If you’ve ever spent an afternoon digging through the racks of a high-end vintage shop in Manhattan or London, you’ve likely run your fingers over a heavy, meticulously tailored coat with a label that simply reads "Russ Taylor." It doesn’t have the immediate, household-name recognition of a Dior or a Chanel. Honestly, that’s part of the appeal. But for anyone who actually knows their fashion history, the Russ Taylor designer 1960s era represents a specific, high-water mark for American ready-to-wear.
He was the king of the "fake."
Back then, "faux fur" wasn’t just a budget alternative for people who couldn’t afford mink. It was a technical marvel. Taylor was a visionary who realized that the space-age polymers of the 1960s could be manipulated to look, feel, and drape like the most expensive skins on the planet. He wasn't just making coats; he was selling a vibe that was equal parts jet-set glamour and practical suburban utility.
The Man Who Made Mod Practical
The 1960s were weird. One minute everyone is wearing pillbox hats and looking like Jackie O, and the next, it’s all vinyl minis and go-go boots. Russ Taylor sat comfortably in the middle of that chaos. He understood that the modern woman of 1965 was busy. She was traveling. She was potentially working. She definitely didn't want to deal with the specialized storage and insurance required for a real leopard skin coat.
Taylor’s brilliance lay in his partnership with fabric mills like Tissavel in France. These weren't your itchy, plastic-feeling synthetics. We’re talking about "man-made furs" that were so convincing they occasionally caused a stir in high-society circles.
You've got to realize that the Russ Taylor designer 1960s aesthetic was deeply tied to the silhouette of the decade. His coats weren't bulky. They were sharp. He utilized the "A-line" cut to perfection, ensuring that even a heavy winter coat didn't swallow the wearer whole. Most of his pieces featured oversized buttons—often gilt or chunky resin—and collars that could be flipped up to frame the face in a way that screamed "Old Hollywood" even if the material was born in a laboratory.
Why Quality Then Beats "Fast Fashion" Now
If you buy a faux fur coat today from a big-box retailer, it’ll probably look like a matted teddy bear after three rains. Russ Taylor pieces are different. It’s actually kind of insane how well these garments have aged.
I recently saw a 1967 Russ Taylor "mock mink" that looked like it had been bought yesterday. The secret was in the backing. Taylor used heavy-duty satins and structural interlinings that kept the shape of the coat locked in place for decades. He didn't skimp on the details. The pockets were deep and lined with velvet. The hemlines were weighted.
- The Weight: These coats are heavy. Not "uncomfortable" heavy, but "well-made" heavy.
- The Lustre: Taylor’s synthetics had a directional nap, meaning the "hair" laid down in one direction, mimicking the growth patterns of real animals.
- The Labels: Look for the woven labels. Often, they’ll feature a stylized signature or mention the specific fabric technology, like "Borgazia" or "Tissavel."
It's sorta fascinating how he marketed these. He didn't try to hide that they were synthetic. Instead, he leaned into it. He positioned his brand as the "modern choice." It was about being smart, not just being rich. This was a massive shift in how American women viewed their wardrobes.
Spotting an Original Russ Taylor
If you're hunting for a Russ Taylor designer 1960s original, you need to be a bit of a detective. Because he was so successful, there are a lot of imitators from the same era.
First, check the armpits. Seriously. In vintage outerwear, the lining in the armpits is the first thing to go. In a Taylor coat, you’ll often find reinforced stitching there. He knew people would actually move in these clothes. Second, look at the buttons. Taylor almost never used cheap plastic. If the buttons feel like heavy glass or metal, you’re likely looking at a genuine piece.
The color palettes were surprisingly sophisticated. While other 60s designers were going wild with neon, Taylor stayed grounded. Think deep espresso browns, creamy ivories, and a "leopard" print that actually looked like a leopard and not a cartoon. He wanted his customers to look expensive.
