Clothing


 * Note: This article is about zoomorphic and anthropomorphic characters, not furry fans themselves.

The question when, how much and which type of clothing a furry character will wear is treated in a variety of different ways by artists and authors. Some consider fur to be a fully sufficient substitute for clothing, except in extreme circumstances that require protective wear. On the other end of the spectrum, furries may wear everything that a human would wear, sometimes as a way to integrate better into a human-dominated society. Very common are reduced styles of clothing that still indicate the status of the wearer, but leave out items that would be impractical for furries.

Some furry societies accept public nudity, some regard it as a sign of poverty or a "feral" lifestyle, and in some it may be as much of a taboo as it is in most human societies.

When designing clothing for a furry, one will have to take into account that it will be comfortable to wear on fur, so it should not be too tight. As the body is already protected by a layer of fur, the amount of clothing required for warmth is not as much as it would be for a human.

The most notable difference in most species is certainly the tail, and furry artists have found several ways to design trousers suitable for tails, be it a simple hole, an additional tailsleeve or even a lowered waistband. Digitigrade legs pose another problem to the design of trousers. The legs will have to be rather wide so that they are not in the way, or at least have a considerably different shape to follow the shape of the legs. For these reasons, trousers are sometimes given up completely in favour of kilts or similar items.

As paws and hooves come in a variety of shapes, most furries do without footwear or only wear shoes in extreme temperatures or hostile environments. While shoes similar to those of humans can be worn on plantigrade footpaws, it becomes more difficult for digitigrade paws or even hooves, though a few artists have designed shoes for those as well. But it's most common to leave the paws/hooves bare, just as the head and the tail. Equine furries sometimes wear horseshoes.

Flying species, such as bats or avians, have to take into account that the clothing does not inhibit the natural movement and function of the wings and that it doesn't create too much drag. Leather is often considered suitable for this, particularly with bats.

Those with horns or antlers, such as deer, moose or goat, cannot wear T-shirts or similar garments that need to be pulled over the head.

Hats and helmets must be designed so that the ears are not restricted (but protected, if required). Horns and antlers pose additional problems here too.

Personal armour has to be of a special design as well, for example helmets protecting ears and snout, and a protection for the tail. As such items would be expensive and restricting, furries may choose not to wear full armour, and participate in combat utilizing their inherited traits.