I'm trying to provide a helpful opinion with this review.
My educated opinion is this is not raccoon fur at all, but tanuki fur.
(I understand that raccoon fur (grey) can be dyed to the same color as tanuki, but this does not appear to be the case.)
Often times tanuki is mis-interpreted and labeled as raccoon. The explanation for this is usually poor translation between Asian languages (point of origin for manufacturing) on the import papers to English-speaking countries.
The tanuki is not a raccoon, but looks like one. It's a fox-like canid, (dog family including foxes, wolves and dogs). It is a common wild animal with brown/golden fur and black markings. When first described by westerners centuries ago it was called "raccoon-dog" because it looked like an animal that was part fox (or dog) and part raccoon. (Dog is the old word for "male fox", and a catch-all term for a canid, kind of like how "big cat" can mean a lion or a tiger or leopard. So who knows what exactly was meant.)
Tanuki is the original, proper Japanese name for the creature. Raccoon-dog is still in use by some today the way "tidal wave" is still used to describe a tsunami, but it is considered incorrect and outdated.
This use, however, causes confusion in translation.
The good news is, anyone allergic to raccoon fur will likely not have the same allergy to tanuki fur. My allergy to raccoon is why I wanted to buy this jacket.
A conscientious buyer will note that tanukis are Asian animals, sometimes raised on ranches (although the animal has never been domesticated,) and the purchase of a tanuki product benefits Asian farmers (or Finnish ranchers, as the animal is sometimes called Finn-raccoon as many are raised there as well.)
Genuine raccoon fur purchases benefit North American fur trappers and the North American economy. Raccoons are not ranched. Fur harvesting licenses benefit the preservation of wild habitat and help fund national forests. It is the same consideration when choosing between ranched/wild mink, which mainly comes from North America, and ranched mink, which could be raised in Europe, Asia, North America or other places. On one hand wild fur supports habitat preservation, but on the other hand, ranched fur decreases pressure on wild animal populations. Something to think about. Phistic Women's Quilted Down Coat with Removable Genuine Raccoon Fur Trim - Chocolate S'
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