What girl doesn't dream of a natural fur coat? After all, this wardrobe item provides great warmth and looks elegant and stylish. However, when choosing outerwear you have to pay attention to cost, practicality and wear resistance. Mouton products have become a stylish solution to the latest concepts. But many are interested in the answer to the question: is muton the fur of whom?

What is a muton, from what animal?

The popularity of clothing made from unusual fur is so great that interest in this material is growing more and more every season. And if you are interested in what kind of animal the muton is, then you will be surprised that there is no smell of exotic here. These animals are common in the territories of the former CIS. They can be found in almost every meadow, because mouton is the fur of an ordinary sheep. Thanks to special processing and the process of soaking in formaldehyde, the wool acquires an incredibly beautiful structure. In its standard form, sheep's hair is not attractive, so it is shaped by shearing and dyeing.

The great demand for mouton fur is due to its wear resistance. At the first stage, fashionable mouton fur coats are processed according to the type of preservation. Therefore, by choosing such clothes, you guarantee yourself a high-quality wardrobe for up to ten seasons. But in order for beautiful mouton fur coats to really serve for a long time and not lose their sophisticated appearance, you need to know how to choose the right model. Stylists recommend adhering to the following tips:

• squeeze the fur. A couple of seconds after you release the fur, it should return to its original smooth appearance. Otherwise, you are faced with a low-quality product;
• move your hand against the growth of the pile. If you have already found the answer to the question, a mouton is someone’s fur, then you know that the given direction of the pile does not break or wrinkle under any mechanical influences;
• wipe the fur with a light-colored rag. This action will allow you to understand whether the item is fading, which is excluded when choosing a quality product;
• look at the back of the product. The skin on the inside should be intact without scratches or cracks, and its color should be light milky;
• pay attention to the seams. In low-quality models, joints are often glued. Such clothes will fall apart after the first snow or rain. Make sure the seams are topstitched.

How to distinguish a mouton from faux fur?

In today's market, you can easily be deceived by scammers and purchase a counterfeit product. So that you don’t have to be disappointed, it’s worth studying thoroughly the question of whether a mouton is someone’s fur. You also need to understand that the wool of sheep and rams must be sheared. After processing and dyeing, a cropped mouton acquires a beautiful, non-marking highlight. Natural clothing is universal for any weather. In wet snow and rain, fur coats made from sheared mouton will not allow moisture to pass through, and in severe frosts they will retain heat. But the main differences are as follows:

• pile length. Considering that the artificial material must be of sufficient length to stay on the fake skin, its parameters are higher than natural fur;
• shine fur. It is visually noticeable that high-quality mouton wool only gives off a slight glare. Faux fur has a dull but large sheen;
• product weight. Natural fur is heavy. Heavy products provide comfort and protection in cold weather. Non-natural products are much lighter, which can be tracked independently without instruments.

Mouton products

Fashionable clothing made from treated sheepskin is becoming more and more popular every year. Affordability and stylish appearance have placed the mouton wardrobe and accessories on the same level as products made from expensive furs. Mouton fur coats are most in demand. But designers do not stop only at this item of clothing, offering exclusive models and cuts, original additions - bags, hair decorations, muffs, decorative elements for everyday, evening, and business looks. But a functional wardrobe and accessories remain in greater demand.

Mouton short fur coat

If you are looking for an option that will be comfortable not only due to the material, but also to the design, then the best solution would be a short cut fur coat. Tight-fitting styles and loose silhouettes are in fashion. A-line short fur coats have become a trend. But the most practical and comfortable in any weather would be a sheepskin coat made of mouton with a hood. Short and short sleeves, neat, textured tailoring of skin sections became a stylish finishing for short fur coats. Mouton goes well with the hair of other animals, mainly long-haired ones - silver fox, fox, raccoon and others.

Mouton hats

Models made from sheared sheepskin fur are considered to be very warm and high-quality hats. A women's mouton hat is not only a stylish, but also a practical addition to a winter look. Indeed, due to the thickness of the skin, headdresses are not hemmed with an additional thick lining. The ability of fur to keep its shape well determines a wide range of styles. The most fashionable are fur beanies, berets and. Mouton combines very beautifully with leather and jacquard textiles in women's boyars. Free-form headdresses decorated with fluffy pompoms are also popular.

Mouton coat

Long outerwear made of warm and beautiful wool is the key to comfort, practicality and self-confidence. Considering that the Mouton animal has a relatively thick skin, coats made from its fur look very elegant and sophisticated. Fashionable models are presented in classic styles of moderate length, with a fitted silhouette or a belt. Coats with a hood decorated with fluffy trimmings of silver fox, raccoon, squirrel and other animals look beautiful. If you are looking for original outerwear, pay attention to the two-tone, oversized, cropped or asymmetrical cut.

