Ever feel like men’s fashion is playing it a little too safe? Sometimes you want something that doesn’t just whisper, but shouts.
Well, what if I told you a milk company once created a fur coat made entirely from real male chest hair? Yes, you read that right. It was a real thing.
Let’s dive into why this wild coat made such a splash and what it says about going for a truly bold look. You won’t believe how much work went into creating one of these.
Key Takeaways
A milk and drink company named Arla launched a chest hair fur coat back in 2013 to promote a new chocolate milk drink called Wing-Co, using over one million strands of real British men’s chest hair.
The process was incredibly labor-intensive, taking a team of four designers about 200 hours of handwork per coat to clean, sort, and weave the hair into the final product.
With a price tag of £2,499 (roughly $3,900 at the time), it was a serious investment in shock value and a statement against “emasculating fashion.”
The coat was designed to be a conversation starter, generating a huge amount of online buzz and media attention as a form of protest against the clean-shaven “metrosexual” trend.
While the chest hair coat itself isn’t a staple, the trend for faux fur and fun textures is huge for 2025, with designers embracing fuzzy, eye-catching outerwear without any animal cruelty.
Table of Contents
The Concept Behind the Chest Hair Fur Coat
Imagine someone looking at a hairy chest and thinking, “That would make a great jacket.” That’s pretty much what happened here. This coat was never meant to be your average winter warmer, it was all about humor, daring style, and making a statement with some very unusual fibers.
What inspired the chest hair fur coat design?
Back in 2013, the dairy company Arla wanted to create a buzz for its new, protein-enriched chocolate milk, Wing-Co. The drink was aimed at men in their thirties and forties, a group they called “balanced blokes.”
The company felt that men’s fashion had become too polished and “manned-down.” The coat was a direct response, a “wake-up call” for guys who missed a more rugged sense of masculinity. A spokesperson for Wing-Co said the goal was to encourage men to “readopt the values of assured ‘men’s men’ from yesteryear.”
I remember seeing the pictures online and just laughing. It was absurd, but you couldn’t ignore it. It was a marketing stunt, sure, but it perfectly captured that feeling of wanting clothes that are unapologetically masculine.
As a protest against the widespread manning-down of British blokes, typified by clean-shaven chests and ever-emasculating fashion.
How does the chest hair fur coat differ from traditional coats?
Right off the bat, a chest hair fur coat is nothing like a normal jacket. Your typical coat is made of wool, cotton, or maybe a synthetic like Gore-Tex. This one, however, was crafted from about one million strands of real human chest hair.
Because of the material, it wasn’t soft like fleece or smooth like silk. Reports from the time noted it was likely scratchy and might even tickle your skin. The thought of it still makes me shudder a little bit.
The differences are even clearer when you compare it to a standard high-end coat.
| Feature | “Man-Fur” Coat | Traditional Wool Coat |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Material | 1 million+ strands of human male chest hair | Merino or Cashmere Wool |
| Texture | Coarse, potentially itchy | Soft and smooth |
| Production Time | Over 200 hours, entirely by hand | Varies, often machine-assisted |
| Cost (2013) | £2,499 (approx. $3,900) | £300 – £1,000+ |
| Primary Appeal | Shock value, humor, statement piece | Warmth, style, durability |
Design and Manufacturing Process



Making one of these coats wasn’t a simple task. It required a ton of patience, a unique set of skills, and an incredible amount of raw material. Every step was done by hand, from collecting the hair to the final stitch.
How is the chest hair fur coat designed?
It took a team of four fashion designers over 200 hours to bring the Man-Fur Coat to life. To put that in perspective, 200 hours is five full-time work weeks for one person. All for one jacket.
The designers had to stitch together more than one million strands of chest hair to create the coat’s wild appearance. I’ve tried to sew a button on a shirt and it felt like it took an hour. I can’t even wrap my head around weaving together that much hair.
The team started by sorting and cleaning all the donated hair. Then, they carefully wove the strands into panels, which were then sewn together. It was a painstaking process that couldn’t be rushed.
“We commissioned the Man-Fur Coat as a wake-up call for the nation’s gents.” – Wing-Co Spokesperson
What materials and techniques are used in making the coat?
The star of the show was, of course, male chest hair. After collecting and cleaning it, skilled workers used a special felting technique to weave the strands together. This process is similar to how you’d make a dense rug, compressing fibers until they lock together.
