Julia G.: Fur Coats!!!!
Leave a commentNovember 1, 2012 by fashioninguis
Fur Coats… such a controversial topic today; but in the early 1900’s, it was pretty common to see all society’s crème de la crème sporting them. The seal coat was the first of its kind; it was the first fur worn on the outside of the coat1. Granted fur coats sprouted out of Europe in the 1840’s, but became the rage in America around the early 1900’s.
They were made full length with real animal furs and lined on the inside with delicate materials such as silk. The furs were soft and normally of darker colors. Men and women both took to the fashion. Both would be seen sporting coats like this one down the streets. Men’s coats were typically made of buffalo or beaver; while women wore baby seal and Russian Sable1.
After they became too common, designers began to add multiple furs in one jacket for light/dark contrast. Eventually, the left the animal whole, which they called a stole1, and set it upon the shoulders or sewn up to make a wrap. Why stop there? Fur was used in gloves, muffs, purses, hats, and so many other things. When I read about stoles, I immediately thought about “Ace Ventura” when he is so morbidly offended by the woman’s fox wrap that he punches the guy and drapes him around his own shoulders. Some people really dislike fur clothing. 🙂
Fur coats eventually tied in with automobile makers. Automobile manufacturers promoted sturdy fur coats made of materials such as raccoon or sheepskin to protect them on long drives. It just goes to show you that advertising knows no bounds. The fashion industry is able to be touched on and by for almost any category of business or social circumstances.
They were expensive partly due to the fact that it took several animal pelts and many long gruesome man hours toiling over the delicate stitching. These coats are soft and luxurious, but are delicate articles of clothing. I was reading warnings and cautions for wearing fur coats of bottom length or longer. It was really funny. It says that you cannot sit for long periods of time or the fur can flatten and shift to opposite sides to cause irreparable damage. Another no-no with fur coats is to avoid too much touching. Oils from your skin damage and ruin the fur. The streets became a fashion show, sporting the trendiest, most expensive style; but also, it was a way for women to show how well they married and men were able to boast at the care and expenses they pampered their wives with.
Eventually, fur as a fashion statement became a huge political debate. It’s now seen as scandalous to wear real fur. In the late twentieth century, political rallies and campaigns were started globally to demonstrate their disapproval of the slaughtering of animals as accessories. It was a hot conversation topic among some in the early 1900s, but nothing like the uproar later in the century would bring.
Sources:
1. http://www.fashionencyclopedia.com/fashion_costume_culture/European-Culture-19th-Century/Fur.html
3. Want to make your own? Here’s how: http://www.ehow.com/how_4423320_make-fur-coat.html
(And they are serious instructions)
fashioninguis 