Mouton vest

Fur vests have become a fashion trend in the last few seasons. Mouton vests are no exception in sophisticated women's fashion. Stylish models are presented in both long and short cuts. Tight-fitting and loose styles are popular. The colors with a transverse gradient transition look beautiful and unusual. Mouton can act not only as the main material for a vest, but also as a finishing material. The decor can be found on leather and, rarely, textile products. Vests are also presented in outer wardrobe collections. These models have a long cut and are complemented by a hood.

Mouton sheepskin coat

Treated sheep skins are not only used on the fur side for exterior design, but also on the interior. Women's sheepskin coats made of mouton have become popular and fashionable outerwear. But in this case, the process of processing the mouton occurs differently. Tanning materials are used, which ensure the strength and practicality of the products. A distinctive feature of this wardrobe is the lack of lining. The soft side acts as an inner layer and insulation at the same time. But designers also use fur for decoration. Fashion designers decorate the collar, sleeves and edges of clothes.

Women's mouton jacket

A short style of demi-season outerwear will be an original acquisition in your wardrobe. The main difference between a jacket and a short fur coat is the presence of a hard, insulated lining and a special fastener. This wardrobe is equipped with either a zipper or buttons. Hidden hooks and fasteners, as in fur coats, are excluded. Mouton jackets with a hood have become a common choice. A shorter cut is considered more practical when combined with a protective head accessory. Models with oblique zippers and combining mouton with the pile of other animals look interesting and unusual.

Mouton mittens

Soft, warm fur is great for sewing protective accessories. Considering the volume and massiveness of the material, the gloves are too bulky. Therefore, fur mittens made from mouton have become a fashionable solution. The massiveness of the design in this case is an original and interesting idea. Accessories are usually painted in one color. Often the choice falls on classic or natural colors, which makes mittens a universal detail in the image. An alternative to mittens is decorative ones, which will decorate an elegant elegant bow. But this element is inferior in convenience.

Many women dream of having at least one natural fur coat hanging in their wardrobe, or better yet several. And the more outlandish the fur, the more pride the owner has. Rabbits, arctic foxes, foxes, minks, silver foxes - all kinds of living creatures you can find in fur clothing stores. Among other things, the so-called mouton stands out. Very soft, delicate type of natural fur. What is this strange beast, you ask? Where is it found? What animal are mouton fur coats made from?

Where did the "moutons" come from?

In fact, such an animal does not exist in nature. Then where does the fur come from? You won't believe it, but this is sheepskin. Yes, yes, she is the same, only made in a special way. For the first time, German tanners were able to produce thin, elegant fur. The availability of raw materials quickly made this material popular, because the quality of the fur was no worse than natural mink, but was much cheaper.

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Over time, the technology for making mouton fur and products made from it was picked up by other powers. This is how mouton fur coats conquered the whole world. The technology of making sheepskin involves several stages.

• First you need to get raw materials. Sheep shearing and other methods of obtaining fleece are expected. Depending on the breed of the animal, different types of sheepskin are mined: fine-fleece, semi-fine-fleece, coarse-wool and semi-coarse-wool. The mouton is used for sheepskin fur, that is, all types except coarse-wool. But most often the skins of Australian fine-fleece merino are used to make moutons.
• The next stage of production is fur refining. Formalin is used for this. Thanks to this treatment, the fibers become silky and soft, and the surface of the fur becomes plush. Formalin increases the resistance of the material to wear and moisture. So the average period of wearing a mouton fur coat can reach 5-8 seasons, and with proper care, even more. It's not scary to get caught in the snow or even in the rain.

• Natural mouton has a brownish tint. But technology allows painting in any color, even the most unusual. That is why there are so many colors among mouton coats and fur products.

Now you know the biggest secret of fur products - what animal is a mouton fur coat made from? Note that fur products made from mouton are the most in demand. This is explained by the relative affordability, excellent quality, unique decorative features of fur, and long wearing time without significant problems. It is recommended to store such fur coats away from direct sunlight. The product should be spacious in the closet. It is advisable to hang this type of outerwear on wooden hangers with wide hangers so that it does not become deformed.

Mouton is a refined sheepskin, dressed in a special way and treated with formaldehyde, which “preserves” the hairs of the wool. Mouton comes from the French word mouton and means sheepskin, ram, valuh.

Mouton is 100% natural fur of natural origin, which provides the best protection from cold, wind, moisture and other weather conditions, helps maintain body temperature and protects from the physical influences of the environment.

The mouton gained popularity due to the positive properties of fur. Mouton is a soft, durable and very practical material. It has excellent shine, lightness, elasticity and does not pill when worn daily. For a long time it retains its excellent appearance, the pile does not break or deform.

The fibers of sheepskin fur create a natural layer of air and maintain air circulation, which has a beneficial effect on the microclimate of the body, retains heat, preventing freezing at the lowest temperatures, in harsh climates.

What is mouton made from?

Australian Merino- a breed of fine-wool sheep bred in Australia. Merino wool is fine-fleece wool, less than 24 microns thick, sheared from the withers of sheep raised in special nurseries in Australia and New Zealand.

