Luxury women's shearling jackets
Crafted with generations of French artisanal expertise, our shearling collection showcases the pinnacle of natural luxury outerwear. Each Yves Salomon piece offers versatile style options—worn wool side or leather side—with select designs featuring fully reversible construction to elevate your winter wardrobe with sophisticated elegance. Discover the exceptional qualities that make genuine shearling a timeless investment for the discerning woman.
What Is a Shearling Jacket? Understanding Genuine Sheepskin
Shearling vs Sheepskin
Shearling is a premium natural material crafted from the hide of a sheep or lamb with the wool still attached. While often used interchangeably with sheepskin, there is a subtle distinction—shearling specifically comes from young lambs that have been shorn only once, resulting in a softer, more luxurious texture. The tanning process preserves both the leather exterior and the wool interior, creating a single, unified material rather than a fabric with separate lining. This natural construction gives shearling jackets their distinctive style and exceptional quality that synthetic alternatives cannot replicate.
Natural Insulation & Breathability
Shearling offers unparalleled thermal properties that make it ideal for winter wear. The natural wool fibers contain lanolin, a waxy substance that helps repel moisture while maintaining breathability. This unique combination creates a microclimate around the body that adapts to changing conditions.
How shearling compares to other winter fabrics:
- Shearling: Natural insulation, moisture-resistant, breathable, adapts to body temperature
- Synthetic insulators: Lighter weight but less breathable, may overheat
- Down: Excellent warmth-to-weight ratio but loses insulating properties when wet
- Wool blends: Good insulation but lacks the durability of shearling's leather exterior
Premium Sheepskin Coats Materials We Craft With
At Yves Salomon, our commitment to excellence begins with selecting only the finest materials. Each type of sheepskin brings unique characteristics that influence the final garment's aesthetic, weight, and performance. Our artisans skillfully work with four distinctive sheepskin varieties:
Merino
The Merino's skin is thick and substantial with small, dense curls that provide exceptional warmth. This premium material creates structured garments with outstanding insulation properties. Merino can be crafted in its natural curly state, ironed for a smoother finish, or shaved for a more refined appearance, offering versatility while maintaining its distinctive luxury feel.
Merinillo
The Merinillo comes from younger sheep than the Merino, featuring smaller, less dense curls and a thinner skin. This results in a lighter, more supple garment that drapes beautifully while still providing excellent warmth. Like Merino, Merinillo can be used in its natural curly state, ironed, or shaved depending on the desired aesthetic.
Lacon
In our collections, Lacon is exclusively used in its ironed form. Its notably thinner, more supple skin creates exceptionally lightweight garments that offer remarkable freedom of movement. The refined texture of Lacon makes it ideal for creating more tailored silhouettes and transitional pieces that combine warmth with elegant drape.
Toscana
Toscana sheepskin is distinguished by its dramatically longer wool fibers with a relaxed, wavy texture rather than tight curls. This creates a striking, plush appearance that makes a bold style statement. While heavier than Lacon, Toscana offers extraordinary visual impact and can also be shaved to create different textural effects while maintaining its luxurious character.
Choosing Your Perfect Shearling Style: Bomber, Aviator, Hooded or Long Coat?
Classic Bomber & Moto
The shearling bomber jacket represents timeless sophistication with practical warmth. Crafted from premium sheepskin, these jackets offer exceptional insulation while maintaining a sleek silhouette. Perfect for urban environments during fall and winter, the bomber style pairs effortlessly with both casual and semi-formal attire. Black shearling bombers deliver versatile elegance for evening occasions, while rich brown tones create a warm, inviting aesthetic ideal for daytime wear. The classic cut allows for comfortable layering, making it a cornerstone piece for transitional weather and travel.
Aviator & Cropped
Inspired by vintage military design, aviator shearling jackets blend heritage with luxury. These cropped styles feature distinctive asymmetric closures, generous collars, and meticulous detailing that honors their functional origins. The aviator style excels in moderate winter conditions, providing substantial warmth without bulk. Camel and chocolate tones complement the aviator's rugged elegance, while black offers contemporary sophistication. These jackets create a striking style statement when paired with slim trousers or dresses, making them versatile for both casual outings and elevated evening looks.
