Fur vs. faux fur: Giving throw pillows the hug test

Though many of the designs in our informal survey were authentic lambskin, the nearly unanimous favorite was an inexpensive buy made of modacrylic and polyester. How did picks from West Elm, Room & Board, Restoration Hardware, Crate & Barrel and Pottery Barn stack up? Keep clicking to find out. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Dec. 14, 2012 3:22 PM PT

Fur, real and faux, is the hot holiday seller this year, with Crate & Barrel and Pottery Barn reporting that furry pillows and blankets are selling out in some stores. For those shoppers looking for a last-minute gift that feels luxurious and indulgent and yet useful, we went in search of the softest, plushest, most huggable pillow and convened a blindfolded panel to conduct a touch test. The reviews were surprising.

Although our testers love their pets, most panelists did not want to hold a 100% wool pillow that felt like one. “It feels like I’m petting a Maltese,” one blindfolded reviewer said, cringing. Many panelists didn’t like the long, curly fur but were taken with the soft suede backing. One person even saw a potential fashion accessory: “I could put it on my head and pretend I have hair,” he said.... (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Many panelists didn’t like the long, curly fur of the Tibetan sheepskin but were taken with the pillow’s soft suede backing.

16 inches square; $89, polyester insert included; Room & Board (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Mongolian Lamb in Amethyst from West Elm

Reviewers were generally not impressed with the pillow’s curly fur or cotton backing. When we had panelists hold different sizes of the pillow, smaller versions were deemed more decorative than functional. Among the comments ... (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

“I like that it’s so soft, but I’m not a fan of the long hair,” one person said. Another panelist was more blunt: “This is creepy. I don’t like the textured hair. The back is scratchy.”

12 by 16 inches; $59, plus $10 to $11 for polyester or feather-down insert; West Elm (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

After hugging a series of long-haired pillows, panelists liked Pottery Barn’s faux fur made of 82% modacrylic and 18% polyester. They said ... (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

... their hands declared it a winner for its silky feel, but their eyes were less impressed with the fake look.

18 inches square; $39.50 plus $14 for feather-down or synthetic insert; Pottery Barn (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Judges liked the simplicity of this polyester pillow and noted that it felt like a “spa pillow.” Many considered it a bedroom accessory because, as one person said, “it feels comfortable for sleeping.” Its simple design also was popular once the blindfolds came off. Many said the neutral color would be a nice complement to other pillows in their home. Among the other comments ... (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

The Faux Sheepskin pillow is shown on top. “I like the size and the give,” a judge said. “I like that both sides are the same.”

18 inches square; $19.50 plus $14 for feather-down or synthetic insert, Pottery Barn (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Mongolian Lamb Fur with Faux Suede Back, Crate & Barrel

Reviews of this pillow, called the Pelliccia, varied greatly. Some liked that it felt so soft, but others declared the long hair to be a turn-off. “I like that it’s furry on one side, and the other feels like a bearskin,” one judge said. “It’s a nice, cuddly pillow,” said another. But ... (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

... Although some judges thought the lamb fur to be cuddly, others used another C-word. “Creepy,” a critic said. “I don’t like the texture at all.” Said another: “It’s not something I want to hug.”

18 inches square; $89.95, feather-down insert included; Crate & Barrel (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Sheepskin in Steel Grey from Room & Board

Good reviews all around: “I love the suede texture on the back. I want to sink my head down in to it.” “I would use this watching TV. It’s very plush.” “This is the most pleasing. It’s dense.” “I like that it stretches across my whole self.” The Room & Board pillow was ... (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

... among the panel’s favorites in appearance. Reviewers complimented the short, gray fur.

24 by 16 inches; $89, polyester insert included; Room & Board (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Blindfolded reviewers unanimously fell for this short-piled pillow made of 74% modacrylic and 26% polyester, citing it as the coziest and most luxurious -- an effect enhanced by the fact that faux fur covers both sides. Size also was a plus. “This would feel great under my head or [under] feet on the coffee table,” said one judge, no doubt to the chagrin of his wife.... (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

... One astute reviewer said the pillow felt so silky, “I’m guessing it’s fake. That’s probably good as that means that I can wash it!” (She was right. It is machine washable.) No one, in fact, wanted to let this one go.

22 inches square; regularly $39, on sale for $29, plus $16 to $20 for feather insert; Restoration Hardware (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)