Fur Lengths?

[minkme]

I have looked on eBay and Craigslist for furs and I see some people listing a fur coat picturing a stole not a coat. Terms like stroller length, full lengths are used.

 

What is considered a Jacket length?, stroller length? full length? ankle length? etc.

 

ok, that's a wrap. oh, what's a wrap? I have seen a pelt or two considered a warp or was that a stole?

 

Thanks,

 

mm

[ReFur]

I am not sure this is universal:

 

Jacket can be two lengths. One hits a few inches below the waist. These could be called Chubbies, Boleros, etc.

If I am remembering correctly about 21 inches from nap of neck in back to hemline.

 

The longer version jacket, the most common, hits just below the hip.

 

Stroller is mid-thigh usually fingertip length. Most I gave seen usually flare in cut. Very popular.

 

Full length varies based upon fashion, but typically mid-calf.

 

Ankle-length is kind of self-explanatory. Can be found in casual and formal furs.

 

A wrap, I think you are correct, is kind of a catch-all. But, I don't believe I have seen one which has sleeves.

 

Anyone... please correct me if I have made an error here.

 

Hope this helped.

 

Linda

[AKcoyote]

I think ReFur is fairly close on the proper definitions of the common garment length terms.

 

I have noticed on eBay, and it is probably also true on Craigslist, that sellers will use terms that do NOT apply to the garment listed so that their listing will show up in more searches. A very deceptive practice in my opinion.

[minkme]

Hi Linda and AKcoyote,

 

Thanks for clarifying the lengths.

 

mm

[RonGav]

Linda's explanation sounds right to me. What floors me is the ignorant misrepresentation of furs -- their types, lengths, condition, style, etc. that you find on eBay. The classic of course is the "silver fox" when describing a cheap blue fox jacket.

It's really quite funny, specially those ads that offer a "genuine fur coat".. oooh.

[Guest]

The good news in all this misinformation is the opportunity to find real bargains, if not outright steals.

 

I have a real quality Lynx lining for $100 in one of my jackets (see The Gallery, Etc. p5) which was advertised as Coyote.

 

Another Cross Fox truly Full Length coat of some description for $65 because of a very poor photo and description. I is pristine and very high quality. Well worth the risk at the time.

 

So keep your eyes open for that crazy one.

 

OFF

[ReFur]

Congratulations OFF! It is always nice to find great buys!

 

On my list: one correction, I think Full length is slightly longer than mid-calf. Wouldn't you think?

[minkme]

thanks for all the great information.

 

what would be considered 3/4 length? will that be a stroller?

[RonGav]

What would be considered 3/4 length? will that be a stroller?

 

Sounds about right. My favorite length is 7/8 just at the knee and hopefully with a super full sweep -- in a swing style.

 

I've seen "full-length" has been described as anything below the knee. But I think you're right Linda, as mid-calf is most accurate.

 

And let's not forget about those sensuous "ankle-length" coats.

[samurman]

I think length is an important parameter for a fur coat but not the only one: sweep, fit, cut etc are also as important. What I have realized over time is that all these are strongly related to how the fur coat is meant to be worn. Let me try to explain myself through some examples.

 

Firstly, a full length coat is the most formal fur coat you can get so it is assumed that it would be worn with gowns or long dresses. Of course this does not mean that you can't wear a full length coat with jeans, but what I am saying is that every fur coat design has certain parameters for a reason. Now, a gown or a long dress is usually worn on high heel shoes, so the coat design also takes this into account. There are several video clips on youtube from movies where a full length fur coat is worn with sneakers or flat shoes and the look is not as flattering. The full length coat is usually around 48-50 inches long.

 

Secondly, there is the "car coat". I have only seen this term used by Americans and it makes sense: the American culture is a car culture. Sure, the European ladies also use the cars, but perhaps not as a driver but mostly as passengers... But if an American woman will be driving her own car, then the coat should be quite short so that she wont' be sitting on the coat's hems while driving. Though considerably shorter than full length coat, the car coat is longer than a jacket too.

 

Thirdly, you must all have seen the seemingly endless supply of foxes our lovely Italian ebay sellers have. You must also have noticed that they are usually around 80-90 cms (31-35 inches) long. If you look at street fur photos or videos, you will notice that this length is perfect for women who have a great pair of legs! With a skirt and high heels, they look very attractive:) Besides, these coats can also be worn with jeans... I don't see coats with this length very often at American furriers. Another important point is that these coats also tend to have very long sweep lengths. You can easily understand the sweeps of these coats when the wearer is photographed from the back with her arms pushed as high as possible to show all the fur at the back hem, like the wings of a bird fully opened. The difference with these Italian coats and the American car coat is that the Italian coats have much larger hems while the car coat is more "fitted"...

 

I remember a very informative web page from a long time ago, either at furs.com website, or at one of the fur associations' websites (IFTF, Fur Council of Canada?) which listed all the coat lengths from full length to 7/8, 3/4, stroller, jacket, bolero etc. It might even be incorporated to the Fur Den's wiki pages...

[mailonfurs]

great thread guys

I have always worried that I might be using wrong terms for my listings (and apparently I have to a few ) since English is not my primary language