How To Determine If It's Real Fur

There are quite a few differences between real and faux fur. It's important to know some of the differences so that you can make a good buying decision. Fortunately there are a few good ways to determine the difference between real and faux fur.

• The first place to start is to look at the label to see if it's real or faux. The label can help but you need to do some research about the designer name on the label. Some labels like Mincara and Intrigue always mean faux fur, but other big designer names like Dennis Basso and Anne Klein produce both faux and real fur.
• Fur typically has a different look and feel than faux fur. Faux fur is coarser than real fur, which is naturally soft. Soft dense underfur is also difficult to replicate.
• Be sure to look for the Fur Label Authority Tag that was created in 1952 by the United States congress for furs that are manufactured, imported and sold in the USA.
• Checking the backing of the fur itself is a good way to see if it's genuine fur. Real fur animal pelts will resemble smooth suede leather.
• The burn test is an excellent way to see if it's genuine fur. You need to clip off some fur from a non-visible area until you have a generous clump of fibers. Then you hold a match to the fibers to see how they burn and smell. Synthetic fibers will burn easily and rapidly, also they will often melt into a clump or ball. If there is an odor it will smell artificial like plastics. Real fur when burned gives off the distinctive burnt hair odor.

Hopefully these tips will help to provide you with some good buying advice when you are looking into purchasing fur and want to ensure you are getting genuine fur.