Comprehensive Skin Guide
Understanding and Caring for Sheepskin and Shearling, Fine
Furs, Leather, and Wool
To enhance your understanding and enjoyment of sheepskin, fur, leather, and/or wool,
simply refer to the Comprehensive Skin Guide featured below, compiled by our skilled
team of fur and leather experts. You'll find thorough glossaries of types and terms,
as well as useful tips for care gleaned from our three decades of experience in
the industry. Let this valuable resource assist you as you shop—and refer
to it over the years to maximize your enjoyment of our quality products.
Sheepskin / Shearling
Sheepskin is a natural lambskin pelt that features leather, or sueded leather, on
one side and soft, plush fur on the underside. Lightweight and luxuriously supple,
sheepskin is one of nature's greatest sources of insulation. Its soft wool fibers
are naturally thermostatic, wicking away moisture for year-round comfort and breathability.
Shearling is simply a sheepskin pelt with the fur side shorn slightly to create
a uniform look and feel.
Sheepskin /
Shearling Types and Terms
Caring for Sheepskin
/ Shearling
Leather
Practical and sensual, leather has been used to make quality garments, footwear,
bags, and accessories for thousands of years. Renowned for its durability and versatility,
leather resists tears, punctures, and extremes in temperature, and it contours beautifully
with wear.
Leather Types
and Terms
Caring for Leather
Fur
Absolutely nothing compares to the luxury and style of fur. Nature's elegant answer
to winter, a fine fur offers timeless beauty and long-lasting durability. You can
feel good about wearing an Overland fur; the pelts we sell are in abundance in nature,
and their purchase helps support thousands of people who make their living from
the land.
Fur Types and Terms
Caring for Fur
Fine Wools
Soft, cozy, and breathable, wool is one of nature's greatest insulators. A highly
popular fabric for tailoring fine garments, it beautifully resists wear-and-tear.
Remarkably, wool not only retains its shape after being stretched, but it can also
absorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture without feeling damp.
Fine Wool Types
and Terms
Caring for Fine Wools
Sheepskin / Shearling Types and Terms
Artic Merino (Double-Face) Shearling
Only found in Spain, this skin is the softest and lightest of all the shearlings.
The wool side is dyed and oxidized with a special treatment to create a unique two
tone silver effect.
Bella Toscana Shearling
This fine shearling features a soft suede finish on one side and long, silky wool
on the other. The wool on Bella Toscana shearling is hand dyed for a natural, wild
look.
Chilean Shearling
This shearling, noted for its exceptional value and durability, is usually from
or processed in Chile. Rugged and robust, it's a hardworking, great-looking heavyweight.
Corral Merino (Double-Face) Shearling
This extremely soft Spanish Merino shearling is created by dyeing the skin with
multiple colorations and then buffing it. The result is a fabulous contrast: a wild,
rugged look on the outside and soft, silky wool on the inside.
Curly Suede Sheepskin
Sometimes referred to as "Slink Lamb," Curly Suede is the name given to
sheepskin with tight curls on one side and a suede finish on the other.
Diesel
Diesel is a process of tanning sheepskin hides to yield a durable finish and strong
wool.
Entrefino Shearling
This type of shearling is most commonly found in Spain and is renowned for the fine
quality of its wool and luxurious hand.
Florentine Merino Shearling
A luxurious Spanish Merino shearling that features a soft suede finish and silky
fur that's hand-dyed to create a wild and natural look.
Frontier Shearling (Double-Face) Shearling
Known for rugged good looks and high-level performance, this plush, hardy shearling
hails from the chilly mountains of Iceland. Intrepid in even the bitterest weather,
it is tanned using century-old techniques.
Ironed Sheepskin
Straightening the wool on sheepskin yields a plush, smooth, fur-like appearance.
Merinillo Shearling
The softest, lightest shearling available, usually from Spain.
Merino Shearling
Usually from Spain or Italy, this fine shearling is highly regarded for its soft
hand and superb quality.
Merino Grizzly (Double-Face) Shearling
Double dyed and double sueded for a wild and primitive look, this Spanish Merino
is one of the softest, lightest, and finest shearlings available.
Montana Merino (Double-Face) Shearling
This fine Spanish merino shearling features a curly, two-tone appearance.
Northern Merino (Double-Face) Shearling
This classic shearling hails from the north of Spain and is known for rugged elegance
and supple softness.
