Product Care Guide

Caring for real fur trim coats involves several key steps to ensure the fur remains in good condition:

        1.      Avoid Moisture and Heat: Keep the coat dry as moisture can damage the fur. If it gets wet, shake it out and let it air dry away from direct heat sources.
        2.      Proper Storage: Store your coat in a cool, dry place. Avoid plastic bags which can prevent air circulation. Instead, use a breathable garment bag. Constant contact and rubbing, especially in a cramped space, can cause the fabric of one coat to wear against the other, leading to marks. During off-seasons, consider professional storage in a climate-controlled facility. 
        3.      Regular Brushing: Gently brush the fur to remove dust and debris. Use a soft-bristled brush designed for fur.
        4.      Avoid Chemicals and Perfumes: Keep the coat away from direct contact with chemicals, including hairspray and perfumes, as these can dry out the fur.
        5.      Professional Cleaning: Regularly take your coat to a fur specialist for cleaning and conditioning. Avoid traditional dry cleaners as they may not have the right equipment or expertise.
        6.      Handling Wrinkles and Crushes: If your fur gets wrinkled or crushed, never iron it. Hang it in a steamy bathroom or use a professional fur steamer.
        7.      Regular Inspection: Check regularly for signs of damage or wear, particularly in high-friction areas like cuffs and collars.
        8.      Avoid Compression: When sitting for a long time, try not to compress the fur excessively, as it can lead to matting.
        9.      Repairs: Address any rips or tears immediately by taking the coat to a professional furrier for repair.
        10.     Rotating Usage: If you have multiple fur items, rotate their usage to avoid excessive wear on any single item.

        11. Choose the Right Hanger. Your fur coat should always be hung on a broad, sturdy, padded hanger to keep the shoulders from losing their shape. The neck of the hanger should be long enough to keep the collar of the coat away from the hanging rod.

        12. Prevent Matting. Don't leave jewelry like a brooch, pinned to your coat because it can mat the fur. When wearing your coat, don't use a shoulder bag consistently; it can wear away the fur and leave a bald spot.

        13. Avoid Stains. Wearing a scarf around your neck under your coat will prevent body oil and makeup from soiling your coat collar. Avoid using hairspray or applying perfume when wearing your coat: The formulas of most brands contain alcohol, which can dry the hides. Any oils in the products may penetrate the fur and eventually become rancid. The odor is nearly impossible to remove.

Warning! Removing stains on a natural fur coat should be handled by a professional dry cleaner. If you have a fresh stain on your fur coat, quickly dab it with a clean cloth. Use another clean, slightly damp cloth to gently blot the stain, and then allow to air-dry. Don't use stain remover or detergents on fur.

Remember, real fur requires meticulous care, and following these guidelines will help maintain its beauty and longevity.

Fur Shading 

Shading, or the shedding of fur, in natural fur trim coats is a normal occurrence. It's important to understand that real fur, much like human hair, goes through a natural cycle of renewal where some hairs shed and are replaced over time. This process is more noticeable in new fur garments as loose hairs left over from the manufacturing process may fall out.

Factors contributing to shading include:

1. Type of Fur: Some furs, like rabbit or fox, naturally shed more than others, like mink or beaver.
2. Age and Wear: Over time, as the fur ages and with regular wear, some degree of shading is expected.
3. Handling and Storage: Rough handling or improper storage can increase shading.
4. Environmental Factors: Extreme temperature changes and humidity can also contribute to the shedding of fur.

To minimize shading:

• Brush the fur gently with a proper fur brush.
• Avoid excessive handling or rubbing of the fur.
• Store the coat properly in a cool, dry place.
• Avoid direct exposure to light and heat sources.

Down Coats: 

Please be aware that it is a natural characteristic of down-filled coats for some down feathers to occasionally protrude through the outer fabric. This is not indicative of a defect in the garment. Down feathers are fine and can work their way through the weave of even the most tightly woven fabrics.

In the event that you notice down feathers poking out, we recommend gently pulling them back into the coat or carefully removing them. Do not pull them out, as this can create larger holes in the fabric and lead to more feathers escaping. Regular fluffing and proper care of the coat can help minimize this occurrence.

This characteristic is a normal aspect of owning a down-filled coat and is to be expected over the life of the garment. It does not affect the coat's performance or its ability to provide warmth.

How to Clean Down Coats and Vests

• Down coats and vests are lightweight and incredibly warm. The secret to their success is keeping the down clean, dry, and fluffy. Even though you've probably heard disaster stories about wet down clumping, down garments can be successfully washed and dried at home

 Here's a general guideline:

• Preparation

   Empty all pockets and close any zippers or Velcro fastenings.
   Spot clean any stains with a stain remover suitable for down.

• Washing Machine Settings:

   Use a front-loading washing machine. Top-loading machines with agitators can damage the coat.
   Select a gentle cycle with warm water.
   Use a down-specific detergent or a mild detergent.

• Washing:

    Place the coat in the washing machine.
    Add tennis balls to the drum. They help to break up clumps of down and distribute it evenly.

• Rinsing:

        Ensure the coat is thoroughly rinsed to remove all detergent residue. You may need to run an additional rinse cycle.

• Drying:

Gently squeeze out excess water. Avoid wringing the coat.
Tumble dry on a low heat setting. Again, add clean tennis balls or wool dryer balls to help fluff the down. During the drying cycle, stop the dryer and massage the coat with your hands to help break up any clumps of down to ensure even drying.

• Air Drying:

Once the coat is mostly dry, you can hang it to air dry completely. Make sure it's completely dry before storage.

• Storage:

Store the coat in a cool, dry place. Avoid compressing it to maintain the loft of the down.

Remember, frequent washing can reduce the lifespan of your down coat, so it's often better to spot clean when possible. If you're not confident about washing it yourself, consider taking it to a professional cleaner who specializes in down products.

Shearling Jacket & Coat Care

• Never put the coat into a washing machine or a dryer! With few exceptions, most shearling products need to be either dry cleaned or "air-dried". A trip through the washing machine and a dryer is a splendid way to kill a high-quality shearling coat product!
• Frequent small cleanings are good. What this means is that you do not want to let dirt get heavily soiled into the jacket - as it can be very difficult to remove, if at all. Instead, clean the jacket soon afterit gets dirty.
•  Keep the jacket away from open flames or high heat sources! This not only will damage the shearling but can also damage the leather too.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to strong sunlight - such as hanging the coat or jacket in a sunny windows for weeks at a time - as this can bleach out the jacket.
• Long term storage. Do NOT use a plastic garment bag, as it does not breathe and allows moisture to get trapped. Instead, use a cloth garment bag that allows for air movement.
• Give the jacket some space. Hang the jacket or coat loosely - not stuffed tightly among other clothes. You want it to hang naturally, not in some contorted way.
• Speaking of hanging, always hang a shearling jacket on a hangar - a stout one. Never drape it over a doorknob or other round point like that (such as on a coat rack) unless the jacket specifically has a place that it can be hung from (most do).
• When wet, just let the jacket air-dry.
• Clean the jacket in the spring, and clean it good. Winter solvents and salt will accumulate on the jacket and, if not removed, slowly destroy the jacket. Clean in spring and then forget about it til next season.
• Just say no to silicone. Silicone and shearling/leather jacket products don't mix.
• Don't put adhesive stickers on the jackets, as the stickers - when removed - may pull out some of the fabric.