The Mane Event

Walking past the window displays on 5th Avenue, one can easily see that the trend of fur has arrived. I still have not figured out where I fall on the "yay versus nay" scale. There is something fun and rugged about breaking up the clean lines of your outfit with the furry warmth of an expired woodland creature. Although, if that sounds a little too harsh for your taste, there are many faux fur options out there which, pleasantly enough, can end up being the more affordable option.

However, as sometimes happens with a trend, an uneducated shopper can get carried away. The Chanel 2010 fall/winter ad campaign is a prime example of where a naive shopper could be led astray. Sometimes designers go overboard with a theme in an attempt to be artistic, but how a glorified wookie suit became high fashion, I will never know. What is even more shocking, is to see the the price ticket that budding fashionistas (with too much money) will pay for this haute Lucasarts set piece.

Fur is a trend that one should never just embrace just for the sake of fashion. It requires a more knowledgeable spin to craft together the ideal ensemble without looking like a 19th century trapper. The most common piece that I have seen this fall is the fur vest. It is available in different fur types, lengths, and color options. Something I have noticed is that every wanna-be model, and most of the actual models, seem to own one. The problem presented is that only a handful of these owners actually know how to pull the look off. I find that it often looks best on someone with a more "rocker bohemian" style (i.e., Erin Wasson), although the grey furs look great on someone with a bit more minimalist approach.

Final Verdict: Whatever your style, I would suggest that you stay away from the yeti-fur boots. I don't know why these have come back, but I thought we had killed off that "Aspen snow bunny" fashion disaster. Instead, you should look for pieces that have the animal trim, often around the collar, or use the fur detailing on scarves, capes, and capelets to sate your appetite.