Compiled by Pallabi Majumdar

Despite perennial controversies, fur remains at the forefront of winter fashion, a recurring element in the collections of designer labels like Fendi, Dior, Celine, and Marni. Designers like Stella McCartney and Ralph Lauren take the alternate route, using luxurious faux varieties that score on both sustainability and style. High street brands such as Zara, Mango, and Dorothy Perkins offer winter wear and accessories in the season’s most fashionable shades. So, why is fur spotted so rarely on India’s best dressed? A large part of it has to do with the climate. Let’s face it—unless you’re in the throes of Himayalan winter, a fur jacket will leave you sweaty and deeply uncomfortable. But as ardent fur fanatics, we have a few tricks up our stylish sleeves. Here are three ways to incorporate fur without going overboard this season:

Layering your oversized style with a fuzzy vest will keep you snug and stylish during the day. Full fur outerwear is overkill in India’s largely barely-there winter, but sleeveless jackets and gilets are more season-appropriate.

Move over average sari blouses. The new sidekick to the sari is the cape, seen on the runways and Bollywood style goddess Sonam Kapoor. Swap your dull cardigans with a fur capelet over your drapes at your next winter wedding. Show off your sparkles without any shivers.

A head to toe furry look is decadent, but in small doses it can be elegant and understated. One of the season’s key trends infuses fur only in selective areas, such as the collars of your overcoat. Simple goes a long way.

You can also take the accessories route with fur, a recommendation we swear by ever since Fendi’s furry monsters stole our hearts. Invest in a furry party bag or fleece-lined boots (another key winter item) to infuse the item in your wardrobe, but in measured doses.l