Fur coats have long been a status symbol of the wealthy and stylish. They have also been worn for thousands of years by native people who simply want to keep warm. Even after a lot of controversy in recent years, fur coats have still managed to stand the test of time and have remained an important part of the fashion industry. Not all fur coats are the same, however, since the process to make them can vary. Here's a look at the two main ways manufacturers create a real fur coat.

Fur Coat Types

In order for a fur coat to look beautiful and consistent, only part of the animal pelt is used. It is usually rectangular in shape, and is located on the dorsal area, or the area that contains the highest density of fur as well as the longest hair length. This area also has the best fur quality, which is why it's the most sought-after part to make coats from. There are two main ways to craft a fur coat: the skin-to-skin method, and the paper shredder method. Each method gives a fur coat a different wearable factor and look. With the skin to skin method, the pelt pieces are sewn together to create one consistent fur piece. For the paper shredder method, the pelt goes through a machine and actually shreds the fur into half-inch wide strips. Then a leather piece is sewn between each strip.

Skin to Skin Method

With the skin-to-skin method to make fur coats, there is a much higher density of fur, and therefore these types of coats are warmer and well insulated. The pieces of pelt are consistently cut into larger pieces, so there is usually no shedding of fur when the coat is worn. Each pelt comes from the same grouping so the coat looks more consistent in both color and quality. The hairline stays in one direction, so coats made in this fashion have a streamlined appearance that makes them look as if it is one large piece of fur.

Paper Shredder Method

Coats made using the paper shredder method may have a bit of shedding when first worn, since they're made by literally shredding the strips of pelt and then attaching them in thin strips. After a few months, however, the shedding should subside. The fur will be lower in volume, so these types of coats usually have a lining added to give them more warmth. They do not appear as bulky, so some people prefer these types of fur coats due to their sleeker look. If you want to know how your fur coat was made, simply separate the fur with your fingertips and look at the root. Any areas where you see small strips of leather or pieces with no fur indicates it was made using the paper shredder method, and if the coat appears to have a more consistent look with no signs of extra materials other than the pelt itself, it was most likely made using the skin-to-skin method.

For a fur coat seller in your area, contact a company such as fur coats by Herman Sellers Gough Furs.