Trendy Faux Fur Coats

All photos: Nordstrom - Apparis Sophie faux fur coat

THE SAVVY SHOPPER is fashion heavy this month since designers launch their fall collections. As I browse department stores and Madison Avenue windows I see how trendy faux fur coats and jackets are this fall. Every fashion house seems to have faux fur in their collection! 

Know that the price is not always cheaper than real animal furs, nor the fad necessarily better for the environment. The reasons are a couple: Many big designer names make faux fur out of acrylic and polyester -- synthetic fibers constructed from plastics, which take 500 - 1000 years to biodegrade. Another reason is real fur lasts for 60 - 70 years and can be recycled by passing them down to a younger generation to wear. Here is a worthwhile article to read which explains the real fur verses fake fur dilemma.

Designers: 1) Bardot; 2) Avec les Filles animal print; 3) Sam Edelman; 4) Rachel Parcell grooved jacket

When I was in my 20s I thought for a benchmark (50? or 60? year) birthday I'd buy a mink coat to keep warm, but after I got my goose down coat, the need and desire for mink evaporated. Also winters in America are less harsh than years ago. How many days would I actually wear it? Fortunately my practice is to let myself want big ticket items for a while. Too often instant gratification results in money spent unwisely on wasted purchases. 

But frankly, I still think fur coats look rich and stylish, but I'm a practical gal (over an image gal) who tends to buy goods based on needs, as well as, sustainability.

Topshop boxy faux fur coat

Originally faux fur appeared to be a great compromise, and I'm still tempted to buy a faux fur neck wrap/warmer to get the mink look. (No way do I need another winter coat of any kind.)

Teddy faux fur coat designed especially for Nordstrom

Considering the faux fur dilemma, should I buy a neck wrap? Doing the right thing means weighing benefits and drawbacks.  Now I'm not as hot to buy one. Hm, what will I do if it stares me in the face at T.J. Maxx? How do you feel about faux fur?


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