In the world of fur fashion, new materials and products made from them appear from time to time. So astragan fur coats, modern cut, different in color and shape, were added to the collections of fashionable fur clothing several years ago. However, the strange name “astragan fur” means nothing to many. Sometimes, when we see the inscription “made from astragan” on a label in a fur salon, we shy away from this item, trying to find something that is well known. Let's try to figure out where this fur came from, why it is good or bad, natural or artificial, whether it warms well or not, how to care for fur products made from it.
Astragan - what animal's fur
Astragan is the most expensive type of sheepskin. It is not made at all from the skins of some rare fur-bearing animal, but, like a mouton, is obtained from the wool of a well-known domestic animal - a sheep. Essentially, this is the same mouton, slightly modified and with new properties obtained through a labor-intensive and complex production process.
To make a fur coat from this fur, sheep with a warm undercoat up to 5-7 mm high and a strong curl of the pile are selected. This is not some special breed of animal. The same sheep that are raised for mouton. Most often, this is a fine-wool Australian merino with soft, thin, thick wool that retains heat well. Such sheep are bred in Australia and New Zealand, and the most valuable raw materials are obtained there.
But in order to get first-class astragan from sheep fur of the best quality, you will need to meet some more conditions and special dressing of the skins.
- Only skins with a dense undercoat and a steep curl of the pile are allowed for processing.
- The skin should be smooth without any blemishes or defects.
- The skin is trimmed so that fur remains no more than 2 mm high. This is much shorter than when cutting a mouton.
The production process looks like this:
- Having selected the desired skins, they are thoroughly cleaned.
- Placed for a long time in a special drum in which the sheepskin is softened.
- Then it is stretched to obtain an elastic, thin material.
- To make wool resistant to moisture and temperature, it is treated with formaldehyde.
- At the end, the skin is cleaned several times to remove any remaining chemicals that were used during processing.
- Shear the sheepskin, leaving a pile up to 2-4 mm high.
A short cut of the fur and a tight curl of the hair create the desired effect. The fur turns out to be light, beautiful, with a velvety, iridescent surface. They make fur coats, short fur coats, vests, short jackets from it, as warm as from a mouton. In both sheepskins, the dense undercoat acts as a natural insulator and perfectly retains body heat.
In appearance, astragan fur resembles exquisite astrakhan fur.
How to choose the right one
It must be said that fur coats made from Australian mouton are rarely counterfeited - they are already inexpensive, so it is simply not profitable. However, you should still pay attention when choosing.
- First of all, you need to inspect the flesh - it should not be dry, and a cracking sound will confirm that the product is old and stale. Only the soft and elastic flesh speaks in favor of the purchase.
- You should also try to pull out a few lint. And if this is successful, you need to go in search of another product.
- A good Australian mouton does not smell of anything, and the lining of a quality fur coat is made of satin.
- A high-quality fur coat made from this raw material must be accompanied by a certificate and warranty card.
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Properties and characteristics
If we compare astragan with other types of fur from the Mouton group, the first reveals a number of advantages according to which it can be classified as a premium class.
This is the lightest fur in its group - the short-cut pile makes a coat or fur coat several times lighter than a mouton. It's comfortable to wear.
Very warm - products made from astragan with a dense undercoat at the base are not cold even in severe frosts without additional insulation.
Wear-resistant - fur items are practical. They are worn even longer than clothes made from mouton, which is quite strong and durable.
The short pile, which does not roll off when worn, is easy to care for.
Thanks to this length, the fur is dyed evenly, leaving no unpainted areas or creases.
Due to special processing and dressing, sheepskin is thin and flexible. It is easy to sew from it, giving models a variety of shapes. Short pile looks especially elegant and feminine in products with a hood.
The unusual wavy texture of the fur with a unique moiré pattern that shimmers in the light gives astragan products grace and elegance.
This is a universal fur - outerwear is sewn from it not only for adults, but also for children.
The downside is that astragan fur coats are expensive. When compared with products made from mouton, the price difference ranges from 10 to 30%. But this is quite justified: the raw material for the production of this fur is the best fur sheepskin.
