Fur back in vogue with

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FURS ARE the perfect way to break ia the holiday sesson . This lynx- dyed fox coat with removable boa, sleeves worked in elegant twists and turns,is one of several furs in vogue for Christmas ’88.

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The educational toy you give this Christmas could Jast your child a lifetime. Visit the new toy store in the

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Presents with a future!

THE VOICE OF NORTH AND WEST VANCOUVER

CHRISTMAS TIME is now rolling around again, and with Christmas comes a host of parties and enter- taining that often requires that just-perfect clothing look.

What better way to a-"ive at a Christmas party than in a fur coat, the perfect fashion statement that says it all — with definite class, elegance and style.

After a tull in the 1970s, fur is now back in vogue with a vengeance, but there are some im- portant things for fur owners to keep in mind this season.

Fur expert Melissa Simmons at- tributes this bold increase in pepu- larity to ‘‘the enormous purchasing clout of affluent young career women.

“It used to be that fur coats were purchased by men for their older wives,’’ she says. ‘‘But mod- ern women don’t want to wait for that and can afford not to.””

Simmons, a textile designer, recently created a complete source book. for the would-be fur owner with information on how best to protect and ensure a fur’s longevi-

y.

“Besides the obvious considera- tion of price,’’ Simmons says, “‘the most important factors in buying a fur are the three F’s — fashion, fit

the issues affecting you and your neighbourhood.

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39 — Wednesday, November 16, 1988 - North Shore News

and function.**

Function, or lifestyle, is proba- bly the most important, she adds. “‘Whether you spend your winters skiing at St. Moritz or shovelling your driveway, you should keep in mind what your fur will be used for.

“Will your coat be worn primarily for going to the office? To social functions? Or both? Lit- tle things count. If you spend a lot of time in a car, for instance, a jacket might be a better buy, since the constant friction of the coat rubbing against the car seat will cause wear.’”

Fashion is also an important consideration. Simmons says, “Some women may revel in the glamor and drama of a full-length, long-haired fur, while others may not wish to make such a statement.

“Try to envision yourself in a fur in a variety of situations,” Simmons advises. ‘‘Also, try to pick a style that won’t be obsolete in seven years. You're going to own your fur for a while, so a good bet is to stick with a more classic look.”’

Simmons also stresses the im- portance of fit. ‘‘A good fur must hang properly from your shoulder area. If the piece fecls heavy or

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bulky on your frame, it’s probably poorly made,”’ she says.

“The garment should also be roomy. Coats that are too snug will rip in strategic places like the underarm or shoulder area.’’ Simmons suggests shorter haired furs like lamb or seai for petite women, and full-length for larger women.

Geography should be a deter- mining factor. Very warm furs such as long-haired beaver and raccoon would be too heavy for an area like the Lower Mainland.

Once purchased, the fur needs

special care to ensure years of wear and enjoyment. Here are some quick tips: - ® Store the garment in a closet with plenty of room. If it’s crushed up against other garments, the tips of the hairs will bend and even- tually break. *Use wide-shouldered, padded hangers. This helps avoid putting stress on certain points, primarily the shoulder area.

* Touch your fur the way your furrier does — in the direction it grows. But be gentle. Rubbing fur briskly creates friction that will eventually cause the hairs to break

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