How to Style a Faux Fur Coat: From Jeans to Party Dresses

To style a faux fur coat, let it be the only statement in the outfit and keep everything underneath slim, plain and close in colour: straight jeans or trousers with a fine knit by day, a satin or short black dress at night. Then match the coat length to what is under it, cropped over trousers and long skirts, long over short dresses. Worn that way, a faux fur coat looks like part of your wardrobe rather than fancy dress. Here is how, by length, colour and occasion.

Cropped or long faux fur: what each one goes with

A cropped faux fur stops at or near the waist, so the outfit underneath stays in view. It suits high-waisted jeans, tailored trousers and long skirts, and it is the easier shape to sit, drive and carry a bag in. The Elsie Fluffy Cropped Faux Fur Coat has a high-waist cut and a loose fit, so wear it with straight trousers or jeans that start where the coat ends.

A long faux fur covers almost the whole outfit, which makes it the simpler choice over a short dress. The Lucie Faux Fur Maxi Coat is a brown maxi with a relaxed fit, so a slim layer underneath is all it needs. One rule covers both lengths: the coat should never end at the same point as the skirt or dress under it. Cropped over long, long over short. There is more on this in what to wear over a dress.

How to wear a faux fur coat with jeans

Jeans are the easiest daytime partner because denim is flat, matt and casual, the opposite of fur. Choose a straight or slightly wide leg in one wash, mid-blue or black. Skinny jeans make a big coat look top-heavy, and very baggy jeans under a shaggy coat add volume at both ends.

• A fine knit underneath. A plain turtleneck or crew neck from sweaters, in one colour. Skip chunky cable knits; the fur is texture enough.
• A shoe with some structure. Ankle boots, loafers or a slim trainer, never fluffy boots.
• A bag that holds its shape. A smooth shoulder bag or top-handle bag in leather-look or faux suede, never a soft fluffy one.

A print works with denim too. The Nora Leopard Faux Fur Coat is hip length with a wide collar; with black straight-leg jeans or trousers, a black knit and a plain pointed shoe, the print carries the whole outfit.

What to wear with a faux fur coat in the daytime

Tailored trousers and knit dresses do the same job as denim: smooth, close to the body, one colour.

• Trousers: straight or wide-leg trousers in black, grey or camel, a fine knit and loafers. Under a short faux fur this is smart enough for most offices.
• Knit dresses: a fitted knit dress is the softest daytime option. The Eliane Rib-Knit Midi Dress is a fitted dark brown rib knit with cream scalloped trim at the sleeves and hem, so it sits well under a cream or beige cropped faux fur.
• Tights and boots: the Eliane has short sleeves, so in winter add 60 or 80 denier opaque tights and a knee boot. The Feliz Knee High Leather-Look Boots come in black, creme and brown with a chunky sole and a block heel, which balances the weight of a fur coat better than a thin heel.

How to wear a faux fur coat in the evening

At night the coat is the first thing anyone sees, so the dress under it can be very simple.

Long coat, short dress. A long faux fur over a short black dress, sheer black tights and a pointed heel. The coat covers the dress completely, so the outfit reads as coat, legs and shoes.

Cropped coat, satin midi. A cropped faux fur over a satin dress, so the fabric shows from the waist down. The Janna V Neck Satin Midi Dress in black has a deep V-neck and short sleeves; under a black or chocolate cropped coat it needs only a heel and a small bag. Browse satin dresses for other colours.

For a Christmas party, keep the shine in one place. A sequin dress under a faux fur coat is two statements; a satin or plain black dress is one. See Christmas party dresses and what to wear to a Christmas party. Carry a small evening bag rather than a tote: the coat is already big, and a clutch keeps the outline neat.

How to wear faux fur without looking like a costume

Faux fur looks like dressing up when everything around it is also making a statement. Four habits stop that:

• One furry thing per outfit. No fur hat, fur bag or fluffy boots with a fur coat.
• Keep the rest slim. If the coat is oversized, everything under it should sit close to the body.
• Add something plain. Denim, a white T-shirt or a simple trainer makes fur look everyday.
• Check the shoulder and sleeve. The shoulder seam should sit on your shoulder and the cuff at your wrist. A coat that swamps your hands looks borrowed.

Which colour faux fur coat goes with the most

• Black: the easiest. It works with jeans, trousers and every evening dress, and looks the least dressed-up by day.
• Chocolate brown: softer than black and warm next to denim, camel, cream and black. Brown with blue jeans is a strong daytime pairing.
• Cream and beige: the brightest option. Wear it with cream, camel, light denim or tonal brown, and keep busy prints away from it.
• Leopard-style prints: treat the print as a neutral and keep the rest black, cream or denim. Never pair it with a second print.

Faux fur trim or full faux fur

A coat with faux fur only at the collar is the gentler way in. The texture sits by the face, where it shows, while the body of the coat stays plain, so it goes over office clothes without looking like an occasion. The Flora Faux Fur Collar Maxi Coat is a maxi coat with a faux fur flip collar, in beige or black. Full faux fur makes more of a statement; trim is the one you can wear on a Tuesday. The winter coat guide compares every shape, and all of them are in coats.

How to look after a faux fur coat

Hang it on a wide hanger with space around it so the pile is not crushed. If it gets wet, shake it out and let it dry naturally at room temperature, away from radiators. Brush it gently with a soft brush if it starts to flatten, and always follow the care label inside the coat.

Common questions

Can you wear a faux fur coat with jeans?
Yes. Choose straight or slightly wide jeans in one wash, a fine knit and ankle boots or loafers, so the coat is the only texture.

What do you wear under a faux fur coat?
Something thin and smooth: a fine knit, a shirt, a fitted knit dress or a satin dress. A bulky jumper makes the coat look bigger.

Can you wear a faux fur coat during the day?
Yes, with denim, trousers or a knit dress and flat shoes or boots. A cropped style or a faux fur collar is easiest for every day.

What colour faux fur coat goes with everything?
Black or chocolate brown. Both work with denim, black, cream and camel, by day and at night.

Every style is in faux fur coats, from cropped jackets to maxi lengths and leopard prints. For more length see long coats, and for the shoes, boots and loafers.