Faux fur: the volume coat that owns the look

There's an October morning when a puffer jacket already feels like too much, a trench still feels like too little, and you reach for the same wool coat with a sigh. That's exactly where faux fur comes in: warm enough for that in-between weather, dramatic without looking like fancy dress. The trick is choosing the right one.

Volume, embraced all the way

This season isn't doing things by halves. Full-on maximalism, bold silhouettes and statement pieces are leading the way — and faux fur is their most wearable form: volume, texture and a presence that even the finest cashmere can't match. You put it on and your silhouette changes instantly.

That said, a statement piece needs handling. On a packed Tube, in a formal meeting or during a whole day indoors with the heating on, a maxi-length, long-pile raspberry number will put up a fight. That's not a reason to skip it; it's a reason to pick the version that fits your days: an understated, neutral style for mornings when you can't think, a strong shade and generous volume for the weekend. Just don't try to have both in the same coat.

Short pile, long pile: it's the drape that decides

The first thing to consider isn't colour or brand, it's pile length. Short pile draws a clean, almost graphic line: the coat holds its shape, doesn't spill over the shoulders and gives a straight silhouette that works on most body shapes. Long pile creates a cocoon shape, enveloping and blanket-like — very soft, but bulky. If you're petite, it's better to keep it to a short or mid-length style rather than a maxi.

The cut does the rest. Straight and belted at the waist, it structures the volume and avoids the sack effect: it's the easiest version to wear. Oversized plays a different game and needs a fitted layer underneath, otherwise you disappear inside it. Colour decides how long the piece will last in your wardrobe. A vibrant shade follows the season's bold colours and lifts raw denim; camel, black or cream will see you through winters. For a first buy, neutral is the smart pick.

Keep what's underneath light

The bulkier the coat, the finer what you wear underneath should be. A fine knit — merino, cotton, silk — slips under the lining without bunching, whereas a chunky jumper turns your silhouette into a snowman. Straight jeans or fluid trousers, flat boots, and you're done.

Also resist the total look, unless you're deliberately going for it: the material is already doing all the work. A roll-neck, a pair of earrings, a smooth leather bag are enough. Worn open over a jersey dress, or belted over wide-leg trousers, it changes mood depending on the hour. Good sign: it lives with your wardrobe instead of sitting in a corner.

Before you commit: check the label

We refuse animal fur, no exceptions, and we read the composition before falling in love with a colour. Options made with recycled fibres are multiplying and are preferable to virgin acrylic. Check the lining too: a well-made one helps the piece keep its shape over time.

Budget

In charity shops, vintage shops or on resale platforms, expect to pay £15–£50 depending on condition and size available: it's the cheapest way to try the trend. The downside is the randomness of stock — you may need to pop back a few times, and accept leaving empty-handed.

New, a lined piece usually sits between £70 and £220, from brands that guarantee their pieces are fur-free. The price rises with length, lining, finishing and the share of recycled fibres; it falls on the high street and at entry level. The clever move: work out the price against how many times you'll wear it this winter, not the rush of the moment.

Chloé's verdict: yes, faux fur has a place in your wardrobe — as long as you choose the pile and cut for your days, not for the photo. A neutral, a short pile, a waist-defining cut, and you have a piece that will work for several winters. Brush it, air it, wash it as little as possible, and keep it: that's still the most elegant way not to buy another one.

Sources

• European Union — Regulation (EC) No 1523/2007 banning the placing on the market and the import and export of cat and dog fur, 2007.
• European Union — Directive (EU) 2024/825 on empowering consumers for the green transition, 2024.
• Refashion — France's eco-organisation for the textile, clothing, household linen and footwear sector, accessed 2026.