How does astragan differ from mouton and astrakhan
How to understand what a short fur coat is made of: mouton, astrakhan or astragan? The listed types of fur are made from the wool of one animal and are visually similar to each other. However, different technologies are used in their production. The peculiarities of cutting and dressing make them different in properties and characteristics.
To make karakul, in principle, different raw materials are used - these are the skins of young lambs with silky elastic curls of the karakul breed.
In the production of mouton, the same technological processes are used as in the production of astragan. However, animal skins are not selected with such care.
Texture differences
Mouton fur is characterized by a dense undercoat and a smooth surface with long, fluffy, soft pile without any curls. Over time, the fur stops shining and becomes dull.
Astrakhan fur is easily recognizable by its tight curls of pile arranged in beautiful waves. This forms the dense, rough texture of the fur fabric.
Astragan is soft and velvety. The texture resembles broadtail.
Weight differences
Astragan is the lightest fur when compared with mouton and broadtail. Things made from it weigh practically nothing.
Products made from mouton are warm and quite heavy. The heaviest in this group.
Karakul is also quite light. Occupies a position somewhere in the middle.
Heat resistance and warming properties
Karakul is not very warm fur. -10 degrees is the maximum temperature at which it is recommended to wear products made from this fur without risking freezing. The fur sheepskin from which it is produced does not have the warming undercoat that is found in astragan and mouton. Therefore, astrakhan products are additionally insulated with padding polyester, batting and other insulation materials.
Astragan, like mouton, does not need additional insulation. Both furs are very warm. Thanks to the thick, dense undercoat, sheepskin outerwear can be worn down to -20 degrees.
Price
The most expensive material in this group is astragan. At the same time, it looks much more impressive, more modern and of higher quality than mouton and astrakhan fur. In addition, it has good wear resistance.
What is sheepskin?
Sheepskin is a tanned sheep skin taken from adults or young animals over the age of 6 months. The dressing of the hide takes place over several days and goes through the following stages: primary dressing, soaking, fleshing, soaking in solution, pickling, tanning, fatliquoring, pressing, drying and grinding. The final stage involves stretching the skin, straightening the edges, combing and trimming the fur.
Sheep skin dressing
The classification of hides occurs at the raw material stage. They are grouped according to the following characteristics:
- age of sheep;
- breed;
- number of defects;
- appointment;
- length and quality of wool.
Astrakhan
The list of characteristics affects the cost of the skin or the finished product. Sheepskin has many varieties, among which the most famous are mouton, astragan, and tsigeika. Karakul is also sheep fur, but it is the skin of newborn lambs.
What is sewn from astragan
No matter how heated discussions flare up about the relevance of clothing made from natural fur, it is still in fashion. Someone chooses a natural fur coat because they consider such clothing to be the best option for winter frosts. Indeed, in some regions, not all clothes can keep you warm in the cold. Some people just like fur clothes.
Astragan fur is a universal material. Looks perfect. It is used to make things for both children and adults: jackets, coats, fur coats, sheepskin coats of various colors, combining it with other materials and different furs.
Astragan looks good in products with mouton, curly (fur from the skins of galangal lambs), Tuscany (skinned fur from the skin of a Tuscan sheep). And also with orylag fur (orylag rabbit fur), bluefrost (fur obtained by crossing a fox with an arctic fox).
The elegant thin material drapes very well and is painted in different colors.
What types of astragan fur clothing are popular today?
Fur coats
Fur coats for different body types are made from supple, light, thin, high-quality fur. Straight and flared silhouette, fashionable colors, with horizontal multi-colored stripes, with or without a collar, hood. By the way, the hood does not weigh down the astragan coat at all.
Short fur coats and long fur coats with a classic straight cut are constant leaders in the world of fur fashion.
Retro-style models are still in trend, characterized by minimalism in decor (absence or almost complete absence of decorative elements), shortened sleeves, hidden fastener, stand-up collar.
Shoes are selected depending on the purpose of the fur product. For a romantic, elegant look - stiletto boots, for a business look - heeled ankle boots, for a street style - rough boots or boots with flat soles. In order not to overload the image, the simplest knitted or knitted hat will do.
