Faux Fur

Faux Fur Often Isn't

The sad reality is that many coats and jackets are trimmed with fur made of raccoon dogs, a common species of canine in China whose fur resembles that of a raccoon. Although American law prohibits the sale of dog or cat fur products, the garments coming to market cost less than $150, which means they don't have to be labeled. Thus, a product you're sure must be fake is not only real, but made from the fur of an animal that might have been skinned alive.

Even when fur trim has been dyed pink or blue, it might still be based in real fur. The best way to buy something you can be sure is fake is to learn how to test a garment, as well as which shops and manufacturers make clothes that can be trusted to be cruelty-free.

Testing Trim

See a great coat in a shop that claims to be made of faux fur? Here are a few tips from the Fur Free Alliance to determine if it really is a fake:

• How does it feel? Real fur is soft and silky, fake is coarse.
• What does the base look like? Real fur will have a complex base of what looks like wool, faux's base will show hairs all the same length and color.
• If you have a pin handy, push it through the base. If it's hard to push through, the fur is genuine.

There is also a burn test, but you're already pushing your luck in the shop with the pin test. The feel and look should be enough to tell you if this is something you can feel confident purchasing.

A Fur-Free Guarantee

The Humane Society has long been involved in a campaign to improve labeling and end the usage of fur harvested inhumanely. Several stores and manufacturers have responded to the actions and petitions. Among these, Calvin Klein, Kenneth Cole and Tommy Hilfiger have agreed to go fur-free within the year, and DKNY will stop using raccoon dog fur. Nordstrom informed its customers that they might have purchased items trimmed with real fur and offered refunds. Popular shops like Banana Republic, The Gap and Old Navy pledge that their garments are all fur-free. The Burlington Coat Factory, Loehmann's and House of Dereon have all endorsed H.R. 891, the Dog and Cat Fur Prohibition Enforcement Act, currently before Congress.

You Can Still Look Fabulous

Some faux fur really is fake and absolutely worth having. Everything sold by Fabulous Furs not only looks great, it's of excellent quality. They even make faux fur leg warmers.They use fine synthetic fibers and carefully design them to mimic the look of fur exactly, so much so that Fabulous Furs have been worn on many television shows, in films and have been profiled in some of the best fashion magazines.

The Creative Option

Love the look of fur in bright, silly colors? You can look snazzy and unique by knitting scarves and sweater trims from faux fur yarn. There are tons of great knitting patterns available, and nearly every yarn manufacturer offers wonderful yarns made of polyester or wool blends. Michaels Crafts carries Lion Brand Yarns which are inexpensive and come in a lot of great colors. You can also shop online at such sites as Stitches Market and Yarn Market.

What's Old Is New Again

Synthetic furs have been around since the late 1920s, but really came into vogue in the mid-1950s. If you really want a fake fur coat, why not try shopping vintage? Styles from the 1950s and '60s are fun and flattering, and you can guarantee that if you wear a fake leopard coat at night, no one will be able to take their eyes off you. And their admiration will be genuine!