A womens shearling jacket is the warmest jacket you can buy in leather, because the wool is part of the hide rather than a lining sewn in. It is also the bulkiest, which means the fit and the outfit around it need more thought than with a standard leather jacket.
Here are the styles worth knowing, how each should sit, and how to wear one without disappearing into it.
The Styles
B3 bomber
Short in the body, wide shearling collar that folds up, buckle straps at the collar and cuffs. The warmest and the boldest. It creates volume across the top half, so it needs slim shapes below.
Aviator
Similar warmth with slightly cleaner lines. Shearling collar, wool lined body, usually a front zip rather than buckles. Easier to wear day to day than a full B3.
Shearling collar jacket
A standard leather jacket with shearling at the collar only, and a quilted or wool lining through the body. Far less bulk, considerably less warmth. A good middle option.
Shearling vest
Core warmth with no sleeve bulk. Works as an outer layer in autumn and a mid layer under a coat in deep winter. See Womens Shearling Vests.
The full range sits in Womens Shearling Jackets.
How It Should Fit
Shearling is the one leather jacket where the usual fit advice does not apply.
Test it over a jumper, not a t-shirt. This is the single most useful rule. If it feels right over a thin top, it will be too small in the weather it is built for.
Shoulders. The seam sits on or slightly past your shoulder bone. A little drop is acceptable, since the jacket is meant to be substantial. More than an inch and it is too big.
Chest. Fasten it fully over a jumper and cross your arms. There should be no strain across the front.
Length. B3 styles are short, ending at the hip. That is correct. A long shearling jacket loses the proportions and adds a lot of weight.
Collar. Fold it up. It should close around your throat without pushing your head forward. This is the most useful feature of the jacket in real cold.
Size up by one if you are between sizes. The wool takes up real internal space and shearling barely relaxes with wear. Our detailed guide on how a B3 shearling jacket should fit covers this fully, and the numbers go against our Size Guide.
Balancing the Volume
The main styling challenge is that a shearling jacket adds significant width across the shoulders and chest. The answer is to keep everything below it slim.
- Straight or slim jeans rather than wide leg. Volume on volume is very hard to carry.
- Leather trousers work well, since the smooth surface contrasts with the wool. See Womens Leather Pants.
- Knee boots continue a clean line down from a slim trouser.
- A fitted midi skirt works if the skirt is narrow. A full skirt does not.
- Keep the layers under it thin. A fine merino rollneck rather than a chunky knit, since the jacket is already doing the warmth.
Colour
Brown or tan with cream wool is the traditional combination and the most flattering. The contrast between hide and fleece is part of the appeal.
Black with black wool is sharper and slimmer looking, though the texture is less visible.
Cream or off white throughout is striking and needs more careful care, since light shearling shows marks readily.
Is It Worth It?
Honestly, it depends on your winter.
Worth it if your winter is properly cold, you spend real time outdoors, and you want a jacket for the next fifteen years. Shearling lasts decades and improves with age.
Not worth it if your winters are mild, you want something light, or you need one jacket for all seasons. It will be too warm most of the year and it will sit unused.
Our fuller look at whether shearling jackets are worth the money covers both sides.
Care
- Brush the wool with a soft brush to keep it lofted. Do not condition the wool.
- Condition the leather side only, sparingly, two or three times a year.
- Hang on a wide sturdy hanger. These are heavy enough to bend a light one.
- Dry naturally at room temperature if wet, never near a radiator. Wool holds a lot of water and takes a long time.
- Store in a breathable cotton bag with space around it. Wool compresses permanently under pressure.
- Only dry clean with a specialist who handles shearling, since standard solvents strip the natural oils.
Order Early
Shearling pieces are among the more involved jackets we build, and everything is made to order. Ordering in October means it arrives before the weather turns rather than in the middle of winter.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should a womens shearling jacket fit?
Test it over a jumper rather than a t-shirt. It should fasten comfortably with room to cross your arms, the shoulder seam on or slightly past your shoulder bone, and the hem at your hip.
Should I size up in a shearling jacket?
Yes, by one size if you are between sizes. The wool takes up real internal space and shearling barely relaxes with wear.
What do you wear with a shearling jacket?
Keep everything below it slim. Straight jeans or leather trousers, knee boots, and a fine rollneck underneath rather than a chunky knit.
Are shearling jackets too bulky?
They are bulky, and that is the trade off for the warmth. Balancing it with slim shapes below solves most of the problem.
What colour shearling jacket is best?
Brown or tan hide with cream wool is the traditional combination and the most flattering, because the contrast between leather and fleece is part of the look.
Can you wear a shearling jacket in mild weather?
It will be too warm. Shearling is genuinely winter clothing. For milder conditions a shearling collar jacket or a lined leather jacket works better.
How do you clean a shearling jacket?
Brush the wool with a soft brush and condition only the leather side. Never machine wash, and only dry clean with a specialist who handles shearling.
Finding Yours
Be honest about your climate, size up by one, and keep the shapes below it slim. Browse Womens Shearling Jackets and Women Leather Jackets at Leather Outlet, and check the Size Guide before ordering. Made to order, XS to 5XL, free worldwide shipping.
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