Faux vs. Real Fur

Are you looking for the perfect fur? An estate sale is your haven, which a large variety of vintage furs to meet your needs. Though fur sales have been down in the past years, you are likely to find an amazing deal! Matching a fur with your outfit is the perfect transition from chic to elegant. So be timeless, grab a fur.

Ever wondered if you are buying real or faux fur? Follow these steps to find out:
1. Look at labels and brands. Many companies use synthetic faux fur when they manufacture. Popular brands like GAP, Banana Republic, Abercrombie, Billabong, etc. will often use this material on jackets, hats, and scarves. So be conscious of what you are browsing – labels can be a perfect indicator of the manufacturer or boutique where the fur is from.
2. Check the price of the fur. This will be an obvious indicator of whether the product is real or not. You should expect to pay no less than $500 for a quality muff or hat, and no less than $1,000 for a coat. At estate sales you are likely to find rare vintage furs, so get your cash ready for a great find!
3. Stick a pin through the fur and lining.  If it goes through easily, the fur is likely faux. Faux fur has a synthetic base, so a pin should not slide through it easily. Real fur has leather lining and is harder to penetrate.
4. The burn test is another great way to find out whether fur is real of not. Pull a couple strands of the fur, place them on a non-flammable surface and light the pieces on fire. If it is real,burned fur will give off an odor; faux fur, however, will melt like plastic and turn into tiny balls. (This is not an invitation to burn the fur, please check with the operator of the estate sale first.)
5. Check the backing! The backing can be seen sometimes by parting the fur and splitting the hairs, this way you can see the roots. If you can make an incision on the side, try to do that. You want to make sure there is a good quality and sturdy backing to your fur. Faux fur will not have this type of backing, it will have a weave-stretchy type of root base.
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