Pelt
A pelt is the naturally beautiful hide or skin of an animal. All of our sheepskin
pelts and cowhide rugs are hand-chosen for their quality and beauty; we use only
the finest animal skins for long-lasting, rugged elegance.
Stone Buffed Merino Shearling
This Spanish Merino shearling is hand-buffed with volcanic pumice stones and hand-dyed
to create a rugged, worn-in look and feel.
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Caring for Sheepskin / Shearling
Cared for properly, a quality sheepskin/shearling garment or product can be a luxurious,
lifelong investment in comfort and style. Basic care rules are quite simple.
Q. What do I do if my sheepskin garment or product gets wet?
A. Simply allow the item to air dry at room temperature.
At all costs, avoid drying it under high heat, i.e. a blow-dryer, machine dryer,
etc. Once it is dry, you should be able to easily brush out any water spots with
a soft-bristle brush.
Q. How should I store sheepskin?
A. It's best to store sheepskin in a clean, dry environment,
to avoid the formation of mildew, which can stain. Enclose the item in a paper bag
or box; never encase in plastic. Moths are typically not attracted to shearling,
but if your storage area is overrun with them, it's wise to store them as you would
a quality wool sweater (i.e. with cedar balls, mothballs, etc.) and/or see about
having the moths fumigated.
Q. How do I clean sheepskin?
A. We recommend you entrust the cleaning care of your
sheepskin purchase with a reputable leather dry cleaner to avoid mishaps. However,
if you brush the fur and suede (unless leather) sides regularly, your coat will
rarely need dry cleaning.
Q. Can I store sheepskin in direct sunlight?
A. Absolutely not. Storing sheepskin in direct sunlight
can cause fading and "sunspots." Be sure to hang your sheepskin garments
away from direct light sources of all kinds.
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Leather Types and Terms
Alaska
Alaska leather is made from special European hides selected for their fine grain
and full character. The tanning process is carefully adjusted to enhance the leather's
natural beauty and maintain its original character. After, the leather is richly
dyed in the drum and finished with a blend of waxes and creams that protect it without
clogging it up. The result is a fine, full-grain, full-bodied leather that has all
the characteristics of a superior product.
Aniline
A type of color/finish: skins are drum-dyed for a smooth, soft hand.
Anticato Lamb
Anticato is a full-grain, full-aniline, drum-dyed South African lambskin that’s
lightly hand buffed to create a vintage look with a soft and smooth hand feel.
Antique Agnello
This full aniline lambskin boasts an incredibly soft feel and a flattering drape.
Drum dyed and hand finished with special dyes and oils, Antique Agnello delivers
a truly unique vintage look.
Buffed
Any type of leather that has been "buffed," i.e. been polished to soften
the surface.
Buff Classique
The Classique leathers are made from select water buffalo hides known for their
naturally bold grain and characteristic growth marks. The making of the Classique
leathers is a very special process that maintains their original grain patterns
and growth marks and gives them remarkable endurance. Combining traditional vegetable
tanning with modern science, each leather is deep dyed and stone glazed to bring
out the rich natural luster and full body that are the hallmarks of this leather.
Since the leathers are deep dyed and not dependent on top-pigmentation for their
colors, their richness and beauty increases with age and use.
Buff Nubuck
(see Nubuck, below)
Burlington Calf
A unique Italian calfskin tanned with special oils and waxes in a process that allows
the skin to change color tonalities as it is being worn.
Butterskin
This fine leather is created using only the highest grade of English domestic lambskins,
which have a tight fiber structure that results in a full-bodied, supple skin. The
drape and hand are uniform and the colors rich, as a result of the full-aniline
finish. Growthy areas that are normally found in lambskins are less evident in these
English domestic lambskins.
Cowhide
Cowhides are select bovine hides that are naturally dried and tanned to ensure extreme
softness and durability. “Hair-on cowhide” features the animal’s
natural fur for a rugged look and feel.
Cow Sam
The process for the Cow Sam is very similar to the Buff Classique, with some modifications
and without the stone-glazing. The leather is firm but still a little mellow to
touch.
Deer Nappa
The crème de la crème of skins, Deer Nappa is in a class by itself.
The tight pebble grain, soft texture, and supple body of these skins are instantaneously
recognizable when made into a garment. Skins are from animals farm-raised in New
Zealand and are tanned to exact specifications. The unique marks and patterns found
on the skins only enhance their natural beauty.
