Did (faux) FUR Suddenly Just Become The Biggest TREND Out There?

When it comes to FUR as a fashion trend, debates and online wars are bound to take place, if not for the looks per se, than for the controversy this subject holds. The parenthesis are meant to 1. express where I stand on this one, and 2. bring peace to an otherwise controversial topic, although let’s face it – at the end of the day it’s each to their own and the matter of real VS fake fur is a massive one, deeper than any shallow subject we discuss on a daily basis. Long gone are the days when wearing fur had to be the real shit (scarified animals & bank accounts for the sake of some posh coat that mirrored a social status rather than a fashion sense). Today we’ve got TONS of FAKEs to choose from, and when it comes to faux fur being bigger than the real thing, I think the industry deserves a kudos for it. In 2013 – 2014 autumn & winter, FUR (be it faux or real) is the biggest TREND. It did start last year with a mass obsession for fur hats, and, today, alongside other huge trends like Black & Leather, it only looks like we’ve taken it up a notch, going all vampy, rich socialites. With street styles swirling with fur coats looks and retail chains’ rails packed with too many styles, designs and colors, how do we know what to pick? FUR wise: What’s hot out there? COATS are the shit this season, with black, white and brown being major. Animal prints can rest assured too, and so can bold colors (like those late 90s styles seen on so many pop stars): purple, red, pink, neon, printed.

Style & cut wise, mid length (around your hips) is the ever classic style, that still holds the spotlight. A new thing though is the mid length sleeve, so you can show off your blouse or sweater sleeves. Or trade them for super long gloves. Short (waist length) coats are still a hip thing to wear. They look pretty cool with maxi skirts or dresses and boots. Besides, they’re a play-it-safe (and cool) ticket to layering. When it comes to long fur coats... I think they’ve yet to cross the matronly border. With Cruella written all over them, I can’t help but see them as too pretentious, loud and desperate. Who knows, maybe my forever young spirit is a few years short.  How to wear fur coats? Fashion restrictions (as in heels and smart-glam outfits) have been crossed. That leaves us with plenty of options, thus satisfying absolutely any style you’re going for. Sure hot heels paired with trousers of all sorts, or posh skirts and dresses are still in. Read: outfit for work, important meeting, cocktail, dinner. What’s great though today is that anyone can wear a faux fur coat and pull it off big time, whether in skinny jeans and ankle boots, or in leather leggings, sweater and some grungy motorcycle boots. Not feeling the heels in cold season? (too much of a fuss be it even chunky). Opt for flat boots, wedges or even sneakers.

The secret to looking great in your fur coat, whatever you’ll be wearing lies in the coat itself. It’s a statement & more glamorous piece, so wearing it with a similar array of clothes and accessories will only emphasize such a put-together style. Doing the opposite will give more edge and sophistication, turning a somewhat classic look into a more trendy one. 

Some street style inspiration… With 2 possible fakes (FUR & LEATHER) and one real thing (BLACK) going massive on trends this season, I’m wondering… is fashion (not so) subtly telling us to bring out our bombshell persona?