Astrakhan Coats: What Astrakhan Is and the Best Styles Now

An astrakhan coat is a coat with a tight, curled, glossy surface, named after the Astrakhan region of Russia where the original karakul lambskin was traded; today the word also describes that curled texture in lambskin shearling, and our designer shearling coats edit carries both. The newest is the Nour Hammour Elvira, a full-length evening coat in richly textured astrakhan shearling with a Toscana shawl collar, cut in Paris for Resort 2027.

Below is what astrakhan means on a label, the coats we rate, and a comparison taken from each house’s own product details.

What is astrakhan?

Traditionally astrakhan is the curly pelt of the karakul lamb. Many houses now use the term for any lambskin with a tightly curled, flat pile. The composition line on the product page tells you what the coat is actually made of: Elvira, for example, is listed as 100% lambskin shearling.

The edit

1. Elvira Shearling Coat in Black

Astrakhan-textured lambskin shearling with a full-length drape, a waist-cinching silhouette and an extravagant shawl collar in lustrous Toscana that sweeps into a plunging neckline. A single tonal button.

2. Arabella Shearling Coat in Black

A second full-length evening coat in lustrous shearling with Toscana trim, for a smoother surface.

3. Yves Salomon Curly Merino Lambskin Shearling Pea Coat in Brown

Yves Salomon curly merino lambskin pea coat in brown.

4. Yves Salomon Curly Merino Lambskin Shearling Pea Coat in Khaki

The same Yves Salomon pea coat in khaki.

5. Yves Salomon Curly Wool Suede Lambskin Shearling Jacket in Navy

Yves Salomon curly wool and suede lambskin shearling jacket in navy.

6. Yves Salomon Long Coat In Curly Merino Wool And Shearling

Yves Salomon long coat in curly merino wool and shearling.

7. Blazé Milano Curly Jacket

Blazé Milano curly jacket in black.

How the curly coats compare

How we compared: the material is the wording each house uses on its own product page; the size range is read from the live Coveti listing on 15 November 2026. We list no prices because they change by market.

Elvira and Arabella side by side

How we compared: every cell is copied from the Nour Hammour product page (composition and size and fit tabs) on 15 November 2026. Where the house publishes nothing, the cell says so; we do not estimate.

How to wear an astrakhan coat

An astrakhan coat is a textured statement, so keep the rest smooth: a black column dress, sheer tights, a slim heel. For daytime, wear a shorter curly jacket over straight trousers and a fine knit. Avoid other heavy textures such as chunky knits; they compete with the curl.

Care

Hang it on a broad hanger with space around it so the curl is not crushed. Never brush astrakhan the way you would a teddy pile. Have it cleaned by a fur and shearling specialist.

Astrakhan coats around the world

“Astrakhan coat” averages about 4,400 searches a month worldwide, 1,600 in the United States and 1,300 in the UK, and the single word “astrakhan” adds about 4,400 a month in the US year round. Figures are DataForSEO 12-month averages to October 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Is astrakhan real fur?

Traditionally it is karakul lambskin. Today the term also covers curled lambskin shearling; check the composition on the product page.

Is an astrakhan coat warm?

Yes. A full-length lambskin coat with a curled pile is very warm, especially with a closed collar.

What is Elvira made of?

Nour Hammour lists Elvira as 100% lambskin shearling, with a Toscana shawl collar.

Is astrakhan formal?

It reads as evening wear in black and as a smart day coat in brown and khaki.

Read next: Teddy coats, Full-length shearling coats, Nour Hammour Resort 2027.

By Coveti Editorial. Updated 15 November 2026. Curated by the Coveti Studio.