1920's Woman's Fur Coat

Ladies racoon coat. It has a shawl collar, turned up cuffs, and two outer side pockets at hips with tails as pocket edge. Coat is lined with beige wool, and has a pocket in right front lining seam. The center-front closure is four 1.5 inch buttons with braided loops. There are three on center-front at waist and below, one on chest, and a chain loop at center-back neck.

HCT.2005.16.9

During the 1920s, long raccoon fur coats became a fad among young men and women, particularly those in college. Animal fur had long been a popular material for winter coats, and raccoon fur was a relatively inexpensive option. Additionally, the bulky style of these coats were popular for wearing to football games not only because it was warm, but also because a flask could easily be hidden in its bulk during these years of Prohibition. This coat features an interior pocket that could be used for just this purpose. The style would more or less disappear by the 1930s, due to the Great Depression. This raccoon coat was purchased at The Union in Columbus, Ohio.

Racoon Fur

1920-1929