It’s time to update your look and put a fresh face forward this season. Brush up on the latest styles and trends, and find a few surprises, too.
Now that more people are out and about again, it’s the perfect time to update your outlook with a stylish new coat or accessory item. The YF Collection at York Furrier, 107 N. York St., in the Elmhurst City Centre, features an extensive selection of new and vibrant pieces that are perfect for your spring season style.
“After this past year, people are so happy to finally be able to go out again,” says Kathy Rezny, co-owner of York Furrier. “Events, fundraisers, dinner parties and social soirees are happily being scheduled again. And, York Furrier is thrilled to be returning to the in-person fashion show runway after a full year of virtual events and online fashion extravaganzas. As people venture out, they will be looking for happy, joyful colors to wear.”
This season’s YF Collection is blooming with versatile furs and stylish fine outerwear, including shearling, leather, rainwear, cashmere, alpaca, Lora Piana superfine wool, and down garments. To complement, there’s an array of awe-inspiring accessories – scarves, handbags, fun clutches and belts with bling.
This spring, look for cheery colors, distinctive patterns, luxe leathers, cashmere ponchos, rain gear and whimsical accessories.
This year’s “it” color is hot pink, affectionately known as “haute pink” in fashion circles. Wearing pink is a definite mood booster, says Rezny. “The color conveys beauty, good cheer and pure bliss. It’s a happy color that will have both wearer and passersby smiling from ear to ear.”
The YF Collection features a fun Derek Lam-designed bubble gum pink sheared mink zip jacket that perfectly pairs with anything in your wardrobe, from casual denim to a colorful sundress. A Loro Piana superfine wool walking coat hovers just above or below the knee. It has a plush, pink-colored fox trim. The versatile style lends itself to many uses, including for a day of shopping or a glam night out on the town.
When it comes to patterns, look for animal and floral prints, plus bold linear or graphic designs. For the floral theme, York Furrier carries an Italian-designed, light-green leather reversible walking coat with a pretty multi-color flower pattern printed on the leather. Detailed, handcrafted leather flowers embellish both the collar and each sleeve. The reverse side reveals a neutral, cream-colored leather for a more subtle look.
Other patterned pieces in the YF Collection include an animal print belted leather stroller, where the hemline ends mid-thigh. Also look for a snakeskin print zip-up leather jacket and a new line of colorful rainwear in imaginative, artistic patterns. Perfect to brighten a grey day, some of these coats are hooded, some are reversible, and all are lightweight, easily packable into a tote or carry-on bag.
New fashion arrives weekly at York Furrier, and it can be seen in-store or online at YorkFur.com.
The YF Collection of luxe leathers is one of this season’s hottest new attractions. The extensive selection is created with exquisite materials, detailed craftsmanship and beautiful, fashion-forward styling. The leather collection is available in multiple styles including baseball, moto, flounce, blazer, belted trench, patterned toppers, zip-up jackets and classic walking coats.
The leather baseball style, with its knitted cuffs, waist and collar, comes in both snap-up and zip-up styles. The moto style is created from supple, lightweight lamb leather in a sleeker version of the traditional racer style. The waist-length jacket’s angled zipper allows for the collar to be left wide open or zipped up completely. The blazer style offers a more fitted, tailored silhouette that’s ready for the c-suite.
One of the most versatile offerings is the leather topper.
“This style is a little longer, with hemlines just above the knee. It’s created from an intricate combination of leather and mesh in beautiful shimmering colors and patterns – roses, circles, and geometric lines and dashes,” says Rezny. “It’s a great style for going out when you need to spice up your little black dress. Or, throw it on over a cotton T-shirt, silk blouse or light sweater with casual slacks. It pairs perfectly with whatever you’re wearing.”
Given spring’s constant temperature fluctuations, a luxe leather jacket has many uses.
“For cooler temps, pair a leather jacket with a turtleneck sweater, dark denim or leggings and tall boots,” says Rezny. “For a warmer, sunnier day, keep it simple with a sleeveless top in silk or cotton, a cute skirt, and some strappy heels or sandals.”
Another seasonal must-have is the cashmere poncho. This style chameleon is available in fabulous colors such as butterscotch, lilac, hot pink and lipstick red. Some pieces are trimmed with pearls, feathers or fur.
“It’s such a simple yet sophisticated piece that is easily tossed on to transform any outfit into a head-turning look,” says Rezny.
The YF Collection includes a variety of capes, wraps and fur-trimmed sweaters and shrugs. There’s an abundance of colors, styles and luxe materials.
York Furrier also carries plenty of accessories that make a big fashion statement. Adding a new scarf, tote, clutch or belt to your outfit will definitely spice up your look. Pair a silk scarf with a leather jacket, drape it inside the collar of a cashmere coat, or adorn your handbag’s handle with it. On bad hair days, wear a scarf as a head wrap or headband. Pull a scarf through belt loops for a colorful waist accent. Brighten any outfit with this spring’s scarf patterns, including Ming Dynasty Dogs, Georgia O’Keefe’s abstract feminine florals or swirls of pretty pastels.
Spring’s must-have bags come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Think colorful oversized fur totes to an elegant, sheared-mink envelope clutch. Fox fur totes and backpacks are available in cobalt blue, red, silver, fuchsia, pastel and multi-color combos. They offer a roomy interior to keep essentials organized, and a detachable or collapsible shoulder strap makes for convenient, hands-free carrying. Bead and artistic leather-embellished clutches and shoulder bags with whimsical themes are sure to be a conversation starter. Favorites include the flamingo, tiki bar, koi pond, tiger and the Frida Kahlo. From the Peach Carr-designed Chicago Skyline clutch to a pastel fur backpack, the YF Collection features bags to proudly keep on shoulders, elbows or close at hand.
Another spring accessory trend at York Furrier is the bejeweled belt. Bling-it-on! It’s a cinch to rock this season’s glam accessory. Buckle up a glittery, gem-encrusted belt for your turn in the spotlight. Pair with denim, a sweater, a leather jacket, a dress, or over a fur or fine fabric coat.
In addition to seasonal fashion offerings, York Furrier offers a complete line of professional, on-site services to care for fur and outerwear garments. All store labels are welcome. Using state-of-the-art equipment combined with Old World craftsmanship, the staff and talented design team provide secure storage in climate-controlled vaults. Cleaning and conditioning services revitalize fur, shearling, leather, fine fabric, down and luxe skiwear garments. Repair/alteration services replace linings or closures, fix opening or worn areas, and resize and reshape garments for comfort and fit. And, the YF Design Team is available to restyle/repurpose/upcycle family heirloom, older, out-of-fashion or vintage furs. Suggested work includes shortening hems, shearing long hair furs, updating an outdated fur, or converting an older garment into fur accessories or home decor. Yearly maintenance of your furs and outerwear garments will ensure enjoyment for decades of use. Learn more about YF services at YorkFur.com.
As York Furrier looks forward to celebrating its 90th anniversary this fall, Rezny says she and the YF team will continue to “blend trend and tradition” in the coming season and for many years to come.
“We are a third-generation, family-owned and -operated company,” says Rezny. “With our mission statement to provide clients with the ultimate in selection and the utmost in personalized service, York Furrier will build on our founding principles, continually curate the fashion collection offerings, and ensure that clients and their garments are meticulously serviced.”