Is It Fur Coat Weather in Texas?

No question, the last few frosty days across the state have been perfect for donning your biggest, baddest fur coat. Yet, the welcome cold front has given us cause to ponder: When is it appropriate to wear fur in Texas? (PETA notwithstanding.)

It’s so seldom that the southern part of the state enjoys an Arctic blast that those with minks and sables, fur-trimmed capes and shrugs could go an entire year without taking them out of storage. And while there are ample occasions for fur in locales to the north, there are still those in between days and nights when the question is: To be or not to be decked out in sheared beaver or fox or Persian lamb?

PaperCity surveyed stylistas in Dallas and Houston for their take on when it is appropriate to pull out the furs. “Certainly now,” says Houston Chronicle Best Dressed Hall of Famer Phoebe Tudor. “I think, sure, if it feels a little chilly, why not? But if it’s still in the 70s, probably not.” Tudor adds that “chilly” renders a fur-trimmed cape, a shrug or stole perfectly appropriate while if the temps are in the 50s, “You might as well pull out the coat because (in Houston) you might not get to wear it at all.”

Who better to chime in on fur fashion etiquette than Dallas-based blogger Tina Craig, aka Bag Snob, who admits to being a fur addict. “I strongly feel it is always appropriate to wear fur,” she emails. “I have cropped length, mid-waist length, car coat length and full length furs.”

While Craig also has lightweight spring/summer boleros in fur, she notes, “For heavier furs, I pull them out when the weather is under 60 degrees.”

International Best Dressed honoree Lynn Wyatt advises, “I think it looks ridiculous to be wearing a fur if it isn’t cold enough. If it’s 69 degrees, keep it in your closet.” And, yes, in recent days with nighttime temps in the 30s and days in the 40s, she has been wearing a fur coat. As for the current cold snap, Wyatt exclaims, “I love, love, love it!”

Dallas-based fashion blogger Amber Venz Box notes, “Winters are pretty mild in Texas but we do get some chilly, and sometimes icy days. Any time the temperature drops below 40, you can expect to see me in a fur. When it comes to fur accessories, the guidelines are much more loose. Fur-trimmed items are appropriate during the winter months, regardless of temperature. 

Houstonian Maggi Jones, a native of London, likes to joke that after living in Texas her mink coat has developed sweat stains. Of course, Jones was just kidding.