Fur coat
To create a sophisticated look, stylish fur coats in the form of elegant coats made of fine astragan fur are suitable.
Sheepskin coats
Another option for clothing with fur, which is in demand during the cold season. Although sheepskin coats are inferior in popularity to fur coats. Signs by which you can understand that this is a new model are length above the knee, stand-up collar, asymmetrical cut, belt. You can complement the fashionable look with a hat, knitted beret, cap, turban, stole, knitted or leather gloves, snood.
Astragan fur jackets and vests
Short, lightweight fur coats that do not restrict movement are convenient for car ladies. This type of fur clothing is also good for everyday use.
Types of sheepskin by fleece type
Based on the type of fleece, sheepskin is divided into fine-fleece, semi-fine-fleece, and semi-coarse-wool. The first is distinguished by the presence of a thick, uniform coat with a length of 6 cm. The fineness of the hair should be at least 60 quality (23.1–25.0 microns). The Australian Merino is a breed of fine-wool sheep.
Merino skin
Semi-fine wool is characterized by a fineness of 50–58 quality (25.1–31 microns). The exception is the fur of Tsigai sheep, the fineness of the hairs of which can be 46 quality (34.1–37 microns). The hairs are distinguished by thickness, elasticity, medium or strong crimp, and staple structure.
The fine-fleece-coarse-haired variety has heterogeneous hairs of a staple-braid structure. It contains a large amount of fluff from the undercoat and has hard and long guard hair.
Fur sheepskin is worn with the fur facing out, unlike a fur coat. The latter are intended for the manufacture of sheepskin coats, vests, jackets, in which the fur is on the reverse side. These types of skins must be endowed with high-quality flesh, since it is this that is located on the front part of the product.
Fur coats are divided into 3 types: Romanov, Russian, steppe. Romanovsky are made from the skins of Romanov sheep and are considered the best. They have a gray-blue color due to the harmonious combination of white down and black guard hairs. Russian sheepskin is made from the skins of coarse-haired animals, and steppe sheepskin is made from fat-tailed breeds and adult Karakul breeds. Based on color, steppe and Russian sheepskins are divided into white, gray and colored.
There is also sheepskin leather, which has many defects on the fur side. Its quality does not allow it to be used for the same purposes as fur and fur varieties, but it is actively used in the manufacture of shoes, accessories, leather jackets and jackets, and hats.
How to choose clothes made from astragan fur and what to look for
Please provide a certificate for the product
The first thing it is advisable to do when purchasing any fur product is to ask for a certificate from the seller. This is additional insurance that instead of valuable fur you will not be given a fake of low quality.
Determining the quality of fur
It is worth plucking a little, ruffling the fibers, stroking them in different directions to make sure that the declared quality corresponds to reality: the fur does not fray or come out. The fur covering should be uniform, with fibers of the same length, without any bald spots.
Studying the color of the product
To check the quality of the dyes used when dyeing fur, just run a damp cloth over the fur. If everything is fine, there will be no marks left on the napkin. In the sun, high-quality fur shines and shimmers.
Checking the seams
The quality of tailoring is equal to the quality of the fur coat. Ideal seams should be smooth, even, and strong. No protruding threads. This is a guarantee that the fur coat will last a long time and will not fall apart before it wears out.
Listening to how fur “sounds”
Good fur creaks a little. If, when the fibers move, they make a slight rustling sound, the sheepskin may be overdried.
Checking for smell
Clothes should only smell like fur. The presence of foreign odors indicates that low-quality chemicals were used in its production, or in greater quantities than required by the technology.
We choose based on the purpose of purchase
The length, style, and model of the fur coat depend on where we are going to wear it.
- For leisurely winter walks, a warmer, longer model with a hood is suitable.
- For a car lady - a short fur coat or a thigh-length fur coat.
- For going out and special occasions, models with a shortened silhouette are good: bolero, capes for a dress, something like a fur vest.
We check the lining, fittings, accessories
When sewing a high-quality fur coat, the same high-quality auxiliary materials should be used. Please pay attention to how firmly the fasteners and buttons are attached to the thick fur and what material the fittings are made of.
