Fur and sheepskin coats: how to choose the material and buy well
Fur coat or sheepskin coat: what you need
A fur coat has the fur on the outside, such as rabbit, fox or faux fur. A sheepskin coat is made of shearling, with the fur inside and leather or suede outside. There are also short fur jackets, gilets and faux fur. They differ in warmth, weight and cost, so name the type right away in your request. Such coats are mostly for cold regions and the hills, where winters are properly cold.
For cold winters, natural shearling or a knee-length fur coat is a good fit; for the in-between season, a short jacket or faux fur. If weight matters, remember that a long fur coat is heavy, and you should take that into account before buying.
How to search through BlaBlaPrice
Fur coats are rarely bought “first time”, because they need to be tried on and inspected. So write your city in the request: this helps sellers offer a trial or pick-up. The request is checked for ads and contacts, and you are told which details are still missing.
Then sellers of fur and outerwear answer in the chat: what exactly, the price, photos, delivery and trial terms. They see which place their offer takes and can improve their terms. BlaBlaPrice shows the one that gives the best value first, and reviews of the seller are visible next to it. Contacts are opened only to the one you choose. For details see the “How it works” page.
What to put in your request
- Type – fur coat, sheepskin coat, short fur jacket, gilet, faux fur.
- Fur or material – rabbit, fox, shearling, faux fur.
- Length – short, mid-thigh, knee-length, long.
- Size – with bust and shoulder measurements and sleeve length: fur cannot be altered easily.
- Colour – dark walnut, graphite, black, beige.
- Cut and details – hood, collar, A-line, trapeze.
- Condition – new or second-hand.
- Maker – the country or factory.
- City for a trial and budget.
Example: “I'm looking for a new knee-length sheepskin coat, natural shearling, size L, dark walnut, with a hood. Abu Dhabi, I need to try it on before buying. Budget up to AED 3,500.”
What to inspect before paying
- The inner side of the skin (the suede side) should be soft, not dry or stiff. Skin that cracks when bent is a bad sign.
- The pile is equally dense along the whole length, without bald patches, especially on the elbows and collar.
- The seams are even, the lining doesn't sag, the fittings work.
- Smell: a sharp smell of chemicals or old fur points to problems with the tanning or storage.
For second-hand pieces, ask for close-up photos in light and ask how the item was stored. For a new one, ask for the material and the country of manufacture, and what exactly the warranty covers. Don't rely on the word “natural”: ask for the name of the fur.
When to buy
The widest choice is in the autumn, while sales and leftovers appear later, at the end of winter. If you are not in a hurry, you can start with a request in spring. See also outerwear and jumpers, cardigans and hoodies to wear under the coat, and in general women's clothing.
