Deliberating fur/faux fur trend? Some say it looks cheap; others, that it’s simply trendy.
I agree with both points of view.
The fur — and much more politically-correct faux fur — trend is in full force this fall, coming in everything from swing coats to duffel bags.
But I think that faux fur can easily go very wrong if made of some cheap acrylic mess that looks more like an old Chewbacca costume than a stylish piece of clothing.
Fake fur should still be soft
If you’re going to buy a jacket or cardigan trimmed with or made entirely of faux fur this season, first make sure it doesn’t feel like a can of Aqua Net was let loose all over it. That tacky-to-the-touch feeling equals tacky to the sight as well. The texture should be as soft and plush as possible.
The pieces I particularly love when it comes to faux fur are jackets that have removable faux fur collars.
An army green bomber jacket from Rebecca Taylor ($495), for instance, has an optional faux fur collar that looks real and lays flat so the wearer doesn’t look like she’s giving a piggyback ride to a Muppet.
Plus the jacket provides options — collar-on makes a statement, collar-off is a little more understated — and ultimately you’ll be getting a little more bang for your buck.
Rachel Zoe’s pieces
There are some faux fur items on QVC that look surprisingly good. Rachel Zoe, who is a lover of fur (though more often the real deal than faux) is doing some faux pieces for her line on QVC. Her V-neck vest with faux fur front ($62) could be worn with some cutoffs and Wellies for that early-fall music festival vibe.
Also on QVC, Dennis Basso is doing faux fur bags and blankets ($81.12 for a bag and travel throw), which felt to me like chenille though they look just like fur.
A faux fur tote bag looks chic when traveling. Just watch out for the paparazzi because, really, who travels in fur besides Victoria Beckham and Andre Leon Talley?
Wink offers a retro look
Personally, my favorite way to wear this faux fur trend is with a “Mad Men”-esque twist. A simple sable-colored swing coat from Wink ($288) has short sleeves and a 1960s appeal that works with skinny black pants and flats or a high-waist pencil skirt and heels.
Don’t go overboard with the faux fur trend (or with any trend, for that matter), because it’s one that can definitely leave you looking like a fur-swathed fashion victim when it’s overdone.
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