America’s Oldest Furrier
Est. 1889
Est. 1889
Selling a fur coat—especially one inherited from a parent or loved one—comes with a surprising number of emotional and logistical challenges. One of the most common concerns people share is this: “I have no one to model the coat. Will that be a problem?”
The short answer is: No. Not at all.
In fact, more than half of the fur coats we evaluate come from sellers who never model the garment. Some don’t want to wear a fur because it belonged to someone special and putting it on doesn’t feel right. Others simply don’t have someone available to model it. And many people just feel uncomfortable taking a photo wearing something they’re planning to sell.
Whatever the reason may be, the good news is this: you do not need a model—at all—to sell your fur coat. The entire process can be handled through simple, clear photographs that you can take in just a few minutes, even if you have never photographed clothing before.
A fur coat’s value is not determined by how it looks on a particular person. In fact:
A fur coat’s craftsmanship—such as the paneling, stitching, pelt quality, and shaping—can be evaluated best when the coat hangs naturally. When the garment is worn on a person, its natural drape can actually be distorted depending on height, shoulder width, and posture.
A professional fur buyer looks for:
All of this can be seen clearly from basic hanging photos.
Many sellers feel uneasy modeling a coat that belonged to their mother, grandmother, or a family friend. Some prefer to handle the garment as little as possible. That’s completely normal—and the evaluation process respects that.
Here’s the exact method that works best (and the same method thousands of people have successfully used):
Choose a plain-colored door or wall. A white or light-colored door is ideal, but any neutral background works. Avoid patterned backgrounds.
Hang the coat from a sturdy hanger—preferably one with wide shoulders so the garment displays properly.
Natural light works beautifully, but indoor lighting is fine as long as:
If possible, photograph near a window with the curtains open.
Take at least four photos:
Optional (but helpful):
iPhone or Android cameras are perfect. Do not use flash unless absolutely necessary; natural or overhead lighting usually works better.
Once you submit photos, the fur buyer can:
All of this happens without a model.
Professionals who evaluate fur coats do so based on the construction and condition—not appearance on a person.
This method actually gives more useful information because:
Modeling the coat often introduces:
In short: door-hanging photos are better for evaluation.
Many inherited coats come with sentimental attachment. You might be feeling:
Not modeling the coat makes the process much easier emotionally.
You can take photos quickly, respectfully, and privately.
The moment your photos arrive, the evaluation begins.
You will receive a:
If you choose to move forward:
Every step is designed to be simple and dignified.
You never need a model—and you never need to worry about the quality of your photos.
Thousands of sellers across the country—55% to 65% of them dealing with inherited fur garments—successfully complete this process every year without modeling the coat.
Whether you’re ready to move forward or simply want a sense of its value, taking door-hanging photos is all you need.
Send clear photos of the front, back, lining, and label.
We’ll take care of everything else.