Shearing and plucking: how to lighten a mink coat

A natural mink coat is heavy. That is part of its character, but it is also why so many stay in the wardrobe. There are two ways to make it lighter without changing the pelt: shearing and plucking.

Shearing

The hair is cut to an even height, like velvet. The coat loses volume and weight, and gains a more modern, more urban look.

Plucking

The guard hair, the long and stiffer hair, is removed and only the underfur remains. It feels wonderfully soft, the weight drops a great deal and the coat falls differently.

Both shearing and plucking give a much lighter mink coat, softer to the touch, more comfortable and easier to wear. And both can be done on a coat you already own.