Warmth is the number one reason people like to wear fur, according to a recent poll of fur buyers. Fur is nature's most beautiful answer to Winter.
Modern, casual or elegant, fur is always in style. More than 150 top international designers are now using fur in their collections.
Fur is a naturally durable fiber that lasts for many, many years.
As styles change, your fur can be updated and re-styled to reflect the latest fashions time and time again.
A fine natural product, fur is bio-degradable and a renewable resource.
Fur can be worn for all occasions. Whether with jeans or an evening gown, wearing fur will make you look and feel terrific! With lighter weight fur and fur accessories, furs are now a three-season fashion.
When you buy fur, you support thousands of people living on the land - people who have a direct interest in protecting vital wildlife habitat. The fur trade is a proud North American heritage. http://www.furisgreen.com/furisgreen.aspx
Furs used in the trade are abundant. Strict government controls ensure that NO endangered species are ever used.
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Soft, sensual, cozy and lightweight - nothing equals the feeling of wearing fur.
The fur trade is a responsible, well-regulated industry. You can feel proud of your choice to wear natural North American furs.
With today's wide variety of fur fashions, the choices are endless. So give some thought to your purchase:
Once you decide which fur best fits your lifestyle, it's time to start looking.
A great place to start is at our fur salon. Feel free to browse and ask questions.
At Alex Furs they are experts who can introduce you to the world of fur.
Also see FUR CARE
Types of Fur - Different fur, Different features
Beaver ShearedSoft, velvety texture. Often dyed in new fashion colours. Natural: Long, lustrous guard hairs over thick underfur. |
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ChinchillaA short, dense soft fur with lustrous slate blue guard hairs and dark underfur. |
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CoyoteA long-haired fur, often pale grey or tan in colour, with thick soft underfur. Very durable fur. |
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ErmineVery silky white guard hairs and dense underfur. |
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FisherSilky guard hairs in brown to blackish tones and thick underfur. Very durable fur. |
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FitchLong guard hairs over light-coloured underfur. Colour ranges from pale ecru to orange tones, with black markings |
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FoxThe widest range of natural colours of any fur except mink. Long, lustrous guard hairs with thick, soft underfur. Fox varieties include silver cross, crystal blue, red, grey and white. Can also be dyed in a wide variety of colours. |
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Lamb |
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Broadtail: A natural flat moire pattern. Natural colours include brown, black and grey. Often dyed in more exotic colours. | |
Mongolian: Very long, wavy, silky guard hairs. Its natural colour is off-white, but often dyed. | |
Mouton: Pelts are sheared closely for a soft, thick, flat fur. | |
Persian Lamb: From karakul sheep raised in Central Asia of Southwest Africa, fur features flat silky curls. Natural colours are black, brown and grey. | |
Shearling: Natural lamb pelts with the leather side sueded or leatherized and worn on the outside with the fur on the inside. | |
LynxCanadian Lynx: Displays creamy white tones with characteristic darker markings. |
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Marten AmericanLong silky guard hairs and dense underfur. Colour 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. |
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MinkSoft 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 male pelts. Minks can be died a wide range of colours and may be sheared for a sporty, casual look. Very durable fur. |
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MuskratFur is 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 colours. Northen: Strong, longer guard hairs and heavy, thick underfur. Often worked skin-on-skin. Southern: Flatter with little underfur, usually pale in colour. |
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NutriaSimilar 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 colours. |
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Opossum AmericanLong, silvery black-tipped guard hairs with thick underfur. Australian: Short, dense, plush-like fur, with colour ranging from yellow-grey to natural brown. |
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RabbitGenerally medium length guard hairs in a variety of colours. Often sheared or grooved. Not very durable, and may have a tendency to shed. |
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RaccoonLong grey/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. |
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SableLong, luxurious guard hairs with dense underfur, yet very lightweight. Russian sable: Brown with 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. |
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SquirrelShort, soft guard hairs with a flatter, dense underfur. Very lightweight. |
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TanukiAlso called Japanese raccoon with very long guard hairs and a full texture. Colour is light amber brown with dark, distinctive markings. |
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WeaselSimilar look to mink, with short guard hairs and semi-dense underfur. |
Every fur represents weeks of specialized labour 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. The following terms describe some of the elements involved:
A process which enhances the colour of a fur.
Process of applying dye to create a new colour. Dyeing is sometimes also used to correct any imperfections and to improve uniformity. Sometimes the pelt is leached white before colour is added. Guard Hair Long, lustrous outer hair that protects the underfur.
A new technique that produces a soft, comfortable, fur-in/fur-out look and feel.
Insertion of ribbon, cloth or leather strips along with fur strips. May be done for fashion or to lighten the weight of the fur.
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.
Natural furs of special colours that are produced by selective breeding.
To emphasize the velvet underhair of the fur. All guard hairs are plucked before shearing.
Cutting the fur to a short, uniform pile.
Natural lamb pelts with the leather side often sueded and worn on the outside.
Rectangular pelts are sewn together to create a box effect as an alternative to the letting out process.
Sometimes called blending. Dye is applied only to the tips of guard hairs to produce more colour uniformity.
The underhair covered by guard hairs. This is the layer of the fur that acts as insulation to provide warmth.
Female mink is generally lighter in weight, softer and more supple than male mink. Additionally, female pelts have higher luster, are very silky and soft and are more adaptable to tailoring and draping. Male mink is often used to create a different fashion look and is also of excellent quality.
Always buy a fur from a reputable fur salon or fur retailer. In this way, you are assured of customer service, plus a variety of styles and price ranges from which to choose.
Always buy the best quality fur in your price range. Some factors that determine cost are fur quality, type of fur, craftsmanship, style and the designer label. Other factors include the length, size and sweep of the garment.
Yes. The warmth of the fur is determined by the underfur, which acts as insulation. Whether or not the guard hairs have been sheared, the underfur remains.
Yes, but in a very minimal way. The fur may not be quite as soft as it was in its natural form.
A mild rain will not harm your fur. Just hang the garment to dry in a well-ventilated room, away from direct heat. After it is dry, give the fur a vigorous shake. If your fur gets thoroughly soaked, bring it to the place of purchase immediately for proper treatment so that oils can be applied to the leather side of the fur to maintain its suppleness. In some cases, the silk lining may need to be replaced.
Shearling is natural lamb with the leather side often sueded and dyed colours. The sueded side is worn on the outside with the fur on the inside.
No. As with sheared furs, warmth is determined by the dense underfur. The outer guard hairs give the various furs their individual characteristics.
If a fur has been cared for properly over the years (annual storage and cleaning) there are many options available. The style can be updated into a more modern silhouette. It can also be used as a liner by having an outer shell made in a fabric such as micro-fiber, cashmere or leather. You might consider using the fur as a trim on a wool coat, suit or sweater. Fur pillows will always add a luxurious accessory to a home.
You can feel proud to wear fur because it is a natural product that comes from and is produced by a responsible, well-regulated industry. People have every right to appreciate the qualities of fine, natural products such as leather, wool, silk, down, shearling and fur.
Telephone: 1.416.703.0734 Email: info@alexfurs.com
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