Shearling Coat Guide: Types, Fit and How to Choose

What is a shearling coat?

A shearling coat is a warm winter coat made from sheepskin, with the wool left on the inside and the soft leather side on the outside. It is made for cold weather, and a well made one can serve you for many winters.

Shearling is a sheepskin or lambskin that has been tanned with the wool still attached, which gives you a suede side that faces out and a clipped fur side that sits against your body (Wikipedia). That is why a shearling coat feels so warm: the wool traps heat and the leather keeps the wind out.

Buying one can feel confusing, because coats come in many lengths, collars and cuts. This guide explains how a shearling coat differs from a shearling jacket, the main styles you will meet, and how to pick the right one for your winters. If you would rather browse first, see our coats collection, our men’s shearling jackets or our women’s shearling jackets.

Real shearling or sherpa?

Synthetic versions of shearling are called sherpa. Real shearling breathes, is more flexible and is much heavier, and its fur is denser (Wikipedia). The outer side of real shearling also looks dull and feels slightly tacky, while a synthetic often has a sheen. Our guide on how to tell real shearling shows more checks you can do before you buy.

Shearling coat vs shearling jacket

The main difference is length. A shearling jacket usually ends at the waist or hip, while a shearling coat reaches the hip, the mid thigh or lower. Both use the same material, so the choice comes down to how much of your body you want covered.

In the shop the two names overlap. Some aviator and flying styles are sold as coats even though they are cut close to the waist, so always check the length in the product description and the size chart. Our guides on the aviator jacket and on flying jackets vs bomber jackets explain how these names are used.

Types of shearling coats

Most styles fall into a few families. Knowing them makes it much easier to read a product page.

Aviator and B3 style coats

These come from the flying jackets of the 1930s and 1940s, with a wide collar and a warm wool lining. Our Men’s RAF B3 Shearling Duffle Coat is made from real sheepskin shearling with a natural wool lining, a button front, two pockets and open hem cuffs. The Men’s B3 WWII Pilot Brown Shearling Coat adds a removable hood. Both come in sizes XS to 3XL. To learn where the style began, read our aviator jacket guide and our B3 bomber jacket guide.

Vintage style coats

A vintage style coat has a plain, classic shape that fits over a suit or a sweater. Our Men’s Vintage Black Shearling Winter Coat is real sheepskin shearling with a button front, a natural wool lining and round cuffs.

Cafe racer style coats

The cafe racer look borrows from motorcycle jackets and gives the coat a sharper, more fitted feel. See our Men’s Biker Cafe Racer Brown Shearling Coat for this style.

Afghan style coats

The Afghan coat is the shearling coat many people picture from the 1960s. It is made from sheepskin or goatskin with the fleece inside and a soft suede like leather outside, and it grew out of the traditional overcoat of Ghazni province in Afghanistan. Craig Sams first imported these coats to the United Kingdom in 1966 and sold them through hippie boutiques, and The Beatles helped make them famous (Wikipedia).

Women’s shearling coats

Women can choose from the same families. Our Women’s RAF B3 Shearling Pilot Coat is real sheepskin shearling with a natural wool lining, an original YKK zip, two outside pockets, one inside pocket and round cuffs, in sizes XS to 3XL. More options are in our women’s shearling jackets. For a closer look at the style, read our women’s sheepskin bomber jacket guide.

How to choose the right shearling coat

Start with where you will wear it, then check these five things before you order.

1. Length. A longer coat covers more of your body and suits long, cold winters. A shorter cut is easier for driving and daily errands. Check the length in the product description and the size chart, because names are used loosely.
2. Warmth. Look at the lining. A natural sheepskin wool lining gives the warmth that shearling is known for. If you want more detail on rain and snow, read whether shearling jackets are waterproof.
3. Material. Look for real sheepskin shearling, with the wool inside and the leather outside, not a sherpa lookalike. Our guide on shearling vs sheepskin vs lambskin explains the terms.
4. Size. Check your chest and shoulder measurements in our shearling jacket size guide and leave room for a sweater underneath. If you order a custom size, remember that custom sizes cannot be returned.
5. Delivery and returns. Shipping is free worldwide. Standard sizes arrive 7 to 14 days after your order is confirmed, and standard sizes can be returned within 30 days. The buyer pays the return shipping, and refunds are made within 7 business days. Our international shipping guide has more detail.

If you are still comparing, our guide on whether shearling jackets are worth it goes through the cost against the years of use. For a wider look at cold weather options, see our winter coats for men guide.

How to wear a shearling coat

The coat is the loudest piece in your outfit, so let it lead and keep everything else calm.

• Keep the layers plain. A fine knit sweater, a plain tee or a shirt works well. Thick knits under a thick coat can feel stiff and add too much bulk.
• Go simple below. Dark jeans, chinos or plain trousers with leather boots balance the weight of the coat.
• Match the colors. Brown looks good with olive, navy and cream. Black goes with grey, white and denim. Our shearling jacket colors guide has more pairing ideas.
• Dress it up or down. A plain black or dark brown coat can go over a suit or smart trousers for work, and the same coat works over a hoodie on weekends.
• Add small extras. A scarf and gloves in a neutral tone finish the look without competing with the wool and leather.

For ideas from the screen and the red carpet, see our guides to celebrity shearling jackets and movie character jacket ideas.

Shearling coat care and common questions

A well made one lasts for years if you look after it. If it gets wet, let it dry naturally and keep it away from direct heat. Our guides on how to care for a shearling jacket and how to store a shearling jacket cover the rest, and they apply to coats too.

Is a shearling coat warmer than a shearling jacket?

Usually yes, because a coat covers more of your body, so wind and snow reach you less. The lining matters as much as the length, so check that the coat has a natural wool lining.

Is a sheepskin coat the same as a shearling coat?

Almost. Shearling is a sheepskin or lambskin tanned with the wool left on, so a shearling coat is a type of sheepskin coat. Read more in our guide to shearling vs sheepskin vs lambskin.

Is shearling waterproof?

Shearling is a natural material, so keep it away from heavy rain. We explain this in our guide on whether shearling jackets are waterproof.

Is a shearling coat worth the money?

A real one costs more than a basic coat, but it is made to be warm and to last. Read our answer in are shearling jackets worth it.

Do you ship worldwide?

Yes, shipping is free worldwide on all our coats and jackets. Standard sizes arrive 7 to 14 days after your order is confirmed. See our international shipping guide for details.