Vests are a great way to add the beauty and luxury of fur to your wardrobe in a more versatile, all-season-friendly package. Vests are the perfect choice if you’re looking to add the warmth of outerwear to an existing outfit, or if you want to incorporate the vest into your apparel, making it the central focus of your ensemble. Vests come in a variety of fur styles, colors, and lengths, and with all of the beautiful selections available, it can sometimes be difficult to make a choice. Here are three things to consider when buying a fur vest to help you make the best selection possible for your climate and style preferences:

1. Length

You may be surprised to learn that fur vests, like coats, come in a variety of lengths. Take a look, for example, at the difference between this Chestnut Mink Fur Vest and this longer Black Skin on Mink Fur Vest. While both have the traditional sleeveless silhouette with full front coverage, the length difference has quite an impact on the overall look. Shorter vests give you a more casual chic appearance, while the longer styles provide coverage more akin to a coat, but with the versatility to wear them in warmer temperatures.

The shorter chestnut mink offers incredible versatility, and not just due to its length. It reverses to leather, essentially giving you two vests for the price of one. The longer black skin on mink vest has a sportier look, making it the perfect choice for pairing with jeans and a variety of tops. The stand-up collar and extended length provide incredible coverage, while the soft mink will make this vest one of your favorite apparel items. Deciding upon a length will help you to consider the types of outings for which you will wear your vest, and with all of the varieties available in different lengths, you are sure to find something that you will love.

2. Fur Choice

Choosing a fur type is one of the most enjoyable parts of shopping for a vest. Traditionally, vest furs include mink, lynx, chinchilla, beaver, fox, and rabbit, and your fur choice should be based upon your needs and personal preferences. All types of fur are remarkably durable and versatile, but they require the same level of care which you would provide to a standard-length fur. This means taking your fur vest to a professional for cleaning and storage, and repairing any tears or stains right away.

While mink is the most popular fur for vests, fox is also in quite high demand, as it offers both softness and durability, which makes it a great choice for vests and coats alike. Fox fur also looks incredible when paired with other fur types. Take a look at this American Lynx Vest with White Fox Fur Trim, a breathtaking example of how furs can be combined to create incredible vests and coats.

If softness is the most important consideration for you, a chinchilla vest is your best option. This fur is astoundingly soft yet durable, and when properly cared for, it is sure to last you for years.

3. Preferred Closure Type

You may not have considered “closure type” to be of primary importance when choosing a vest, but your closure selection makes a big difference in the overall appearance of the vest. The lynx and fox fur vest above, for example, uses a hook-and-eye closure which is common in fur vests. Given that the closures themselves cannot be seen except from up close, this option is a great choice if you plan to leave your vest open. The hook-and-eye choices allow you to close the vest for additional warmth, but give you the same streamlined look whether open or closed.

In addition to the hook and eye, you can also choose a belt closure or a traditional zipper. Most belted vests, such as this Navy Chinchilla and Sheared Mink, provide both an inside track belt, as well as an outside belt–here, made of suede. And zippers, such as the one on this Black Plucked Mink Vest, give you the simplest and fastest way to close the font of your vest, providing immediate incredible warmth in the process.