink stoles so any future owners can be assured of the purchase of a genuine fur that meets the standards for the North American Fur Association, American Legend mink cooperative and Saga Furs of Scandinavia. When you see a label that indicates the piece has met these high standards, you can be assured you have a genuine fur, as well as one that is of the highest quality possible.

It doesn’t matter if you have purchased mink stoles on your own or if you have inherited one from a relative, you should check into whether the fur is genuine and high quality, especially if you need to insure it under your homeowner’s policy. To determine if you are dealing with a real fur, feel the fur with your hands, check the leather and the stitching quality, ask about the origin of the fur and check for a label that indicates a quality pelt that meets only the highest standards. In the end, it is often best to get it appraised as well.