Highly-valued for their utility and status-conferring ability, fur coats always seem to be in style. It makes sense, however, when you think about how animals in nature put them to good use. From fall to winter, furs dominate, and the demand is so high you’ll often see fur accessories during the warmer months.

According to the experts from a popular furrier company, Rosendorfevansfurs.com, “The furrier should be able to give you detailed information about where the fur originated and where the coat was manufactured.” And they’ve been offering fine fur selections for over a hundred years!

Here, we’ll take a look at some of the animals that are most prized for their fur – and why.

The Prized Fur of the Mink

Although indigenous to the North American continent, the mink is now being bred in other locations because of its prized fur. First of all, the fur is naturally short, so provides an almost unparalleled sheen.
Additionally, mink fur is quite warm because of its density. It’s worth it to note that there are other furs which are much warmer; but with mink, you don’t have to sacrifice fashion for warmth. Besides, some of those other furs shed hair and make for a relatively messy evening out in the cold unless they’re made especially well.

Fox Fur

Fox is a fur industry favourite, and its appeal has withstood the passage of time rather well. You can find this type of fur on almost every continent, in places as varied as North America, Russia, Australia, Scandinavia, and South America. Its hallmark is a lush undercoat that provides the kind of warmth you’d expect from an animal that braves the Siberian tundra and the trenchant cold of the Scandinavian steppes. The fox has long hairs, and comes in a range of natural colors; the reddish-brown combination is a seasonal standout.

The Siberian black fox, in particular, fetches some of the highest fur prices in the world because of its prime attributes. It has the ability to keep the wearer very warm without adding a lot of weight.

Sable Fur: Sparing No Expense

Don’t even think about sable fur unless you’re a banker or married to one! Easily one of the most expensive brands; the first Russian fur traders actually referred to it as “the golden fleece.” Deriving from the Siberian sable mammal, the fur itself is simply a wonder to behold because of its virtually matchless qualities:

• Very, very lightweight
• Glides on the skin like satin
• Dense and durable
• Lustrous and sparkling
• One of the warmest furs available despite being almost weightless

It’s no surprise that sable fur is still called “soft gold,” because the prices that the pelts can fetch are comparable to the precious metal itself.

Caribou Fur for Extreme Cold

If you can get a parka comprised of caribou fur, then you’ll never know what it’s like to be cold again. One look at the hooded wear of Inuits and Eskimos should tell you all you need to know about the caribou’s heat-preservation abilities. The hollow hairs are also hydrophobic: they repel water so that you don’t get wet. Observe how caribou in their natural habitat cross rivers and emerge looking almost dry.

There are many types of fur coats, given the popularity of the industry (which has seen its ups-and-downs over the years). As utilitarian as they are fashionable, fur is nature’s raincoat and provider of warmth. Peruse the list of furs and their attributes when you’re in the market for one, and you won’t be disappointed with the result.

Do you like the fur style?

*The coats I have on in these photos are faux fur.

*Collaborative post.