Fur Warmth, Fur Fun

They say the time to buy an antique is when you see it. The same goes for a beautiful fur piece, but actually, the best time to buy is at the end of the winter season.

Storing furs in the off-season requires cold storage, which is a bit of a problem in the Gulf Coast region To alleviate the storage problem, dealers often offer steep discounts to move furs. It's not a problem for the consumer either, if the closet is available in the coolest room in the house.

The buyer should consider having the fur cleaned and glazed though. Most vintage furs probably have't been recently 'conditioned.' The marginal cost for these processes is reasonable and will add years to a fur piece. Since vintage furs are more affordable than new, at discounted at the end of the season, it would be money well spent. Fur storage is offered as a value-added service.

Why is cleaning and glazing essential? It rids the fur piece of grime, perfume, etc., but most importantly, it conditions the back of the pelts, keeping them supple and from becoming brittle. When selecting a fur, think contrast. The fur shouldn't blend in with the color of your hair. A contrasting color allows the fur to frame and enhance the face.

Some dos and don'ts to preserve your fur...

- Never store your fur in plastic! Use a mesh sip-up bag so the fur can breathe.

- Never store the fur near heat as it will dry the pelts out making them brittle.

- Getting caught in wet weather is no reason to panic. Shake off the excess moisture, towel dry, then hang in a cool, airy space. Keep in mind that fur-bearing creatures get wet all the time and dry out.

Purpose is the most important consideration. If the fur being purchased is for warmth, then consider a coat which covers the majority of the body. If it's designed to be a fashion accessory, then a wrap or stole will do; more recently referred to as a wrap or a 'fling.' A wrap is an excellent choice as it can be used year round. Truthfully, restaurants keep the temperature low so patrons won't linger. Throw the stole over your arm when going in and around your shoulders if the restaurant tries to freeze you out. The demand for these smaller fashion furs has soared with the popularity of "Downton Abbey," the period drama that air on the PBS station. See related article "The Fasions of Downton Abbey" http://bit.ly/2eccYqJ

For whatever reason, long-lasting wear makes a fur a best buy. The only thing that hasn't been discussed is the social attitude. Keep in mind that fur has been worn since the cave man era. It doesn't do any good for vintage furs to be discarded in a landfill. Recycle them and enjoy!

The Fashions of Downton Abbey

The latest fashion craze is not on the runways of Milan, Italy, nor on the streets of Paris, France. In fact, one would have to get in the wayback machine and travel back to Yorkshire, England, to the beginning of the last century, to see the fashions that are being worn by today’s fashionistas.

Made popular by the British period drama, “Downton Abbey,” created by Julian Fellowes, the program which airs Sunday evenings spans the decade from 1912 thru 1921. The fashions recreated by Susannah Buxton and Caroline MCCal, are now all the rage. Long, ankle-length skirts are back in vogue, worn with old-fashioned lace blouses. The costumes are so true to the period that the program has received the Creative Arts Emmy Award for Outstanding Costumes for a Mini-series, Movie or a Special. 

Due to their age, the fashions are hard to find in antique shops, especially in good condition. Also try checking the trunks in the attic or the back of grandma's closet. Although home-sewing has become somewhat of a lost art, if one can locate vintage patterns, a good seamstress can bring the look of the early 1900's back to life. The patterns might be located in antique stores, but to be truly authentic the garments would have to be made of fabrics of the period...natural fibers like cotton, silk, and wool. 

The program is comprised of three series: Pre-WWI , with the next two panning the years 1916 thru 1921. The clothing evolution depicts the Post-Edwardian fashions when women wore long bell-shaped skirts, with emphasis on the waist which was still being cinched with corsets. The lace blouses had long, fitted sleeves with high, stand-up collars, reminiscent of the modest women. Shoes were laced up, and hats were picturesque with wide brims and embellished with plumage, flowers, or large satin bows. Throughout the series the view can detect the hemlines rising to mid-calf, and the waistlines dropping to the hip.

Accessories during this period consisted of parasols, feathered fans, small handbags with long straps, and fur muffs which served a dual purpose for both keeping hands warm and as a fashion statement. 

Menswear consisted of either a cut-away coat or straight-lined jacket, with a wide pant width. High collared shirts were worn with bow ties, and the outfit was topped off with either a top hat or a bowler (derby).  

They say 'what goes around, comes around.' It's unlikely that these fashion trends will return in their entirety, but Downton Abbey has made its mark on the fashion scene. Women are combing the antique shops in search of antique jewelry like cameos, and a vintage fur muff was spotted at a recent gala. 

See related article "Fur Warmth, Fur Fun" at http://bit.ly/2ekPNuU