The beneficial properties of merino wool have been known to mankind for a long time. The ancient Scots wore clothes made from this wool by heating it over steam. Now it looks a little strange, because putting on wet clothes is uncomfortable even in summer. The fact is that slightly wet merino wool becomes hygroscopic. It is capable of absorbing up to 33% of moisture from its volume, heating up to the temperature of the human body and remaining not blown through. In Spain, products made from merino wool were intended only for the royal court; export outside the state was punishable by death. Widespread industrial use only began at the end of the 18th century, when the British managed to smuggle merino sheep to Australia.

Merino wool is an excellent thermoregulator, trapping a large mass of air inside the high layer of fibers. Maintains a constant body temperature without overheating. At the same time, it absorbs moisture from excessive sweating and provides ideal ventilation. It is also worth noting the medicinal properties. Products made from merino wool provide micro-massage that improves blood circulation. Recommended for rheumatic diseases, arthritis, back and spine pain. In addition, merino wool is very elastic - even if the product is stretched by 30%, it takes its original shape. Thanks to this property, products made from merino wool are considered very durable.

Australia and New Zealand are famous for their grazing and sheep farming. Therefore, raw materials are purchased there, which are produced in Russia using special technology. Australian mouton is the fur of sheep of the Australian breed. Manufacturers have long noticed that the skins and fur of this breed compare favorably with others. The skin (dermis) is much thinner than that of sheep raised in Russia. In addition, Australian fur is thinner and more pleasant to the touch. This is due to the fact that Australia has a much milder climate than ours.

Russian fur is also suitable for clothing production. It is used to make sheepskin coats, hats, shoes, sofa covers and carpets. However, fur coats and hats made from sheepskin are not of such good quality, due to the denser dermis. Therefore, many manufacturers around the world have long switched to Australian fur.

Mouton production technology

The production of mouton is a Russian technology, therefore mouton products are sewn only in Russia. Russian specialists, using imported equipment, produce, dye, and sew mouton fur coats. Mouton is not produced abroad due to the smell of formaldehyde, which is released during the processing of skins; this is considered a hazardous production.

In factories, for the production of mouton, the wool of dressed sheep skins is carefully sheared, leaving the required length of pile, then during tanning, raw sheep skins are treated with a formaldehyde preservative solution, carefully processing each wool so that the fur acquires extraordinary softness and shine. Thanks to this treatment, the fur material becomes resistant to moisture and mechanical damage.

They also perform deep dyeing or tinting, since the natural color of the material is not very beautiful. The fur acquires a “noble”, rich color and attractive appearance. The color of the dyed mouton can vary from snow white to jet black. There are about two dozen shades; the most common muton colors are black and brown.

Mouton fur coats - a budget option

Thanks to the rich color range of finished products, even the most fastidious customers will be able to make a choice. The excellent compatibility of the mouton with other furs allows you to create dozens of different fur products, different styles and models, both for young people and for women of any age.

Mouton - has high strength and excellent wear resistance, resistant to precipitation - wet snow, wind. Products made from mouton are easy to care for and can be easily cleaned with a regular damp handkerchief. The Russian mouton is designed for a service life of 5 - 7 years. If you follow the storage rules, products made from Australian Mouton fur will last up to 10 years.

Mouton products are the ideal balance of beauty, style, warmth and convenience. Mouton fur coats are elegant, comfortable, practical, durable. This fur retains heat perfectly, perfectly resists moisture and is very wearable. It is light, elastic and does not pill even with daily wear. Mouton is also an excellent alternative to expensive furs. The main advantage of this fur is its affordability. Any woman who dreams of practical, warm and very beautiful winter clothes can afford to buy a product made from mouton.

A mouton fur coat is a budget, economical option available to every fashionista. Prices for fur coats made from mouton are much lower and more affordable compared to similar products made from mink, beaver, and chinchilla fur. Mouton products are leaders in the winter outerwear market in the CIS countries.

Miraculous sheepskin fur

Sheepskin fur has excellent heat-protective properties, practicality and versatility, and does not get wet when exposed to moisture. Products made from natural sheepskin are very warm, provide air circulation, this eliminates the “greenhouse effect”, that is, they allow the body to breathe. The wear resistance of sheepskin products is 55% of the accepted standard, so a fur coat or hat will be worn for at least 6 seasons.

Previously, underweight children were placed on sheepskin bedding. On sheep skins, children quickly calmed down and cried less. Plus the complete absence of allergies. Similar experiments were carried out at home with normal children - with the same excellent results.

Sheepskin fur promotes faster development of the baby in external conditions, it does not lose heat and always remains dry. Provides effective prevention of colds and infectious diseases. Sheep skin warms the child, calms him down, improves blood circulation, and as a result relieves abdominal pain in a child suffering from gas. Normalizes intracranial pressure - the cause of headaches, anxiety, poor sleep and appetite, improves blood circulation and microcirculation, and also improves muscle tone. In the future, children who were exposed to lamb skins in the first months of life are much less likely to suffer from viral and bacterial diseases.