Eco-Lavato Lamb
Eco-Lavato is a full-grain, aniline-dyed Moroccan lambskin that is put through a
special washing process creating a unique and distinctive “well worn”
look.
Entrefino
One of the finest skins available, Entrefino comes from its namesake lamb, native
to Spain and a small region of Italy. Full aniline and drum dyed, like a fine piece
of wood, this skin's translucent depth of color brings up the full elegance of its
rugged character.
Featherbuck (Nubuck calf)
An extremely lightweight, full-grain calf leather that is drum dyed and buffed to
perfection, delivering an exceptionally soft, sueded hand and beautiful drape.
Glazed Finish
Using pressurized glass or steel rollers, the leather's surface is polished to a
high luster.
Goat Suede
Made from the finest goat skins tanned in Spain, Goat Suede is soft, velvety, and
extremely lightweight. Goat suede characteristics include a short, tight nap with
a very uniform luster. The skins tend to be small, and as a result, most goat suede
garments are multi-paneled. Goat suede has a slightly firmer hand than does lamb
suede.
Grain
This term refers to the outer surface, markings, or patterns on the leather's surface.
Highland Deer
A full-grain, full-aniline, drum-dyed deer skin, tanned to perfection with a fine
pebble grain and buttery soft feel.
Kildare Goat
Tough and resilient but with an incredible texture, Kildare goat skins are considered
the most durable of leathers. Drum-dyed and slightly buffed, this leather shows
its full rugged character and fine pebble grain.
Lumberjack (*Matisse) Lamb
These skins are full grain, but treated on the flesh side. First the skins are drum-dyed
and infused with aniline dyes. Then the flesh side is buffed and sueded, and another
layer of dyes is applied to the suede side. Finally, the suede side is buffed by
hand, resulting in a unique vintage look and velvety feel.
*Matisse lambs are a special breed between a lamb and a goat.
Metallic
Metallic dyes applied during the tanning process give a lustrous appearance.
Missouri Calf
This light, full-grain calfskin features a natural elegance and a soft, velvety
hand. Special oils and waxes are used to enhance this leather's natural vibrancy.
Moose Hide
Rustic and durable, moosehide has a soft, worn-in feel right from the first wear.
Naked Leather
Extremely sought after, Naked Leathers are hand-selected for uniformity and feature
no treatments or finishing (other than dyeing) that would alter the leather's natural
beauty. Garments from Naked Leather are extremely soft from Day-One and require
no breaking-in!
Nap
A short or fuzzy surface on fabric or leather.
Napa
A smooth, semi-aniline shearling, Napa (or Nappa) is a strong, resilient, durable,
and one of the softest leathers available today. Originally used only to describe
shearling, Napa has in recent years been used interchangeably with the word "soft"
to describe other types of leather, as in "Napa cowhide."
Norwegian Lamb
A special selection of skins are used to create the natural texture on this fine
leather. With a similar feel to deerskin, Norwegian Lamb is drum-dyed with full
anilines for a soft, natural hand.
Nubuck
Also known as Buff Nubuck, this rugged, suede leather ages well and grows in character
with use. In a carefully developed two-stage process, selected water buffalo hides
are first partially dyed and processed for a unique grain pattern. The hides are
then given the velouring or nubuck treatment that gives each leather its individual
nap and velvety texture. The hides are then taken back into wooden drums to be richly
dyed and treated with special oils and waxes that ensure each hide is strong, supple,
and will give years of faithful service.
Oiled Lamb
Oiled lamb is made from the rugged, growthy selection of New Zealand lambskins and
is characterized by a "bubbly" nap. The skins are full-aniline dyed, resulting
in a natural clarity of color and a soft, supple hand.
Palermo
Made of Italian calfskins, Palermo is characterized by a unique feel that is both
supple and rich with character. These skins are the most durable of any skin offered.
Patent
Patent leather is heavily finished to give a highly lustrous, shiny look and sleek
feel.
Pearlized
A spray-on finish creates a luminous, pearlized appearance.
Pelt
A pelt is the naturally beautiful hide or skin of an animal. All of our sheepskin
pelts and cowhide rugs are hand-chosen for their quality and beauty; we use only
the finest animal skins for long-lasting, rugged elegance.
