With the Christmas season almost upon us, it occurred to me to wonder about depictions of Saint Nicholas/ Father Christmas, and the use of fur trim on coats. What exactly is the design purpose of putting a trim at the ends of hems, sleeves and collars? Even when this isn’t fur it was often lace or some other refinement.
I walk the dog in a nylon coat with fur trim on the hood. The way the fur blocks the wind is unreal. If I walk with a different type of hood, the hood just fills up with cold air.
It’s a wind barrier. Most useful before the invention of elastic.
Yes, and some fur, reportedly, doesnt get frosted/iced up.
Also they used a LOT of wool, and unless you have merino, etc, wool can be itchy if it is constantly rubbing on one place.
There’s a long-held belief, starting with the natives’ preference for it on the hoods of their anoraks, that wolverine fur doesn’t freeze or accumulate freezing moisture. This article debunks that, in favor of the fur’s comparatively easier ability to slough off accumulation.