A Note on Style

What To Do with Fur

What To Do with Fur

Recently, my mother gave me a full length fur coat she’s had since the seventies. I’m at a total loss as to what to do with it. Realistically, I can’t imagine a scenario where I would wear it. Re-styling is an option, but that could get expensive for a clothing item that doesn’t fit my lifestyle. With an increasing number of designers (Gucci is among the latest), retailers (Net-a-Porter) and even cities (San Francisco) going fur free, I think the days of wearing fur, both stylishly and consciously, are numbered.

Do I sell it? Is there an online donation site? Suggestions welcome, but please refrain from opinions on the ethics of fur in general.

*click on What To Do with Fur (post title) to open comments.

 

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Source: photo: Paul McLean

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. If it is mink you might have it sheared and then make a lining for a slouchy camel coat .

    • I love that idea. Yes, it’s mink and I hadn’t considered having it sheared. Brilliant.

  2. After years of living in the cold Northeast, I have several furs. Now, moving to CA, I’m thinking of having one made into a throw and perhaps a hat from another. Even though they are the ultimate warmth, the newer light weight down and other fibers are warm, feather light, and much more versatile.

  3. Someone gave me a shearling jacket once that I wouldn’t wear. I made a bed out of it for my cat and he loves it. If there is an animal shelter near you perhaps they would take. Often shelters are very barren and cold and fur can be a very natural and comforting thing for a cat or a dog.

  4. I have one from my mother too. I’m thinking of seeing how much it would cost to have a poncho made from it ~ I could imagine wearing that in California or when I travel.

    • Yes, that would work for California…and travel. Do you have a furrier in LA you’ve worked with?

  5. I also had an old mink coat from my mother, and considered shearing it to make a vest, a poncho, a raincoat liner, or a bunch of scarves to share with all my nieces. When I consulted with a furrier, she told me that since furs are organic material, they break down over time and become fragile. She advised that it wasn’t worth the expense to re-make this particular mink. I wound up donating the coat to a charity resale shop, and taking a small tax deduction.

    • Good idea.I should have it looked over before I get too invested in any restyling options.

    • Thank you. Those are some good options as well.

  7. My mom gave me a full length mink coat year ago too…I took the sleeves off and made it into a long fur scarf that ties at the neck, shortened the length and can wear it like a vest over a turtleneck…

    • Great idea. Did you have the restyling done locally?

      • No, had it done in Korea….I think there is a good place in B. Hills that does custom tailoring…I’ll ask some friends : )

  8. Don’t they still wear furs in Chicago, New York.. cold places?

  9. I also inherited a beautiful black mink coat from my mother which I would never wear. As an interior designer, it made sense to use it as some sort of furnishing. Last fall I draped it over my desk chair and have now been respectfully using it every day! At first I thought I would have it dismantled and resewn to make a throw type covering for a chair or sofa but have since realized it is not necessary. It drapes asymmetrically and that works for me. Other options would be to use it to recover an ottoman or a stool or have pillows made out of it. Leaving them to rot in the closet seems disrespectful.

    • I like that idea too. It would certainly be appreciated more and seen daily as an interior design element.

  11. I, too, have made scarves and gilets from old furs. Lining a trench would be fabulous. Pologeorgis in NYC is my go-to, they can do anything.

    • You’re lucky to have Pologeorgis near you. I’m leaning towards a trench liner or a throw, but need to find a furrier close by first.

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