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.

Fox Fur Hats Make the Perfect Fashion Statement

Fox is one of the most luxurious types of fur you can choose. With the wide variety of colors in which foxes come, you will be able to find the perfect color to go with any outfit or outerwear in your wardrobe. One of the most versatile pieces you can purchase for your fur collection is a fox fur hat. When you choose a hat made from fur to top of your outfit, you will be able to take advantage of its many benefits as long as you make the right selection. 

Choosing the Right Fur Hat

Because there are many colors of fox fur hats from which you can choose, you will be able to find one that best complements a larger portion of your wardrobe. Take a look at the clothing with which you are most likely to wear your fur hat. Evaluate whether most of the colors are lighter or darker. As a general rule, it is best to wear a lighter fur with darker clothing and a darker fur with lighter clothing. Make your choice based on the clothing you have the most of or are more likely to wear with the hat.

Fur Hats for Women

While warmth is the top reason why most people wear fox fur hats, women wear them for a larger variety of reasons. There are men who want to be fashionable as well, but for the most part, it is the women who are looking to make the most of the latest fashion trends. In addition to staying on top of the latest fur fashion trends, women also often choose fur hats as a way to draw attention to their face. When you wear a beautiful fur hat that is made from luxurious fox fur, you will likely turn heads wherever you go, bringing attention to your eyes and your beautiful smile.

Fur Hats for Men

Women aren’t the only ones who wear fox fur hats. If you are a man and are looking for a soft, warm hat to wear in the winter months, a fur hat can be the perfect option to complement your outerwear, especially if you have a fur jacket or one that is lined with fur. In general, the men’s fur hats are smaller and in more neutral colors than the female versions of the hats. In addition, these hats tend to be longer to better cover the ears and neck to keep the cold out.

It doesn’t matter if you are a man or woman looking for a fox fur hat or what the purpose is behind your desire for a fur hat, choosing the right one can be the best way for you to show off your sense of style. For women, wearing a fur hat is more about fashion than it is about warmth. For men, it is more about the warmth than the fashion. In either case, it pays to choose wisely so you can match it up with a majority of your wardrobe.

The Varieties of Mink Stoles Available

Mink is one of the most luxurious types of fur used in fur coats, fur stoles and a variety of other fur outerwear and accessories. If you are looking to make the most of your style and wear one of the softest, most beautiful furs available for a touch of elegance to your wardrobe without being too warm, mink stoles can be one of your best options. Before you head out to purchase a stole made from mink, it is important to know what types of options you will encounter.

Natural Mink

Many mink stoles are made only from natural mink. These stoles come in the various shades of color in which mink can be found in the wild. There are no alterations made to the fur itself. Even though the leather beneath the fur is conditioned for longevity and the fur is checked for quality, you won’t find the color changed or the luxurious softness of the fur affected in any way. True wild mink is one of the most sought after types of mink stoles available, making it one of the most expensive options. However, if you have the money to spend, these fur stoles can be your best option.

Farmed Mink                                                                

If you are looking for a slightly cheaper option, farmed mink stoles can be an alternative to the natural mink found in many pieces. Farmed mink isn’t much different than the mink you would find in the wild, though it can often cost less because those who farm the mink are in control of the number of mink pelts that are available to furriers. In addition, the farmed mink can be crossbred to create a variety of colors that can’t be found in the natural mink pelts, providing you with a wider variety of natural fur colors and combinations from which to choose.

Dyed Mink

Some may wonder why you would want to alter the look of mink for mink stoles because of the natural beauty and softness of the natural fur. However, some people want the luxurious softness of mink in a color you just can’t find in natural mink. For instance, some people like a bolder color for fur stoles, such as red, black or shades of brown you can’t find in a mink. When you shop around for mink stoles, you may find furriers who are willing to dye the mink fur for you so you can obtain any color you desire for your stole.

The Design

Another aspect you need to consider when choosing fur stoles is the actual design of the stole. If you end up buying fur stoles that are of a more current design, you will find they often boast a solid design that drapes over the shoulders and down the back for incredible warmth. However, if you choose a vintage style of fur stoles, you will notice the legs and head are often left on the pelt to add a touch of natural beauty for the furs. This design isn’t often found in the current styles of mink stoles.

The Benefits

Understanding the benefits of mink stoles can help you make the choice to use this type of stole over a different type of fur outerwear. Stoles are the perfect addition to your wardrobe when you need a little extra warmth without wearing a full coat. Choosing fur stoles adds to the warmth due to the makeup of the fur, providing you with a level of warmth you can’t achieve from any other type of outerwear. In addition, mink stoles add that extra touch of elegance to your formal wardrobe, providing you with an increased feeling of luxury.

Mink stole are the pure essence of elegance and warmth, making the perfect addition to your wardrobe, particularly your formal wardrobe. The mink from which these fur stoles are made can be hunted in the wild or farmed to provide you with the exact shade you desire for your stole. If you can’t find a natural version of the color you desire, many furriers can also dye the mink fur to provide you with the perfect stole to achieve the style you are looking for.