How to Wear Fur and Faux Fur for Fall

by Lesley Kennedy (Subscribe to Lesley Kennedy's posts)
Posted Oct 11th 2010 at 5:30PM

Furry fall looks, from left, at Thakoon, Chanel and Anna Sui. Credits:
Slaven Vlasic, Getty Images;Jun Sato/WireImage.com; Frazer Harrison, Getty Images for IMG

It's warm, soft, and luxurious. And, though it's certainly not without controversy, fur – both real and faux – has definitely left its mark as a major trend for fall.

Take a peek back at scads of designer runway offerings for the season – Zac Posen, J.Mendel, Oscar de la Renta, Chanel, Michael Kors, Anna Sui, Carolina Herrera, Marc Jacobs, Thakoon – those are just a handful of the fashion heavyweights who showed fur and faux fur on their catwalks.

And it wasn't just about furry coats and vests – everything from boleros to handbags to hats to shoes and boots were part of the trend.

"These days, it's all about adding an element of drama or the unexpected into your wardrobe," style expert Lindsay Albanese tells StyleList, on the popularity of the fur look for fall.

Fur and faux fur styles are also timeless, says Jaclyn Sharp, founder of Imposter, a luxury faux fur initiative.

"There is no other texture or fabric that can highlight the face or angles on the body in quite same way," she tells StyleList. "There was a shift away from fur for many years, but the younger generation seems ready to embrace the look again. This time, however, high quality animal-friendly alternatives make the choice a positive one."

So, what should women look for when wearing this trend? We asked experts Albanese and Sharp for the 411 on how to wear fur and faux fur. It's time to put your animal instincts to work.

Shopping for faux fur: "Two things are critical: form and function," Sharp says. "Faux fur garments should look incredible, feel incredible and keep you warm. Faux fur that looks and feels like a rug will never be saved by beautiful lines. The quality of faux fur used should be the most important consideration."

On a budget? "When shopping for more affordable fur, choose styles of fur that are smooth and full," Albanese says. "Avoid anything too thin where you can see the fabric through the fur."

Looking current: "High quality faux fur in natural colors and patterns is especially modern, like faux coyote, raccoon and chinchilla," Sharp says. "Long faux fur is also an important."

The fur/faux fur vest: "I love the fur vest, but it can add bulkiness and volume," Albanese warns. "It's always good to add a belt or waist tie to define the waist and create shape. If you're heavier on top, lean toward styles that aren't too voluminous. They will make you look bigger."

"I have worn an Imposter faux fur vest skiing, then to dinner and on a night out," Sharp says. "The best faux fur vests can be worn with a cocktail dress and heels, or with snow boots in a blizzard."

Toning things down: "It is easy to look like a wild animal if you wear too much faux fur at the same time, especially with clashing colors or patterns," says Sharp. "On the coldest days, you might have an excuse to wear a long faux fur coat, faux fur scarf, faux fur hat, boots and a faux fur bag, but otherwise two or three of your favorite faux fur items should do."

Use it to accessorize: Fur and faux fur handbags, boots, shoes, scarves at hats were runway hits for fall. Using a fur or faux fur accessory is a fun way to wear the trend, without having to commit to a full-on fur coat or vest. Just remember, a little fur goes a long way. "Stick to one fur accent per outfit," Albanese says.

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Filed under: Accessories, Fashion, How to Wear
Tags: anna sui, AnnaSui, fall 2010, Fall2010, faux fur, FauxFur, fur, how to wear faux fur, how to wear fur, HowToWearFauxFur, HowToWearFur, imposter faux fur, ImposterFauxFur, j mendel, jaclyn sharp, JaclynSharp, JMendel, lindsay albanese, LindsayAlbanese, marc jacobs, MarcJacobs, michael kors, MichaelKors, thakoon

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READER COMMENTS

(210)Add A Comment

bdiddy83, 10-11-2010, 9:09PM

I HEART faux Fur Vests! They made their debut late last fall, and are in full force this Fall! Love, Love, Love.... however bulky, they still create the illusion of a trim figure undernieth when paired with a thin, fitted, longer and darker long sleeve and some ultra skinny jeans. I'm also seeing chunky faux fur coats with slinky cat suits and super slim hardware belts. Sounds funky...I know, but before you get all "Foxy Cleopatra" on me this look is really VERY glamorous. Sleek straight hair, some smoothing Spanks and a cute leather clutch = HEAD TURNER!

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AP, 10-18-2010, 12:02AM

Two words: faux fur. No torture, no abuse. Feels warm, looks great. No harm done.

Ann K, 10-12-2010, 3:20AM

I spent a good part of my career producing fashion shows, modeling and teaching modeling. I love fashion but I hate the fur industry and have no respect for any designer who uses fur.

What gives them the right to create a market for tortured animals?
Making money off of animal abuse is barbaric and anything but fashionable.

