Guide

Selling, Giving Away or Remodelling an Old Fur — What to Do?

A fur coat turns up while clearing out the wardrobe, inherited from your grandmother, unworn for decades. Throwing it away feels wrong; wearing it is out of the question. This overview sets out the realistic options — factually, without ideology.

First: what do I actually have?

Before you decide, it pays to take a careful look. Three things point the way:

• Type of fur. Mink, fox, Persian lamb (karakul), rabbit, muskrat/nutria or sheepskin are the most common 20th-century pieces. The type determines value and — for rare wild animals — the legal situation (see below).
• Condition. What matters is not just the hair but the leather side. Is it supple or brittle? If it tears when bent gently, the fur is usually at the end of its life as clothing — though it may still do for remodelling into cushions or décor.
• Label. A sewn-in furrier's or fashion-house label helps with identification and value. Keep old receipts or photos — for protected species they later matter as proof of origin.

Option 1 — Keep it and go on using it

The ecologically best option is almost always to keep using a piece that already exists. A well-cared-for fur lasts for decades. If you like it, it often takes only a refresh at the furrier rather than buying some new winter piece. How to preserve leather and hair over the years is covered in detail under Care & Storage.

Option 2 — Have it remodelled

An old-fashioned cut is no reason to dispose of a fur. Furriers make new, more everyday things out of a coat:

• Waistcoat or bolero from a long coat — the most common conversion.
• Fur blanket or cushion from hides whose leather is too weak for clothing.
• Collar, cuffs, hat, bag as smaller accessories.
• Keepsakes such as a teddy bear made from the fur of an inherited coat.

The cost depends heavily on the effort involved. For a waistcoat from existing material, businesses charge sums in the low three figures; a lined fur blanket can be considerably more expensive. Ask for a quote in advance.

Option 3 — Sell it

There is a second-hand market for well-preserved pieces. Stay realistic: the resale value of used furs is usually far below the former new price, except for sought-after designer pieces in top condition. Routes:

• Second-hand and vintage clothing platforms — with honest photos of the hair and the leather side.
• Furrier purchase or trade-in. Some businesses buy pieces or credit one against a remodelling job.
• Our second-hand marketplace (in development) is aimed specifically at people who want to give an existing fur a second life instead of producing new.

Option 4 — Give it away or donate it

When selling is too much trouble but the piece is too good to throw away:

• Pass it on among friends and family — often the simplest route.
• Theatre, film and costume collections are often glad to take historical clothing.
• Some wildlife rescue centres use old furs as a warm bedding for orphaned young animals. Please always ask first whether there is a need.

The legal situation

What you should not do: throw it away

A fur in the residual-waste bin is the worst solution — for its material value as well as for the environment. The piece was made decades ago; any further use is ecologically cheaper than disposing of it and buying something new. Why that is so is explained in the honest environmental-footprint comparison.