Trending Topic: Faux Fur

A Common Thread, faux fur vest, $294.00

Saying goodbye to the summer sun is probably my least favourite thing about autumn. There’s nothing more disheartening than that first day you realize it’s jacket weather or that you can no longer wear open-toe shoes without your feet turning into icicles.

Luckily designers do their best to make it hard for me to resent the cold weather for very long, with great pieces in cozy, snuggly fabrics. And this season the fabric of choice for many designers is fur. Alexander McQueen gave us coats with oversized gorilla-sleeves and Dolce & Gabbana played with 2009’s biggest trend, shoulders, which were accented with tufts of fur. Meanwhile Jenni Kayne went low-key with a cropped fur vest and Lanvin was all about retro-glam with fur stoles and boleros.

Now, since the use of fur in fashion is somewhat controversial, to say the least, we’ll stick to faux versions of the real thing. But if you absolutely must wear real fur, look into vintage; it’s easier on the

Bop Basics, faux fur trapper hat, $98.00

pocketbook and you aren’t directly supporting furriers who employ cruel practices in their harvests.

Fur (whether it’s faux or real) is a notice-me fabric and can be quite overwhelming, depending on how you’ve styled your look. Full-on fur jackets are tricky to pull off without looking like a 1980s socialite or a movie villain (or the dreaded combo of the two, Cruella De Vil). So if you want the look of a fur jacket, without the cartoonish associations, opt for a fur vest instead, like this one from A Common Thread.

Wear it with leggings and tons of gold necklaces for a boho look, or go for skinny jeans and knee-high boots if you want to be more polished.

See by Chloe, faux fur cap, $92.00

Personally, I like the idea of adding some texture to you wardrobe with faux fur accessories. A furry hat, like this high fashion Cossack hat by Bop Basics and this retro-inspired See by Chloe topper or fur-lined mittens by Bop Basics are the perfect antidote to the harsh Canadian winter winds. You can keep your feet cozy with fur boots (Marc by Marc Jacobs boots are great for hiking through the slush and snow), but be careful to keep it subtle and elegant or else you risk looking like a mangy sasquatch from the knees down. Just remember, when it comes to fur, sometimes less is more.

All the faux fur items mentioned in this article are available at shopbop.com:

Tags: Alexander McQueen, fall, fall fashions, faux fur, fur gloves, fur hat, fur jacket, fur vest, Jenni Kayne, knee-high boots, Lanvin, Marc by Marc Jacobs, See by Chloe, skinny jeans, Trend