Furs can be life-time investment

Press, 4 August 1981, Page 12

Furs can be life-time investment

Consumer watch

Anne ingram

a real tur coat is an expensive asset. As such it makes good sense to treat it with the best of care. A properly cared for fur coat or jacket will last a lifetime or more. Perhaps your mother or grandmother had a fur which is still in good condition. However, this would have been worn on special occasions only, and not every day of the winter months as some working girls wear them today. A. fur that is treated like an overcoat will only last up to about 10 years, if this is what you want, fair enough. But I should like to offer a few pointers that could prolong the life of your fur jacket or coat. Driving a car Driving is one of the quickest ways to damage a fur coat. The strain on the armhole seams from holding the steering wheel can break stitches and even split the skin. Riding a bike or scooter is even harder on your coat. Car . seat belts and synthetic upholstery cause friction against the hairs of your coat, and will eventually leave your fur looking patchy and worn. If you must wear a fur coat or jacket while driving, unfasten it, wear it loosely and avoid sitting on it. Beware accessories Friction caused by wearing shoulder strap handbags can also result in a bald patch appearing on your fur. Jewellery is another culprit. Don’t pin brooches or flowers on to furs because they flatten the pile and the perforations will, weaken the leather.

If your fur smells musty, don’t be tempted to douse it with perfume. The alcohol content will stiffen the hairs and leather by drying out the natural oils that keep them supple.

After-wear care After wearing your fur, give it a good shake to loosen any dust, and liven up flattened hair. Brushing occasionally with a wire brush will give your coat a new lease of life too. Don’t hang your coat or jacket from the hook at the back of the neck —- this would put too much strain on the skins. Instead, hang it on a soft padded hanger and keep it fastened to maintain its shape. Furs should be kept in a cool wardrobe where the temperature is fairly constant. and where there is sufficient room for. the coat or jacket to hang free, uncrushed by other clothes. If possible, cover your fur with a cotton sheet or loosely fitting cotton bag to protect from dust. Never use a plastic bag. This prevents the air from circulating and will make the skin sweat and lose its natural oils. A Wet fur should be shaken while holding the garment from the neck so that the hairs fall into their natural line. Then hang in a cool airy place to dry. shake again the next day and brush when dry. Professional care Should you damage your fur in.any was it is wisest to let a furrier. estore it. Anysplit or tear should be

mended as soon as possible while the edges are still supple.

The furrier, too. will clean your coat or jacket. This should be done at the end of the winter season, every year if you wear your fur frequently. If you only wear your fur occasionally then cleaning every second or third year should be adequate. Professional cleaning will keep your fur in good condition, enhancing the natural sheen and keeping the leather supple. The cost

ranges from about $lO for a jacket to $l2 for a full length coat.

Insurance It is a good idea to have your fur coat valued from time to time, then in the event that it is lost or stolen you will have a recent valuation to present to the insurance company. However, the fur will be valued according to its present condition, not its replacement value. A furrier will carry out the valuation for you. The cost of this service is normally one per cent of the valuation, but one furrier I spoke to charges a flat rate of $3. An investment?

Most furs, apart from the really costly ones like mink, do not increase in value over the years. This is because they are worn as clothing. However, a fur coat in reasonable condition is readily convertible to cash. There is a steady demand for second hand coats each winter.

The better the condition of your fur, the higher the price it will fetch, but you are still unlikely to make a profit on it.

Perhaps you would prefer to store it carefully in the wardrobe. Just think, your fur could keep your granddaughter warm in the depths of a chilly Christchurch winter, forty years hence.