Ferret fur coat. The variety of outerwear allows you to choose a model and material that will emphasize the individuality and status of its owner. Natural fur coats are precisely such products. Mink has been and remains the most expensive and presentable throughout the centuries. No matter how much they tried to fake her fur, it always became noticeable. A ferret fur coat has a very similar appearance, both in fur structure and color. But it would be very unwise to fake a mink with such a fur coat, since the value of ferret fur is quite a bit inferior to the value of brown mink fur - this fur is just as beautiful, and at the same time has its own zest.
Who is a ferret
This small animal is a mammalian predator of the canid family. A litter of ferrets is called puppies, of which there can be about twenty per litter. This is due to the large number of individuals on the planet, which allows them to be used for commercial purposes. Sometimes, of course, ferrets are bred for fur. Related to them are the European mink (hence the similarity of fur), weasel and ermine. The ferret is not a very large animal, growing up to 55 cm in length. Females are always slightly smaller than males. The weight of one individual varies from one to 2 kg, sometimes a little more.
I'm a ferret - let's get to know each other
The ferret's body is oblong and narrow with a small neat head, an elongated nose and a long fluffy tail. Ferrets have very short feet with sharp claws that help them hunt, jump, and climb trees. An adult ferret visually resembles a cat, which is what a specially bred albino species was used for two thousand years ago. And in nature, animals live their entire lives in one house, which can be their own or a fox’s hole, a hollow, or just a mound of brushwood.
In addition to albinos, there are three main types of ferrets:
- Steppe ferret (light);
- Forest ferret (common, also black);
- American ferret.
The latter is listed in the Red Book and is subject to artificial population support, therefore it is not used by humans in industry. The remaining two species are found, according to their names, in the forests and steppes of Europe, Russia and China.
Why is ferret fur so attractive?
The fur of each species is unique and differs in its range of colors, length and thickness. Ferret fur generally consists of two layers - the undercoat, or down, and the main long hair, or guard. The awn breaks through the undergrowth and is rarer. If the spine at the roots is usually light and dark at the tips, then the undergrowth has a uniform color and is always lighter than the tips of the spine. The large steppe ferret has relatively sparse and short fur, but with an excellent color combination of milky down and brown tips. It makes beautiful shiny coats with shimmer. But the forest ferret is valued higher in this regard. Its fur is thicker, with fewer downs showing through through the awn, the noble dark brown color of which looks great against a golden background. Such fur coats are warmer, richer and not much different from mink.
Ferret fur will always be attractive
Still, the ferret leaves his “calling card” on the products, and even several:
- The ferret's fur has an uneven length - it is longer at the hind legs, and the closer to the head, the shorter it becomes.
- The color of the fur and undercoat on the animal’s withers is darker than on other areas and forms a dark spot in the shape of a cross in the area of the shoulder blades.
- The area along the ridge has denser hair than on the sides, so it also looks darker.
In general, the fur is very shiny and soft to the touch, has a thin base, which professionals call mezdra, thanks to which even a full-length fur coat will be light. Different lengths of fur are not considered bad quality, but indicate the naturalness of the product made from ferret fur.
Average price for a fur coat
These things don't come cheap. The price depends on the quality of the skin, the type of animal, the color of the pile, the style of the product, length and manufacturer. Models made from polecat fur with natural coloring are more expensive. Dyed and cut ones will cost less. From the catalogs of fur collections you can judge how much a classic coat and a sheared ferret fur jacket will cost. On average, the price of such fur products ranges from 60 to 100 thousand rubles.
Is a ferret coat good?
The value of ferret fur is difficult to overestimate, because it has all the necessary qualities for creating outerwear. It is very warm, comfortable, soft, is not afraid of wet snow, and at the same time looks chic. Despite all the advantages, fur coats made from it are now rare. This is due to the difficulty of catching and breeding these animals. And why, because caring for minks is much easier, and the cost of products made from their fur, which is very similar to ferret fur, is similar or even higher. But ferret coats are undoubtedly sold and delight their owners, withstanding frosts down to 15-20 degrees.
