The Complete Shearling Guide

What is Shearling?


Real shearling is a lambskin naturally lined with its fleece, which can be worn with the leather side or the wool side facing out, depending on the desired effect. This dual-sided material emerges from a specialized tanning process where the hide undergoes treatment while maintaining its wool attachment. The wool fibers are carefully trimmed to achieve uniform depth throughout, creating that distinctive plush texture against smooth suede leather.

What sets genuine shearling apart from alternatives lies in its natural breathability and superior insulation properties. The material regulates temperature effectively, trapping warm air within the dense wool fibers while allowing moisture to escape. Unlike synthetic versions such as sherpa, authentic shearling develops character over time, becoming softer with wear.

Professional hides selection focuses on young lambs, ensuring the finest grain and optimal wool density. The resulting material combines durability with luxurious comfort, making each shearling coat an investment piece that withstands decades of use while maintaining its cozy feel and refined appearance.

An Embracing Warmth, with Natural Refinement


It embodies a relaxed elegance—both authentic and sophisticated—while offering remarkable thermal protection in a resolutely contemporary spirit.

Some of our pieces are reversible, revealing in turn the soft, felted touch of the wool or the sleek surface of the leather. Each creation is designed to highlight the richness of textures, the play of volumes, and the fabric's natural drape.

Winter sale & boxing day Yves Salomon -Short jacket in curly Tuscan shearling with vintage finish

The Different Lamb Shearling Qualities We Use


Merino

A thick, dense lambskin with tight little curls. Merino can be used in its natural curly state, pressed flat for a smoother look, or shorn for a clean, contemporary finish. It has a structured drape, ideal for outerwear pieces.


Merinillo

Younger than Merino, Merinillo has a finer, softer, and lighter skin. Its curls are smaller and less dense. It can also be used curly, pressed, or shorn, depending on the style desired.


Lacon

Used only pressed in our collections, Lacon stands out for its great delicacy and exceptional suppleness. It is an airy material, perfect for pieces with a fluid drape, closer to the body.


Toscana

A shearling with a bold character, recognizable by its long, wavy wool. The curl is looser, almost beach-wave in appearance, giving a bohemian and enveloping allure. Heavier than Lacon, it can also be shorn for more streamlined finishes.

  • Folk Toscana: This variation showcases the natural, relaxed character of Toscana shearling with its signature wavy texture and semi-bouclé feel. The folk effect creates striking visual depth through natural light reflections, offering a bohemian sophistication perfect for statement pieces.

  • Curly Toscana: The curly finish enhances Toscana's natural wave pattern into more defined, structured curls while maintaining the material's exceptional softness. This treatment provides enhanced volume and texture, creating a more dramatic silhouette with superior insulation properties.


Mongolian

An exceptional character, recognizable by its voluminous, curly wool with natural luster. The texture is plush and fluffy, creating a cloud-like appearance that exudes luxurious sophistication.


Astrakhan

With its distinctive tightly curled texture and lustrous sheen, astrakhan represents luxury materials at their finest.

Care & Preservation of Genuine Shearling

Shearling requires specific care as it combines both leather and natural wool :

  • Protect it from heavy rain and prolonged humidity. If it becomes damp, allow it to dry naturally away from direct heat.

  • Store it on a wide hanger to preserve the structure of the garment and avoid flattening the fleece.

  • Avoid contact with perfumes, cosmetics, or solvents that could damage the leather side or the wool fibers.

  • To maintain the volume of the fleece, gently shake the garment and allow it to air regularly.

  • For deep cleaning, consult a specialist experienced in shearling garments.


Timeless Elegance


Wearing lambskin means choosing an intimate and luxurious material that unites technical performance with refinement—enhancing the silhouette without ever weighing it down. The superior quality of our lambskin, with its fine grain and exceptional suppleness, reflects our commitment to sourcing only the finest materials that meet the highest luxury standards.

An essential choice for a discerning wardrobe, both modern and timeless.

Lambskin: A Second Skin, Supple, Light, and Precious

Lambskin stands out for its exceptional suppleness, incomparable lightness, and delicate natural grain.

It is a noble material that combines understated elegance, absolute comfort, and thermal performance, while retaining a silky touch and subtle presence.

Used in our collections for its versatility, it embraces the body effortlessly and moves with fluidity.

Its fineness makes it an ideal material for close-fitting pieces, tailored coats, or soft shearling jackets with a natural drape.

Care & Preservation of Genuine Lambskin

Though resilient, lambskin remains a delicate natural leather that requires proper care to preserve its softness and fine grain.

  • Protect it from rain, humidity, and excessive heat. If exposed to water, gently blot without rubbing and allow it to dry naturally.


  • Avoid prolonged friction with bags, belts, or rough surfaces that may mark the leather.


  • Store your garment on a hanger inside a breathable fabric cover, away from direct sunlight.


  • Never apply inappropriate cleaning products—even natural ones—directly on the leather.


  • For stains or full cleaning, entrust your piece to a professional leather care specialist.


Authentic Shearling: A Material with Character


The ultimate winter fabric, shearling combines natural warmth, absolute comfort, and contemporary allure. Each piece is a promise of longevity, versatility, and authenticity—provided it is cared for with the right attention.

Winter sale & boxing day Yves Salomon -Gonfio Merino lambskin boxy jacket