Today, many options for processing mink fur have already been invented. It is dyed, plucked, and bleached. All in order to make an ordinary fur product non-trivial. One of the latest finds from fashion designers is fur coats made from sheared mink. They look stylish, cost less than classic models and can amaze with their originality.
Why trim a mink?
Mink shearing is the formation of a certain length of pile. This is done in order to create an interesting, unusual texture on the surface of the fur. Sometimes technology is used to remove defects. At the same time, coarse guard hair is removed, and the fur coat becomes smooth, its “external characteristics” improve. Fur looks more aesthetically pleasing and tidy. In addition, with the help of a haircut, you can form intricate patterns.
How practical is the material?
As a rule, sheared fur costs less than the regular, classic version of mink. But there are models whose price is many times higher than the cost of long-haired analogues. For example, if a famous designer worked on a sheared mink coat and applied an original design to the fur covering. As for the practicality of the material, sheared fur will last less than a fur coat with long pile.
The fact is that to make a fur coat from sheared mink, they often take cheaper skins that are not of the highest quality. But after processing they acquire a very noble appearance.
In order for sheared mink to serve its maximum life (and it is considerable - about 10 years), choose manufacturers with a good reputation. They are unlikely to mask the defects of low-quality skins, but will take the best material for their products.
Pros of a haircut
After “hairdressing procedures,” the classic skin becomes more pleasing to the eye, an elite gloss appears, and the pile lies in a beautiful, even layer. There are other advantages to a fur coat made from sheared mink:
- Exclusive patterns. Laser drawing technology allows you to create beautiful and original patterns. This makes the product unique and looks elite.
- Glitter and shine. The fur is polished during processing, making the surface glossy and sparkling.
- Long service life . If you choose a high-quality sheared mink fur coat from a well-known brand store, it will last for many years.
Unfortunately, no one is safe from dishonest manufacturers. Often there are fakes that are passed off as 100% natural sheared mink.
Honorik
The animal is an artificially bred derivative of the mink and ferret. Honorica fur is used as a good, more affordable alternative to expensive material for the majority of consumers.
Products in this category differ from natural sheared mink primarily in their shade. Honorik's fur is more contrasting. The down here is distinctly light, and the hard pile is dark.
Another sign of an attempt to pass one off as another is the size of the layers of material that are used to make the fur product. Since honorik is larger in size compared to its ancestors, the segments here will be larger. Naturally, this method of identifying a fake is relevant only if the design of the fur coat does not involve sewing from small pieces of fur.
Selection rules: how to distinguish an original mink from a fake?
Many types of fur are similar to each other. And if you also cut off the top layer and dye the fur, then you can mistake a marmot, honorik, beaver and even a rabbit for a mink. In addition, faux fur products are sometimes passed off as a noble coat made from sheared fur. Therefore, choosing an expensive original is quite difficult. To avoid mistakes, follow a few rules:
- Visually inspect the fur coat. Its color should be intense, and the surface should emit a uniform shine throughout the entire canvas.
- Try the fur to the touch . This way you can easily distinguish real mink from a fake. Mink fur differs from rabbit fur in having a tougher pile. The marmot's hair is uneven in length, which cannot be said about the mink - its hairs are the same length. In addition, if you stroke a mink coat against the grain, its elastic fur will quickly restore the shape and direction of the pile. The marmot's will remain disheveled.
- Study the structure of the pile and underfur . Despite the haircut treatment, the guard pile does not change its rough texture. And the underfur remains just as thick and fluffy. If, stroking the fur in the direction or against the growth, you do not feel the stiffness of the pile or its slight tingling, then most likely this is a copy, not an original.
- Check the quality. Even if the fur turns out to be natural, the likelihood of purchasing a low-quality product still remains. Especially if you are going to purchase a sheared version of a fur coat. After all, sometimes manufacturers use this technology to hide defects: bald spots, sparse or not too uniform pile. If the villi stick together and the surface of the fur is dull, then the animal could be old or sick.
What they don't talk about
Plucked fur also appears as a result of an attempt to give a skin that has defects in the growth of guard hairs a marketable appearance. As a result of pinching, low-quality raw materials have a chance to move to a higher category. The difference between high-quality and low-quality material is smoothed out. The plucked fur of some animals that have inexpensive skins is very similar to the fur of fairly expensive types of fur-bearing animals. For example, nutria fur, when plucked, perfectly imitates mink fur. Therefore, by combining plucking and coloring of nutria fur, you can get a skin that is exactly like mink skin.
Dyed fur is difficult to distinguish at first glance |
Where is the best place to buy a sheared mink coat?
