FORS AND FURBELOWS

Northland Age, Volume 3, Issue 20, 18 December 1906, Page 8

FORS AND FURBELOWS

winter Fashion notes gathered ON BOND STREET. — .u ■ In the belief that our women readers like to know what London women consider “the thing” in fure for the winter season, the following notes have been gathered from Bond street furriers Sable, black fox, and silver fox for the rich woman ; white fox, "point-' ed” fox, skunk, mink, lynx and bear for her lees fortunate staters. Ermine and chinchilla are out of favour for the moment. This winter round boas have returned, and long, narrow stoles, worn open in the front, have taken the place of the fur "animal.’’ Muds ore of immense sice and rather flat, thickly wadded, and lined with soft satin. Shoulder capes and high collars made of fur are no longer seen; a few short fur jackets are on view, with elbow sleeves, and more or less In the Empire style: but this year furs are, happily, made very plain, and fashion seems to have repented her want of taste in trimming them with lace, chiffon, and artificial flowers. Silver fox is the rarest and richest of furs. An ordinary &in costs £75 and one of great value fetches as much as £350. Every one may not know what silver fox is like. It is the darkest softest, richest black fur, with a sprinkling of pure white hairs. Black fox is only rather less expensive than silver. Both of these precious furs come from Siberia, and the best find their way into the Russian market, and are much worn by the Northern nohility.

Russian sable ranks next in value, but as the skins are smaller than those of the silver fox, the actual cost is somewhat increased. One sable skin of the first quality fetches about £3O, and about six skins are needed for the modem muff. But there are other sorts of sable. Canadian sables are soft and good, but lighter in colour than the Russian variety, and not one quarter of the price. Ermine has taken a back seat for the time, but will still appear in the form of ties and trimmings. A word said against this regal fur would have savoured of high treason in 1902.

Chinchilla, that soft, downy, grey fur, has also a high value. Nothing is more becoming to a pretty woman but it owns several distinct drawbacks ; it soon looses its colour, stands no hard wear, and can be Imitated with a fatal facility. The best chinchilla hails from Buenos Ayres, the finest costs over £2 a skin, a good muff sells for £lO. White fox will be worn by, smart women, and is by no means expensive. Bear skin is also cheap, and skunk is fairly reasonable, and modern methods have removed its unpleasant odour.