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lisa, 10-16-2010, 7:20AM

I agree. There will be people that taunt "peta" blah blah and say that I eat meat or where leather, whatever. I do not eat meat but don't care that others do. I am not part of PETA. I only where leather when I can not find an alternative I do what I can but in no situation is fur fashionable. It's disgusting. I like to think that if people knew what animals were put through to get their fur, more people would choose not to wear it. Then there are some that just don't care and they are disgusting too.

Sunday, 10-16-2010, 8:09AM

Ann ~ I do agree with you about using real animal fur in today's fashions...IMO, it is just NOT necessary given today's designs using faux fur instead. Faux fur looks and feels like the real deal if it's a good quality material and made well. But I absolutely HAVE to agree with bdiddy83 (1st comment posted, page 1) because I absolutely love Faux fur!!! I mainly grew up in the late 60's to 70's, when real fur was the "in" thing. My mom and grandmother owned many, many, real and expensive fur coats, hats, and gloves. They have since gotten rid of all of it and totally changed their way of thinking and style since the coming of Faux fur. Now, leather? Well, that's a different story. i still love a real leather handbag and shoes...I have not been able to find synthetic anywhere that holds up as many years as the real leather does. Yes, I am a meat eater and not a member of PETA. But I do what I can - to a point - except when it comes down to a choice in leather. Maybe someday?

nydoll123, 10-16-2010, 9:31AM

Making money off of animal abuse is barbaric and anything but fashionable.

I understand where this would be upsetting, but you should also note not all furriers act in this way, in fact most take all steps possible to do the exact opposite. this animals are breed for one reason, much like the different mills and farms which are used so that us Americans can eat and enjoy the variety of meat on our plates.

JoJo, 10-16-2010, 12:55PM

The animals aren't tortured, they are even careful as to how the animal is killed because it affects the quality of the fur. It is YOUR choice to not wear fur, but this is still a FREE COUNTRY. I find it extremely offensive to read posts with people ranting and raving and trying to force THEIR viewpoint on other people. I find it interesting that the left is so violent towards people that don't think and do exactly what they do.

Also, PETA is one of the WORST for animal abuse. It's not just about fur, it's about ALL animals being able to run free. They are against people having pets, against the shearing of sheep, and I especially like reading how PETA people on more than one occasion have gone to animal shelters acting like they want to adopt a pet only to kill them and put them in dumpsters.

Yeah, PETA is all about the animals.

Bev, 10-16-2010, 4:42PM

I totally agree with you. Maybe the people that wear the real fur for style should watch a documentary on how their fur coat was acquired.
I also saw something on the TV or the Internet, that some of the (if not all) faux fur comes from countries that make the so called "faux" fur using cats, dogs, etc., so people who think they are wearing fake fur should check, and investigate, as they could be wearing a pet animal.

tina max, 10-16-2010, 6:11AM

Don't these uniformed people realize that fur is dead? It is used only by Neandathols. That fur belongs to the animals, not to some dreadful self-centered, pampered, self indulgent and narcisstic idiot. Thousands of animals go into the production of the fur and are killed and tortured by electrocutions etc and many are killed alive. Shanme on these idiots for their inhumnity.

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Ammitt, 10-16-2010, 10:36AM

thats neanderthals...and you're right.

couturegal11, 10-16-2010, 12:49PM

"killed alive", huh? as opposed to being killed while dead? fur is the height of glamour and luxury and there is nothing wrong with wearing it if no HUMANS were harmed in the process. Faux fur can be really great, too, but there is no substitute for the real thing. As long as a designer treats human beings with dignity and respect, i will wear whatever they sell, fur or not.

Rainbow, 10-16-2010, 12:53PM

I agree. Anyone who wears real animal fur is HEARTLESS and IGNORANT.

Donna, 10-16-2010, 7:05AM

Is AOL for real doing this!!! For years people have been BEGGING people not to wear DEAD BODIES and now you advertise it's the fashion? This is totally DISGUSTING!! You wouldn't find me or MANY MANY others wearing a dead body this winter. When I see someone with a real fur coat, I look at them and say they have NO COMPASSION, are SELF CENTERED, losers who have nothing but to TRY to prove something. I hate this ad. PLEASE DO NOT WEAR THESE DEAD BODIES no matter how fashionable you may think they are. They are not.

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Athena, 10-16-2010, 8:19AM

Aha!! I love that! Good for u Donna!

nydoll123, 10-16-2010, 9:33AM

oh Donna, RELAX. REAL FUR IS BEAUTIFUL!

Fran, 10-16-2010, 5:08PM

Donna you got it right. AOL shame on you for giving the fur industry free advertisement.

Marge, 10-16-2010, 7:11AM

Gee, I would think the way to not look like a wild is to NOT WEAR THEIR FUR!!!What an awful thing to do-----kill an animal so you can look in style.

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kim, 10-16-2010, 7:25AM

Do you know that many of these animals are skinned ALIVE!!!! There is footage of this!!! Peaopl, show some compassion!!!

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Alison, 10-16-2010, 8:54AM

I would be very wary of fur from China, where I have heard that no animal is off-limits, including dogs and cats. I have also heard the horror stories of the animals being skinned alive.