Sheepskin in modern fashion

The well-known phrase “Sheepskin is not worth the candle” is not about sheepskin fur, which is extremely popular, despite its centuries-old age and competition among its more fluffy relatives. Sheepskin coats or “Siberian sheepskin coats,” as they are called in the West, are fashionable, comfortable and practical everyday clothing.

Fashionable sheepskin coats and sheepskin coats are also relevant, only the style has changed a little. They are beautiful, warm and comfortable, with a high, voluminous collar or a fold-over double collar. The length can be either short or extended to the knees.

It is preferable to choose sheepskin products in brown colors - chocolate, cream, sand. But the color scheme may not be limited to one shade and amaze the imagination with the play of a wide variety of tones, from snow-white to blue.

Short sheepskin jackets with a large fox or arctic fox collar look very stylish. Also distinctive are short military-style aviator jackets, decorated with leather straps and metal details.

Sheepskin coats look great in an ensemble with mini shorts, a pencil skirt, leather trousers and a knitted dress. However, stylists warn: do not overdo it with volume. If the upper part of your silhouette is voluminous, then it is advisable to visually narrow the lower part.

Sheepskin production

Sheepskin is a skin taken from an adult sheep and young animals over 6 months old. The structure of sheepskin wool is characterized by a thin epidermis. The dermis consists of thin fibers intertwined in a horizontal direction. The boundary between the papillary and reticular layers of the dermis is quite clear. The thickness of the papillary layer is usually greater than the thickness of the reticular layer. Sheepskin leather and fur have low strength, especially the outer layer of the skin, strong ductility, high looseness and water permeability. Mereya leather made from sheepskin has evenly distributed small pores and a fairly smooth surface.

According to the structure of the hair coat, sheep are distinguished into: fine wool, semi-fine wool, semi-coarse wool and coarse wool.

Sheepskin is a popular type of fur raw material. There are three groups of sheepskin: fur, fur coats and leather.

In fur production, fine-fleece, semi-fine-fleece, fine-fleece and coarse-wool sheep are used, with uniform or heterogeneous semi-coarse wool with a significant fluff content. Which have secondary hair, which consists of thin, thick hair (staple fleece). It contains up to 35% fat from the weight of the fleece, which gives the hair a yellowish tint. The hair coat of fine-fleece and semi-fine-fleece sheep consists mainly of downy hair. The fleece of semi-coarse-wool sheep contains transitional and guard hairs. According to the height of the hair, sheepskin is divided into wool (over 5 cm), half-wool (from 2 to 5 cm) and bare (up to 2 cm).

Depending on the breed and quality of hair, sheep are divided into types- Russian, steppe, Mongolian, Romanov. Sheepskin fur is used to make women's and children's coats, men's and women's collars, and hats, with the hair facing outward. Fur sheepskin is used for sheepskin coats. Sometimes covered with a film for a waterproof effect.

In the sheepskin and fur production, coarse-wooled sheep with heterogeneous, mixed wool of at least 1.5 cm in length are used. Fur-coated sheepskin, after dressing and dyeing, is used to make headwear - sheepskin coats, sheepskin coats, and jackets. In this case, the skin part of the sheepskin (the inner part) is turned outward, and the wool is turned inward. The most suitable for sheepskin and fur production are the skins of sheep of the Romanov breed, especially at the age of 5-8 months. The ratio of the number of downy and guard hairs in the wool of the Romanov sheep prevents felting and ensures the preservation of the curl during wear, which gives it good heat-protective properties.

In leather production, sheep skins are used, the quality of the hair does not meet the requirements of fur and sheepskin production. Sheep skins used for leather production are divided into 4 groups:

Russian, includes the skins of all coarse-wool sheep breeds, with the exception of fat-tailed ones. Suitable for the production of chrome-tanned leather for shoe uppers - chevrette.

Steppe, includes the skins of fat-tailed and adult Karakul sheep. The skins are very oily, so the skins are loose, viscous and have a weak, fragrant (easily crushed, separated) outer layer. They are used to produce haberdashery, lining and mitten leather.

Crossbreed.

Fine fleece sheepskin.

Depending on the origin of the sheep and the method of dressing, there are many names for sheepskin: smushka, merlushka, golyak, moire, klyam, strap and others.

Golyak, moire, slam- skins of unborn lambs of rough-wool sheep. The hairline has just begun to develop, with a smooth moiré pattern. Klyam with longer hair (maybe from a 1-2 day old lamb). Used for making women's coats, jackets, and finishing clothes.

Smushka is the skin of lamb of the Smushkov breeds aged 2-4 days. The hair is soft and slightly shiny with loose curls. Used for various fur products.

Merlushka - lamb skin up to 1 month old. Hair in the form of curls. Used for making coats, jackets, hats, collars, muffs.

Strap or slink - skins of newborn lambs of semi-coarse-wool and fine-wool sheep breeds. White thick hair. There are skins in which the ends of the hair are curled in the form of a ring or polka dots. They are made shorn with a hair height of 0.6-1.6 cm. The skins are similar to broadtail, but have a smaller curl and can be used on both sides. The size of slink skins does not exceed 25 sq.dm. Used for sewing demi-season children's coats, hats, and collars.

