Couplings have been known since very ancient times. A funnel-shaped extension of narrow sleeves, which was found in both men and women, is considered a kind of prototype of the muff. A fur muff of a traditional cylindrical shape appeared in Venice, where it became an independent accessory.
Perhaps they existed before, but if we focus on portraits of women, the first fur muffs became widespread in the middle of the 16th century in Italy. At the same time, Italian muffs played mostly the role of a luxurious accessory rather than warming hands, because Italy is not characterized by severe frosts. Russia is a different matter, that’s where couplings were used for their intended purpose! Only, unfortunately, Militta could not establish whether there were couplings in Russia earlier than in Italy or not. Russian history is shrouded in many secrets; it is constantly being rewritten and remade, so it is not possible to know for sure.
And in Europe, the muff became a fairly important element of the wardrobe; it was often given attention not only in painting, but also in literature. For example, Cesare Vecellio, in his book on costumes, wrote about Venetian ladies of the late 16th century: “In winter they wear muffs made of good fur - the muffs are lined with silk or velvet, and in summer they wear gloves.”
Since the muff was also a symbol of wealth and was worth a lot of money, it was worn exclusively by the aristocracy. Muffs of those years were made from a variety of furs - from sheepskin to sable. In addition to fur, feathers, silk, velvet, and brocade were used. The products were decorated with embroidery, lace, pearls and gold embroidery. Unlike modern muffs, in those days these accessories were made with the fur inside.
Commoners were not allowed to wear a muff due to their status, but those who could afford it took it with them not only on the street, but also did not let it out of their hands indoors, because a rich muff in itself was a decoration.
Men wore muffs almost equally with women. Perhaps the trendsetter of this fashion was Louis XIV, who with age became very fond of furs.
The second role of the fur muff
In those ancient times there were no such comfortable ones, there were no minoudières decorated with rhinestones and precious stones, so the muffs to some extent acted as handbags.
Louis XIV carried snuffs, a fan, a watch and many other small things in his muffs. And his muffs were often made of exotic fur - tiger or panther. Louis XIV was not the only king who loved muffs. They wrote about Henry III that he adored “perfume, cosmetics, earrings, velvet and satin muffs trimmed with fur.”
Then the fashion changed, and after it the couplings changed. Men chose smaller couplings, while women, on the contrary, sought to purchase a larger coupling. It even got to the point that some ladies managed to hide their dog in a fur muff!
They also tried to perfume the muff with perfume or other incense. This was done in order, on the one hand, to interrupt a little unpleasant odors streets, and on the other hand, so that the lady would have a trail of perfume behind her that would attract attention...
The tradition of scenting muffs did not lose popularity for a long time; even one of George Sand’s heroines, describing her childhood, shared her memories: “Finally, we left the house, and, hearing the rustle of our dresses, inhaling the aroma of our scented muffs, everyone turned around to look after us "
The design of the coupling is extremely simple - it is a pipe into which gloved hands fit comfortably. Thus, in order to sew the simplest muff, you don’t have to make a pattern, but simply calculate the dimensions of the rectangle that forms the basis of the craft. If you wear a muff with a thin coat, the diameter of the finished muff should be smaller, but if you wear it with a fur coat or a voluminous jacket, it should be larger.
What to make a coupling from?
Quite a lot of materials are suitable for creating hand muffs - natural and artificial fur, various woolen fabrics... The warmest muff will be made from whole arctic fox skin or similar, but an equally warm product can be sewn from wool lined with wool batting (or other filler , capable of retaining heat). Well, for beauty, you can make a trim around the edge from strips of fur. Also, for the convenience of wearing the muff, you will need a silk cord, braid or leather strap.
The procedure for sewing a coupling
Determine the coupling size that is comfortable for you. This can be done by simply folding your arms as if they were in a muff and measuring the resulting girth. Please note that this must be done in winter clothes. To the resulting measurement, add at least 4-7 cm for loose fit and seams. The length of the product can be approximately 30-40 cm.
Sew a lining (fine wool or polyester) to the top layer of the muff (fur or thick woolen fabric). The size of the pad must match the size of the top layer of the coupling.
Sew the seam along the pipe. You can also use a zipper or buttons to connect the coupling.
Sew a braid onto the opposite edges of the product, on which the muff will hang around your neck.
Helpful tip: It will be more convenient to use the muff if you sew a small pocket with a zipper into the lining. You can put a travel ticket, keys, and other necessary little things in it.
I would also like to note that the possibilities for decorating the muff are very large. For example, you can simply pin on a large brooch, but if you have the skills, the muff can be embroidered using any technique and decorated with bright fabric.
This accessory seemed to be outdated long ago and hopelessly out of fashion. Of course, it is difficult to imagine a woman loaded with groceries and holding a muff. After all, the muff is a hollow cylinder made either of fur or of dense and warm fabric, inside of which you can hide your hands through the side holes.