Products made from cropped ferret fur are designed for slightly lower frosts. With this treatment, the thick undercoat is usually not touched, but only the dark part of the awn is cut off, obtaining light and soft fur of uniform length. At the same time, the ferret’s “business cards” are preserved on it - dark areas in the sacrum area. Cropped coats do not look as smooth and shiny due to protruding short guard hairs, which in turn raise the undercoat. The most important thing is that sheared fur coats last longer than uncut fur coats. The thing is that the guard fur deteriorates over time and becomes drier, and due to friction it breaks off and the product loses its appearance. After only five years of intensive wear, the fur coat will become shabby and ugly. Sheared fur can last ten seasons, although it also has a disadvantage - it gets dirty easily. Still, the owners of ferret fur coats are happy with their choice, because such a thing is always in fashion, looks elegant and stylish.
Fur coats made from this valuable fur are not much cheaper than expensive mink coats. A mid-thigh piece will cost approximately $300. Increasing the length of a fur coat to the classic length, that is, slightly below the knee, will almost double its cost. It is quite possible to buy a medium mink coat for this amount, but do not forget that fur coats made from ferrets are warmer.
Ferret fur coat
Valuable representative of the mustelid family
The ferret belongs to the mustelidae family, which includes a large number of animals of commercial importance. There are two types of ferrets, the skins of which are used for fur production: the dark forest ferret, which is especially highly valued for its unique hair pattern, and the light steppe ferret, which has shorter and lighter hair. Also, special hybrid species are bred on farms, using the domesticated forest ferret as the basis. This ferret has high-quality fur of pearlescent, pastel and golden colors.
What properties does ferret fur have?
The forest ferret, whose coat is not inferior in beauty, solemnity and nobility to the mink model, is a close relative of the mink. Its fur has the same shiny spine and a thick light undercoat, which must be soft and delicate. Its spine is higher than that of a mink, and its underfur is lighter. In the sun, such fur shimmers and effectively plays with different shades of dark color. The thin flesh is elastic and flexible. It retains heat well, almost the same as that of an arctic fox or raccoon, is not afraid of moisture and can quickly become dry, even if it gets very wet in snow or rain. Ferret fur coats are distinguished by good wear resistance and, with proper care, retain an attractive appearance and consumer qualities for a long time, although the undercoat is less dense than that of mink.
What you need to know about fur color
Often inexperienced people cannot distinguish ferret and mink skins from each other when looking at the finished products; a photo of a ferret fur coat will help you see the differences in the pile. The ferret's fur is distinguished by taller guard hairs, dark at the ends, which blend effectively with the light undercoat. The peculiarity of the ferret skin is that the spine completely covers the edge only on the back. In other places of the skin, the undercoat is visible through the dark guard hairs. This natural color looks elegant and is highly valued by fashion designers.
Ferret coat care
A fur coat made from ferret fur cannot be called unpretentious. Its cleanliness should be monitored by dry cleaners, but at home it is enough not to allow a wet fur coat to be in the closet or stored near heating devices - both excess humidity and dry air will very quickly make both the fur and the fur unusable. You can clean small stains yourself using a special fur cleaner and a brush. For storage, the fur coat should be packed in a special bag that protects it from moths and dust, and once a month it would not hurt to take it out and air it.
Disadvantages and advantages of fur
Dark fur is distinguished by very beautiful natural colors, softness, wear resistance, and good heat retention. It is not afraid of moisture and serves its owner for quite a long time. Outwardly, you can’t immediately distinguish it from mink, but it looks no less impressive. Significant advantages include the affordable price. Until recently, the only drawback of the products was a specific smell that had to be removed with the help of various perfumes. Today, special technologies are used in production to completely eliminate this drawback from ferret fur products.
Types of ferret fur coats
The method of sewing and the model of a fur coat largely depends on the shape and size of the skin, as well as the characteristics of the fur. There is a popular method of creating fur coats by cutting fur pelts diagonally into equal strips and then stitching them back together, but positioning them slightly differently. This allows you to make the fur coat textured, give it lightness and fluffiness, while somewhat lengthening and narrowing the skins for sewing ultra-modern fur coat models. The properties of ferret fur do not allow the use of this method - due to the different lengths of the fur, the unraveling will turn out to be sloppy. Therefore, it is used to make mostly classic models that never go out of fashion.
