Fur has become
an essential element in today's wardrobe. You will find it in
every major fashion magazine... luxurious, lean sable coats, elegant
fur-trimmed suits, radiant fox stoles, casual mink sweatshirts
and putlovers, short chic fur jackets -- even fur trims on spring
dresses! More designers are including fur in their collections
than ever before.
Once you've decided to add fur to your wardrobe,
how do you go about selecting just the right one? After all,
choosing a fur is very different from choosing a new purse or
a pair of shoes. Each fur is individually hand-crafted and uniquely
designed by highly skilled craftsmen. This booklet is designed
to provide clear information to guide you in finding and caring
for the perfect fur for you.
What to Look For
With today's wide variety of fur fashion,
your choices are endless. So give some thought to your purchase:
How will you wear your fur? Will you spend time in blue jeans
and a funky knitted fur or a leather jacket lined in sheared
beaver? Will you dress for an elegant night on the town in a
classic mink coat? Or will a touch of fur add sophistication
to your work wardrobe, with, for example, an understated fur
collar on a classic wool suit? Once you decide which fur best
fits your lifestyle, it's time to start looking.
Where to Look
- A great place to start is at your local
fur salon. Feel free to browse and ask questions. Your furrier
is an expert who can show you all the exciting fashion possibilities
now available in fur.
Whatever type of fur you choose:
- Check to see that the pelts are lustrous,
supple and well-matched.
- Feel the fur carefully. There should
be a dense, soft underfur that is evident to the touch under
the glossy guard hairs, which should also be soft, never bristly.
- Seams should be sewn tightly. Hems should
fall straight.
- Be sure to try the garment on to see
if the weight is comfortable for you. You may be surprised
at how lightweight many fur coats are these days.
- When you try on a well-made fur, it should
be well-balanced, falling evenly and comfortably from your
shoulders.
- There should be "give" to the
leather side of the fur when horizontal tension is applied.
Every fur represents weeks of specialized
labor and fine hand craftsmanship. Furriers have specialized
skills which often have been handed down from generation to
generation. The creation of each fur requires meticulous workmanship.
Warmth
According to a recent poll, warmth
and comfort are the number one reason people buy fur.
Fashion
Fur is always in style. More than
150 top international designers currently use fur in their collections.
Versatile
Fur can be worn for all occasions.
With jeans or an evening gown, at the ballet or the great outdoors,
fur is the most versatile outerwear you will ever own. And with
lighter weight furs and fur accessories, furs are now a three-season
fashion.
Long lasting
With proper cold storage and care
during the summer months, your fur will last many, many years.
Re-styleable
Your fur can be updated and re-styled
to reflect the latest fashions time and time aqain. Yudofsky
Furriers is one of the few places in the region to be able to
offer this service.
Supports cultures
The fur trade has a proud North
American heritage. The industry supports thousands of people
around the world who have a deep respect for our vital wildlife
habitat, and a direct interest in protecting it.
Responsible conservation
Furs are raised in abundance on ranches
under strict government controls that ensure NO endangered species
are ever used.
Beaver
Sheared: Soft, velvety texture, evenly sheared, and often dyed
in new fashion colors. Very durable. Natural: Long, lustrous
guard hairs over thick underfur.
Chinchilla
A short, dense, soft fur with lustrous slate blue quard hairs
and dark underfur.
Coyote
A long-haired fur, often pale gray or tan in color, with thick,
soft underfur. Very durable fur.
Ermine
Very silky white guard hairs and dense underfur.
Fisher
Silky guard hairs in brown to blackish tones and thick underfur.
Very durable fur.
Fitch
Long guard hairs over light-colored underfur. Color ranges from
pale ecru to orange tones, with black markings.
Fox
The widest range of natural colors of any fur except mink. Long,
lustrous guard hairs with thick, soft underfur. Fox varieties
include silver, cross, crystal, blue, red, gray and white. Can
also be dyed in a wide variety of colors.
Lamb (Broadtail)
A natural flat moire pattern. Natural colors include brown,
black and gray. Often dyed in more exotic colors. Mongolian:
Very long, wavy, silky guard hairs. Its natural color is off-white,
but is often dyed. Mouton: Pelts are sheared closely for a soft,
thick, flat fur. Persian Lamb: From karakul sheep raised in
Central Asia or Southwest Africa, fur features flat silky curls.