She was born in the sixteenth century and, oddly enough, in one of the southern countries of Europe - in Italy. At first it was worn not only by women, but also by men. She quickly won the hearts of fashionistas, although only representatives of high society were allowed to wear a hand muff. By the beginning of the twentieth century, this item had almost gone out of use and fashion. But from time to time designers remember her.
The 2019-2020 season is distinguished by a special attitude towards fur. Fur is used in almost any item of clothing, from fur coats and coats to vests, capes and even boleros. Maybe that’s why we remembered the clutch again and brought this original accessory back to life. On a frosty and windy day, it’s so nice to hide your hands in a cozy and soft muff. It will not only warm your hands, but also help create a touching and mysterious image.
What to wear with a hand muff for the 2019-2020 season?
Of course, a hand muff is not practical for daily use; mittens or gloves are more suitable here. But on special occasions, going to a premiere at a theater or an exhibition, it will serve you well. This accessory, fashionable in 2019, can be made of fur lined with soft and warm fleece.
To keep the item at a comfortable distance, a leather strap is attached to it. A pocket with a flap can also be sewn on, fastened with a rivet, where you can put the necessary little things.
Today, designers offer couplings from denim, which is insulated with padding polyester and faux fur. Thanks to the thin strap, it can be worn around the neck or over the shoulder. Such an accessory can be topstitched with decorative stitching, decorated with metal fittings or rhinestones.
Today, warm clothes are extremely popular and a fur muff is no exception. It is about this very feminine and beautiful accessory Our stylists decided to talk to our readers women's magazine. Today, there is an opportunity to learn about stylish models of winter hand muffs, as well as see how they look in the photos that will be presented in this issue.
A little history about the hand muff
In fact, it’s no secret that the coupling is an accessory that has come to our time from the past. Designers love to take advantage of this fact, as it allows them to create original images. Back in Italy, stylists of yesteryear came up with such a thing as a muff, which perfectly protected women's hands from the cold. To be more precise, back in Venice of the 14th century, representatives of the upper classes showed off with similar accessories in their hands, which greatly decorated the images of girls.
Thus, fur muffs have become an exquisite wardrobe element that shines with wealth and unique style. In fact, such an accessory can add a unique sophistication to absolutely any female image, at least due to the fact that designers create such accessories from natural and very expensive furs. To verify our words, be sure to pay attention to the photos below.
After the coupling gained its well-deserved popularity in Italy, representatives of other countries began to pay attention to it. It is worth noting that this is very stylish accessory very fond of the French. So, even men can wear it, despite the fact that such a product was initially considered exclusively for women. So, today, you can see many portraits of prominent French men who wore hand muffs made of precious furs.
Even in those days, the muff testified to the high status and nobility of the family of its owner. Therefore, many representatives of great dynasties did not deny themselves such a pleasant and very attractive accessory. On top of everything else, the hand muff looked great with the clothing of the era, creating very strong and formal outfits. After the coupling became widespread in Europe, it began to be noticed in Russia. Here high-ranking officials could afford it.
Be sure to pay attention to the photos in which a hand muff is not just a winter accessory, but a real work of art that deserves special attention from women.
Fur muff for hands for the winter of 2019-2020 in the photo
The muff still enjoys great success among women today, which is why many designers pamper us with their unique and very original products. It is only worth noting that such models, in most cases, are accessories made of very expensive and high-quality furs, so it is worth knowing how to wear them correctly and combine them with other things. And now, let's talk about several original models of hand muffs for the winter of 2019-2020, which will become simply irreplaceable friends even on a walk for women, and look at their current photos.
For example, products made from natural fox fur are of great value. They will simply fit perfectly into an outfit with warm coat And . So, it is very easy to combine and wear with dark blue raincoats and tall ones. The fact is that real high-quality fox fur looks not only rich, but also very stylish, which is why it can often be seen at designer shows of fashion houses.
In addition to fox fur, designers often use arctic fox hand muffs in their collections. The big advantage of this material is that, when choosing it, you can notice a wide variety of colors. So, stylists recommend paying attention to a white muff, which will look very good in an ensemble with the same hat.
For business women Stylists highly recommend a hand muff made from more noble and expensive materials. So, it can be mink or sable fur. The fact is that such models look very expensive and add sophistication and uniqueness to any image.
In fact, many designers recommend decorating with a fur muff not only winter images, but also evening dresses. The fact is that such accessories look very solemn and, at the same time, very stylish and graceful. To see this, look at the photo below, where the hand muff is presented in all its beauty.
A hand muff made of smooth-haired fur will look very beautiful; such a product can be combined with absolutely any item in a woman’s wardrobe. Many stylists even note that they simply look great even with sportswear. And, by the way, it is important to say that other fluffy fur products can be combined with a hand accessory made of short-haired fur. Look at the photos of beautiful and stylish hand muffs that are presented below, maybe you can find something of your own.