It is difficult to find an extravagant model made of ferret fur, because designers prefer not to change even its natural color - it is very special. The most prized species is the dark brown forest ferret, which, by the way, is more expensive than the others. Less commonly seen are almost white cropped coats or models of albino ferrets, which are still occasionally found. Well, light brown fur coats with milky beige down from the steppe ferret - they are the most popular and affordable. If fur is dyed, it is in an attempt to lighten it or get it black. But the dyed ferret loses its inherent uniqueness and there are very few such coats. Fur coats down to the toes are also rare due to impracticality and high cost.
Long fur coat models
But what you can find in stores are sheepskin coats and long, straight-cut models with or without a belt, with a stand-up collar or a hood that doubles as a collar. The youth version of flared fur coats that reach mid-thigh or below the knee looks chic. The hood very often complements a ferret fur coat, but for it they choose fur that is more fluffy, for example, an arctic fox or a silver fox. Combinations of a ferret and a raccoon look good, which can be used to decorate the entire top of the product. It is fashionable to complement fur with leather and suede, especially if it is a leather belt or collar. Although fur coats from pure ferret are not often sewn, they love to combine them. Designers decorate and complement jackets and fur coats made of mink, fox, leather, knitwear and other textiles with this fur. In general, there are a lot of options.
Cropped or unclipped ferret: which to choose?
With a fur coat made from ferret fur, you won't have to be afraid of the cold. This product warms perfectly, looks great in appearance and is more expensive than cropped models. The cropped version has its advantages:
- guard hair stumps support the sparse undercoat, giving the pile an impressive texture;
- products made from sheared skins are cheaper;
- the fur texture turns out lighter and more original. The choice of type depends on the financial capabilities of the buyer and individual preferences.
Women's fur coat made from sheared ferret
Such fur coats are very similar to sheared or plucked mink, but unlike the latter, the ferret's skin is only sheared and not plucked. Such products are often worn with large collars or hoods trimmed with fox, raccoon, arctic fox or silver fox fur.
After shearing, this fur turns out lighter due to the fact that the dark ends of the guard hairs are cut off. Only on the back of the skin the pile remains dark, which makes the natural coloring extraordinary. Sheared fur coats can be dyed uniform colors. Such products are cheaper than fur coats with natural colors, but are distinguished by a variety of colors and designs. It is better to buy a sheared ferret in trusted fur salons, which sell only high-quality products made from natural fur. When cutting a fur coat, it is important to adhere to cutting technology, which does not impair consumer qualities and makes the clothing durable.
Regular fur coats
Traditional fur coats made from forest ferrets gain their attractiveness precisely by preserving the natural pattern, which looks great on classic-type models. The most popular models have a medium length and a wide hem that begins to widen from the bust line. A classic made from valuable dark-colored skins is not inferior in beauty to mink coats.
Let's move on to selection
Before buying a fur coat, it is important to decide not only on the design and color, but also on the type of fur, so that it does not turn out that the fur coat is too cold or requires too much care.
Their ferret fur coat will be a good choice because it:
- Warmer than mink;
- Never goes out of style;
- Tolerates wet weather well;
- Lightweight and comfortable.
The quality of moss is one of the main indicators when choosing
The selected model must be carefully examined, since the quality of the fur will affect its service life. You need to make sure that the seams are done well and the fur does not come out in clumps. To do this, the lining of the fur coat should not be stitched along the bottom of the product so that the inside can be examined. Smell the fur coat - there should be no unpleasant odor, which indicates the low quality of the fur and its poor processing.
A ferret fur coat is attractive
To look stylish and attractive in a new thing, you need to take into account the style of the purchased fur coat. If you like a straight mid-thigh model, then feel free to wear tight-fitting trousers and low boots. Elongated models of straight fur coats can be worn with both a dress and trousers. Flared fur coats look great with high boots and skinny pants. In any case, a ferret fur coat will emphasize the elegance and strict style of the owner.
The view is just super
Fur color
The next point is color. A ferret coat can be made from a variety of furs. Made from natural or dyed. Experts recommend buying the first option. Such fur coats look much more noble and beautiful. In addition, they have a longer service life.
In terms of its value, the first place is taken by the dark brown color of fur with various tints. The underfur of the fur can be golden orange or pearlescent cream.
Albino ferrets are also often found. This hybrid is produced by crossing different types of trochees. The underfur usually contains all sorts of shades of yellow.
But a rather rare option is a ferret with fur of a delicate light cream-pastel color. Truly luxurious and exquisite products are made from it.
