Shearling leather is an outerwear material that offers unparalleled luxury and functionality. The term "shearling" refers to the hide of a newly sheared sheep or lamb tanned and dressed with the wool remaining intact. This soft material has been used for centuries to manufacture luxury products, including jackets and coats that offer comfort, warmth, and style. So, what is shearling? Knowing the benefits and uses of this material will truly help you appreciate its opulence and utility.
In this blog, we will cover all the knowledge you need about shearling leather. Whether you are thinking of getting a winter shearling jacket or simply want to know about the material, we have got you covered. Read on further and learn everything about this luxurious fabric, its craftsmanship, and what it means for the best high-end outerwear.
What is Shearling Made Of?
Shearling is made from the hide of a sheep or lamb that is tanned while still retaining its natural fleece and wool. Unlike other leather, shearling has one side of wool intact with a plush feeling. The combination of wool and leather produces sumptuous and warm clothing treasures in great demand now.
The skin of a sheep or lamb is removed to obtain shearling, after which it is tanned and cured with wool attached. Because of their inherent insulating properties, shearling jackets provide the greatest insulation for winter. Wool provides warmth while the leather side shields one from moisture to give shearling its value and glamor in outerwear.
The Step-by-Step Process Behind Shearling Leather Making
Making shearling leather involves selecting premium hides, tanning the skins, and treating the wool to ensure durability and softness. Each hide is carefully cut, shaped, and conditioned to create high-quality garments. Here is the step-by-step process:
Selecting Premium Sheepskins
The first step is selecting the fine-quality sheepskin for softness, durableness, and strength, which offers comfort and ensures long-lasting performance.
Tanning the Skin
This step involves specialized tanning to render the hides durable. Previously, vegetable tanning methods were common, employing various plant materials. Nowadays, chrome tanning is predominantly used, although vegetable tanning remains popular in high-end products products.
Wool Treatment
Wool treatments are done very thoroughly to guarantee the security of wool with leather to maintain the wool's natural softness and warmth, which is an important aspect of shearling jackets.
Remove Excess
After allowing the conditioner to sit for a couple of minutes, use a clean, dry cloth to gently wipe away any excess product. Doing this prevents greasy finishes, and ensures that the leather does not absorb more than it can handle.
Hides Cutting and Shaping
The hide is cut and carved into the specific demands of the final product, whether it is a shearling jacket, coat, footwear, or other accessory.
Conditioning the Leather Side
Now, the hide's leather side is conditioned to smooth the texture and provide water resistance, achieving practicality besides style in a jacket or accessory.
What are the Uses of Shearling Leather?
Shearling leather is in high demand these days due to its luxurious feel and fashion abilities. Here are some of the common uses of shearling leather:
Shearling Leather Jacket and Coat
Shearling leather is mainly used to make winter jackets and coats. These shearling outwear come in multiple styles and unique colors, perfect for styling and comfort. From classic winter shearling jackets to stylish coats, they offer warmth and a timeless fashion statement. A shearling jacket and coat is a warm and cozy winter outfit that gives a feel of luxury to the wearer.
Shearling Leather Accessories and Footwear
This leather is also popular in making gloves and footwear. Shearling footwear and gloves are really in demand during the winter season due to their ultimate comfort and warmth ability.
Shearling Leather Bags
The shearling leather bags are one of the most stylish items, popular among women for the ultimate fashionista. They offer guaranteed durability while showcasing the aesthetics of high-end styling for a truly unique look.
Shearling Leather Interior
Besides outerwear and accessories, shearling leather is also used in home interiors. This leather is used in making luxurious and warm shearling throws, cushions, rugs, and decoration pieces for interior settings.
What are the Shearling Jacket Benefits?
There are many benefits to wearing a shearling jacket, making it a worthy investment for anyone searching for an outerwear option that combines style and function. Here are some of the key advantages of a shearling leather jacket:
Extraordinary Warmth
One of the highest qualities of shearling is the warmth it gives. The wool side of the material insulates by trapping the air and formulating a layer of warmth around the body. This feature stands as a great boon for shearling jackets in extreme cold climates, where it is essential to keep body heat. A shearling jacket in winter is the ideal protection from harsh conditions, ensuring you stay warm and comfortable even during the coldest spells.
Strong and Durable
On top of that, shearling is exceptionally durable. The leather-and-wool combination makes it resistant to all sorts of wear and tear. Over time, that jacket aspect will develop an even patina, resulting in enhanced charm. With proper care, a genuine shearling jacket will add years to your wardrobe.
Purely Breathable
The wool inside the shearling jacket helps regulate thermally, preventing you from feeling cold and hot at the same time. Hence, shearling jackets are the best option during transitory weather, from cold to warm, maybe around fall or early spring. Alongside that natural tendency of wool to soak moisture out of the body means to keep yourself dry and uplifted the whole day.
Soft and Comforting
While the soft wool lining in shearling jackets caresses the skin, they are not a fancy term; shearling guarantees this level of comfort, making the material perfect for anyone who loves to be warm and equally luxurious. Be it a casual event for which it's dressed down or a red carpet down, it's extremely comfortable any way you'd wear it.
Versatile Styling Options
Shearling leather jackets can be used for casual day and night events. The classic nature of shearling will complement almost any clothing style-from denim and boots to dresses and pants. Whether dressed up in a genuine shearling jacket with a turtleneck and jeans or casually dressed in a sweater and knee-high riding boots, a shearling jacket will add sophistication to any outfit.
Shearling vs Faux Leather: Which One is Better?
Shearling offers natural warmth, breathability, and durability, while faux leather is more affordable but lacks the insulation and longevity of genuine shearling. Check out the difference before making a choice:
Appearance
Shearling: It has a wool side coming right out of the sheep, then clings to the leather, offering a powerful, natural appearance and true feeling. The wool always retains its natural texture.
Faux:Man-made synthetic materials are produced with looks that imitate those of real leather. It has a smooth, consistent surface without wool or any other natural texture.
Texture
Shearling: Soft, plush, with the wool; very cozily luxuriously soft. about as smooth to the touch as you might expect.
Faux:Typically smooth and pretty stiff, with no richness or natural texture of shearling, giving a more homogenous feel without the wool's soft touch.
Durability
Shearling:Shearling is much known for its long-lasting power and nature, particularly in icy climates, where the wool effectively insulates. Over time, it tends to acquire a beautiful patina.
Faux:Generally doesn't last as long as genuine leather because it comes from plastic-based artificial materials. It may wear or crack in a faster duration.
Warmth
Shearling:Exceptional insulation and intense natural wool heating, making it viable for pitch in winter-borne jackets or outerwear.
Faux:It doesn't have the property of natural insulation as shearling, hence the lower warmth it possesses; it is for moderate temperatures or layering with something else for warmth.
FAQs
Is shearling leather expensive?
Yes, shearling leather is expensive because it requires very high-quality raw materials to produce it. There are different price ranges based on the quality and material used in the method of making.
How long does shearling last?
Without meticulous care, shearling jackets could quickly become investments for years rather than seasons in fit or function.
Is shearling leather waterproof?
Most shearling jackets and coats have water-resistance qualities, so keeping them dry will not damage them.
How do you care for shearling leather?
Clean the fur side of the shearling every year to maintain the quality. Clean the leather side of a shearling only when needed.
Are shearling jackets warm?
Yes, shearling jackets are warm because they are made from the skin of sheep or lambs, which provides excellent warmth even in extreme cold weather.