How to wear and what to combine with astragan fur clothing
To look fashionable and modern, you need to learn to see yourself in a beautiful fur product complete with shoes, hats, and accessories.
For example, with what and how can you combine an astragan fur coat?
If you like an elegant style, you can choose things that belong to the category of modern classics to go with your fur coat. It is especially important to pay attention to the bag, shoes, headdress, stole, scarf, additional accessories and details that will emphasize the relevance of the image as a whole. For example, a prominent belt that complements a fur coat can create a completely different look.
But a fur coat and fur items are not always strict classics, impeccable elegance and luxury. It can be a business or street style, a romantic look. Combinations such as, for example, a fur coat and a casual style or a fur coat combined with sports-style items are quite appropriate.
In an everyday set, you can complement an astragan fur coat with casual trousers or jeans, rough shoes with thick soles, and an unusual, fashionable bag. An eclectic image assembled from seemingly incompatible things may turn out to be quite appropriate.
Combining fur clothing with sports-style items is another way to make your look more lively, vibrant, and modern. Those who are not afraid of experiments can add sports pants, joggers (pants with a drawstring or ankle cuffs), sneakers, a baseball cap, a hoodie, and a beanie hat to the fur coat set.
In addition, many styles of fur coats suggest a modern cut in the form of a straight, laconic oversize with a minimum number of details. Such things are combined with sports shoes and clothes according to the same principle as a coat or jacket.
Features of caring for clothing made from astragan fur
Despite its impeccable and expensive appearance, astragan is not picky in its care. But this fur, like any other, is afraid of sunlight, moisture and moths.
If your fur coat gets wet in the rain or sleet, after returning from the street, you need to dry it on a hanger, after shaking it off droplets of water. The product must be dried not in a closet and away from heating appliances.
Ultraviolet radiation destroys the structure of fur, which fades under the sun's rays. When airing fur items, you need to hang them so that the sun does not shine on them.
For long-term storage, it is better to store fur clothes in fabric trunks in a dark place. Sealed plastic bags are not suitable for this purpose.
Fur absorbs odors well. There is no need to place clothes in places where substances with a strong, pungent odor are stored.
Astragan fur items cannot be washed or stains removed using aggressive chemicals.
You can periodically dry clean your fur clothes.
To protect fur clothing from moths, you can use special sachets with moth-repellent lavender or dry orange peels.
It is necessary to protect the fur from droplets of perfume and hairspray getting on it.
In the summer, expensive fur coats can be stored in special storage facilities for a fee, where ideal conditions are created.
Women who prefer to wear items made from natural fur note in their reviews that astragan fur items are not only beautiful and warm, but also incredibly pleasant to the touch, soft and cozy. In addition, fur coats and sheepskin coats made from this fur are fashionable, stylish, and bright. And they last quite a long time.
FAQ
How much does an astragan fur coat cost?
The cost of an astragan fur coat depends on the length of the product, style, and the presence of decorative inserts made of expensive fur, for example, mink, silver fox. The average cost of a fur coat ranges from 35 to 50 thousand rubles, short fur coats and jackets - from 20 to 24 thousand rubles, a long fur coat - 40-60 thousand rubles.
How warm is an astragan fur coat?
Recommended temperature for astragan fur products: -7...-10 degrees.
Is it warm in an Australian mouton fur coat - reviews?
Feedback from customers regarding warmth is clear - in such a fur coat, if we are not talking about a lightweight model, there is definitely no risk of freezing. It retains heat for a long time and even thirty-degree frost is not scary for the happy owner of such a product. But it won’t be too hot thanks to the ability of the Australian mouton to breathe.
It also protects well from the wind, so it will become a real salvation in regions where frost is also accompanied by them.
How many seasons will a mouton fur coat last?
With proper care, it can last at least 10 seasons, and even after that it will wear well due to the fact that abrasions in the area of the sleeves and collar are perfectly masked by the structure of the fur.
But this period is set for a regular mouton - a lightweight one lasts from 3 to five years.
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