Redlands Calf
This velvety leather features full-grain, drum-dyed calfskin with a natural pebble
grain. It is slightly buffed to enhance its softness.
Remy Soft
Extremely lightweight, soft, full-grain nappa lambskin. These skins are tanned in
Italy and feature the exceptional handwork available only at select tanneries. The
skins exhibit natural clarity, coupled with a soft drape and a weight that is as
light as the Remy Lite.
Remy Lite
Remy Lite is the most lightweight leather used in the manufacturing of leather garments.
Made of English domestic lambskins, Remy Lite is a suede product with a light resin
finish. In time, as the resin wears down, the nap of the suede will become more
buffed; however, the color and visual character of the skin will not change. The
fine hand and luster of the Remy Lite skin is the ultimate handwork of the tanner's
skills.
River-Washed Lamb
This full-grain, aniline-dyed lambskin features a distinctive, naturally "aged"
look that is the result of a special pre-washing process.
Sierra Nubuck
High quality South African lambskins are used to create this rugged and elegant
nubuck leather. The skins are drum dyed with full aniline dyes and special emollients,
buffed to perfection, and then put through a special finished technique that results
in a rugged, yet super soft hand.
Suede
Leather that has had the underside buffed to produce a textured, velvety hand.
Timber Calf
A naturally rugged Italian calfskin with a waxy hand, tanned with a special process
that allows the skin to change color tonalities as it is worn.
Velour Lamb
Semi-aniline lambskin. Finished on either English lambs or New Zealand lambs, these
skins possess a high level of uniformity, finish and texture making them ideal for
blouson or blazer style jackets.
Verona Calf
What Rugged Elegance is all about. An extremely lightweight, semi-nubuck calf leather,
Verona Calf is drum-dyed and slightly buffed to obtain a soft feel. This, combined
with the natural textured look of this skin, creates a truly rugged yet elegant
leather.
Water Buffalo Leathers
As natural and rugged as leather can get. A unique, shrunken-grain process ensures
that the intrinsic grain in every one of these specially selected hides is brought
out in a bold and dramatic manner (no embossed or printed grains are used). The
hides are then deep dyed to the final color in the drum in a deliberate, slow, and
controlled process. The final result is a rich, natural-grain leather that cannot
be matched by the pigment overspray method that many others employ. With use, every
item will burnish and develop its own unique character.
Waxy Buff
This skin is exactly the same as buffed leather, but with an added layer of wax
applied to give a grain-like feel.
Waxy Milled
A natural look and a buttery soft texture are the hallmarks of waxy milled bovine
leather. Its supple softness is beautifully enhanced by the natural milled grain
pattern, making it ideal for products where feel and durability are important.
Wilderness
This unique distressed leather boasts one-of-a-kind character. It features a rugged,
pebbly look and a wonderfully relaxed feel.
Wild Plonge
A super soft, full aniline drum dyed lambskin, with an incredible hand feel and
drape. This is a fully naked skin, meaning that no paints or pigments were applied
to the skin but rather the colors were infused by submerging the skins in special
oils and aniline dyes, highlighting the natural vibrancy of this leather.
Whisper Suede (*Matisse Lamb)
This beautiful Matisse lambskin is drum-dyed and buffed to perfection to create
an extremely soft, silky suede. A full-grain leather (on ordinary suedes, the grain
is removed), Whisper suede boasts unique body and drape.
*Matisse lambs are a special breed between a lamb and a goat.
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Caring for Leather
Leather ages gracefully and, with the proper care, it can last a lifetime. You should
be able to enjoy your fine Overland leather purchase for years to come by following
a few simple guidelines.
Q. What should I do if my leather garment/product gets wet?
A. Simply allow the item to air-dry naturally, being
sure to keep it away from any direct heat sources. Never blow-dry leather, or drape
it over a radiator. Once it has dried naturally, you can treat it with a special
conditioner (see below) to restore luster and flexibility. It the item is suede,
you may gently brush it with a terry-cloth towel.
Q. How should I store my leather items?
A. Store your leather goods in a moderate environment
(i.e. not overly humid, and not overly dry), making sure to keep items out of direct
sunlight. To help maintain shape, you'll want to hang leather clothing on wide or
padded hangers, and insert shoetrees or tissues in leather footwear and/or purses.
Never store leather goods in covers made of plastic or other non-breathable materials;
if you do so, they stand a chance of becoming dry.