Long, Hooded & Reversible
For maximum protection in harsh winter climates, our shearling womens coat collection features long silhouettes and hooded designs. These full-length pieces envelop you in luxurious warmth while maintaining an elegant profile. Reversible options provide exceptional versatility, allowing you to showcase either the supple leather exterior or the plush wool interior depending on your outfit and the occasion. Hooded styles offer additional protection against the elements while creating a dramatic, sophisticated silhouette. These investment pieces transition seamlessly from day to evening, urban settings to winter retreats. Our personal shoppers are available to guide you through selecting the perfect shearling style for your lifestyle and wardrobe needs.
How to Style a Shearling Jacket for City or Chalet
The versatile nature of shearling makes it perfect for creating sophisticated looks in various settings. A well-styled shearling piece transitions effortlessly from urban environments to mountain retreats, offering both warmth and refined elegance. Our reversible options provide even greater versatility, allowing you to adapt your style to different occasions with a single luxurious garment:
- Pair a camel Merino bomber with tailored cashmere trousers and leather ankle boots for an elegant city style that balances comfort and sophistication.
- Style a black Merinillo jacket with slim-cut jeans and a fine-knit turtleneck for casual weekend outings, adding subtle gold accessories for a touch of refinement.
- For evening events, layer a shaved Lacon shearling over a silk dress, complemented by suede heels and a structured handbag.
- Create a chic mountain look by styling a Toscana coat with fitted ski pants and cashmere knitwear, perfect for après-ski gatherings.
- For transitional seasons, wear your reversible shearling with the leather side out, paired with lightweight wool trousers and a crisp white shirt for a sophisticated daytime ensemble.
Care & Maintenance to Keep Shearling Luxurious
Cleaning & Storage
Properly cared for, your Yves Salomon shearling garment can last a lifetime while maintaining its exceptional quality and luxurious appearance. For daily maintenance, gently brush the wool side with a soft brush to remove dust and surface dirt. Spot clean minor stains by lightly dabbing with a slightly damp cloth, avoiding harsh chemicals or solvents that could damage the natural material.
For thorough cleaning, entrust your shearling to professional specialists who understand the unique properties of this premium material. Yves Salomon offers a specialized summer storage service to protect your investment during warmer months. This exclusive service ensures your shearling remains in optimal condition, stored in a controlled environment away from heat, humidity, and direct sunlight.
When storing at home, use a wide, padded hanger to maintain the garment's shape, and always place it in a breathable cotton garment bag—never plastic, which can trap moisture and cause discoloration.
Weather Protection Tips
While shearling provides exceptional warmth and comfort, it requires protection from excessive moisture. Can shearling fur get wet? Yes, but with caution. Brief exposure to light rain or snow is manageable, but avoid saturating your shearling completely, as this can affect both the leather and wool components.
If your shearling does become wet, gently shake off excess moisture and blot—never rub—with a clean, absorbent towel. Allow it to dry naturally at room temperature, away from direct heat sources like radiators or hair dryers, which can cause the leather to shrink or crack. For additional protection in variable weather, consider applying a specialized shearling protector spray to the leather side, following the manufacturer's instructions.
FAQ: Your Shearling Jacket Questions Answered
Are shearling jackets worth it?
Absolutely. A quality Yves Salomon shearling jacket is a timeless investment that maintains its value for decades. When properly cared for, these luxurious pieces offer exceptional durability and a sophisticated style that never goes out of fashion.
Can shearling fur get wet?
Shearling has natural water-resistant properties but isn't waterproof. Avoid heavy rain as moisture can damage the suede exterior. If your jacket gets wet, let it air dry naturally away from direct heat sources.
How do you clean a shearling jacket?
Use a soft brush for regular maintenance to remove dust and surface dirt. For minor stains, gently dab with a slightly damp cloth. Professional cleaning by a leather specialist is recommended for deep cleaning every few years.
How do you style a shearling jacket?
Layer your shearling jacket over everything from casual denim to elegant dresses. For a classic look, pair with slim jeans and boots. For more sophistication, contrast with tailored pieces in complementary neutral tones.
What makes a real shearling coat?
Real shearling comes from sheepskin with the wool attached to the hide. It features suede on one side and natural wool on the other. Authentic shearling has irregular fiber lengths, breathes naturally, and feels denser than synthetic alternatives.
How warm is a shearling winter coat?
Exceptionally warm. Shearling provides superior insulation while remaining breathable, regulating body temperature naturally. The wool fibers trap heat efficiently, making Yves Salomon shearling coats ideal for even the coldest winter conditions.
