As winter rushes in and the cold starts to nip, achieving that delicate balance of warmth and style becomes more crucial. And that’s where beloved old Shearling enters the chat. Both timeless and on-trend, this material is as chic as it is practical—and as functional as it is luxurious, offering a flawless trifecta while being plagued with zero downfalls.
Environmentally friendly? Check. Is it possible to achieve insulation without adding bulk? Yes. Does it feel both breathable and elegant? Absolutely. Shearling transcends everything wrong about the typical winter coat or the average pair of snow boots. Most importantly, it does so without requiring any unfortunate animal sacrifices; shearling coats (and other garments) are made from sheep and lambskin that would otherwise go to waste.
What is shearling?
Shearling, a natural product from sheepskin, preserves the wool for its softness and warmth. Unlike synthetic substitutes, shearling offers a distinctive combination of insulation and breathability. Its dual-sided construction features leather on one side and soft, velvety wool on the other. This natural pairing creates a sumptuous feel while providing exceptional durability. Shearling fabric undergoes careful processing to ensure that the hide remains pliable and that the wool maintains its luxurious, plush quality. Known for its high-level finish, shearling is a long-time fixture of winter fashion, especially in coats, jackets, and accessories.
Shearling’s History: A Centuries-Old Craft
Shearling has long-held value across different cultures and climates. For centuries, ancient civilizations turned to sheepskin for protection against the elements, relying on its natural insulation and warmth to see them through the coldest winters. Nordic explorers and even early pioneers of our own American West wore sheepskins for guise while labouring through life in frigid temps. But over time, artisans and craftspeople in many parts of the world learned to shade and serve sheep skins in ways that guaranteed they were our ancestors’ equivalent of high-end fashion. Even in the ’50s and ’60s, when milliners slathered on animal skins to the point of capitalizing on a ‘furrier’ label, Shear still seemed to stand apart.
Fashioning Shearling
Shearling is not just a practical textile but a style statement in today’s classic and contemporary design world.
Shearling, functional yet fashionable, is one of the most versatile luxe materials, capable of elevating any number of garments or accessories. While it is often seen on runways in decadent shearling coats (which walk a fine line between opulence and rugged charm), it is just as likely to appear in shearling boots, bags, or even hats. The dominant neutral palette of shades like beige, brown, and cream anchors many stunning modern shearling pieces, while dyed shearling adds a bold, beautiful colour to luxe modern collections. In summary, Shearling does not shy away from making a statement in any number of looks.
What Makes Shearling Exceptional?
People prefer shearling because of its unique combination of luxury, comfort, and practicality. Few things are as warm as sheep’s wool. Its natural structure traps air and creates insulation—why do we send so many sheep to the “shear” pen in cold weather?
Nonetheless, shearling isn’t just warm; it’s also surprisingly lightweight and breathable. Unlike synthetics, shearling wicks away moisture, allowing the interior of your garment to stay dry and breathable, no matter how strenuous the activity. Finally, unlike less expensive leather alternatives, shearling will last: with the proper care, a luxurious shearling coat can become a lifetime piece.
Shearling Care
Shearling material is an expensive material. To ensure that shearling’s luxuriousness and durability last a long time, one must take care of it and not worry.
1. Avoid Prolonged Exposure to Moisture
Even though the wool makes shearling warm, and the leather makes it water-resistant, water still shouldn’t be present for long. It can be damaging. If shearling does get wet, then follow the instructions for drying.
2. Avoid Cleaning Products
Shear is fine. When cleaning wool, use a soft-bristle brush, natural, green-sourced products, and thoroughly rinse.
Shearling: An Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Choice
Shearling is a sustainable choice for wardrobe staples because it’s a natural by-product of the meat industry, not a synthetic fibre that relies on fossil fuels. Unlike polyester and nylon, shearling won’t sit in a landfill for decades after you’ve tossed it away. The tanning process matters a lot regarding shearling’s environmental impact, but there isn’t a tanning method associated with harmful ecological consequences; at worst, they’re neutral. Therefore, shearling contributes positively to eco-friendly living. Choosing it is, at the very least, an intentional moment of “high-quality craftsmanship,” and at most, as Kerstin Hiegl said in a 2017 article for PingMag, a “biodegradable bounty.”
Shearling Production Innovations
Advancements in shear processing have made shearling more lightweight and accessible and diversified its design applications.
New tanning methods that use less chemistry and safer production methods have made shearling and shearlings more sustainable. Today, designers are also playing with raw materials. As in any production process, the choices made in sourcing and selection have a considerable impact. The use of reversible shearling has truly revolutionized the industry. Think of it as Shearling 2.0. Not only is this an innovative new use of shearling, but it also offers double the design, double the style, and (if the surface is peached) double the textural interest.
Faux Shearling vs. Real Shearling: The Actual Difference
Natural material is the superior option for various reasons when comparing shearling and its faux counterparts.
For one, authentic shearling is a lot warmer. Wool fibres possess some incredible natural qualities that make them perfect for everything from insulation to haute couture. You won’t find anything quite like genuine shearling in terms of warmth. If you want to feel the breezy chill of a crisp autumn day, slip on a fake shearling coat. The genuine shearling coat offers an unparalleled warmth.
And that’s not to say that genuine shearling is lacking in style; it is a timeless and adaptable part of any wardrobe.
