Fashion Masochist: The Man Fur

It began last year as mere flirtation: a beaver-lined hoodie here, a rabbit-trimmed collar there, training wheels that let the almost-fashion-forward dabble in warm fuzzies without fully committing. But this season, full-length men’s fur coats are showing up everywhere—Dolce & Gabbana ad campaigns, Rick Owens’s runways, Jake Gyllenhaal’s back—PETA protestors be damned.

So why aren't more men sporting fur Hub-side, a place whose frosty temperatures would seem to warrant hide-bound refuge more than, say, the Hollywood Hills? Are we too haunted by memories of the pelt-draped cultural icons of yore—the "Broadway Joe" Namaths, the Liberaces, the cast of Dr. Zhivago? In an attempt to shed this unfortunate past and give a burgeoning outerwear trend its due, I tap into my animal instincts.

THE EXPERIENCE I decide to cannonball into the deep end of man fur: an Olympic-sized, full-length ranch mink from Brookline furrier Harris & Klaff. For the record, I'm a big guy, and this extra layer makes me seem bigger and furrier than usual. In fact, I bear some resemblance to a bear. It's a look that 10 years ago, on my particular block of the South End, might have upped my attractiveness exponentially, but today just makes me a curiosity for the stroller set.

My usual ensemble of a conservative business suit and trench ordinarily offers a cloak of anonymity, which is dramatically cast aside thanks to my luxurious new wrap.

I find myself breaking the tension of being stared at by saying hello to people who would not normally require interaction. My regular trip to Foodie's becomes a mix of double takes from fellow shoppers and laudatory “No shit”s from the butcher and register guys.

The other issue besides the attention is the care and storage of my new friend. Dining with two companions at the Franklin Cafe, I'm forced to decide whether I'm comfortable hanging my $10,000 pelt on the rack by the bathroom. Nervous, I opt for keeping it with me, effectively adding a plus-one to our party. When the server glances at our phantom four-top, I feel pangs of guilt—almost enough to order a fourth entree.

THE VERDICT The fact that women are much more accepted as fur wearers seems strange. What could be more masculine in our "eat what you kill" business world than sporting an actual trophy? The full-length mink is warm, beautiful, and luxurious. It is also entirely possible that I like the attention more than I'd care to admit. Bring back the man fur!

Harris & Klaff, 1333 Beacon St., Brookline, 617-734-0195, klafffurs.com.