The best fur gift is a one-size accessory, such as fur cuffs, earmuffs or a fur hat, in a colour that matches the coat she already wears most. That removes the two biggest risks, size and colour, and gives her something she will use every cold day from November to March.
Fur is a lovely thing to give, because few people buy it for themselves. It is also a gift that people worry about getting wrong. Here is how to choose the piece, the size, the colour and the fur type, and what to tell her about care.
Is fur a good gift?
Yes, if she likes it. The easiest way to find out is to look at what she already owns and saves. A vintage collar in her wardrobe, a faux-fur coat she wears to death, or a fur hat on her Pinterest board all tell you she will love the real thing.
If she has strong views against real fur, choose something else. Our Bandana Jacquard Cardigan, a zip-front paisley jacquard, has no fur at all. If you are not sure where she stands, our article on whether it is OK to wear real fur covers the arguments calmly.
Which piece is easiest to get right?
Start small. Accessories are one size, they sit on top of her own clothes, and they still feel generous.
- Fur cuffs: no size at all. Our Frost Cuffs are a ring of fox fur on a 30 cm knit sleeve that slips over the coat sleeve, with the fur sitting at the wrist.
- Earmuffs: the Halo Earmuffs sit on a flexible band. The cups cover the whole ear and the thick fur band runs over the top of the head. One reviewer with a very small head found them too loose, so if she is petite, cuffs or a collar are the safer choice.
- Fur collar: the Lumi Collar is a snug tube that pulls on over the head, so there is no fastening to fiddle with.
- Fur hat: the Svalbard Hat has a buckle strap at the back, so it adjusts. One reviewer described it as “very large”, so it suits women who like a dramatic, full hat.
Coats and knit sets are a bigger bet. The Fjell, Vinter and Fjord knits are one size and cut relaxed. The Tundra and Arktis coats come in S, M and L, and several Tundra reviewers say the cut runs small. If you know her usual size, go one up.
How do you choose the right colour?
Open her wardrobe, find the coat she wears most, and choose fur in the same family or one shade lighter. That is it.
- Black coat: Black fur for a sleek look, Ivory or White for glamour.
- Camel, chocolate or tan coat: Natural fox or Camel earmuffs.
- Grey or navy coat: Silver fox, or Natural Grey on the Lumi.
- Cream or white coat: Ivory, which reads soft and expensive.
Our colour called Natural is a fox fur in beige with darker tips. On the Frost Cuffs it comes on a black knit sleeve, which is why it bridges brown and black outfits so well.
Does the type of fur matter for a gift?
It does, because each fur looks and behaves differently. A quick guide:
- Fox: long, silky guard hairs and lots of volume for very little weight. This is the fur on our hats, cuffs, collars and coat trims. See our fox fur page.
- Rabbit: soft and light, but more delicate. Some light shedding in the first few wears is normal. The Lumi is made from strips of rabbit fur.
- Rex rabbit: a rabbit with guard hairs the same length as the underfur, so it feels like velvet and sheds less. The Halo Earmuffs are rex rabbit.
For more on the gentler furs, see our rabbit fur and rex rabbit fur pages.
What should you tell her about care?
Very little, which is part of the charm. Put a short note in the box, or tell her these four things:
- Shake, don’t brush. A gentle shake outdoors fluffs the fur back up.
- Damp is fine, heat is not. The Fur Institute of Canada says fur with lots of guard hairs, like fox, is fine in light rain. Let it air-dry away from radiators, and never use a hairdryer.
- Perfume first, fur second. Fur.ca warns that perfume and hairspray can dry the fur and make it sticky.
- Store it breathing. A cotton bag or a box in a cool, dark cupboard. Never plastic.
There is more in our guide to caring for real fur.
What happens if it is not right?
Every Arctic Blanc order can be returned within 14 days. For a gift, that matters more than any discount: she can swap a colour or size without having to explain. Write to [email protected] and the team will arrange it.
When should you order, and can you add a note?
Order about three weeks before you need it. Orders are prepared in 1 to 3 business days, and complimentary tracked delivery to the UK, the EU and Switzerland takes 5 to 12 business days after dispatch.
You can add a gift note at checkout. A line about where she will wear it (“for our walk by the lake in January”) is worth more than any card.
Our pick for a first fur gift
If you are buying fur for someone for the first time, the piece we would choose is the Frost Cuffs. There is no size to guess, they work over the coat she already has, and a full ring of fox at the wrist makes even a plain black coat look considered. They are rated 4.9 by 33 customers, and at €95 they feel like a proper present without being a gamble.
For more ideas by budget and by person, browse the Gift Edit, or see our winter anniversary gift ideas.