Q. How do I clean leather?
A. In general, we strongly recommend you take your leather
goods to a reputable, professional leather dry cleaning facility. A regular drycleaner
won't do the job well, unless they specify that they offer leather goods servicing.
Essential oils are removed during the cleaning process and can only be restored
professional leather cleaners. Winter sale deposits, however, can be removed at
home by gently sponging with clear water and then air-drying, as above. (If you
decide to use an at-home leather-cleaning product on other stains, we recommend
you test it first on an inconspicuous part of the garment first.)
Q. Can I iron leather?
A. Wrinkles in leather tend to "hang out"
if you leave the garment on a quality, padded hanger. For more heavy-duty wrinkles,
we strongly recommend you take your leather garments to professional leather cleaners.
If you decide to do it at home, set your iron on the rayon setting, use a pressing
cloth over the garment, and iron quickly to avoid overheating and shine.
Q. How can I mend and repair minor tears?
A. We strongly recommend you entrust leather repairs
to a reputable leather care professional. However, hems and other minor tears can
mended at home by applying rubber cement sparingly and according to instructions
on the tube. For best results, see a leather care professional.
Q. Should I use conditioning products on my leather goods?
A. Quality leather conditioners contain fats and/or
oils than help to moisturize leather, keeping it supple, replenished, and lustrous.
Do NOT use products that contain petroleum or mineral oils, as they are very drying
and can damage leather over time. In general, look for products that contain quality
natural oils, like mink oil. But don't overdo it: leather conditioners are meant
for occasional use.
Q. Do I need to polish my leather items?
A. Polishing is done for special occasions when you
want a more glossy finish on your leather. There are a couple things to be wary
of when purchasing a polishing agent. Some products contain coloring factors that
will brush off on things you come in contact with. Some products also have a tendency
to clog the pores in leather or dry leather out. Just as with cleaning, be sure
to test out the product on a small area and when ready, buff to a shine.
Q. What products could be harmful to my leather goods?
A. As mentioned earlier, never use store-bought creams
or gels containing waxes or silicone; these ingredients will dry leather out and
damage it over time. You should also avoid spraying perfumes and hair sprays on
leather.
Q. Can I store leather in direct sunlight?
A. It's better not to store leather goods in direct
sunlight, as this can cause fading and "sunspots" over time.
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Fur Types and Terms
Beaver
In its natural form, Beaver features long, lustrous guard hairs over a thick, plush
underfur. It offers sumptuous warmth and a natural look. Sheared Beaver has a soft, velvety hand and unbeatable warmth.
It is often dyed in playful, fashionable colors. Typically, the whiter the fur:
the greater the value. A long-haired fur.
Chinchilla
Extremely sought after, Chinchilla boasts an extremely soft, silky texture. It features
a short, dense fur with lustrous guard hairs and sumptuous underfur.
Coyote
This distinctive fur is known for its wonderfully wild look and durability. A long-haired
fur, it is often pale grey or tan, with soft, thick underfur.
Ermine
Used for the bordering of judges' robes in France and the U.K., Ermine features
extremely silky guard hairs and dense underfur.
Finn Raccoon
A soft, supple fur, Finn Raccoon features long, thick, light-colored guard hairs
with black tips and dense underfur.
Fisher
From an animal similar to the Martin, Fisher fur is renowned for its soft hand and
durability. It features silky guard hairs and a rich, dense underfur.
Fitch
A long-haired, wonderfully natural-looking fur, Fitch features long guard hairs
over underfur.
Fox
Soft, luxurious Fox comes in the widest range of natural colors of any fur, with
the exception of mink. Natural color varieties include silver cross, crystal blue,
red, grey, and white; pelts can also be dyed in fashionable colors. Fox fur features
long, lustrous guard hairs with thick, soft underfur.
Goat Fur
Rustic and uniquely textured, goat fur features the animal’s natural hide
and fur for a rugged look and feel.
Lynx
Lynx is one of nature's most exquisitely patterned pelts. Canadian Lynx features
creamy white tones and characteristic darker markings. Russian Lynx features soft,
creamy fur with subtle beige markings.
Marten
Several different types of Martens produce sleek and luxurious pelts. The American
Marten features long, silky guard hairs and a dense underfur; the Baum Marten has
fur that's softer, shinier, and silkier. The Stone Marten, the finest available,
has soft, plush guard hairs and a thick underfur.