Merino is a breed of fine-wool sheep whose fur is more valuable than others. For the production of sheepskin material, Spanish merino is mainly used, since it has the thinnest and most elastic leather. Spanish merino skins are not large, the average size is 55-65 sq.dm. The fur of merino skins is soft and silky. Sheepskin coats made from merino sheepskin material are light, comfortable and very warm at the same time. Since the color of this breed of sheep is white, Merino sheepskin material can be of any colors and with various treatments and coatings of the leather fabric.

Merinillo is the skins of Merino lambs aged 4-5 months. Compared to merino, these skins are lighter and more delicate, but have one drawback - their size is no more than 35 sq.dm.

Tuscany is a sheepskin material made from Tuscan lamb, which takes its name from the name of the region in Italy. This breed is also raised in Spain. Tuscan skins are small, on average 35-40 sq.dm. This is the warmest type of sheepskin material, since the hair of this lamb is not cut, its length varies within 4-5 cm. Sheepskin coats made from Tuscan skins do not require additional decoration with valuable furs, since the fur of this lamb itself looks luxurious.

Tigrado is a sheepskin material for lambs with pronounced curly fur. The length of the pile of Tigrado skins is 4-5 cm, the size of the skins is 35-40 sq.dm. Sheepskin coats have good elasticity, lightness and high warming characteristics. Tigrado has increased in fashion in recent times due to its ethnic character.

Rozado - Skins of Tuscan lambs with a fur cutting height of 5 - 6 mm. This is a thin, delicate, flexible and warm sheepskin that allows a clothing designer to realize the most daring ideas.

Intrefino. This sheepskin material is characterized by subtlety and grace. Sheepskin coats sewn from it always look very elegant, neat and beautiful. For its production, sheep skin is used, due to which a recognizable texture is formed and a “warm atmosphere” is created. No matter how bad the weather is outside, you will always look very stylish in a sheepskin coat made of this material.

Mouton (fr. mouton ram, valukh, sheepskin) is a sheepskin dressed in a special way. Mouton is a very unpretentious fur, resistant to wet snow and wind. To produce it, the skins are treated with formaldehyde, due to which each hair is “preserved” and becomes resistant to influence. The skins from which the mouton is made are of Australian origin.

Astragan (a type of mouton). This type of fur is a special grade (highest quality) sheepskin that has been specially processed. To obtain astragan, modern methods of processing semi-finished fur products (sheepskin) are used. For the visual effect of "astragan" you need a sheepskin with a strong curl of hair and a densely stuffed down. The fur hairline is cut much shorter than that of a regular mouton. Due to the curl of the hair, when the fur is cut short (0.5 -0.7 cm), an effect visually similar to broadtail is obtained. Astragan is much lighter than a regular mouton. The heat-saving properties are not inferior to ordinary mouton. In terms of wearability, this material is much superior to a regular mouton, since thanks to the short haircut, the hair does not roll off and a fur coat made from this type of fur does not lose its excellent appearance for at least 3 years of its active use. Products made from astragan are on average 30% more expensive than similar fur coats and products made from mouton.

When processing sheep skins, the most modern technical means and technologies are used, so all the positive properties of sheepskin are doubled and tripled. Sheep skins go through several stages of processing: drying, degreasing the flesh, defatting, first warm-up, drying, second warm-up, second drying, scratching, polishing, beating. The sheepskin becomes soft, flexible, light, and a little rough to the touch.

History of sheepskin from antiquity to modern times

Sheepskin fur has the most ancient and amazing history. Starting from primitive man, the domestication of animals, the processing of animal skins for clothing and sleeping beds, the development of furrier craft to the present day.

Since time immemorial, sheepskin fur has been valued as an unsurpassed universal material with many positive characteristics. Biblical heroes wrapped their children in sheep skins to keep them warm and dry. The inhabitants of Ancient Egypt were the first to develop a special technology for processing sheepskin; they knew a lot about luxury and had exquisite taste. And the inhabitants of Ancient Rome, addicted to a beautiful and comfortable life, borrowed from them the method of processing sheepskin.

The domestic sheep is an extremely timid, obedient and meek animal. Perhaps the sheep was one of the first domesticated animals. In the myths and legends of many peoples, herds and flocks of sheep are often mentioned, which accompanied people everywhere, providing sources of milk, meat, wool and sheep skins. Sheep skin was used by people to make clothes and shoes.

Since ancient times, rams, sheep and lambs have been sacrificed to various deities. Then people did not yet know about one God, but worshiped many deities. There was an opinion that there are heavenly and underground gods. A white sheep was sacrificed to the heavenly gods, and a black sheep was given to the gods of the dungeons. Ancient Greek legends say that Zeus's bed was covered with the skin of a white sheep.

In all the books of the Old Testament, sheep are mentioned much more often than other domestic animals. The image of a sheep is also present in many New Testament parables of Jesus Christ. You simply cannot find a more useful and convenient pet for humanity. These wonderful animals continue to benefit people to this day.

