Shearling Jacket in Los Angeles: Do You Need One?

A shearling jacket in Los Angeles sounds like a strange idea when the average January high is 68 degrees. The honest answer is more interesting than a simple yes or no. Most days you will not need one, but there are evenings, trips and cold mornings when nothing else feels quite as good. This guide uses real weather numbers to help you decide whether a shearling jacket in Los Angeles is worth buying, and how to wear one without overheating.

What a Los Angeles Winter Really Looks Like

Current Results publishes 1991 to 2020 climate normals for the city. For January it lists an average high of 68°F and an average low of 49°F. Rain falls on about 6 days of the month, adding up to 3.3 inches, and none of it normally falls as snow. The average wind speed is 5.2 mph.

Put that next to the cities in our shearling jacket temperature guide. New York has a January low of about 28 and Chicago sits near 19. Los Angeles is a different world, and that changes the question. You are not asking whether a shearling jacket will keep you alive. You are asking whether it will feel right on a cool evening.

When a Shearling Jacket in Los Angeles Makes Sense

The number that matters is the low of 49. That is the temperature you meet early in the morning and late at night, and it is the time of day when a thin layer starts to feel too thin. A shearling jacket handles that easily. The leather outside blocks wind and the wool inside holds warm air close to you. If you want to know how that works, the Shearling page on Wikipedia gives a short explanation of what shearling is.

It also makes sense if you travel. Plenty of people from warm cities fly somewhere cold for the holidays, and a jacket you already own is better than a rushed purchase at the airport. Our guides to Chicago winters and New York winter outfits show what you will face in those places.

Finally, higher ground and open desert areas near the city can be colder at night than the coast, so a drive out of town in winter can feel very different from a day at home. Always check the forecast for the exact place you are going.

When It Is Too Much

At 68 degrees in the afternoon, a full wool lined jacket will probably feel warm. Wear it open, or carry it. Do not buy a heavy style and expect to zip it up all day.

Rain is the other limit. Los Angeles gets about 6 rainy days in January, and shearling does not like to get soaked. Our guide on whether shearling jackets are waterproof explains what to do on wet days.

A Lighter Way to Wear Shearling in a Mild Climate

If you like the look but live somewhere mild, there are two easy ways to keep it comfortable.

The first is a shearling vest. It keeps your chest and back warm and leaves your arms free, which suits a cool evening better than a full jacket. You can browse our shearling vests and see what is available.

The second is a slimmer, shorter style. The B6 RAF aviator jacket is cut neater than the roomy B3 shearling jacket, so it looks less bulky over a tee or a thin shirt. Our B6 bomber jacket guide explains the difference between the two.

Choosing a Size for Light Layers

In Los Angeles you will wear a shearling jacket over a shirt or a thin knit, not a thick sweater. That means you can choose by your chest measurement and your normal shirt size. Check your numbers against our size chart and read the shearling jacket size guide if you are not sure how to measure. If you sit between two sizes, the smaller one gives a closer fit when you only plan to wear light layers.

Looking After a Jacket You Wear a Few Weeks a Year

A jacket you wear only in winter spends most of the year in a wardrobe, so how you store it matters. Our guide to storing a shearling jacket covers keeping it between winters, and our shearling jacket care guide covers everyday cleaning.

Outfit Ideas for a Shearling Jacket in Los Angeles

The easiest way to wear a shearling jacket in Los Angeles is to keep everything else light. A plain tee or thin shirt, jeans and boots or clean sneakers is enough. In the evening, add a thin knit under the jacket. During the day, wear it open or carry it over your arm, which also shows off the wool collar. Brown and tan shades go well with denim, white and black, so they are easy to mix.

A jacket like this also travels well. It hangs in a hotel wardrobe or sits over a seat on a flight, so you can pack it for the colder part of a trip and leave a bulky coat at home. Our New York outfit guide shows how the same jacket works in a much colder city, and you can borrow its layering ideas for your coldest evenings.

Quick Questions

Is a shearling jacket too warm for Los Angeles?

In the afternoon, often yes. On a cool evening or early morning, no. It is a jacket for the hours when the temperature drops toward 49.

Is it worth buying one if I live in Los Angeles?

It is worth it if you travel to colder places or simply love the style. Our guide on whether shearling jackets are worth it looks at the question in more detail.

Do you ship to the United States?

Yes. Shipping is free worldwide, and standard sizes ship about 7 to 14 days after your order is confirmed.

Can I send it back if the size is wrong?

A standard size jacket can be returned or exchanged within 30 days of delivery. Custom sizes cannot. The full policy is on our return and exchange page.

The Short Version

A shearling jacket in Los Angeles is a jacket for cool evenings, cold mornings and trips, not for sunny afternoons. If you want the look in a mild climate, choose a slimmer style or a vest, size it for light layers and keep it dry. If you are unsure which one suits you, message us on WhatsApp and we will help you choose.