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Once a year, Aalst Carnival becomes a true vintage fur paradise.
During the famous carnival, the streets fill with vintage mink coats, fox fur, Persian lamb, and rare retro pieces - one of the most unique examples of how vintage fur remains part of European fashion culture today.
Historically, many carnival costumes came from reused household clothing because families could not afford custom outfits. Men often wore old coats, dresses, and garments belonging to their wives or mothers. Over time, vintage fur naturally became part of the visual identity of the celebration: warm during cold February weather, dramatic, theatrical, and already present in many family wardrobes.
After visiting Aalst Carnaval myself in 2026, I completely understood why fur remained so popular there for generations. In just one day, I experienced rain, freezing wind, and even snow while walking through the city in my own vintage fur coat and lamb hat. Standing outside for hours in those conditions makes it easy to understand why warm fur coats became such a practical part of carnival culture in Belgium.
What surprised me most was not only the quantity of vintage fur, but also the rarity of some pieces. Among the crowd, it was possible to spot extraordinary vintage garments made from exotic furs such as ocelot, leopard, and other wild cats from another era of fashion history. Today, these pieces are extremely rare to see in public, and many collectors or fashion lovers in Paris would dream of finding them outside museums or private archives.
But Aalst Carnaval is not only about vintage fur. The celebration is also famous for its satire, humor, political caricatures, giant parade floats, theatrical costumes, and strong family traditions passed through generations. Entire streets transform into a celebration that feels chaotic, creative, and deeply cultural at the same time.