About 3 thousand years ago, northern peoples began to use sheep skins to make clothing. If before this period, skins were practically not tanned and were worn like capes with slits for the head, then from that moment on the era of using practical and comfortable clothing began. Sheepskin is a unique material, which, thanks to its natural qualities - elasticity, softness, low thermal conductivity, has become an indispensable raw material for the manufacture of vests, capes, hats and shoes.

In the old days, hides were tanned “in a hurry”, without the use of tannins. The skins were salted and dried, and the clothes and shoes acquired the required softness during wear. Light leather shoes made of rawhide sheepskin without soles were worn by mountain residents in places with fairly dry summers.

In the Caucasus, Abkhazia and Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia, soft leather boots have been sewn from sheep skin since ancient times. These were “elite” boots for wealthy people close to princes. For these boots, the leather was specially tanned and the wool was removed from it. Such men's boots, almost unchanged, can be seen today in museums and among artists of modern folklore ensembles of the peoples of the Caucasus and Transcaucasia.

In Armenia and Georgia, peasants sewed vests and capes from solid sheepskin, with a slit for the head and without sleeves. Such clothes were worn with the fur facing out - the special fatty composition of sheepskin wool made it waterproof. Special sheepskin hats, tall and with long wool, are also popular there.

The harsh climatic conditions in our country make fur clothing and shoes a necessity. Since time immemorial, people in Rus' have worn clothes made from fur coats and sheepskins. Short fur coats, sheepskin coats, and warmer jackets were widespread everywhere due to their practicality and heat-protective properties. Therefore, a significant part of the population was engaged in the furrier craft of sewing sheepskin coats. By the beginning of the 20th century, 18 million people were employed in the clothing industry. Subsequently, the intensive development of light industry led to the construction of large factories. The trade turned into a working specialty for furriers.

There was a misconception that sheepskin products were purely plebeian clothing, which was intended only for “dark, illiterate and poor people.” On the part of the nobility, sheepskin products were subjected to contempt and ridicule, against the backdrop of luxurious fur stoles and floor-length coats made of expensive sable furs.

Before the revolution, people of royal blood willingly wore Russian short fur coats and sheepskin coats. In 1868, Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich gladly accepted a gift from the hands of Altai merchants - a sheepskin sheepskin coat. And in 1870, Siberian sheepskin was highly appreciated by the commission for the organization of the All-Russian Exhibition and the Society for the Encouragement of Russian Industry and Trade.

Sheepskin fur has always been the most affordable type of fur for every peasant, because sheep were found in every yard and were not a curiosity. In Russian villages they sewed long tanned fur coats and jackets with fur inside - that is, sheepskin coats. A sheepskin coat is an ancient piece of peasant clothing, which is a wraparound fur coat worn with the sheepskin fur inside. The sheepskin coat received its name because of a special type of tanning - enhanced tanning gives the leather extra strength and one of the signs of quality is invariably the collar that stands up.

Starting from the 20s and ending with the 50s of the 20th century in the USSR, sheep skins, sheared on the one hand, and tanned on the other, were used in the production of military uniforms and uniforms. Sheepskin clothing was worn almost all year round. Depending on weather conditions, sheepskin can conduct or retain heat and repel or retain moisture. During two world wars, soldiers, pilots and sailors wore sheepskin clothing.

Sheepskin coats came into general European fashion after the Second World War. Sheepskin coats were worn by members of the legendary group “The Beatles” and the leader of the famous group “The Doors”, and after them - almost the entire generation of hippies of the 70s of the 20th century. In the wake of hippie fashion, Afghan embroidered sheepskin coats trimmed with Mongolian lama fur became popular. By the 80s, sheepskin coats had become common, comfortable and inexpensive clothing. In 1994, in connection with the return of 70s fashion, designers again paid attention to sheepskin. A hit was the golden sheepskin coat with white fur, which Janet Jackson wore in the Scream video.

Practical sheepskin on fashion catwalks

In the Chanel collection, Karl Lagerfeld offered dresses made of the finest sheepskin. Alexander McQueen showed suits made of sheepskin in his collection, and the Emanuel Ungaro collection reflected the chic of the 70s in the finest sheepskin coats in all colors of the rainbow with raw edges. The Kenzo collection includes an ensemble made of tanned leather - a coat and a skirt with a blouse. In London, Tristan Webber, always careful with fur, presented bright coats made from small pieces of sheepskin in his autumn collection, and in Milan everyone remembered a gilded sheepskin coat from Iceberg and tanned handbags from Ruffo. Josefus Thimister, who created sheepskin clothing for Balenciaga, and Miuccia Prada, who featured dyed sheepskin with an incredibly soft pile in a dozen looks in the 2007 fall-winter collection for Prada, helped popularize this material.

