What Is Shearling? Sheepskin With the Wool Left On, in Plain Terms

Shearling is the skin of a recently shorn sheep or lamb that has been tanned with the wool left on: suede on one side, clipped fur on the other, with the suede side usually worn outward. The fabric called sherpa is the synthetic imitation. This page defines the material; for the wider family of hides, see our guide to leather types, textures and finishes.

Shearling at a glance

What shearling is made of

It is one piece of material, not a lining sewn to a shell. The leather and the wool are the same skin, which is why makers call it a skin with the fleece intact rather than a fabric.

One garment often needs several skins. Sellers sometimes call it fur: one jacket maker calls shearling a fur product and a retailer calls it one kind of fur, while Wikipedia describes the skin as suede on one side and clipped fur on the other. In the sense that matters for a label, it is animal skin with hair attached, not a textile.

Shearling vs sheepskin: sources disagree

The terms overlap, and the sources do not agree on where one stops and the other starts.

• One encyclopedia stub, itself flagged as needing citations, says sheepskin and shearling are synonymous.
• A retailer says "shearling coat" and "sheepskin coat" are sometimes used interchangeably.
• A luxury brand says shearling comes exclusively from young lambs, while sheepskin can come from sheep of varying ages.
• Another retailer says shearlings are yearling sheep with only one shearing.

Our reading: "sheepskin" is the broad word for the hide, and "shearling" names a wool-on skin from a recently shorn animal. The animal's age is where sellers disagree, so treat any age claim on a hangtag as the seller's own wording. Our pages on sheep leather and lambskin leather cover the age distinction for the wool-off leathers.

How to tell real shearling from sherpa

Check the back first. A jacket maker says the quickest test is the back of the wool: real shearling grows out of a hide, while sherpa pile sits on a fabric backing. Wikipedia lists three more cues:

• Real shearling is heavier, more flexible and has much denser fur.
• Synthetic shearling has a slight sheen on its outer side, while real outer hide is dull and a little tacky to the touch.
• Genuine shearling feels smoother to the touch.

A maker also notes that sherpa needs a separate outer shell, while shearling's hide blocks wind by itself.

What happens when shearling gets wet

Sources disagree here too. A jacket maker says shearling can repel water and dry easily when handled properly, but advises against regular wear in rain. A retailer says water should not damage a shearling jacket and that it should dry at room temperature, never in a machine. Both are sellers' statements with no test data.

For cleaning, a luxury brand suggests barely damp cloths for spot cleaning and professional cleaning to remove salt residue. For how finished leathers behave in water in general, see is leather water resistant?.

Where shearling shows up in a leather range

The Leather Collection says sheepskin and lambskin give soft, supple leather that is lighter than cowhide and drapes more easily, which suits fashion jackets and coats. Its men's jacket range lists lambskin shearling or artificial fur as lining or collar options. Their guide to cowhide, sheepskin and goatskin explains how each hide suits different uses.

FAQ

Is shearling real fur?

It is animal skin with the animal's own wool attached. Sellers call it a fur product, and Wikipedia describes a clipped fur surface on one side.

What is the difference between shearling and sherpa?

Shearling is a tanned skin with wool attached. Sherpa is the synthetic version, described by one brand as polyester or cotton blends.

What is the difference between shearling and sheepskin?

Sources disagree; see the section above. Age of the animal is the main point of dispute.

What happens if shearling gets wet?

Sellers give opposing advice; one says avoid regular rain wear, another says it should not be damaged.