Natural colors are black, brown and gray. Shearling: Natural
lamb pelts with the leather side sueded or leatherized and worn
on the outside with the fur on the inside.
Lynx
Canadian Lynx: Displays creamy white tones with characteristic
darker markings. Russian Lynx: The whitest and softest of this
very long-haired fur with very subtle beige markings. The whiter
the fur, the higher the value.
Marten American
Long silky guard hairs and dense underfur. Color ranges
from blue-brown to dark brown. Baum: Softer, silkier and shinier
than American marten. Stone: The finest marten has soft, thick
guard hairs and a bluish-brown cast with pale underfur.
Mink
Soft and lightweight with lustrous guard hairs and dense, soft
underfur. Primarily farm-raised, mink remains the most popular
fur. Female pelts are smaller in size and have a softer, silkier
feel than the larger male pelts. Mink can be dyed a wide range
of colors and may be sheared for a sporty, casual look. Very
durable fur.
Muskrat Fur
Full and thick with a black stripe and pale beige sides.
Often sheared for a sporty, lightweight feel. New Jersey: Lighter
in weight with contrasting colors. Northern: Strong, longer
guard hairs and heavy, thick underfur. Often worked skin-on-skin.
Southern: Flatter with little underfur, usually pale in color.
Nutria
Similar to beaver, it is often sheared for a sporty, more lightweight
feel. Underfur is very soft and plush. A popular fur for linings
and trims, it is frequently dyed in a variety of colors.
Opossum
American: Long, silvery black-tipped guard hairs with thick
underfur. Australian: Short, dense, plush-like fur, with colors
ranging from yellow-gray to natural brown.
Rabbit
Generally medium length guard hairs in a variety of natural
colors. Offer sheared or grooved. Not very durable, sheds easily.
Racoon
Long gray/black guard hairs with silvery tips over a woolly,
dense underfur. Very durable fur. Finn raccoon: Long, thick
tan guard hairs with black tips and dense underfur.
Sable
Long, luxurious guard hairs with dense underfur, yet very
lightweight. Russian sable: Brown with a silver cast, it is
the most expensive fur, especially when there is an abundance
of silver hairs. Canadian golden sable: In amber tones, somewhat
less expensive. Very durable.
Squirrel
Short, soft guard hairs with a flatter, dense underfur. Very
lightweight.
Tanuki
Also called Japanese raccoon with very long guard hairs and
a full texture. Color is light amber brown with dark, distinctive
markings.
Weasel
Similar look to mink, with short guard hairs and semi-dense
underfur.
Brightener added
A process which enhances the color of a fur.
Dyeing
Process of applying dye to create a new color, Dyeing is sometimes
also used to correct any imperfections and to improve uniformity.
Sometimes the pelt is bleached white before color is added.
Guard hair
Long, lustrous outer hair that protects the underfur.
Knitted fur
A new technique that produces a soft, comfortable, fur-in/fur-out
look and feel.
Leathering
Insertion of ribbon, cloth or leather strips along with fur
strips. May be done for fashion or to lighten the weight of
the fur.
Letting out
Cutting the pelt into diagonal strips and resewing it to
make the pelt longer and narrower. Sometimes referred to as
dropping out. The effect is supple and smooth flowing.
Mutation
Natural furs of special colors that are produced by selective
breeding.
Plucking
To emphasize the velvet underhair of the fur. All guard hairs
are plucked before shearing.
Shearing
Cutting fur to a short, uniform pile.
Shearling
Natural lamb pelts with the leather side often sueded and worn
on the outside.
Skin-On-Skin
Rectangular pelts are sewn together to create a box effect
as an alternative to the letting out process.
Tip-dyeing
Sometimes called blending. Dye is applied only to the tips
of guard hairs to produce more color uniformity.
Underfur
The underhair covered by guard hairs. This is the layer of fur
that acts as insulation to provide warmth.
Storage is a Neccessity
Professional storage during the summer months
is most important in maximizing the longevity of your fur. Yudofsky
Furriers is one of the few places in the country where you can
find an actual fur storage vault on the premises. It is specifically
designed to protect the lasting quality of your fur from ever-changing
temperatures, humidity levels, and light.
Home storage -- using air conditioning or
a cedar closet -- will not protect your fur from drying out
or from dust, dirt or insect damage. Homes are not equipped
to provide these combined conditions.
