Faux fur: A winter fashion trend minus the harm

As winter settles in, brown and tan coats, cardigans, jumpers and turtleneck tees finally make their way out of the wardrobe. To elevate your seasonal style, consider incorporating faux fur into the mix. It’s chic, very on-trend and an ethical way to style your winter look.

WHAT IS FAUX FUR MADE OF

Fur coats and scarves lend an opulent touch to any look. As luxury fashion embraces a more ethical direction, faux fur is increasingly becoming the material of choice, offering the same indulgence but ethically.

Mehakk Jain, fashion designer, tells us, “Modern faux fur is typically crafted from synthetic fibres such as modacrylic, acrylic, and polyester, designed to mimic the texture and warmth of animal fur. Some sustainable versions now use bio-based or recycled fibres, further reducing environmental impact. Innovations include faux furs made from corn-based polymers or recycled plastic bottles.”

HIGH-FASHION INCORPORATING FAUX FUR

Growing awareness of animal cruelty led to the rise in demand for faux fur. Alayna Zaid, founder, luxury clothing store, says, “The rise is primarily due to ethical consumer demand for animal-friendly fashion, coupled with technological advances that make the material look and feel genuinely luxurious. People prefer faux fur because they believe in animal protection, pushing major fashion brands to stop using real fur.”

Today, many high-fashion labels like Stella McCartney, Gucci, Chanel and Prada have gone fur-free and embraced faux fur. Very recently, New York Fashion Week (NYFW) announced a ban on real fur from all designer collections for the upcoming fashion weeks. However, NYFW isn’t the first to announce such a ban. London Fashion Week enacted a similar ban in 2023, and Copenhagen’s design community banned the use of real fur in 2022.

Such conscious efforts by both consumers and fashion labels led to the incorporation of faux fur in the fashion industry. As a result, more affordable, conscious faux furs are available, which are great for those who prefer to shop more sustainably.

TIPS TO ADD FUR TO YOUR WINTER FASHION

• Let the texture speak. Pair a tactile faux-fur jacket with streamlined basics to keep the look refined
• Transition with ease. A cropped faux-fur bolero over a tank and trousers works well. Throw on heels and a red lipstick for the evening
• Pair the right kind of accessories. Lean on sculptural earrings or a strong bag instead of heavy jewellery
• If you wish to start small, introduce faux fur with accessories — a fuzzy handbag, collar, or cuffs — for a subtle touch of texture
• Play with contrast. Pair a voluminous faux fur coat with sleek trousers or a satin skirt to balance proportions
• Choose colour wisely. Neutrals like cream, beige, or black are timeless, while jewel tones — emerald, ruby, and amethyst – make a chic statement.

(Tips by celebrity fashion stylist, Nishtha Parwani, and fashion designer, Mehakk Jain)