Full fox coat or fox trim?
A full fox coat is made entirely of fox pelts. Fox fur is long and lofty, so these coats are warm, have a lot of volume and make a statement. A fox-trimmed coatis leather, suede, wool or cashmere with fox on the collar, cuffs, hood or hem. It's lighter, easier to wear every day, and usually costs far less than a full fox coat.
What to check on a used fox coat
Fullness and shedding. Long fur shows wear quickly. Look for thin or flattened patches at the cuffs and collar and anywhere the coat rubs against a bag or seatbelt. A few loose hairs are normal; steady shedding points to dried-out skins.
Natural or dyed color.Fox comes in many natural colors and is also commonly dyed. Either is fine, but ask which it is, and check the photos for color that's uneven at the tips or along the seams.
On trimmed coats, judge the coat underneath too. On leather, look for cracking at the elbows, along fold lines and around the buttons. Check that both cuffs and both sides of the collar are equally full, since trim is often the first part to show wear.
Go by measurements. Size tags on older coats are unreliable. Ask for shoulder, chest, sleeve and length measurements and compare them with a coat you own.