mfad•3y ago

Cat-hair proof outerwear for Boston

Hey everyone. During the cooler months, I've generally relied on pullover hoodies and company provided Columbia fleece jackets. During the actual cold months, I've worn a navy surplus peacoat. However, I've since gotten a very fluffy cat and my wool and fleece outerwear are like magnets for cat hair and I need to essentially replace this part of my wardrobe.

So, what're some good options I should consider in the <$200 range for a "jacket" and <~$300 range for an overcoat/heavy piece of outerwear that will hopefully not attract hair like moths to a flame. (I live in Boston so I need things that will actually keep me warm)

sinbad•10/5/23, 3:31 AM

I don’t have input except to say that’s one of the cutest cats I’ve ever seen

KirelOP•10/5/23, 3:32 AM

For the lighter outerwear piece, I've been considering a light car coat/overcoat or some sort of field jacket or cotton bomber jacket

KirelOP•10/5/23, 3:32 AM

Haha, thank you! She is an adorable gremlin

gimp•10/5/23, 3:48 AM

Cute cat. I have found nothing that is impervious to animal fur, though the outside of a waxed jacket should be fine. The fur will still get into the inside. Some stuff is way worse than others, though, but sometimes the same "kind" of material is way different from other garments (like I have one cotton shirt that attracts 10x dog fur of the others.)

gimp•10/5/23, 3:49 AM

Basically any exposed "natural fiber" solution I can think of has gaps where fur will get into perpendicularly and get stuck. That leaves pretty much only exposed surfaces that are in some way coated to be waterproof, or are synthetic and smooth, if you want imprevious. If you just want "not super visible and not super attracting/catching to fur" ... that's a different story

KirelOP•10/5/23, 3:58 AM

Yeah, it doesn't need to be impervious, just needs to not be obvious. I'll prob be sticking to lighter colors to assist with that. Her white hair on black fleece was not a winning combo

gimp•10/5/23, 3:58 AM

Hah, for sure!

gimp•10/5/23, 3:59 AM

For me, flannel wool has been a no-go, darker colors are the worst. Woolens are generally not great, in any cloth. Linen can be surprisingly attracting of fur, but not super relevant for the winter.

gimp•10/5/23, 3:59 AM

I think a waxed jacket is a solid answer for at least one of those two things. However, I'm not sure how much I like a waxed overcoat...

KirelOP•10/5/23, 4:00 AM

Most of my linen stuff is in lighter colors so thankfully that's largely not been an issue.

gimp•10/5/23, 4:01 AM

I've had a good bit of luck with cotton, like my indigo sashiko field jacket, unless my huge fluff physically rubs all over it it's fine (and if she does, it takes three minutes to knock the fur off.) But well, I don't live in Boston anymore -- I don't think it would be a warm enough garment for Boston winters if you, yknow, go outside for more than a minute.

KirelOP•10/5/23, 4:01 AM

Yeah, the peacoat served me faithfully in that regard but again, white hair on black wool

gimp•10/5/23, 4:01 AM

A puffer jacket should generally work fine, assuming the outside is some sort of solid (waterproof or adjacent) synthetic, like most are

gimp•10/5/23, 4:02 AM

Dunno if a trench coat is it

gimp•10/5/23, 4:03 AM

I don't know how goretex shells work with fur like that either, never tried, but I know people love those for functionality

KirelOP•10/5/23, 4:07 AM

Yeah, a synthetic/shell outer is prob my best bet but I always loved the peacoat's versatility for as a smart casual or more formal piece

Spuck•10/5/23, 8:44 AM

Synthetics definitely don't hold onto cat hair nearly as much, my bomber jacket and parka never show anything. Do invest in a Fur Magic brush they work wonders.

Spuck•10/5/23, 8:44 AM

I feel your pain though, this is my working arrangement