Karakul coat

At one time, the Karakul coat was forgotten. Against the background of the hobby for mink and polar fox products, interest in clothing made from the most ancient fur faded into the background. The designers managed to regain interest in karakul thanks to the plastic texture of the fur. The most sophisticated styles of astrakhan fur coats, jackets and even skirts burst into the world of modern fashion and became its new trend.

Presumably, the fur got its name from the name of a settlement on the territory of ancient Uzbekistan, where the most valuable breed of sheep was bred. The merchant Nikitin brought the karakul to Russia in the 15th century after a trip to Central Asia. Widespread interest in astrakhan fur emerged during the Soviet period, when the elite dressed themselves in fur coats.

Astrakhan came to Europe from Central Asia along the trade routes through Astrakhan. By the name of the Russian city, Europeans began to call fur Astrakhan. At the beginning of the last century, the emir from Bukhara presented the British ambassador with a flock of sheep of this breed, which was exported to Namibia. There a new variety of karakul appeared, which was named "svakara".

After the revolution, when fleeing from the USSR to Afghanistan, the emir took with him the best flocks of sheep. This is how another type of fur appeared - Afghan, and the country began to produce it for the whole world. Today, karakul coats are represented by almost all famous fashion houses.

The main advantage of astrakhan clothing is its durability. With proper care, a fur coat can last up to 15 years. Fur always looks shiny and resilient, moreover, it keeps you warm even in the most severe frosts. Another advantage of astrakhan clothing is that it is suitable for women of any age, and the abundance of styles makes it accessible to any figure. In terms of fur care, there are no special problems.

• The retro model is one of the most sought after. A long coat with a flared hem - a skirt - is one of the romantic images. It is decorated with wide pockets and a hood. At the peak of popularity, astrakhan coats of a straight cut and trapezoidal shape remain.

• In youth collections, you can find jackets and sheepskin coats with astrakhan fur in the form of inserts. For finishing mouton fur coats, astrakhan fur is most often used. It can be cuffs and a collar, or it can be presented as wide piping on pockets and a hood.

There are several types.

• Bukhara or Uzbek - has a light and thin texture, based on tight curls of different lengths. Its other name is "jacket".
• For demi-season coats, broadtail is used. This is the name of the fur of a premature lamb. The curls look like wet silk. Moreover, its strength is assessed as low.
• At international fur auctions, the Afghan karakul is most often found. It has a heavy and thick texture, curls look like a silvery flat pattern. The most expensive type of karakul is Swakara. The curls outwardly resemble broadtail, while there is a pronounced pattern.
• The fur is most often black. But you can find skins in brown, gray and white colors.

Karakul products attract the attention of young people and, in many respects, thanks to a wide range of original styles. Products, as a rule, are not below the knee in length. Of the shorter ones, astrakhan jackets are in demand.

For older women, medium length is optimal. There are universal styles here that can be matched even to a problematic figure.

Too long styles can be found in fur coat products.

Short models with wide sleeves remain relevant. Designers consider this style to be elegant, so they proposed jackets to the middle of the thigh as a novelty of the season.

Straight cut models can be with or without a belt; the length to the knees and mid-calf is considered optimal for a coat.

The oversized style also looks good in the astrakhan version. The only thing that sets it apart from the lines of a regular coat is soft shoulders and a tapered hem. This makes it look more oval.

The classic trapezoid is the perfect match for astrakhan products. This style will suit any figure, and in combination with the rich texture of the fur, the coat looks very feminine. Color also adds a touch of elegance. Fawn, pastel and gray shades look very noble.

Thanks to the plasticity of the fur, designers were able to try it on other fashionable silhouettes. The astrakhan cape is considered one of the original models. Another key model, the cloak, is not inferior to her in this. Luxurious flared product, cropped sleeves, hem decorated with different fur look very elegant.

The minimalism style is not at all combined with fur, except for karakul. The "kimono" style is a vivid confirmation of this. Often used are collars of abstract shapes, which can be worn as a hood or a cape over the shoulders.

First of all, you should pay attention to the appearance of the product. The curl pattern should be clearly visible. This is an indicator of the quality of the fur. It is also worth taking a close look at the type of gasket. In neat manufacturers, it is not sewn on and you can check the quality of the seams and flesh.

Karakul, like any fur, does not like getting wet. But if you are caught in wet snow, then, having come into the room, you need to dry the product. Do not leave it near a heat source, it should dry on its own.

If suddenly the astrakhan coat gets very wet in the rain, then it is best to dry it in a dry cleaner. Karakul requires compulsory combing with a special brush 2-3 times a month.Every time you come home, you should take it by the shoulders and shake it well, cleaning it from street dust and snow.

So that the product does not lose its shape, it must be stored on wide and soft shoulders. Close proximity to other clothes is not allowed. The fur can bend or crumple. It is best to store the astrakhan coat in a special case that should allow air to pass through. Do not store on the balcony, as the sun's rays can affect the fading of the color of the fur coat. In addition, the fur can lose its quality due to dry and wet weather.

The ideal place for a fur coat is a dark wardrobe. According to the storage rules, it is necessary to open its door 3-4 times for 15 minutes to ventilate the clothes. Be sure to put in the moth repellent.

The astrakhan coat is found mainly in winter collections. There are a few things to consider when creating a stylish look. A knitted hat and ugg boots are not combined with an astrakhan coat. The best option is a hat made of the same material and classic boots. Gloves and a stylish knitted scarf are matched to the tone of the shoes or in contrast.

On youth models, most often there is a hood, with which you can do without a headgear. Shoes with heels are matched to the classic model, sports models of outerwear will look good with low-heeled boots.

Demi-season clothing made of broadtail goes well with a silk scarf and ankle boots. As for a handbag, bags with a small handle are recommended for astrakhan clothing. Long straps can leave marks on the shoulder of the garment.