Mink
The most popular fur on the market, Mink features soft, lightweight fur, with lustrous
guard hairs and soft, dense underfur. The long-haired version of mink offers a more
full-bodied alternative to Sheared Mink. A very durable fur. Sheared Mink Velvety
soft and smooth, Sheared Mink is lofty, luxurious, durable, and extremely warm-a
sporty alternative to full-bodied Mink. Sheared mink can be dyed a wide range of
fashionable colors.
Nutria
Very similar to Beaver, Nutria is a silky, lightweight fur that is often shorn,
for a sporty look. A versatile fur, it's used frequently in linings and trims and
can be dyed a variety of fashionable colors.
Rabbit
Soft, silky, and extremely popular, Rabbit is wonderfully lightweight and warm.
Typically, Rabbit features medium-length guard hairs and is often sheared or grooved
for a more sporty look.
Raccoon
Soft, sumptuous, and beautiful in its natural coloring, Raccoon features long grey
or black guard hairs with silver tips, with a thick, dense underfur. Wild and wooly,
Raccoon is a very durable fur.
Rex Rabbit
Rex Rabbit is known for its plush, velvety hand and sumptuous feel. Can be worn
natural, long, and silky, or sheared and sporty.
Sable
Sable is an abundant yet lightweight fur that is known for its quality and durability.
In general, Sable features long, luxurious guard hairs and thick underfur. Russian
Sable, the most coveted Sable, is brown with silver fur. Canadian Golden Sable features
gold and amber hues.
Sheared Beaver
Sheared Beaver has a soft, velvety hand and unbeatable warmth. It is often dyed
in playful, fashionable colors. Typically, the whiter the fur: the greater the value.
A long-haired fur. Beaver (natural) In its natural form, Beaver features long, lustrous
guard hairs over a thick, plush underfur. It features sumptuous warmth and a natural
look.
Sheared Mink
Velvety soft and smooth, Sheared Mink is lofty, luxurious, durable, and extremely
warm-a sporty alternative to full-bodied Mink. The most popular fur available, mink
can be dyed a wide range of fashionable colors. Mink (natural) features soft, lightweight
fur, with lustrous guard hairs and soft, dense underfur. A more full-bodied alternative
to Sheared Mink.
Tanuki
The Japanese raccoon boasts exotic, sumptuous fur with distinctive markings. Tanuki
is well known for its long guard hairs and supple hand.
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Caring for Fur
Resilient and naturally durable, a fine fur garment can be enjoyed for many years,
if cared for properly. Give them the care they deserve by following the basic guidelines
below.
Q. What do I do if my fur gets wet?
A. Most fur coat will handle light rain and snow better
than many wool coats. If your fur is mildly wet, simply hang it to dry in a well-ventilated
room, making sure to keep it away from direct heat. Do not blow dry or hang over
a radiator. Once the fur is dry, give it a vigorous shake; never comb or brush a
fur. If your fur gets completely soaked-which you should absolutely avoid-you'll
need to bring it to a fur merchandiser or fur cleaners immediately for proper treatment
with oils.
Q. How should I store my fur?
A. Always hang your fur on a broad-shouldered clothes
hanger in an ample space in your closet (never squeeze a fur coat into a cramped
corner). Use a cloth bag when traveling; never store your fur in a plastic bag (this
will dry your coat out). During the summer months, we strongly recommend professional
storage with a reputable furrier who has temperature- and humidity-controlled vaults;
it's an inexpensive and foolproof way to protect your fur from dust, dirt, and insect
damage.
Q. What do I do if my fur gets dirty?
A. Leave it to the professionals. Many stains and smudges
can be adequately treated by fur-care specialists in your areA.
Do not go to a regular dry cleaners unless they specify years of experience cleaning
fur.
Q. What can I do to maximize the lifetime of my fur garment?
A. We recommend you take your fur to a professional
fur-care specialist for annual cleaning, conditioning, mending, and tightening of
closure, buttons, and lining. Fur-care specialists can detect early tears you might
not have noticed, and they will expertly replenish your fur with essential oils
that can enhance longevity, softness, and sheen. Do not attempt to condition your
coat at home.
