Barbara Huffman

My mother had three mink coats, each from a different fashion era, but each worn to impress with style and prestige.

Her first garment was really not a coat, but a blonde mink stole; a sleeveless rectangular wrap with a clasp in the front and her initials embroidered in the lining, “EBL”.   In the 1950s and 1960s, a stole was the height of elegance and fashion.

Want a fur stole?  Just go out to eBay or Poshmark where you’ll find dozens for sale.  My mother’s piece avoided online resale fate.  It is now owned by my niece, who stylishly wore it to her own wedding. 

My mother’s second mink, from the 1970s, was full length with strips of leather alternating with strips of fur, tied with a leather belt, and again with her initials embroidered in the lining.  I always thought my mother’s second coat was bulky and unflattering.  Perhaps others agree, because few 1970s style furs appear on eBay today.   My mother’s coat is now also owned by my niece who wore it as a Cruella Deville Halloween costume.

My mother’s third mink was her classiest; a dark full-length coat made from female pelts, of course with her initials embroidered in the lining.  The popularity of fur coats started to decline in the late 1980s when it became immoral to wear animal skins. 

So, what happened to my mother’s third coat?  A relic from another time, it is now hanging in my closet.  I could make it into a pillow, but I doubt I will.  It’s a memory of my mother.  I’ll pass it on to my vegan daughter, who absolutely would never wear it.  I’ll let her ultimately decide its fate.