The real excitement around sheepskin arose thanks to the efforts of Burberry creative director Christopher Bailey. For the first time in a long time, sheepskin clothing appears in the Burberry Prorsum collection in the fall of 2009: it is used in a gray sheepskin coat, which actress Keira Knightley will wear shortly after the show. After some time, Christopher Bailey presents the autumn pre-collection of Burberry Prorsum with men's and women's sheepskin jackets. But clothes made from sheepskin become real must-haves after the show of the Burberry Prorsum FW 2010 collection. The show opens with Carmen Pedara in a sheepskin bomber jacket, followed by Valeria Kelava, Frida Gustavsson, Shu Pei Kin and a dozen others in outerwear made of this material. models.

After the end of the shows for the autumn-winter 2010 season, it becomes obvious that sheepskin will become one of the main trends. Short jackets similar to pilot jackets appear in the collections of Phillip Lim, Adam, Giles, Just Cavalli and Rodarte. Sheepskin coats just above the knee are shown by Barbara Bui, Donna Karan, Hermes, Marc Jacobs and Rag & Bone. Acne and Celine make a voluminous coat from sheepskin, and Max Mara makes a floor-length sheepskin coat.

Sheepskin has always been needed by designers as a kind of auxiliary material. Sheep skin could be used to make a bag, boots or a hat. Paul & Joe line bags with sheepskin, Kenzo with ankle boots, Rodarte with collars, and Pringle of Scotland with shirts. Hussein Chalayan makes a case for binoculars from sheepskin. This trend was successfully copied by the mass market: Topshop jackets are reminiscent of Burberry Prorsum and Richard Krakoff, H&M coats hint at Etro, Uniqlo are similar to Adam and Roberto Cavalli, Oasis make vests from sheepskin fur, Bershka, Zara and New Look trim shoes and accessories.

Sheepskin instantly hits the blogs: Tommy Ton lists a vintage Balenciaga jacket among his favorite pieces of the season, Hanneli Mustaparta is seen in either a Maison Martin Margiela coat or a simple shearling jacket, and Wendy Lau prefers an H&M jacket. Models Lindsey Wixson, Abbey Lee and Anastasia Selezneva are not far behind them, rushing to castings in cardigans and coats decorated with sheep's wool. Paired with a floor-length knitted dress, a wide-brimmed hat and a hobo bag, short shearling coats embody bohemian chic.

Attempts to find the word mouton (in relation to the fur industry or type of fur) in dictionaries resulted in its complete absence. The only thing that could be found and can be considered a reliable source is the meaning of this word: muton is a unit of mutation, i.e. the smallest section of a gene, the change of which leads to the emergence of a new (mutant) form of a given organism. The term "mouton" was proposed in 1957 by the American geneticist S. Benzer to characterize a specific gene function.

But how does this relate to the fur industry? What kind of mouton fur coats are there now after these clever words? What, is my fur coat mutating? Most likely this word has a different meaning and a different story.

Another historical variation on the Mouton theme. The word Mouton comes to us from the French language and has the meaning (in translation) - ram. And the ram in the animal world is not far from the sheep, from which this fur is made, subsequently using it as the name of the type of fur from which fur coats, short fur coats, coats and jackets, as well as all sorts of other products, are made. appropriate conclusions can be drawn...

The word mouton, generally accepted in the modern lexicon, refers to fur material, which in another interpretation is called specially treated (ennobled) sheepskin. The next question arises - what is sheepskin?

What is sheepskin?

Sheepskin, aka sheep. If we turn to the Large and Heavy Encyclopedia (in 3 volumes), then we can read there: a sheep, a domestic artiodactyl ruminant of the bovid family. The sheep originated from wild mountain sheep (mouflon and argali). It is bred for meat, wool, milk, skins - smushka, sheepskin). Ewe fertility is approximately 100-245 lambs per 100 ewes.

Sheep farming is the breeding of sheep, a branch of animal husbandry that has several directions: fine-fleece, semi-fine-fleece, semi-coarse-wool and coarse-wool. The coarse-haired direction consists of smushkovo, fur coat, meat-wool, meat-wool dairy.

The main sheep breeding areas in Russia: the Volga region, the North Caucasus. Sheep farming is also developed in Central Asia and Kazakhstan. Over 80 breeds and breed groups are bred. The most common breeds are: Soviet Merino, Altai, Askanian, Stavropol, Gypsy, North Caucasian, Karakul, Romanov, Edilbaev. Abroad, sheep breeding is most developed in Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, the United States of America, and Great Britain.

Mouton history...

From some sources we learned that mouton (as a cheap material, in comparison with mink fur or other types of expensive fur) was invented in Germany, by specialists in the leather and fur industry. They, in search of an alternative replacement for expensive types of fur, developed a method of dressing sheepskin in a special way, after which it became similar in almost all aspects to mink fur.

This is how the production of these not very expensive, but practical mouton fur coats has gone since then, which currently occupy the majority of the Russian fur market.

Compared to other countries, Russia is a northern country, where winter temperatures sometimes reach -40 degrees Celsius. Such cold weather and small earnings of a large part of the population made it possible for mouton fur coats to win the love of our lovely ladies.

