Fashion Focus: Vintage Fur

Photo: Pinterest

Fur fashion has been on the rise for years and made a MAJOR appearance in 2014 New York Fashion Week as a top trend on the runway and the street. Countless designers showed glamorous furs in all different types and styles: longhair, shorthair, accents, casual, sporty, luxury, shapes, volume and color.

New York Fashion Week 2014. Photo: Pinterest

As previously reported by Woman's Wear Daily, global fur sales have risen 70% from 2000 to 2010. During this decade, designers who previously did not show fur in their collections began to include them and those who already did, showed more. Notable designers include Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, Lanvin, Salvatore Ferragamo, Louis Vuitton, Michael Kors, Oscar de la Renta, Prada, Christian Dior, Minkoff, Tom Ford, Dolce & Gabbana and Yves Saint Lauren. Furinsider.com has an excellent synopsis of the couture designers showcasing fur at the 2014 New York Fashion Weeks.

Furinsider.com: New York Fashion Week Street Scenes - A/W1

The Look

The vintage fur coat is a unique piece of any fashionista's wardrobe. It provides instant glamour whether dressed up or down. With the majority of top designers showcasing real & faux fur on the runways, vintage fur is a great alternative for fashionistas who love the classic look and would like to stay within a reasonable budget. Most vintage fur costs a fraction of the price of a modern designer piece. 

For environmental, personal or ethical reasons, vintage fur is also an option for fashionistas to invest in a piece without purchasing a new fur. Vintage fur from boutiques, vintage shops, thrift stores, or having one passed down from your mother or grandmother is an eco-friendly way to recycle and reuse fashion garments. The same goes for clothing made of leather, snake skins, silk, cashmere, shearling and the like.

Collectors desire furs from the late 1940s through the 1980s. Styles range from short to full lengths, vests, collar accents, colored and dyed pieces and classic designs. 

 

Photos: Pinterest

Celebrity Style

Celebrity fashion icons wear vintage or modern fur pieces everywhere from the red carpet to the grocery store. These are a few of my favorite fashionistas ranging from rocker chic to classic luxe.

Anna Wintour. Editor-in-chief of American Vogue and Artistic Director of Conde Nast, Anna Wintour knows a thing or two about fashion and one of those things is fur.

Anna Wintour. Photo: Google

Kate Middleton. Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, is the wife of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge. She's prim, proper and royally warm in fur trim and accents.

 

Kate Middleton. Photos: Pinterest

Rihanna.  Puma's newest Creative Director and fashion icon, Rihanna, is not shy about her fur. She wears the boldest and most luxurious furs with her red carpet looks and street style.

Kate Moss. Model and fashion icon in her own right, I find Kate's style is similar to and as amazing as Rachel Zoe's. Both are strongly inspired by the 60's & 70's fashion era.

'It's important to have some inspiration or a reference point when you're dressing. I really love the late 1960s and 1970s, around the time of the Rolling Stones. I don't channel it in everything I wear, but it does seem to feed through most outfits.' - Kate Moss

Kate Moss. Photos: Pinterest

Rachel Zoe. Editor, Celebrity Stylist, Fashion Designer and major vintage lover, Rachel Zoe grew up loving Hollywood glamour. She creates breathtaking fashion moments for the A-List elite with couture and vintage chic. She has a love affair with the style eras of the 60s and 70s which she honors in her collections and street style.

Rachel Zoe. Photos: Pinterest

Debbie Harry. Blondie frontwoman Debbie Harry was the original glam punk rock girl whose iconic look includes fur, animal prints and leather. No one did rocker chic better than Debbie Harry.

Debbie Harry. Photos: Google

Carrie Bradshaw. Who can forget the iconic Carrie Bradshaw, played by Sarah Jessica Parker? She wore a vintage raccoon fur coat, in the first season of “Sex and the City" and never stopped rocking out the fur throughout the series and movies.

Carrie Bradshaw. Photos: Pinterest

Vintage Fur at Le Thrift Consignment Boutique

Le Thrift Consignment Boutique carries several vintage fur options ranging in length, collar, belted, colors and fur type. 

HY Goodman Mink & Mongolian Lamb Fur

Vintage Rabbit Fur

Bob Mackie Vintage Sheared Fur

Miu Miu Long Brown Kid Fur

Balenciaga - Mink Leather Long Coat

Danyi Sandor - Full Body Ivory/Brown Mix Fox Fur

Whether you find vintage fur from your grandmother's attic, thrift store, vintage store or consignment shop, fur is no longer for special occasions. Check our Ebay Store for more details on our vintage furs. Also visit our store as not all vintage furs are listed on Ebay.

Resources

For more fur resources, check out these links:

Vintage Fashion Guild Guide to Fur 
Sammy D Vintage How to Identify Vintage Mink, Fox, Rabbit, Beaver & Racoon Furs

1821 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago IL 60622
(312) 912-9676
Chicago's top upscale consignment boutique.