What Is Shearling? A Practical Guide to Real Shearling and Vintage Outerwear

Shearling is tanned and dressed sheepskin or lambskin with the wool left on.
That means it is a single material, not a fabric lining added later.



Why shearling is so effective

Wool is naturally insulating and breathable. When it remains attached to the hide, you get warmth with good temperature regulation. This is why shearling became iconic in cold weather outerwear categories.

What Aemcy already shows

Aemcy has featured standout shearling pieces, including a 1970s extra long shearling overcoat, which is exactly the kind of garment where shearling’s durability and presence make sense.



Real shearling vs look alike versions

Buyers often confuse these categories.

Real shearling
One material, suede on one side, wool on the other.

Shearling lined
Leather jacket with a separate shearling lining, sometimes removable.

Faux shearling
Synthetic pile, usually warmer than you expect but does not age the same.

Quality markers when shopping vintage shearling

Hide

  • Flexible, not cardboard stiff
  • No cracking around seams

Wool

  • Even density, no bald areas
  • Consistent feel, not matted throughout

Odor

  • Musty storage smell can air out
  • Strong chemical smell can indicate poor storage or treatment issues

Weight

  • It should feel substantial, but still wearable

Care basics

  • Never store in plastic
  • Use wide hangers to support shoulders
  • Brush the wool gently with a soft brush
  • Spot clean suede side carefully, do not saturate

If a piece needs serious cleaning, a specialist is worth it. Shearling is not where you gamble with home experiments.

Brand integration

On Aemcy, shearling pieces may be vintage without a major house label, and that is normal. The value is often in the material itself, not the name. Still, shearling also appears across many high end brands, so the knowledge remains relevant beyond one label.

Back to blog