Q. What products or treatment could harm my fur?
A. You should avoid spraying perfume or hairspray on
your fur, as well as pinning jewelry directly into the garment. Also, overuse of
shoulder straps on handbags can cause premature wear and tear on your fur. Never
attempt to mothproof your fur; the fibers can absorb the odor and carry it with
them for a long time. Lastly, take care not to leave your fur hanging in direct
sunlight or a brightly lit room; the fur could oxidize and change color.
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Fine Wool Types and Terms
Alpaca
The long, fine fleece of the alpaca (a south American mammal related to the llama)
is rich and silky, with exquisite luster. Alpaca is a lightweight yet warm wool.
Mohair
An extremely resilient and strong fabric, Mohair comes from the angora goat. A lustrous,
robust fabric.
Angora
Renowned for its softness, Angora wool comes from the angora rabbit and is commonly
used in baby clothes, scarves and mittens, and fine sweaters.
Camel Hair
This extremely soft, fine fur comes from the undercoats of camels. Lightweight yet
remarkably warm, camel hair is commonly used to make fine coats-on its own or combined
with fine wool. Like Cashmere, it travels well and does not wrinkle.
Cashmere
A famously soft fabric, cashmere comes from the down of Kasmir goats. The process
used to separate the soft fibers from the longer, coarser hairs is time-intensive
and laborious, which is one of the reasons cashmere is so highly prized (it takes
the fleece from over two goats to make a two-ply sweater, and six goats for a sports
jacket). Cashmere can be used on its own or blended with silk, cotton, or wool.
Like Camel Hair, it travels well and does not wrinkle.
Broadcloth
This all-woolen or worsted fabric is renowned for its velvety feel.
Gabardine
This tightly woven wool twill features a high sheen. Excellent for tailoring, this
fabric hangs and wears very well.
Harris Tweed
This soft, hand-woven fabric comes from Scotland.
Laine
French for "wool."
Lambsdown
A heavy knit fabric that has a spongy fleeced nap on one side.
Nap
A short or fuzzy surface on fabric or leather.
Merino Wool
One of the finest wools, Merino is soft, luxurious, and reminiscent of cashmere.
Renowned for its soft hand and durability, this fabric is popularly used in fine
sweaters and coats.
Tweed
This rough, textured wool is both sturdy and stylish.
Virgin Wool
Wool that has never been processed into fabric.
Worsted Wool
A fabric made from firm, compactly twisted woolen yarn made from long-staple fibers.
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Caring for Fine Wools
As with all fine fabrics, quality wool garments can provide years of enjoyment,
when properly cared for. The guidelines below offer basic care instructions.
Q. How should I store my wool garments?
A. After wear, empty the pockets to prevent bulging
or sagging. For short-term storage on frequently-worn items, hang the garment on
a decent hanger in a cool, ventilated environment. Never cram wool garments together;
allow enough room for creases to "hang out." For long-term storage, it
is wise to dry clean first, which removes bodily oils, thus keeping moths at bay.
Hang or fold the items (never hang knits!) and store with mothballs or fresh cedar
blocks, which tend to have a more pleasant odor.
Q. What do I do if the garment gets stained?
A. Surface stains can be removed it attended to immediately.
Rinse small stains with cold water and/or seltzer and dab dry with a clean cloth
(not a paper towel).
Q. What do I do when my wool garment gets wet?
A. Air dry your garment in a well-ventilated room of
moderate temperature, keeping it away from direct heat and sunlight. Never dry wool
garments with a blow dryer, a radiator, strong sunlight, or a fire. Do not tumble
dry in the dryer unless the label specifies so.
Q. If strong odors, such as cigarette smoke, have been absorbed,
how can I remove them?
A. Air the garment out in a well-ventilated room. If
odors persist, take the item to a reputable dry cleaner in your area.
Q. How do I wash my wool garments?
A. Carefully consult the washing instructions on the
label inside the garment. Some items can be hand washed at home, but others require
dry cleaning. Occasionally, some items can be machine washed and dried, when specified
on the label.
Q. Can I iron wool garments?
A. Again, carefully consult the instructions on the
label. Many wool garments will shed their creases when hung in a steamy bathroom
for a short while, or overnight. Deeper wrinkles can often be removed by ironing
on the "wool" setting with a damp cloth or steam iron. Always read the
label first.
Q. What preventive/maintenance measure should I take?
A. After wearing, gently brush to remove surface dust
and oils that might cause stains later on. It's also good to ventilate wool items
for a while after wearing. Wait a day or so before wearing the garment again will
help prolong its life.
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