The Tissavel Connection
A huge part of the Russ Taylor story is the fabric. Tissavel was the gold standard of woven piles. By using this French-made material, Taylor could compete with European couture houses on a construction level while keeping the price point accessible for the American upper-middle class. It was a brilliant business move. He bridged the gap between the Sears catalog and Bergdorf Goodman.
The Cultural Impact of 1960s Outerwear
We can't talk about Taylor without talking about the ethics—even if it wasn't the primary driver at the time. While the animal rights movement wasn't what it is today, the 1960s did see the beginning of a shift. High-profile figures started questioning the necessity of real fur.
Taylor provided an "out."
He made it fashionable to wear "fun fur." By the late 60s, his designs were appearing in Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. He proved that style wasn't dependent on the price of a pelt. This paved the way for every faux-fur designer that followed, from the 70s disco icons to modern luxury brands that have gone fur-free.
👉 See also: Why Tractor Supply Cambridge MN is More Than Just a Hardware Store
How to Style a Vintage Russ Taylor Today
Don't wear it with a pillbox hat. Please. Unless you're going to a costume party, the goal is to make the coat look contemporary.
The best way to wear a Russ Taylor designer 1960s piece in 2026 is to lean into the "high-low" mix. Throw a heavy leopard-print Taylor coat over a pair of distressed straight-leg jeans and a simple white tee. The contrast between the glamorous, structured coat and the casual clothes underneath makes it look intentional and modern.
For a night out, these coats are the perfect topper for a sleek, monochromatic silk slip dress. Because Taylor’s silhouettes were so architectural, they provide a great counterpoint to soft, flowing fabrics.
Realities of Maintenance
Owning a 60-year-old synthetic coat isn't totally maintenance-free. You can't just throw it in the wash.
- Professional Cleaning Only: Find a dry cleaner who actually knows how to handle vintage synthetics. If they use the wrong chemicals, the fibers can melt or lose their sheen.
- Wide Hangers: Never, ever use a wire hanger. The weight of a Russ Taylor coat will cause the shoulders to misshape over time. Use a wide, padded hanger or a sturdy wooden one.
- Breathable Storage: Don't keep it in a plastic dry-cleaning bag. Synthetics need to "breathe" to avoid developing a musty smell. Use a cotton garment bag.
Where to Find Them
The market for Russ Taylor is surprisingly stable. You can usually find them on platforms like Etsy, Ruby Lane, or high-end vintage boutiques on Instagram. Prices generally range from $150 to $500 depending on the condition and the rarity of the print. Leopard prints and "Dalmatian" spots usually fetch a premium.
Honestly, it’s one of the best "investment" vintage buys you can make. While a 1960s wool coat might have moth holes or thinning fabric, Taylor’s high-quality synthetics are nearly indestructible if they’ve been kept out of the sun.
Moving Forward with Your Collection
If you're looking to start a vintage outerwear collection, or just want one "statement" piece that will last the rest of your life, start looking for that Russ Taylor label. It’s a piece of fashion history that you can actually wear in a rainstorm without panicking.
Next Steps for Enthusiasts:
- Verify the Label: Check for the specific "Russ Taylor" script. If it mentions "Tissavel," you’ve found a top-tier piece.
- Inspect the Pile: Run your hand against the grain. It should spring back. If it stays flat or feels "crunchy," the fibers have been damaged by heat or improper cleaning.
- Check the Hardware: Ensure all original buttons are present. Finding matching vintage replacements for Taylor’s custom buttons is notoriously difficult.
- Contextualize the Fit: Remember that 1960s tailoring assumes a different fit than modern oversized trends. Check the shoulder measurements specifically, as the rest of the coat is often meant to swing wide.
Ultimately, Russ Taylor didn't just design coats; he designed a shortcut to sophistication. He gave people the ability to look like a million bucks on a thousand-buck budget, and he did it with a level of craftsmanship that we rarely see in contemporary retail. That’s why, sixty years later, we’re still talking about him.