Shearling Vest Women: How to Style a Vest This Season

A shearling vest for women works best as a long, warm middle layer: wear it over a fine knit and a shirt, with tailored trousers and jeans alike, and leave it open so the funnel neck and front edges frame the outfit. A longline cut, like Zimmermann’s Clash Shearling Longline Vest in 100% lamb shearling, covers the hips and adds warmth to the core while leaving the arms free. Choose your usual size, since it is designed for a regular fit and runs true to size.

The vest is the layer that does the most for the least bulk. It warms your body where it matters, shows off the sleeves of whatever is underneath and fits under a coat on the coldest days. Below we cover what to wear with a vest, three ways to layer a shearling one, how to size it and how to look after it.

What is the Zimmermann Clash Shearling Longline Vest?

The Clash Shearling Longline Vest in olive is part of the Resort 2027 collection and was first seen on the Cruise 27 runway. The details:

• Fabric: 100% lamb shearling, heavyweight and non stretch
• Shape: longline and sleeveless, with a dramatic funnel neck collar
• Closure: concealed hook and eye closures
• Finish: soft nappa leather facings and nappa leather pocket bags
• Pockets: side seam pockets
• Fit: regular, true to size
• Sizes: offered in XXS to XXL; currently in stock in S, M and L

Because the closures are concealed, the front reads as two clean panels of shearling when it is fastened, and as soft lapels when it is open. The funnel neck stands up around the throat, so you need nothing more than a fine knit underneath on a cold morning.

What do you wear with a vest jacket?

The trick with any vest is contrast: something with sleeves underneath, something narrow below. A sleeveless layer looks deliberate when the arms are clearly covered and the legs are clearly defined.

Keep the layer underneath slimmer than the vest. A chunky cable knit under shearling adds width at the shoulders and makes the whole silhouette boxy.

How to style a shearling vest: three ways

1. Over a knit with denim

This is the outfit most people picture, and the one that gets the most wear. Start with the Clash Embellished Sweater in navy, a mid weight textured cotton knit with a high ribbed neckline, long raglan sleeves, hand applied nautical brooches and a removable printed silk necktie. It is designed for a close fit, which means it sits neatly under the vest. Add the Denim Tailored Pant in night sky, high rise and full length with front pleats, a sailor waistband and gold buttons, for a long line from waist to floor. Finish with the Atelier Mule 35 in mustard, a velvet mule with a square toe and a 35mm soft wedge, made in Italy, which brings a warm accent to the olive shearling.

2. Over tailoring

A shearling vest over a shirt and tailored trousers reads polished, not rugged. Wear the vest open over a white shirt with the collar out, and choose trousers with a crease. A pair of tuxedo trousers works too: our guide on how to wear a tuxedo jumpsuit covers Zimmermann’s Clash tuxedo trousers in yellow, red and olive. With the olive wide leg, the vest makes a tonal look that needs nothing else but gold earrings.

3. Over a dress

Belted over a long sleeved midi dress, a longline vest becomes almost a coat. Keep the belt narrow and fasten it at the natural waist so the shearling does not swamp you. Ankle boots, a fine gold chain, done.

A lighter alternative

Not every vest needs to be shearling. The Clash Drill Drawstring Vest in milk is 100% heavyweight cotton drill with a funnel neck and adjustable drawcord, front flap pockets and welt pockets, nautical rope trims, a drawcord waist and a softly flared hem. It is cut for a relaxed, oversized fit, so it layers over a shirt in spring the way the shearling layers over knits in winter. For tailored waistcoats, see the Clash Linen Scoop Waistcoat and the Valiant Cable Knit Vest.

Does a vest go over pants, and can it be tucked in?

A shearling vest always goes over trousers, never tucked in. It is a jacket, not a top. Lighter waistcoats are different: a fitted tailored waistcoat can be tucked into high waisted trousers as a top, and worn untucked over a shirt as a layer. As a rule of thumb, if the vest has a lining and a structured front, wear it over; if it is fine and fitted, you can tuck it.

What are the rules for wearing a vest?

1. Cover the arms. Sleeves underneath make a vest look like a layer, not an afterthought.
2. Mind the hem. A longline vest should end at the hip to mid thigh. Pair it with a slim bottom, a straight jean, a column skirt, so the long body does not compete with a full leg.
3. One texture at a time. Shearling is a strong texture. Keep the layers underneath smooth: cotton knit, poplin, silk.
4. Leave it open indoors. Shearling is warm; open, it looks relaxed and stops you overheating.
5. Carry a bag on the shoulder, not across the body. A crossbody strap flattens shearling. A shopper carried on the shoulder, like the Cloud 91 Shopper in caramel, nappa leather and suede in a patchwork design, 42cm long with a 25cm handle drop, sits well against the vest.

How should a shearling vest fit?

The Clash Shearling Longline Vest is designed for a regular fit and Zimmermann says it fits true to size. It is offered in letter sizes, XXS to XXL, unlike Zimmermann’s ready to wear, which runs from 0P to 4 (UK 6P to 16). Choose your usual letter size if you plan to wear it over a fine knit. Because shearling has no stretch, check that you can comfortably fasten the hook and eye closures over the thickest layer you plan to wear. If you are between sizes and like to wear chunkier knits, size up. The Zimmermann size guide has the body measurements for each size.

How do you care for a shearling vest?

Shearling is a hide with the wool still attached, so treat it like fine leather, not like a sweater.

• Keep it dry. Shearling does not like rain. If it gets wet, blot with a towel and let it dry flat at room temperature, away from heat.
• Brush the wool. A soft brush lifts flattened fleece and removes surface dust.
• Hang it properly. Use a broad, padded hanger so the shoulders keep their shape, and store it in a breathable cotton garment bag, never plastic.
• Leave cleaning to a specialist. Shearling should be cleaned by a leather specialist. Do not wash it at home and do not use standard dry cleaning.
• Watch perfume and oils. Spray fragrance before you dress, since oils mark the nappa facings.

Our Zimmermann care guide covers more fabrics, and Zimmermann knitwear and coats lists more pieces to layer. Browse Coveti’s designer vests and designer knitwear, and see what else is new on the Zimmermann brand page.

Frequently asked questions

What to wear with a vest jacket?

Wear something with sleeves underneath and something slim below. A fine knit with wide leg jeans, a white shirt with tailored trousers, and a silk blouse with a midi skirt all work under a longline vest.

Are sweater vests still in style?

Yes, and so are other sleeveless layers. A shearling vest is the warmer version of the idea, worn over a fine knit rather than under a jacket.

Does a vest go over pants, and can it be tucked in?

A shearling vest always goes over trousers, never tucked in. A fine, fitted waistcoat can be tucked into high waisted trousers when you wear it as a top.

How to wear vests in 2026?

Wear them long and open over knits and shirts, with a slim trouser below. Zimmermann’s Resort 2027 collection includes a longline lamb shearling vest and a cotton drill drawstring vest.

What are the rules for wearing a vest?

Cover the arms with a layer underneath, keep the bottom half slim, stick to one strong texture, and wear a shearling vest open indoors.

How do you care for a shearling vest?

Keep it dry, brush the wool gently, hang it on a broad padded hanger and store it in a breathable bag. Have it cleaned by a leather specialist, never at home.