Have you ever noticed that in both historical dramas and everyday fashion, fur coats or cloaks are usually worn with the fur side out? But does this really keep you warm? It turns out, most people might be wearing fur incorrectly.
The truth is, the way fur is worn depends on its purpose and setting. Ancient paintings reveal that for warmth, people wore fur with the hair side against their skin, covered by an outer fabric layer. Only a bit of fur peeked out at the collar, serving both insulation and decoration to showcase the garment's quality.
In contrast, ancient nobility often flaunted full or partial fur pieces indoors to display wealth and status, while hunters wore small fur patches to signify their profession. Today, however, fur is predominantly worn hair-out for aesthetics, regardless of practicality or social standing. Historically, fur worn externally has always been a luxury statement rather than for warmth. Note: We advocate for animal welfare and encourage using faux fur alternatives.
Fur Garments in Ancient China
In ancient China, fur garments were called Qiu Yi (裘衣), ranging from affordable to extravagant. They appear in poetry, like Li Bai's line about 'a dappled horse and a thousand - gold Qiu,' and were also crafted by common hunters. A mural from the Northern Qi Dynasty's Xu Xianxiu tomb depicts Qiu Yi resembling modern fur coats.
Yet, the term Qiu can be ambiguous—it broadly refers to any animal - skin clothing, as noted in Ming Dynasty's Tiangong Kaiwu: 'All garments made from beast pelts are called Qiu, valued differently from sable to goat.'
Fur and Nobility in Ancient China
Murals show nobility wearing fur externally, often covering most of the body, primarily indoors. Precious furs, especially those with long hair, symbolized status. Dream of the Red Chamber illustrates this when Wang Xifeng lends her prized fur cloak to Xiren to uphold family prestige, highlighting its rarity.
Drawbacks of Wearing Fur Hair - Out
Wearing fur hair - out has drawbacks: it offers minimal insulation (the inner leather layer retains heat), attracts dust and stains, and requires high maintenance—even today with specialized cleaners, let alone in ancient times.
Fur in Western Aristocracy
Western aristocracy similarly used outward - facing fur for ceremonial displays of rank, not warmth. This historical practice influences modern fashion aesthetics. While style has no rules, for genuine warmth, flipping the fur inward is the wiser choice.