However, human hair is much smoother and coarser than wool, making it difficult to work with. According to textile experts, human hair lacks the natural cohesiveness of wool, which has microscopic hooks that help it bind together. This means the designers likely had to use adhesives and extra hand-stitching to ensure the coat didn’t fall apart.
Of course, they added a smooth fabric lining on the inside. Nobody wants to feel a million chest hairs directly on their skin, no matter how manly they’re trying to be.
Unique Features and Appeal
So, why would anyone actually want a coat like this? It’s not about warmth or comfort. It’s about making people stop, stare, and ask, “What on earth are you wearing?”
What makes the chest hair fur coat unique?
It’s simple: no other coat on the planet is made from 100% men’s chest hair. The company, Wing-Co, created it as a bold protest against the clean-shaven trends popular among British men at the time.
The price tag of £2,499 also set it apart, placing it in the luxury category for those who wanted something truly different. The whole campaign went viral, getting coverage in outlets from the *Daily Mail* to *Cosmopolitan*, which is exactly what the milk company wanted.
Wearing one would instantly make you the center of attention. It was a walking headline, designed to break all the rules of fashion with its unapologetically hairy style.
Why do people find the chest hair fur coat appealing?
Let’s be honest, the appeal wasn’t about looking good in the traditional sense. It was all about the shock factor.
Some guys saw it as the ultimate joke piece, something to wear to a party to get a laugh. Others viewed it as a way to start a conversation about masculinity and what it means to [dress more masculine](https://www.unfinishedman.com/how-to-dress-more-masculine/). Publications like *The Grocer* and *Jezebel* immediately picked up on its bizarre nature, and it sparked endless debates online.
It was a piece of performance art as much as it was a piece of clothing. Wearing it was a statement. It told everyone you didn’t take yourself too seriously and weren’t afraid to stand out from the crowd.
How Will the Chest Hair Fur Coat Trend Evolve in 2025?
While the actual chest hair fur coat was a one-time stunt that ended when Arla discontinued the Wing-Co drink in 2014, its spirit lives on. The love for soft, furry, and textured outerwear is a major trend for Fall and Winter 2025.
Today, this trend is all about faux fur. Brands are embracing fuzzy, eye-catching layers that give you a bold look without any animal cruelty. According to a 2024 report, the global artificial fur market is expected to grow by over $227 million by 2029, driven by consumer demand for ethical and sustainable fashion.
Designers are using these new materials in creative ways. You’ll see everything from shaggy coats by brands like Charlotte Simone to more realistic faux minks from designers like Munthe. The focus is on tactile, visually interesting pieces that feel both modern and luxurious.
So, while you probably won’t see a real male chest hair coat on the street, you’ll definitely see its influence. The idea of wearing something furry, fun, and a little bit wild is more popular than ever. On my last walk through SoHo, I saw plenty of guys rocking bold, textured jackets, proving that you don’t need real hair to turn heads.
People Also Ask
What is a chest hair fur coat, and why are people talking about it?
It’s a novelty jacket made from faux fur to look like a hairy male torso, originally created as a shocking gag item. A 2013 version made of real hair was commissioned by the dairy company Arla to promote a men’s milk drink, gaining viral attention for its strange concept.
Who would wear a chest hair fur coat?
It’s a go-to for Halloween parties, gag gifts, or anyone looking to be the center of attention with a wild sense of humor.
Is the chest hair fur coat comfortable or itchy?
Despite its wiry look, the coat is usually quite comfortable because it’s lined with a soft material like polyester or satin. The exterior faux fur feels coarse, but the smooth interior lining keeps it from being itchy on your skin.
Can I wash my chest hair fur coat at home?
You should avoid the washing machine, as heat can melt and mat the synthetic fibers into a mess. For best results, spot clean any minor stains with a damp cloth and mild soap, or take it to a professional dry cleaner who handles faux fur.
References
https://forcespenpals.net/gb/news/designers-create-fur-coat-made-from-human-chest-hair/ (2013-06-24)
https://www.trappermag.com/uncategorized/new-fur-coat-is-made-entirely-of-mens-chest-hair (2013-06-25)
https://www.ijarset.com/upload/2020/march/06-maqsudovnabijon-02.pdf
https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/fashion/news/a20753/would-you-wear-this-coat-made-of-chest-hair/ (2013-06-25)
https://drpress.org/ojs/index.php/hiaad/article/view/25164
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/fur-back-know-why-140000774.html (2025-05-10)
https://www.whowhatwear.com/fashion/fall/fur-fall-winter-2025-trend (2025-04-18)