With special attention we would like to say that today, in the Caucasian Mineral Waters, the largest manufacturers of mouton products are located, and Pyatigorsk can probably rightfully be called the capital of the fur business, since Pyatigorsk fur coats make up a colossal volume of all mouton fur coats in Russia .

How long do mouton fur coats last?

On average, a mouton fur coat lasts up to 5 seasons. But with correct use and storage conditions of the product, you can wear a mouton fur coat for up to 9-10 seasons.

What are the advantages of a mouton fur coat over other furs?

Mouton fur coats are not afraid of wet snow and, in some cases, rain. To achieve such characteristics of fur resistance to wear, sheepskin is treated with formaldehyde. With this treatment, each hair “gains strength” and the fur becomes resistant to moisture.

Where to store a mouton fur coat?

Like any item from your home wardrobe, a mouton fur coat should be stored in a closet, avoiding direct sunlight on it and the closet. You can’t store a fur coat on wire hangers, which can affect it and cause it to become deformed. The hangers should be strong, preferably made of wood and wide. Also, the closet should be spacious so that the fur can “breathe”. If you create “comfortable” conditions in which your fur coat will spend the warm period of the year, it will most directly affect its service life.

In fact, every fur coat has a mystery, but the most mysterious one can be called a mouton outfit. Many people have no idea what they are made of, or where this mysterious beast lives and hides. But I don’t have time to study information about this for a long time. Therefore, in this article we will try to talk in detail about what a mouton fur coat is, what this thing is made of, and what advantages it has.

Who is Mouton?

If you translate this word into Russian, it becomes clear that this is a ram. The extracted material is used to make hats, fur coats, and decorative interior items. Outwardly, such things look no worse than sable or mink fur coats, but they are much cheaper.

By the way, wool is not removed from any animal; there is only one type of sheep, which is bred in New Zealand and Australia. But even animals of this breed are not all suitable for further processing due to the slightest deviations in density and length. Experts try to select from all the sheep only those that have the highest quality skins, and then begin to actively and carefully care for them.

Important! Mouton fur coats are especially popular in countries with extremely cold winters. Such clothes are always warm and are worn by people of all ages.

What kind of fur is used to make mouton coats?

Are you wondering what mouton fur coats are made from? In fact, everything is simple: to obtain this winter product, the top layer of ram and sheep hair is cut off. The wool is then smoothed and polished.

Important! The selection of animal skin is quite demanding. It is important that the sheep is young - only in this case can you get a delicate and soft skin that is easy to process. Previously, this fur was used only on the inside of outerwear, due to its incredible heat retention properties.

Today, mouton fur coats are the most popular in comparison with other products. There are several good reasons for this:

• The material is easy to process. If desired, you can paint it any color, and it will retain its elasticity and natural shine.
• The fur is quite durable and can withstand the harshest weather conditions.
• The Chinese have developed a special technology for processing this material, thanks to which it becomes almost weightless.

Important! A mouton fur coat can last more than five years, the main thing is proper care. If the fur is exposed to direct sunlight, it can fade, so it is recommended to store such clothes in a cool place, while at the same time providing them with maximum space to avoid deformation of the hangers.

How is mouton fur processed?

We have already described how animals are selected to obtain high-quality material. Now it’s time to figure out how fur coats are made from mouton.

The process of creating the material itself is divided into several stages:

1. The first step is to remove the top layer of wool from the sheep. They use special equipment for this in order to get the fur as smooth as possible, but without damaging the animal. The new skin of the mouton grows back quite quickly, then it can be removed again.
2. This is followed by the process of cleaning the hide.
3. The processed wool is placed in special equipment that resembles a huge drum. The wheel starts and rotates slowly for several hours. This procedure is repeated several times. The result is a silky soft material, completely suitable for sewing hats, sheepskin coats or collars.
4. If the skin is mined to make a natural fur coat, then it can be processed several more times. Each piece is stretched to give it strength and elasticity properties.
5. The material is then treated with formaldehyde, which makes it moisture resistant. Due to this treatment, mouton products can be worn in wet weather.
6. The last stage of processing is coloring. It allows you to get any desired color.

Important! All stages of processing that the wool has undergone are necessarily recorded in the documentation attached to each product.

How to care for mouton products?

We found out what mouton fur coats are made of, how the material is extracted, and how it is processed. It is equally important to learn how to care for such products in order to maintain their attractiveness for a long time.

The rules of care are quite simple:

• For a fur coat, you must choose a special hanger made of wood.
• It is necessary to free up a lot of space in the closet for storing it and create cool conditions. In summer it is better to install ventilation in it.
• It is recommended to store products in a case made of soft material. The use of plastic bags is strictly prohibited.
• The main disadvantage of mouton is the absorption of unpleasant odors and strong aromas, so it is advisable to protect things from their penetration. For example, smoking in the room where such a fur coat is stored is not worth it, since you will have to make a lot of effort to remove it later.
• Every year you need to take your mouton items to the dry cleaner.