What Is Faux Fur

Fur has been a popular shield against merciless winter since long. Early man had his justifiable compulsions in killing animals for clothing. But now, this practice is drawing flak from animal lovers and environmentalists. The high demand for fur poses a threat of disappearance to many species of animals. This has led to the invention of fake fur. It is also known as faux fur. Faux in French means not real. This fur alternative was introduced way back in 1929 and it was not until the 1950s that it became commercially available. You can have the same appearance and feel of real fur while wearing faux fur, minus the blood on your conscience. It is made up of processed and dyed polymeric fibers made from air, coal, limestone as well as petroleum. The base is made of cotton or wool. The fabric is then cut down to match it to a particular fur’s texture and color.

The advancements in manufacturing technology make it difficult to distinguish fake fur from real fur. Its popularity has picked up steam with increasing support of people and this has turned the tables. Early on, faux fur was regarded as a cheap alternative to real fur and was meant to be worn only by the lower classes. While faux fur certainly has an edge over the real thing, it comes with its flip sides too. To know more in this regard, read the article below on the pros and cons of faux fur.

Pros And Cons Of Faux Fur

Pros

The most important advantage of using faux fur is that you are freed of the guilt of killing animals to satisfy your wants. Hunting for fur is unlawful in some countries. You can pep up your wardrobe without remorse pricking your conscience.
Another reason for faux fur to get thumbs up is its low cost. It is a cheaper alternative to expensive fur as synthetic fibers are used in its manufacturing. Even though it matches natural fur in looks, it is far more cost-effective.
You can use simulated fur just as you use regular clothes. It is easy on maintenance and does not need protection against cold to prevent early wearing out. You can also easily wash it. It is resistant to moth attacks and if given proper care, it can stay soft and shiny for a longer time. Real fur requires careful storing and transport methods.
You can have a variety of designs with faux fur. They can be long, short, or brightly colored and still look authentic. You cannot experiment with natural fur as it cannot be colored.

Cons

Fake fur, despite its many advantages over real fur, does have a distinct disadvantage of not being environmentally friendly. Materials like blends of acrylic and modacrylic polymers derived from coal, air, water, petroleum and limestone go into the making of faux fur. These do not break down easily unlike real fur, which is biodegradable.
A functional disadvantage of faux fur is that it is not resistant to frost. Since it does not provide adequate warmth, its use becomes difficult when hiking, mountain climbing or skiing in extreme weather conditions. Natural fur is made from wolf, polar bear or possum which can withstand the harshest of weather conditions by preventing the snow from freezing.
As far as appearance is concerned, you may find faux fur to be very similar to bona fide fur. But, there is a marked difference as it tends to be coarser with a cotton-like feel, whereas real fur is a lot smoother.

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