Easy ways to tell faux fur from real beaver fur

If you're out thrifting or inherited a vintage coat, you're probably wondering how to tell faux fur from real beaver fur without having to be a professional furrier. It's actually a pretty common dilemma because modern synthetic materials have gotten incredibly good at mimicking the real thing, and older beaver coats often have a specific "sheared" look that can easily be mistaken for high-quality velvet or plush polyester. ...

February 18, 2026 · 6 min · Schanita Rafael