Also, a muff that is stylized as a handbag will look very creative and very stylish. But it is worth noting that this is a rather original product that requires a special selection of other items from a woman’s wardrobe.
In addition, be sure to pay attention to the photo of fur hand muffs, which are presented below and trimmed with bologna. You can wear them even in rainy weather, without fear that your hands will freeze or the product will come apart at the seams.
In modern fashion, which is prone to any experiments, there are still things that require not only a special approach to choice, but also the ability to wear. One of these trends is the fur muff. This exquisite accessory can both emphasize refined taste and pretty much ruin your stylish reputation.
Fur women's hand muff
This fashionable addition first appeared in Italy in the fourteenth century. At that time, Italian women had an urgent need to insulate and protect their hands, since the humid climate and strong winds mercilessly harmed the skin and spoiled appearance. This stylish wardrobe element immediately gained unprecedented popularity and became a sign of wealth, because not every girl could afford such luxury. Considering the activity of modern fashionistas, this choice is considered not the most practical, but very graceful and elegant. And the most fashionable solution was a muff made of natural fur:
Mink muff
The most popular purchases are considered to be products made from the most expensive and rare hair of small animals. Mink fur hand muffs will emphasize not only the originality and sophistication of the style, but also a touch of luxury, elegance, and grace. The advantage of such products is high functionality and protection from the most severe frosts. But at the same time, the accessory is lightweight, which is important during the period of bulky bows. All colors of rare skins are trending – classic black, rich brown, blue and white. Designers use solid cuts and expensive yarn.
Fox muff
Such models will always become the most important element in the image thanks to their bright and rich fiery colors. Fox fur hand muffs are also popular due to their fluffy appearance. This solution will be especially relevant for those who are looking for a relatively inexpensive option, but always made from natural pile. An original feature of such models is the ability to make even the most modest and nondescript look bright and attractive.
Rabbit fur muff
This option has become the most budget-friendly. However, in terms of functionality and protection from the cold, such an accessory is not inferior to expensive products made from rare pile. The most popular colors remain natural colors - black rabbit fur muff, white and gray. However, the hair of these animals tolerates dyeing and tinting very well. Therefore, the modern market offers a wide range of rabbit accessories of unnatural shades. Delicate pastel solutions are considered especially stylish - lilac, rose and peach, vanilla, mint and others.
Arctic fox coupling
The main advantage of arctic fox accessories is their very beautiful appearance. The hair of these animals is uniformly thick and fluffy. But at the same time, the finished product is very warm and light. A muff made of arctic fox fur looks very impressive and expensive. And to add attractiveness, designers paint accessories in different shades. The favorable tendency of arctic fox hair to tint helps to give even the most intense and poisonous shade. Single-color solutions and multi-colored designs are in fashion.
Silver fox coupling
These models look simply amazing. Firstly, the density and length of the pile plays a big role in the attractiveness of the design. Secondly, interesting colors add originality. Women's silver fox fur muff can be either light or dark. It all depends on which shade of wool was used more - silver or black. Silver fox skins are considered very strong and durable. Therefore, such a purchase will last you more than one season, even with active daily wear.
Faux fur muff
In modern fashion, products made from synthetic pile are considered popular. Eco-fur muffs have become a trend, which in appearance is no different from natural expensive products. However, it is worth considering that such models are less practical and provide less protection from the cold. However, designers have found a solution to this problem - a fleece or flannelette lining. The most popular is the faux mink fur muff. Additions for other short-haired or cropped skins are also in trend. But long pile is not welcome in such collections, since over time it gets confused and loses its appearance.
Fur muff bag
An original and functional acquisition was the model, complete with a handle. This accessory is used not only to protect hands from the cold, but also as a carrier for small items - documents, keys, mobile phone, and others. The fur muff-bag can be complemented with a long strap. This option can be worn on the shoulder or as a ross-body. A model for hand wear was a stylish choice. There is a small handle or no handle at all. Last option presented in the form of an envelope. But in any design there is a through pocket for hands.
What to wear with a fur muff?
The most difficult thing in the case of an exquisite fur accessory is the question of combining it with clothing and other details in the image. It is important to know that such a wardrobe element does not tolerate experimentation. When choosing such a detail, you should exclude any items of sporty and casual style. But romantic, evening and formal ensembles will become more elegant. Stylists do not recommend wearing a stylish accessory with a fur coat. But if you really want to, outerwear should be made of short or cut pile. But let's look at the most current solutions:
Fur muff and hat
Categorical combination fashion accessory with others fur products does not apply to the choice of headdress. Stylists even recommend complementing the look with a fur muff with a hat made of identical pile. Then the whole look will be harmonious and stylish. However, the design of accessories may differ; there are no categorical prohibitions in this matter. Accessories for arms with long fur and a headdress with cropped fur look especially stylish. The original choice would be in the shape of the head of the animal from which the products are made, for example, a rabbit, fox or squirrel and others.
