I have two (both from my mom). She has others which she will probably want to give me at some point Including one that is a gorgeous light grey (sounds like yours) I got the two I have restyled maybe ten years ago, and have maybe worn them twice. At the time, the furrier suggested that I use them as a lining in a very lush raincoat, (
Prada did that many years ago in an old raincoat I still have) I think the idea has a lot d merit. It could even be reversible. another idea, if you choose not to wear it, is to have the furrier fashion large pillows or throws or (not sure this would work) upholster a small chair, almost in the style of a boudoir or dressing room chair. The problem is all of this involves spending extra money which might be good if you end up liking the result and bad if it still sits in the closet.
Edit: I forgot, my grandmother gave me a good quality white mink that I did not know what t do with, so I had the dumb idea of buying a men’s clipper/shaver thingie and shearing it myself. I did it over the hardwood floor and when DH returned from a business trip, he grumbled ALOT bc the shorn fur left sharp almost needle like tiny hairs embedded in the floor (he likes to walk around the house barefoot). Needless t say, it was a disaster. I tried to remedy it by having the furrier fashion black leather pockets, a waist tie and trim. This was an object lesson that some things just should not be made Real. That coat ended up at Good Will a few weeks later and the Clipper shaver ended up in the trash.
when I was gathering up stuff to give away For a closet purge, I asked DH if I should include the two normal furs in the pile. I was surprised when he said hang onto them for a bit, bc he normally purges unused items faster than I do. Not sure what he was thinking.
I hope you keep us posted with your ruminations and decisions as I would venture a bet that many of us Have older furs and are interested in this.
Note: I live in NYC and I do see fur around, but it’s mainly black or brown. Worn by older people as a full length coat or restyled as shorter car length stroller coats with jeans. But not as much in recent years. I do see a lot of fur trim on moncler or max Mara And fur and calf hair used in home furnishings.