When fur is not stored in a fur vault, the
hair itself may appear fine but the natural oils of the leather
may dry out. Unfortunately, once the damage is done, the oils
cannot be replaced. And when leather is dried out, it is more
prone to rips and tears that cannot be repaired adequately.
Annual fur storage is a practical and inexpensive
way to maintain the quality of your investment.
Regular Fur Cleaning and Glazing is Recommended
Furs should be cleaned once a year. They
may not look dirty, but they need special treatment and conditioning
to keep them soft and supple.
Cleaning and glazing is a dry process that
does not shrink, discolor, change the shape of, or otherwise
damage your fur.
When your furs are cleaned and glazed by
the experts at Yudofsky Furriers, they will be softer and shinier,
and provide you with many years of fashionable wear.
Simple Ways to Protect Your Fur
- Hang your fur on a broad-shouldered hanger.
- Prevent crushing your fur in your closet by protecting it
with a cotton cloth cover.
- If your fur gets wet, shake it out and hang it in a dry
area with circulating air. If fur is soaked, send immediately
to your furrier for treatment.
- Professionally clean and store your coat with your furrier
during the summer months.
- Professional repair small rips or tears immediately.
DO NOT:
- store your fur in a plastic bag
- dry clean your fur
- hang your fur in a lighted room or in
direct sunlight - the color can fade or change
- apply perfume or cologne directly to
your fur
- pin flowers or jewelry on your fur
- comb or brush your fur
- mothproof your fur with chemicals
- leave your fur near a heat source (heating
vent, hot fireplace)
- allow heavy jewelry or a heavy shoulder
bag to rub against the fur
- Is there a difference between female
and male mink coats?
Female mink is generally lighter in weight, softer and
suppler than male mink. Female pelts also have a high luster,
are very silky and soft, and are more adaptable to tailoring
and draping. Male mink is also of excellent quality and is
often used to create unique fashions.
- Where should I go to buy a fur coat?
Always buy a fur from a reputable fur salon or fur retailer.
When you purchase a fur from Yudofsky Furriers, you are assured
of knowledgeable customer service, expert services, and one
of the largest varieties of styles and price ranges in the
country.
- How much should I spend for a good
fur coat?
Always buy the best quality fur in your price range. The
quality and type of fur, the craftsmanship and style of the
garment, and the prominence of a designer name, as well as
length, size and sweep, all determine cost.
- Is sheared fur as warm as unsheared
fur?
Yes. The warmth of the fur is determined by the underfur,
which acts as insulation. Whether the guard hairs have been
sheared or not, the underfur remains.
- Does dyeing a fur affect its quality?
Dyed fur may not be quite as soft as it was in its natural
form.
- Will rain ruin a fur?
A mild rain will not harm your fur. Just hang it to dry in
a well-ventilated room, away from direct heat. After it is
dry, give it a vigorous shake. If your fur gets thoroughly
soaked, bring it to the fur experts at Yudofsky Furriers for
proper care.
- What is shearling?
Shearling is natural lamb (usually dyed) with the leather
side sueded. The sueded side is worn on the outside with the
fur on the inside.
- Are longhaired furs warmer than shorthaired
furs?
No. Warmth is determined by the dense underfur. The outer
guard hairs give the various furs their individual characteristics.
- What can I do with an old fur that
I inherited from a friend or relative?
If a fur has been cared for properly over the years -- that
is, stored and cleaned annually -- there are many options
available. The style can be updated into a more modern look.
It can also be used as a liner to an outer shell made of micro-fiber,
cashmere or leather. You might also consider using the fur
as trim on a wool coat, suit or sweater. Fur pillows can add
a luxurious accessory to a home.
- How strict are the guidelines for
the fur industry?
The fur trade is a responsible industry that uses a renewable
natural resource and is strictly regulated by provincial,
state and territorial wildlife departments, and governmental
protocols. You can feel proud to wear fur because no endangered
species are used.
Yudofsky Furriers
Joy Yudofsky, President
2225 Holiday Manor Center
Louisville, Kentucky 40222
or call:
502.425.2121
or contact us via email at:
jyfur@aol.com
Other sources of information
Fur Information Council of America
447-A Carlisle Drive
Herndon, Virginia 20170
www.fur.org
Fur Council of Canada
1435 St Alexandre
Suite 1270
Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A2G4
www.furcouncil.ca
Fur: A Proud North American Tradition of
Impeccable Craftsmanship and Responsible Conservation
