Unlocking the Perfect Fur: Why Expert In-Person Guidance is Essential for Your Next Purchase

In the age of Internet shopping many non furriers have begun to sell furs through websites and social media platforms. This has been good for the fur trade as it has allowed a much greater reach. No longer does someone need to be near a fur store to be able to acquire a new fur. The downside is the consumer may not have a fur expert to rely on. The Internet seller is often not trained in style, fit, design or even fur quality.

I am writing this as a fourth-generation furrier of our family fur business, Mano Swartz Furs. Mano Swartz Furs is the oldest furrier in the United States as it was established by my great grandfather in 1889. I was trained by leading furriers in Copenhagen, Denmark, New York City and Denver, Colorado before entering our family business. I learned all aspects of the business including fur pelt buying, design, fit, fur construction, fur quality and distribution.

I have managed and worked “hands- on” in the business since 1982. I have literally waited on thousands of customers. My wife designed annual collections to meet customer needs. Together we traveled the world in such places as Montreal and Hong Kong. This was equivalent to a 42 year continue education in furs.

One of the best learning places was our family dinner table as my father and grandfather discussed the day’s business. This was like a master class in fur, psychology and the meaning of life rolled into one. It has allowed me to continue to sell fur the old-fashioned way, one customer, one fur at a time.

Our business model for selling furs has changed over the years. Today we sell almost exclusively through short-term, pop-up events. This allows us to concentrate our advertising efforts and provides the maximum selection and price advantage for the consumer.

Customers can interact with us in real time during the fur buying process.  Part of the joy of owning a fur coat is the buying process. This is the first step, the selection process. We have trained professionals with ten years + assisting the fur buyer. From the hundreds of furs these fur professionals can narrow the choices based on what the fur buyer is looking for to a handful. To buy a fur coat, it must be experienced and compared to others in real time.

There are hundreds of thousands of furs for sale on the internet. How can a fur buyer find the one right for them? This would be equivalent to giving someone a medical journal and asking them to find the right diagnosis for what ails them. If fur buyer trusts your fur seller, hopefully a trained furrier, you can trust from the thousands of furs available worldwide they can present the fur buyer with hundreds to pick from and can suggest a few that are best.

The important criteria for fur purchase are color, length, quality, price, fashion content, fit and lifestyle.

• Colors of furs: Fur colors fall into two main categories, natural vs. dyed. The trend in recent years has been towards bright dyed colors but lately we sell natural furs making a comeback. For example, think of the color of a red fox you may see running in a field vs. a bright red dyed fox. The natural red fox is associated with the 1920’s or 1970’s while the dyed red conjures up the 1990’s or 2000’s.
• Length: Length falls into these categories, capes/stoles, short jackets (hipsters), longer jackets just above the knee and coats which fall below the knee. In recent years fur buyers have wanted shorter jackets which makes sense as all clothing styles have become more casual. The traditional long mink coat is always in style and has been a staple of fur buying for years.
• Quality: This is the hardest criteria for a fur buyer to access. A trained long time professional needs to be relied on for hand-on explanation of quality differences between furs. Since it takes years and maybe decades to become a fur expert there seems to be no other way but to access the trustworthiness of the furrier. Fortunately, the Internet can help here by ways of Google reviews. Google reviews are the most trusted source of previous customers’ experiences. Look for a high score but also look for the quantity of reviews. A 4.9-star rating with hundreds of reviews is better than a 5.0-star rating with just a few reviews.
• Price: How much to spend on a fur is a highly personal decision. Its not only how much a buyer pays but has to be compared to what is purchased. Assuming the price is within the fur buyer’s budget it becomes a question of value. What is one getting for his/her money. Here only a professional trained furrier can provide the best value. He/she must understand all aspects vs, the cost to be able to offer the best value. Previously used furs can provide great value as their price is not related to the cost of construction. Just like building a new house is often more expensive than buying an existing how.
• Fashion content falls into three categories: high fashion, timeless fashion or in between. This is why many fur buyers own more than one fur. One fur cannot do it all. Fur buyers can be assisted to show which furs fall into which categories. This is no different than clothes shopping where the buyer decides how much fashion content they are comfortable with.
• Fit: As a furrier I can say it takes years to access the fit of a fur coat. On one essential aspect is body type being match with the garments silhouette. Much like clothing, a fur buyer wants to accentuate their positive body shapes. Here it is important that the fur buyer gets good feedback from the fur seller as to what fits best and thus is best.
• Lifestyle: The final aspect is lifestyle which means when and where the fur buyer plans on wearing his/her new fur. Is it limited to dressing up for formal events or limited to more casual use. Many furs can be worn for both depending on style and style features.

‘

In summary:

In the digital age, the fur trade has expanded its reach through online platforms, offering greater accessibility to consumers. However, this convenience comes with its challenges, particularly the absence of expert guidance for buyers.

As a fourth-generation furrier at Mano Swartz Furs, the oldest furrier in the United States, I emphasize the importance of in-person expertise. Trained extensively in all facets of the fur business, I have highlighted the invaluable insights gained from decades of experience, including family discussions and international travels. Despite evolving business models, such as pop-up events, I have underscored the significance of personal interaction during the fur buying process.

With hundreds of furs available online, selecting the right one can be daunting. There are many essential criteria for consideration, including color, length, quality, price, fashion content, fit, and lifestyle. Stressing the complexity of assessing fur quality, the need for trusted professionals. Google reviews can provide guidance. There is irreplaceable value of expert in-person advice in navigating the intricate world of fur buying.