Shearling Jacket Women: How to Choose the Best One

The best shearling jacket for women matches the wool to your winter: long Toscana pile for the most warmth and texture, close Merino for a lighter everyday jacket, and a reversible cut when you want two looks from one piece. Paris house Yves Salomon works in all of them, and you can compare every style in our women’s shearling jackets edit. If you want the wool on the outside as well, read our guide to reversible fur jackets.

By Gemma Deeks, Coveti Fashion Editor. Updated 22 October 2026.

Key facts

• Shearling is lambskin with the wool left on, so the skin and the fleece are one material.
• Shearling is sheepskin, not fur; it has no guard hairs and no separate underfur.
• Toscana lambskin has a long, soft, wavy wool and is the plushest shearling in the Yves Salomon range.
• Merino shearling has a shorter, denser wool that makes a lighter, slimmer jacket.
• A reversible shearling jacket can be worn suede side out with a wool trim, then turned to show the wool.
• Shearling should not be washed, ironed nor tumble dried; a specialist fur cleaner handles it.
• Yves Salomon uses French sizing: FR 36 is a UK 8 and FR 40 is a UK 12.

What are the main types of shearling?

Every shearling jacket starts as a lambskin, and the breed and finish of the wool decide how it looks and how warm it feels. The names on Yves Salomon labels tell you a lot before you try anything on.

Toscana is the long-haired one. The wool is soft, slightly wavy and deep enough to read as a statement on a collar and cuffs. It is the warmest and the most voluminous, so it suits short and hooded shapes where the bulk stays in proportion. Lacon has a shorter, flatter wool that sits close to the skin, which keeps a reversible jacket neat on both sides. Merino is fine, dense and even, the classic flying-jacket shearling, and it gives the slimmest line. Curly lambskin has a tight, springy curl with a nubby, almost boucle texture that looks good worn wool side out.

Suede face, leather face and varnished finishes

The outside of a shearling jacket is the back of the skin, and it can be finished in several ways. A suede face is brushed to a soft nap; it feels warm in the hand and looks relaxed, but it marks more easily in rain. A smooth leather face is sealed and slightly shinier, so it shrugs off light showers and reads sharper with tailoring. Varnished finishes, like the one on the Short Varnished Merinillo Lambskin Shearling Jacket, add a subtle gloss and extra resistance to weather. For city wear in a wet climate, a sealed face is the practical choice. For dry cold, suede is hard to beat for comfort.

Which shearling jacket shape should you choose?

Cropped jackets stop at the waist and work best with high-waisted trousers, midi skirts and wide jeans. The Suede Merino Lambskin Cropped Jacket in Black is the cleanest example in the current range. Aviators and bombers have a wide wool collar and a ribbed-feel hem at the hip; they are the most casual shape and the most forgiving over a hoodie. Hooded jackets are the warmest short shape because the hood closes the gap at the neck, and the hood can sit down as a deep collar on milder days. Reversible jackets give two finishes: suede out for town, wool out for weekends. Pea jackets are the tailored option, double-breasted and long enough to cover a blazer.

Peer houses approach shearling differently. Toteme favours pared-back cuts, while Khaite leans towards strong shoulders. Yves Salomon’s strength is the range of wools and finishes within a single shape.

How should a shearling jacket fit over knitwear?

Shearling has no stretch and the wool takes up space inside, so try it on over the thickest jumper you plan to wear. The shoulders should sit on your own shoulder line, and you should be able to cross your arms without the back pulling tight. Sleeves need to cover the wrist bone with your arms bent. Yves Salomon cuts women’s pieces in French sizes, and Coveti shows the UK equivalent: take your usual size, since the jackets are designed to be worn over knitwear. Our Yves Salomon size guide covers the full conversion from FR 32 to FR 46.

How do you care for a shearling jacket?

Hang it on a wide, shaped hanger in a breathable cover, away from radiators and direct sun. Brush suede with a soft suede brush once it is fully dry, and let a wet jacket dry naturally at room temperature. Yves Salomon advises against washing, ironing and tumble drying shearling; take it to a specialist fur cleaner instead, and remove any detachable hood and collar first. Our fur and shearling care guide goes step by step.

Our picks

1. Reversible Hooded Toscana Lambskin Shearling Jacket in Camel

Long Toscana wool, a hood and a reversible body make this the warmest and most versatile short shearling in the edit; camel works with every winter neutral.

2. Reversible Short Lacon Lambskin Shearling Jacket in Beige

Lacon’s short wool keeps both faces flat and neat, so this is the one to choose when you want a lighter jacket that still turns inside out.

3. Hooded Merino Lambskin Shearling Jacket in Brown

Dense Merino and a full hood give real protection at the neck without the volume of Toscana; brown hides city wear well.

4. Lambskin Shearling Bomber Jacket in Brown

The classic bomber line sits at the hip and layers easily over a hoodie and jeans for weekend wear.

5. Suede Merino Lambskin Cropped Jacket in Black

A clean cropped length in black suede that pairs neatly with high-waisted tailoring and midi skirts.

6. Short Varnished Merinillo Lambskin Shearling Jacket in Brown

The varnished face adds a soft sheen and shrugs off light rain, which makes it a strong commuter choice.

7. Short Toscana Lambskin Jacket in Pink

Plush Toscana in a soft pink: a short jacket that brightens grey, navy and denim without feeling like a novelty.

8. Shearling Pea Jacket

The tailored option, long enough to cover a blazer and smart enough for the office.

Frequently asked questions

Is a shearling jacket warmer than a down jacket?

A heavy Toscana shearling is very warm and blocks wind well because the skin is a solid layer. Down is lighter for the same warmth, so the choice depends on whether you value weight, wind resistance and texture.

Can you wear a shearling jacket in the rain?

Light showers are fine on a sealed leather face and a varnished finish. Suede faces should be kept out of heavy rain and left to dry naturally if they get wet.

What is the difference between shearling and sheepskin?

Shearling is sheepskin, usually lambskin, tanned with the wool left on. The term describes the finished material worn with the wool inside, outside, and on trims.

Should a shearling jacket be tight?

No. It should close comfortably over a jumper, with room to cross your arms and sleeves that reach the wrist when bent.

How long does a shearling jacket last?

With correct storage and specialist cleaning, a good shearling jacket lasts for many winters. Keep it on a wide hanger in a breathable cover and away from heat.

Next, read our guides to the warmest winter coats for women, cropped fur jackets and fur vests for women, then explore the full Yves Salomon collection.