There are basically two types of fur: The first has long, sleek outer or guard hair and thick, soft under fur, like mink. This fur may have the guard hair plucked and be sheared to a plush or velvet texture. The second type has only one kind of fur: It may be flat like calf or curly like Persian lamb.

Both types of fur can be dyed or bleached. Neither is "better" than the other. You may prefer one or the other, however, depending on how you like its texture and how and where you want to wear it.

When shopping for a fur, don't be swayed by price alone. In buying furs, you're buying for many years of wear and pleasure, so you want the best quality fur for the money.

Ask questions about the furs. You want to know about any special care the fur may need. For example, some sheared furs may have a tendency to mat when wet, while long haired furs may shed. A fur specialist can take care of the matting, but nothing can stop shedding.

Generally speaking, however, the length of wear you get-or can get-from furs depends on two factors: Quality of fur and care. Quality can vary within the same kind of fur. So, the better the quality, the better it will wear. The better care you give a fur (see Fur Maintenance Tips), too, the better the fur will wear. In choosing furs, therefore, you want to look for quality. That means looking for:

• Lustrous, uniform color of pelts
   
• Density of fur
   
• Silky texture
   
• Soft, pliable leather

You also want to know about storage, cleaning, and alteration or repair facilities. Summer storage and regular cleaning are important to getting maximum wear out of the coat and to keeping the fur lustrous and soft.

Start off looking at furs by telling your fur specialist your size and price range. Be flexible, however. Each fur, even in the same fur style, is different from the next because even pelts for the same fur vary. Every fur coat is, therefore, a hand-crafted garment and no two are exactly alike.

If a coat needs alteration (or you later want it remodeled), the alteration and repair facilities are important. Besides a button may loosen or a hook come off. No one but a fur specialist should ever touch a fur garment. So, whether such facilities are on the premises or off, make sure they're available.
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