Faux Fur Vs. Real Fur: What's The Difference between Them?

Fashion has always been a means of self-expression, with some opting for the simplicity of a T-shirt and jeans, while others prefer a more sophisticated style, complete with pearls, elegant shoes, and even real animal fur. However, the tide is turning, and an increasing number of individuals worldwide are recognizing the significance of environmental sustainability and taking a firm stand against animal cruelty.

This shift has paved the way for the rise of faux fur. Initially criticized for its lack of quality, early versions of faux fur often came across as cheap and unconvincing. However, thanks to advancements in technology and the unwavering commitment of designers to refine synthetic materials, modern faux fur has evolved to the point where it is nearly indistinguishable from real fur.

In this article, we will delve into the concept of faux fur, exploring what it is and highlighting the primary differences between faux fur and real fur. Through this exploration, we aim to showcase how elegance and grace can be achieved sustainably and ethically in the world of fashion.

What is Faux Fur?

Faux fur, also known as fake fur or artificial fur, is a synthetic fabric designed to look like real animal fur. Manufacturers create it using blends of acrylic or polyester and other synthetic materials, stitched together to mimic the appearance of fur. Unlike real fur, faux fur can be dyed in various colors and produced in different thicknesses. It's more durable, accessible, and ethical than real fur, as it doesn't require the killing of animals. Faux fur also doesn't need expensive care or storage, making it a popular choice for those looking for a cruelty-free alternative.

What is Real Fur?

Real fur is exactly what it sounds like – fur from living animals used to make accessories, coats, blankets, and other items. Producing one piece of real fur clothing often requires the lives of hundreds of animals. Real fur can come from a variety of animals, including chinchillas, foxes, wolves, rabbits, lynxes, and more. These animals are typically kept in cramped, stressful conditions until they are slaughtered. The conditions are often unhygienic, leading to disease among the animals. The process of killing these animals for their fur is also inhumane. These factors have led many people to choose faux fur as a more ethical alternative to real fur.

The Main Differences Between Faux Fur and Real Fur

The primary differences between faux fur and real fur lie in their sources and impact. Faux fur is made from synthetic materials, designed to replicate the look and feel of animal fur. In contrast, real fur is obtained directly from animals, often used in the production of accessories, outerwear, and blankets.

One of the most significant distinctions is the ethical aspect: faux fur does not harm any animals during its production, while real fur requires the lives of up to hundreds of animals for a single coat. Approximately 50 million animals are killed each year for the production of real fur, whereas faux fur production does not involve the killing of any animals.

Additionally, faux fur tends to be more durable and long-lasting compared to real fur. Faux fur products are often easier to clean, with many high-quality options being machine washable at home. On the other hand, real fur typically requires specialized dry cleaning services. Storage is also simpler for faux fur, which can be stored year-round without the need for precise climate-controlled conditions required by real fur.

How to Determine if Your Fur is Faux or Real

If you're considering adding fur to your wardrobe but want to avoid supporting animal fur production, it's important to know how to distinguish between faux fur and real fur.

Check the Labels

The easiest way to determine if fur is faux or real is to check the labels on the garment or accessory. However, be aware that mislabeling or false labeling can sometimes occur.

Look at the Brand

Certain brands are known for using only faux fur or real fur. Checking the reputation of the brand can help you identify the type of fur used.

Consider the Price

Real fur is typically much more expensive than faux fur due to the complex production process and the number of animals required. While faux fur is not cheap, it is generally more affordable than real fur.

Feel the Fur

Real fur tends to be extremely soft to the touch. Faux fur, while also soft, may feel slightly coarser. However, recent advancements in faux fur technology have made it feel more like real fur.

Examine the Base of the Hairs

Faux fur often has a fabric backing, while real fur is attached to a leather or animal skin base. Examining the base can help you determine the authenticity of the fur.

Check the Hair Tips

Real fur hairs taper to a point, similar to human hair. Faux fur, on the other hand, has blunt tips that end abruptly. High-quality faux fur may mimic real fur in this aspect, making it more challenging to differentiate.

Perform the Burn Test

If possible, pull out a few fur strands and burn them. Real fur will singe and smell like burnt hair, while faux fur will burn like melted plastic.

Try the Pin Test

If a pin easily pierces the fur, it's likely faux. Real fur is more difficult to penetrate due to its thick leather lining.

As the faux fur industry continues to expand, distinguishing between real fur and faux fur has become increasingly challenging. This is a positive development for those looking to avoid supporting animal cruelty and prefer to endorse animal-friendly practices while still enjoying the style and elegance of fur accessories. Choosing faux fur over real fur offers numerous benefits and is a more sustainable choice for our planet.

At Kingcason, all of our fabric products are made from faux fur made from 100% polyester. We are committed to providing you with top quality products that not only look and feel like real fur, but also stand the test of time. Whether you are a blanket supplier, a home textile manufacturer, or a toymaker, a garment factory, etc., our faux fur fabrics will meet your requirements, and we aim to provide the most up-to-date patterns in the market, so that our customers can be ahead of the market as well! Our MOQ for faux fur is 500kg/color, if you have your own design and pattern, then the MOQ becomes 1000kg/design.

We truly believe that faux fur has made advancements over time and is now far superior to real animal fur. If you’re ready to make the switch to faux fur, head to our product selection at Kingcason today. At Kingcason, we’re proud of our faux fur products that were born out of a simple idea in a very special place.

Our products are as beautiful as they are practical, and offer you all the benefits mentioned above; as a source factory, we can also offer favorable wholesale factory direct prices; as a supplier, we also have extensive experience in exporting to 100+ countries around the world; and we offer a wide range of products, including flannel fleece fabric, sherpa fleece fabric, minky fabric, coral fleece fabric, super soft velvet fabric, luminous fabric, polar fleece fabric, PV fleece fabric, bonded fabric and more. If you are interested in exploring personalized product ideas, we also offer a range of customizable options to make your product truly unique and market leading. If you would like to know more about Kingcason, please click here to send us an email and we will get back to you promptly!

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Kingcason Catalogue 2023.12 压缩版.pdf