Fendi Fur 1980s – How To Spot A Vintage Fur Coat
A 1980s Fendi mink coat, never worn, that nobody wants to pay much for: what to look at on a vintage fur coat, and why the prices are low.
Fendi was founded in Rome in 1925 and began with leather goods. It was in the 1960s that the house made its name in fur, and a Fendi fur coat became a status symbol.
This Fendi fur coat is for sale. But no one wants to pay much for it. Why?
I found it in Lucca, in a shop that was closing down. I met the owners, and they had had the coat in the shop since 1980. That is me trying it on in the photograph.
Fendi fur in 2023
Fur is still part of the house in 2023: the coats, and handbags trimmed with fur.
So here is my question. When Fendi showed in Milan in September 2023, the women over fifty among the guests at the catwalk were not wearing fur. Why not?
Fendi vintage fur
This coat is from the 1980s and it has never been worn. It is mink. The mink came from Canada, and from a female animal. The colour is the natural colour of the fur. And for its age, the coat is surprisingly light.
Those are the things to look at on a vintage fur: what the fur is, where it came from, whether the colour is natural, how heavy the coat is, and whether it has been worn.
When fur was a luxury, a coat like this could sell for as much as €25,000.
Why won’t vintage Fendi fur sell at an expensive price?
There are three reasons.
- Demand. Far fewer people buy real fur than they used to, because of ethical concerns and the rise of faux fur. Fewer buyers means lower prices.
- Condition. A fur that is damaged or shows wear will not attract a buyer who pays a premium.
- Fashion. A style that was once popular may no longer be what people want.
So even with the Fendi name on it, a vintage fur can go for very little.
I buy vintage fur coats myself. For me it is sustainable, it keeps me warm, and it is respectful to the animal that once was.
