Shearling coats are one of the best ways to stay warm during the cold winter months. In this guideline I’ll share a brief background on shearling coats with reviews on different styles/brands. Since these coats aren’t cheap, I’ll make sure you know how to care for them during the cleaning process so your new jacket will last for years!
These coats were originally made with a fur lining and it’s very common to see these coats replaced with wool these days. These jackets were recognized to be so warm that an army lieutenant wore his shearling coat in the early 1920’s during an attempt to set a new world record, which was flying an open cockpit airplane at 40,000 feet.
These shearling jackets have come a very long way since the 1920s when they were being used by our armed forces. Now they’re an extremely stylish and fashionable coat, yet still the warmest it gets. The insulation from the shearling is incredible and it allows for these coats to also be worn during the warmer months as well. The insulation from the material creates air pockets, which allows the body heat leave during the warmer months.
Besides the outstanding looks from a shearling coat and the warmth the jacket creates, people have flocked to this style over the years for several other reasons. It’s extremely soft! This makes the jacket incredibly comfortable and you feel great when wearing it. It looks luxurious as well and feels that way too.
Shearling coats aren’t seen everyday since they come with a hefty price tag. However, it’s an investment and these coats will last a very long time if cared for correctly. Shearling definitely requires more care than any other fabric. If shearling isn’t cleaned in the right manner, these materials can easily be damaged which could damage the softness and affect the insulation. They’re definitely durable jackets, but the cleaning process can be tricky.
I’m going to explain a few crucial rules for you to follow when caring for your shearling coat. I’ll start with the obvious here; please do not use a washing machine or a dryer on your coat. This will guarantee that you ruin your coat! These jackets easily pick up dirt. The dirt eventually settles into the material, so the more you clean it, the less likely the dirt will stay. I’d clean it a few times per year to avoid this issue. I’ve seen shearling and leather ruined from exposure to heat, like sitting in front of a fireplace. Stay away from heat! Another form of heat that can damage the jacket is the sun. The sun can easily damage the color and fade it out if it’s sitting in the sun for long periods of time.
There’s a huge selection of brands to choose from when shopping around. When searching for a men’s shearling jacket, Orvis is the best it gets as they only use the best materials around. You can find several of their styles for around $1,000 but their top of the line will go for $2,500 and up.
When it comes to searching for high end shearling coats for women, I’ve found some extremely great jackets made by Ugg. Ugg has become extremely popular recently and that’s because they make great products. These coats for women will also start around $1,000 and up.
I hope this guide has helped you understand a bit more about shearling coats. If you’re looking for a warm jacket, then this will be a great purchase. It definitely requires some extra care, but it’s worth it once you put it on!