Fur Buying Guide - Understanding Different Types of Fur
Five generations of luxury craftsmanship
Whether you are looking for timeless elegance or modern statement outerwear, understanding the unique textures, warmth and weights of fine furs ensures you select the perfect piece for you. Explore our guide below to discover the distinct characteristics of the premium furs we handcraft, style and customize.
Essential Fur Terminology
Before choosing your garment, here are a few key terms to help you navigate fur craftsmanship:
- Guard Hairs: The visible top layer of long, straight fur that adds luster, protection, and sheen.
- Underfur: The bottom layer of shorter, dense fur providing natural insulation and plush softness.
- Sheared Fur: Fur sheared to remove the guard hairs. This creates a lightweight, velvety texture while retaining full thermal warmth.
- Full Skin vs. Sectioned (Pieced): Full skin furs use whole, continuous pelts for a seamless appearance. Sectioned or "pieced" furs artfully align smaller pelt sections for unique visual patterns at a more accessible price point.
Mink Fur
Plush & Elegant
Lightweight & Durable
Lends itself to Formal or casual styling - very versatile
Long Hair (Unsheared) Mink Fur
Features lustrous guard hairs layered over a soft, dense underfur for a radiant sheen.
Sheared Mink Fur
Sheared to a velvety, plush finish that is lighter in weight, while preserving maximum warmth.
Female Mink Fur
Female mink fur pelts are smaller, lighter, and silkier, offering a supple drape (often prized for higher-end couture). Male pelts are larger and denser.
Sectioned, Sculpted or Pieced Mink Fur
Patterned pieces of mink fur, crafted together for a chic, textured look at a budget-friendly price.
Fox Fur
Full-Bodied Volume
Fluffy and Lightweight
Dramatic Flare
Voluminous, and inherently glamorous, fox fur makes an unmistakable style statement.
Texture & Look:
Features long, radiant guard hairs with a soft, dense underfur that creates a dramatic, fluffy silhouette.
Versatility:
Exceptional for full-coverage coats, statement collars, hoods, and trim accents.
Color Palette:
Available in striking natural shades or dyed vibrant, contemporary colors for fashion forward flair.
We custom-make many of our furs, at our corporate office in Montgomery, AL - contact us to have your dream fur custom-made!
Chinchilla Fur
Softest Fur Available
Very Lightweight & Warm
Unmatched Natural Density
Chinchilla is recognized worldwide as one of the most prestigious and tactile luxury furs available.
Featherweight Warmth:
Boasting the highest fur density, chinchilla offers incredible insulation without feeling heavy.
Signature Appearance:
Famous for it's natural slate gray, charcoal, and white ombre contrast.
Exclusivity:
Preferred by the global elite for full-length coats, cropped jackets, and opulent trims.
We custom-make many of our chinchilla fur garments at our corporate office in Montgomery, AL - contact us today to custom-make your dream fur!
Rabbit Fur
Heavenly Soft
Sporty & Versatile
Accessible Luxury
Rex Rabbit:
Originally developed in France, rex rabbit lacks prominent guard hairs, resulting in a plush, ultra-dense texture that closely mirrors sheared mink fur.
Knitted Rabbit:
Crafted by weaving fur yarn, this flexible style is ideal for everyday wraps, scarves, jackets, and children's outerwear.
Lynx Fur
Silky Drape
Dramatic Natural Patterns
Very Warm
Lynx fur features breathtaking natural spotting and dense underfur.
Texture:
Silky texture with dense underfur to keep you warm, without being heavy in weight.
Lynx Belly Fur:
Crafted exclusively from the soft white underbelly of the pelt, creating an unique light-toned masterpiece.
We custom-make many of our furs, at our corporate office in Montgomery, AL - contact us today to have your dream fur custom-made!
Bobcat Fur
A rugged, yet refined option featuring natural warm tan, brown, and ivory tones with distinct spotting. Bobcat furs feature breathtaking natural spotting and exceptional warmth.
- Available in both sectioned and full skin options.
Silky Drape
Dramatic Natural Patterns
Head-Turning Color
Full Skin Bobcat Fur:
Extremely lightweight, highly lustrous, features stunning natural spots, and costs more due to premium quality.
Sectioned Bobcat Fur:
Slightly heavier, shows lovely color variations, and offers a more affordable price point.
We custom-make many of our furs at our corporate office in Montgomery, AL - contact us today to have your dream fur custom-made!
Sable Fur
Rare & Prestigious
Silky Sheen
Featherlight Warmth
Sable sits at the pinnacle of luxury outerwear. Highly prized for its rarity and cloud-like feel, it's one of the most coveted furs in existence.
Full Skin Sable Fur:
Rich brown hues infused with silver-tipped guard hairs that create a luminous cast and effortless drape. It features incredible softness and is known as the "aristocrat of furs," it feels exceptionally silky and light rather than heavy or course. Full skin sable fur garments provide superior warmth, while maintaining a fluid, living texture with a gorgeous natural sheen.
Sectioned Sable Fur:
Intricately assembled sable sections that deliver the unmistakable sheen and warmth of sable at a lower price point.
We custom-make many of our furs at our corporate office in Montgomery, AL - contact us today to have your dream fur custom-made!
Coyote Fur
Rugged & Resilient
Dense & Insulated
Beautiful Natural Hues
Coyote offers a striking balance of durability, texture, and natural beauty, while providing exceptional warmth.
Full Skin Coyote Fur:
Coyote fur has its own signature appearance. Fur color varies naturally, from grayish-brown to yellow-gray, depending on the fur's geographic origin.
Sectioned Coyote Fur:
Sectioned coyote fur garments are crafted using small pieces of coyote fur, to create a beautiful pattern, and are more affordable than full skin coyote fur garments.
We custom-make many of our furs at our corporate office in Montgomery, AL - contact us today to custom-make your dream fur!
Beaver Fur
Glossy & Durable
Naturally Water Resistant
Supreme Thermal Protection
Beaver fur is one of the warmest & most resilient furs in the world.
Beaver fur consists of two layers of fur. It features long, coarse, glossy guard hairs. The underfur is made of dense, short, fine hairs that together, with an oily material, provide the water resistant barrier for the fur.
Sheared Beaver Fur:
Removes the outer guard hairs to reveal a velvety, moisture-wicking underfur - perfect for ultra-cozy jackets and plush blankets.
Natural Beaver Fur:
Preserves the glossy, water-repellant guard hairs for a bold, rugged, and classic outdoor aesthetic.
We custom-make many of our furs at our corporate office in Montgomery, AL - contact us today to custom-make your dream fur!
Ready to purchase your perfect fur?
Feel free to shop our website, or visit any of our stores, to view our stylish & handcrafted furs. We custom-make many of our furs, so if you don't see what you're looking for on our website, contact us. Our helpful customer service team is just a chat, email, or call away, so don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
Chat with us, call us at 334-277-7610, or email us at [email protected]
Qualities of Fur Types
Care & Maintenance Quick Tips
Cold Storage
Temperature-controlled storage during the summer months preserves the natural oils in the leather and helps prevent shedding and drying out.
Cleaning & Conditioning
Annual professional cleaning & conditioning removes dirt & impurities, protects natural oils, and maintains your fur's luster.
Home Care Basics
- Hang your fur on a broad shouldered hanger
- Do not store your fur in a cloth or plastic garment bag at home (garment bags are only recommended for travel)
- Hang in a cool, dark closet (sunlight oxidizes fur, and can change the color (this can't be reversed)
- Be sure to store & clean your fur each spring/summer
- Have an repairs completed as soon as possible, preferably during storage season
FAQ
Below are some common questions: