What is Faux Fur？

Modern fashion is increasingly striving towards sustainability, conscious consumption and reducing harm to nature. Many natural materials are being replaced by artificial materials that are more environmentally friendly and ethical. Fur coats, jackets , down jackets, or coats give warmth, and coziness, and they look solid and comfortable to wear. It is especially pleasing that they can be made not only from natural fur. One such substitute is artificial fur, which is chosen by more and more companies and fashion brands. More and more people are choosing faux fur instead of natural fur not only because of economic considerations but also because of humanity. Artificial fur is becoming more and more widespread. It is difficult for a layman to distinguish it from the natural sample visually, which indicates good aesthetic properties. However, the production of such material does not require the destruction of animals. Synthetic piles replace mink and karakul coats, saving animals' lives.

Times when faux fur was just a cheap substitute for natural fur — long gone. Now the quality and appearance are radically different from what it was ten years earlier. The ideological concept is also gaining popularity. Externally, this material is very similar to the skins of fur animals and serves no less. Modern production technologies allow you to get a quality product with excellent heat-saving and aesthetic properties. It can be long and short, monochrome and incredibly bold colors.

Faux fur is a type of textile fabric that imitates natural animal fur. It is usually made of polymer fibers that are processed using a special technology and dyed according to a specific texture and color. First introduced in 1929, it has come a long way to perfection. Advances in polymer technology have significantly improved its quality to the point where modern faux fur is almost indistinguishable from natural fur. What is the reason why people need such a fabric? Fur is one of the oldest materials for clothing worn by men and women throughout human history. But real fur is known for two drawbacks: it is expensive and scarce. For this reason, it became necessary to find a similar fabric.

The first "faux" furs were introduced to the market in 1929. These early examples of faux fur could not compare externally with exquisite natural furs. But fur fabric was inexpensive and warm, so manufacturers continued to develop improved versions of it, trying to give it a denser look, better abrasion resistance, and more interesting colors. In 1940 - the technology of eco-fur production was improved, but apparently not enough. The industry did not stand still and developed for various reasons and full-fledged or so to say "real artificial fur", 100% consisting of synthetic fibers, usually acrylic, was created in the 50s. A little later, special non-flammable polymers were used in the production of synthetic fibers and this certainly served the development of additional areas.

In the 1960s, organizations for the protection of animals and the environment began to form. After that, the new industry involved a series of events that turned the perception of the product upside down. And already in the 1970s, the fabric including products – coats, coats from eco fur opened the main breath, so the stars actively connected to PR. In the 21st century, many designers such as at all refused to mass sew collections with the use of natural fur. The foundation of industry and globalization for such manufacturers was founded in 1953. These factories have a worldwide reputation for the highest quality faux fur. In the 20th century, their products provided almost the entire fashion industry. These factories were considered monopolists among faux fur manufacturers for more than 70 years.

With the help of modern technology, scientists have managed to obtain from polyester, polyamide and acetate a material similar to animal hair. This is the synthetic raw material for the pile. The list can also be supplemented with nylon and acrylic. Sometimes mixed and natural materials are also used: viscose, lyocell, and wool with a cotton base. The latter is the most expensive and rare variety. But it is the warmest and most like the "original". It is also worth noting that faux fur made of wool and cotton has the most environmentally friendly composition. It does not contain glues and petroleum products. Lower risks of allergies to a product made of this material. Therefore, it is often recommended to choose it.

The process of manufacturing artificial fur begins with the selection of a suitable base fabric. Polyester, nylon or other synthetic material can be used as a base fabric. This fabric serves as a base on which the pile will be attached. The pile is small threads or fibers that are attached to the base fabric by special methods. Depending on the type of faux fur required, the pile can be short or long, imitate various animal skins, or be a unique design. After the pile is attached to the base fabric, the faux fur goes through a fastening process that secures the pile to the fabric. This may involve heat treatment, chemical fixation, or a special application of adhesive. Once the pile is fixed to the base fabric, the faux fur goes through the last stage of production – attaching the lining fabric. The lining fabric provides comfort and convenience when wearing it, and also makes the product more durable and long-lasting. Faux fur can be used to produce various products such as coats, hats, scarves and other accessories. Its manufacturing process requires skill and experience to create quality and attractive faux fur that will last for a long time and add elegance to any outfit.

Natural fur does not get wet and dries quickly away from heat sources. Natural fur does not absorb water well and dries quickly even in the absence of a heat source. This is why it is considered the best for winter and just wet weather. Therefore, it is considered a reliable protector not only in frost but also in wet weather. However, it needs proper storage. Because natural fur materials are expensive and rare. In the storage area, there should be good air access, so that moth larvae that devour the fur do not get there. It is better to pack the garments themselves in loose gauze bags with lavender, dried orange peel or moth-repellent herbs. Natural fur should only be cleaned with special equipment. Natural fur is an expensive status material. In modern clothing, it is used both for insulation and for ceremonial purposes: to emphasize respectability and high position.

Faux fur is usually a pile material consisting of acrylic lint, connected to a fabric or knitted base of polyester. But artificial sheepskin is produced not from synthetic fibers, but from sheared sheep's wool, fixed especially on a fabric or synthetic base. It is produced in several ways: glue, on looms or knitting machines. Most often it is used as a lining-insulating material or for finishing (cuffs, collars, downs, etc.) inexpensive products made of other materials. It is also used to sew outerwear – it can be a fur coat or a headdress. Artificial fur is much cheaper than natural fur and worse warms. Its appearance quite quickly, just two or three years, becomes less attractive due to piling, and the product can give shrinkage after washing in hot water.

The easiest way to distinguish faux fur from natural fur is to pluck a few hairs from the coat and set them on fire. Usually, natural fur catches fire and smells like burnt hairs, while artificial fur starts to melt and smells like a chemical odor. The main and obvious difficulty of this method is that almost any seller will refuse if offered to pull even a few hairs from the fur product. Therefore, the experiment is likely to succeed only after the purchase. In addition, stroke the product with your hand. The natural fur of most animals is soft, while artificial fur is more plastic. In high humidity, some artificial furs may seem sticky. Don't forget, however, that faux fur manufacturers strive to replicate all the characteristics of natural materials, so you often won't be able to tell the difference between the two to the touch. If the fur is natural, you will see the skin of the animal – wrinkled skin, and if the fur is artificial – there will be loose cloth as a base.

The tufts of faux fur are often more uniform and even. This can be noticed visually. When wearing an artificial product, the difference between it and a natural one will immediately become apparent. Such warmth, as in a natural fur coat, you will not be able to feel in the highest quality artificial. However, artificial fur today is a material that is as close as possible to the characteristics of natural raw materials, plus has its advantages. The price of faux fur products is certainly lower than natural things. Just do not be guided by the lowest cost of artificial material. Everyone knows that a good quality thing can not be too cheap. From this advantage, it follows that you can buy several beautiful things made of artificial fur and often change fur outfits. Artificial fur is easier to preserve, it is not afraid of moth larvae.

Faux fur has poor protection from the cold. Artificial material is inferior to natural material in terms of frost resistance. The level of thermal insulation in animal skins is much higher. If you have a cold climate and harsh winters, then it is better to abandon the artificial version. Natural fur has high thermal insulation compared to synthetic fillers. But at the same time, the skin breathes, in such clothes a person will not sweat. For winter, it is a cool option. The durability and wear resistance of faux fur is low. Synthetics quickly deteriorate. The surface wears out. Fur coats are not very durable. Outerwear from natural animal skins can last more than 10 years. The clothing is durable and rarely succumbs to deformation.

The popularity of faux fur is explained not only by a conscious attitude to ecology and nature but also by the opportunities offered by modern technology. Today they create products of almost any texture: with a twisted pile, under the caracula, with shortened fur, fuchsia color, under the llama and many more variations. If earlier faux fur coats made similar to natural, today you can, on the contrary, emphasize their artificiality. Thus, the owner declares her position and can experiment with color and texture to her heart's content. Today, vests made of artificial fur in bright colors are in trend. The bigger the size, the better. There are models with massive collars and even plumes. It can be put on top of a coat or leather jacket.

It is impossible not to mention another fashion trend – finishing with faux fur of eco-leather products. It can be pockets or sleeves. It is ideal if the color of the details will be different from the main one. Muffs and fur capes have returned to the streets of spring cities. Products made of eco fur can be shortened or lengthened, and sleeves and collars can be attached to them. On the catwalks, there are beaded embroidered products or whole works of art with frescoes and famous engravings. The "patchwork" technique has become fashionable when a fur coat is assembled from pieces of fur of different textures and colors.