Experts in the fur business recommend buying mink coats in Europe. In this case, you can count on the highest quality of the product and confident guarantees. This does not mean at all that you cannot purchase a decent fur product in domestic stores. But it is better to make purchases in branded boutiques with a proven reputation. The prices there are higher than average, but the sellers give their customers a guarantee on all goods. Even if something happens to the fur coat a few months after purchase, the defect will be corrected, and completely free of charge.
It is highly not recommended to buy sheared mink in the markets. There is too high a chance of cheating. For the price of a mink you can get a sheared rabbit and, of course, there can be no guarantees.
Reasons for cutting and plucking fur
There are several reasons for such processing of fur raw materials, which are of different nature. These are economic, physical, and even aesthetic reasons. But whatever they are, it all comes down to a few mandatory groups. The most common of them:
Laser processing |
Fashion trends 2018
Its trendiness also plays a significant role in the appearance of a sheared mink fur coat. Today fashion designers offer a wide selection of styles and cuts. The color range has also expanded, and unusual methods of dressing and cutting fur have appeared. In 2021, the following models became the most popular:
- Classic. They decided not to completely exclude her from fashion collections. After all, it goes so well with any other style of clothing, always remains relevant and looks elegant.
- A-silhouette. He's running the show now. The fashion for fur coats, extended at the bottom, did not bypass the fashion. In 2021, fashion designers decided to complement the elegant A-line silhouette with an original “zest” - they widened the sleeves and highlighted them with color.
- Fur coats-robes and fur coats-dresses. An incredibly feminine option - fitted, with a belt and a widened hem.
- Cocoon . A more free and democratic style. It allows you to create unusual images. After all, sheared mink, wide at the waist and narrowed at the bottom, is not the most trivial option for a fur product.
- Wide collar or no collar at all. A large folding collar that completely covers the shoulders is another trendy novelty from the designers. As well as models in which there is no collar at all.
In terms of palette, the most fashionable were natural and neutral shades, close to nature. All shades of chocolate, gray-blue tones and bright “multicolor” have become no less relevant.
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Important things in caring for a mink coat
In terms of care, a plucked or sheared mink is not much different from a regular one. The fur coat should be stored on a hanger with wide shoulders, this will protect it from deformation. The product stored in the closet should not come into contact with other items of clothing. It cannot be kept in a plastic bag, box or covers made of synthetic materials. Fur needs to breathe, otherwise the item will deteriorate.
If a mink coat gets wet, then there is no need to dry it on a radiator or with a hairdryer; it should dry naturally. If a fur outfit becomes dirty, do not wash it; it is better to take it to a specialized dry cleaner. Cleaning it yourself can lead to disastrous consequences. By following simple tips, you will be able to maintain the appearance of your fur coat for the entire period of use.
Shiny or matte?
Finished mink coats are immediately sent to the sales floor, where they are hung by color, size and price. What to focus on at the very beginning? Maybe we should look for the shiniest fur?
The fact is that the fur shines with awns - those very long hairs that rise above the undercoat. The best fur of fur-bearing animals is formed by winter, so the densest and most beautiful skins are obtained in November - when the undercoat reaches its maximum thickness and heat capacity. This fur also has a shine, but it is moderate.
What else should you pay attention to when purchasing?
Before trying on a fur coat, blow on the fur so that a small “cleft” appears in it: if the underfur is dense, then the skin under the fur is practically invisible - this is how it should be. Then shake the fur coat - it should not rattle or make the rough sound of dry skin. If a fur coat rattles, there is a possibility that it was left in the store, stored in an excessively dry room, or was made from old fur. Most often, such fur coats can be found in open clothing markets and other places of sale that are poorly suited for working with such delicate material.
When trying on, listen to your feelings, do not hesitate to bend over, raise your arms and squat.
How to recognize an artificial analogue?
The times when it was possible to distinguish an artificial imitation from the real thing simply by looking at the product are long gone. Modern artificial products are in no way inferior to natural ones, and sometimes even surpass them in certain characteristics.
| Characteristic | Comparative Description |
| Shine | Natural fur shines brightly, shimmers and sparkles. Artificial hair is matte; the hairs do not reflect light, but absorb it. |
| Weight | A real fur coat is light; the main weight of the product is the mass of insulation under the lining. Imitation is much harder. |
| Compactness | The original product folds easily and takes up little space when folded. Imitations are much more cumbersome. |
| Certificate of Quality | A quality certificate is available for both natural and artificial fur coats. If the seller claims that this document does not exist, then this is a good reason to doubt the origin and quality of the item. |
Of course, it will not be difficult to distinguish a not particularly high-quality imitation, which has a fabric base rather than leather, from natural fur.
