Illustrations by Chandler Bondurant
Our cavemen forebearers would recognize little of the clothing we wear today, with one possible exception: shearling outerwear. That’s because shearling (or used synonymously, sheepskin) coats and jackets are essentially animal pelts.
They are created by taking a lamb or sheep pelt and tanning its hide—that would be the sheepskin part of the equation—while also shaving down its wool, aka, the shearling, to a uniform length. Typically, such pieces are made with the suede or leather sheepskin hide on the exterior, and the curly wool shearling on the inside for insulation.
So powerful is the warming effect of shearling outerwear that it became standard issue for American bomber crews in WWII, who had to contend with hours of sub-zero temperatures in unheated planes. In later years, the shearling coat in its more Western iteration became a fashion statement beloved by hippies and boho ski bums, and was notably worn with great aplomb by Robert Redford in the 1969 classic Downhill Racer.
Today, this virtually indestructible outerwear category has been recognized as a true luxury object, with iterations from Loro Piana, Brunello Cucinelli, Drake’s, and more on the present market. Should you wish to stay warm and look ruggedly chic while doing so, we advise you to consult the list below.
Overland Maverick Sheepskin Rancher Coat
Image Credit: Overland 
Established in Taos, New Mexico in 1973, Overland specializes in rugged shearling jackets with a Western bent. Among its icons is the Maverick, a rancher style made from over four pounds of South African sheepskin.
Ralph Lauren Purple Label Double-Breasted Shearling Jacket
Image Credit: Ralph Lauren Purple Label This double-breasted Purple Label piece is based on the design of WWII-era field jackets and made from lamb shearling in army-green. A pair of side-entry pockets at the chest provide a welcome refuge to cold hands.
Todd Snyder Shearling Aviator
Image Credit: Todd Snyder Masters of the Air meets Rebel Without a Cause is the design brief behind this Todd Snyder flight jacket, which retains its aviator details but is made from matte calf leather and shearling.
Loro Piana Augusto Shearling Jacket
Image Credit: Loro Piana Loro Piana is no stranger to luxurious fabrics, shearling very much included. The label’s Augusto jacket is made from lamb shearling in a clean design with a cropped hem and a funnel neck.
Billy Reid Shearling Blake Jacket
Image Credit: Billy Reid Many shearling jackets are long, heavy duty affairs, but Billy Reid’s Blake jacket takes a different tack with its slim fit and shorter length. Inspired by the design of the classic café racer jacket, it features antique brass hardware and zipped cuffs.
Schott Classic B-3 Sheepskin Leather Bomber Jacket
Image Credit: Schott The B-3 bomber jacket is among the most iconic designs to emerge from the Second World War, and Schott continues to manufacture the style in the U.S.A. Made from heavyweight shearling with a turn-up collar that can be further secured with a buckle strap, it’s not hard to imagine why they proved a favorite among aviators in unheated planes.
Baracuta Shearling Aviator Jacket
Image Credit: Baracuta With its shorter length and slanted front pockets, Baracuta’s aviator may be understood as a blending of the classic B-3 and the Western rancher. Is wide collar can be turned up against the neck for extra warmth.
Drake’s + HIM Leather-Trimmed Shearling Coat
Image Credit: Drake’s As an exclusive with Mr. Porter, Drake’s made this blacked-out version of its leather-trimmed shearling car coat. Complete the Johnny Cash vibes with black denim and boots.
Brunello Cucinelli Double-Breasted Shearling Jacket
Image Credit: Brunello Cucinelli With the cropped length of an aviator and a double-breasted stance of a peacoat, this Cucinelli shearling combines the best of air and sea. Burnished silver buttons embossed with the designer’s crest subtly communicates its provenance.
Paul Stuart Shearling Toggle Coat
Image Credit: Paul Stuart If Paddington won the lottery, there would be signs. For instance, this heavy-duty shearling toggle coat made in Italy for Paul Stuart, which includes a long hair-trimmed hood for maximum insulation.
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