Fur cuffs are worn over the coat sleeve, with the fur ring sitting at the wrist just above your hand. Slip them on after your coat, push the knit sleeve up the forearm until the fur lands at the wrist bone, and keep the rest of the outfit simple so the fur frames your hands.
They are the quietest way to wear fur, and maybe the most practical. Here is how to wear them with different coats, gloves, bags and jewellery.
What are fur cuffs, exactly?
Fur cuffs come in two kinds. Some are sewn or snapped onto a particular garment. Others are separate pieces you slip on over any sleeve.
Our Frost Cuffs are the second kind. Each one is a full ring of fox fur at the end of a 30 cm stretch-knit sleeve. The knit runs up your forearm towards the elbow, holding the cuff in place, and the fur sits at the wrist. The fur ring is about 13 to 15 cm across, so it is generous without swallowing your hand. They are rated 4.9 by 33 customers.
How do you put fur cuffs on over a coat?
- Put your coat on first.
- Slide the cuff over your hand, fur end last, and pull the knit sleeve up over the coat sleeve.
- Settle the fur ring at the wrist bone. You should still be able to bend your wrist freely.
- Smooth the knit so it lies flat along the forearm.
If the knit shows more than you like, push the coat sleeve up slightly underneath before you pull the cuff on.
Which coats look best with fur cuffs?
Fur cuffs work best on coats with straight, fairly slim sleeves, because the knit needs something to hold on to.
- Classic wool coat in black, camel or grey: the easiest match. Choose cuffs in the same colour family.
- Trench coat: a surprising, smart pairing for cold spring days or a mild winter. Ivory cuffs on a stone trench look very chic.
- Short down jacket: the cuffs give a puffer a softer, dressier finish.
- Knitwear on its own: wear them over a fine roll-neck indoors, or over a cardigan.
Avoid coats that already have fur at the wrist, and very wide or bell sleeves, which leave the cuff loose. One reviewer noted the sleeves felt “too wide” on her, so if your arms are very slim, wear them over a thicker coat sleeve rather than bare knit.
How do you wear fur cuffs with gloves?
Short gloves are the right partner. A leather or suede glove that ends at the wrist lets the fur sit just over the top of the glove, and the line from coat to cuff to glove looks seamless.
- Black leather gloves with Black cuffs: sleek and graphic.
- Tan or chocolate suede gloves with Natural cuffs: warm and very elegant. The Natural colour is beige fox with darker tips on a black knit sleeve, so it ties brown and black together.
- Cream or grey gloves with Ivory cuffs: a soft, winter-white look.
Skip long opera gloves under the cuff, which add bulk. If you need your phone outside, a thin touchscreen glove under the fur works well.
What bag should you carry with fur cuffs?
Choose a bag you hold in the hand or wear across the body. A top-handle bag or a clutch looks lovely with fur at the wrist, because your hand is on show. A crossbody bag keeps both hands free and stays well away from the fur.
Be careful with shoulder bags whose straps slide down to the crook of the arm and rub against the cuff. The Fur Institute of Canada warns that shoulder-bag straps can break fur hairs and leave bald patches over time.
Can you wear rings and bracelets with fur cuffs?
Yes, and fur cuffs show off rings beautifully. The fur frames the hand, so one or two strong rings look better than a stack. Gold on Natural or Black fur, silver on Ivory.
Bracelets and watches are better left off or worn under the knit. A chunky bangle between the fur and your hand fights the cuff and can catch the hairs. A slim watch can sit just under the knit, where you can push it up to check the time.
What do you wear with fur cuffs for evening?
For evening, cuffs are a modern alternative to a stole. Wear them over the sleeves of a fitted black coat for the journey there, or over a long-sleeved black knit dress and keep them on through dinner. With fur at the wrists, keep the neck clear. No fur collar, no big necklace, maybe a pair of small earrings.
Formula: black long-sleeved knit dress, sheer black tights, heeled ankle boots, black coat, Black cuffs, a gold ring. Every time you lift your glass, the fur moves.
If you like the look but want it built in, the Vinter Knit Set has removable fox-fur cuffs on an oversized ribbed roll-neck, fastened with a press stud, paired with wide-leg drawstring trousers. It is the same idea, already styled.
How do you look after fur cuffs?
Shake them gently after wearing. If they get damp in snow or drizzle, let them dry at room temperature, away from radiators, and never use a hair dryer. Fox has long guard hairs that cope well with light weather. Store them in a cotton bag or box somewhere cool and dark, not in plastic. Cuffs pick up hand cream easily, so apply it before you put them on and let it soak in. More in how to care for real fur.
Which fur cuffs are worth buying?
If you want one fur piece that changes every coat you own without anyone noticing it first, the piece we keep reaching for is the Frost Cuffs. Fox fur on a 30 cm knit sleeve, worn over the coat at the wrist, in Black, Ivory or Natural. They are also the most discreet way to wear real fur, which some people prefer. Our guide to how to look expensive in winter shows how they fit into a full outfit, and if you would rather have fur at the neck, see how to wear a fur collar. Read about the species on our fox fur page.
