Penny Lane Coats: The Afghan Shearling Look, and How to Wear It Now

A Penny Lane coat is a suede coat trimmed with shaggy shearling at the collar, cuffs and hem, named after the character Penny Lane in the 2000 film Almost Famous; the look descends from the embroidered Afghan sheepskin coats of the late 1960s. Shop the shearling jackets, the shearling coats and the vests from Johanna Ortiz Fall Winter 2026.

The shape has come back for winter 2026 in a looser form. Few houses are making the full suede and fur coat; instead, the idea of long, curly pile against smooth leather shows up in jackets, vests and collars. Here is the history, the vocabulary and how to wear it.

A short history

Afghan coats, made from embroidered sheepskin with the fleece worn inside and a long fringe of fur at the edges, travelled west with the late 1960s overland trail and became the coat of the hippie era. In 2000, the costume designer of Almost Famous put Kate Hudson’s Penny Lane in a suede coat with a huge shaggy collar, and the name stuck. Today a Penny Lane coat means suede with long shearling trim; an Afghan coat means embroidered sheepskin.

The vocabulary

The Johanna Ortiz take

Five Alma pieces are, in the house’s words, inspired by the heritage of Afghan shearling and textile craft. Their compositions, from the product pages:

What to buy

1. Johanna Ortiz Long Night Jacket

Long curly Tibetan shearling in ecru: the most direct descendant of the Penny Lane coat in the collection. The house styles it over dresses and light separates.

2. Johanna Ortiz Carefree Vest

Supple suede with panels of long curly pile, smooth against voluminous. Style it over fluid dresses and blouses.

3. Johanna Ortiz Golden Ritual Vest

Luminous lurex jacquard with faux shearling: the evening version, made to layer over knitwear.

4. Johanna Ortiz Fearless Value Vest

Velvet, faux shearling and metallic embellishment. A statement layer over a dress.

5. Nour Hammour Isadora Shearling Coat in Plum

A full length shearling coat in plum, from the Paris based outerwear label.

6. Khaite Rocco Jacket in Black Leather with Golden Rye Shearling

Black leather with a golden shearling collar: the Penny Lane contrast, made sharp.

7. Toteme Silky Shearling Jacket in Ecru

Smooth, silky shearling in ecru for a quieter take.

8. Simon Miller Jetz Faux Shearling Coat in Black

The faux option, in black.

For more styles, see the full shearling jackets edit, and for tailored vests, women’s waistcoats.

How to wear the look now

• Over silk. The house’s own formula: long curly pile over a fluid silk dress, such as the Johanna Ortiz Golden Vibe Dress.
• With a knee boot. Suede and shearling want leather boots; see knee high boots.
• Vest over knit. A shearling vest over a fine knit with wool trousers, such as the Johanna Ortiz Herencia Viva Pant.
• Keep it to one shaggy piece. One curly layer per outfit.

How to care for shearling

Have shearling cleaned by a leather specialist, never in water. Hang it on a broad hanger away from heat, brush the pile gently to keep the curl, and let it dry naturally if it gets wet.

Penny Lane coats around the world

United Kingdom and Northern Europe. Real shearling is a genuine winter coat. United States. The Penny Lane coat is a festival and city staple through fall. The Gulf. Winter evenings are mild, so a shearling vest over a long dress gives the look without the weight.

Frequently asked questions

What is a Penny Lane coat?

A Penny Lane coat is a suede coat with long shaggy shearling trim at the collar, cuffs and hem, named after Kate Hudson’s character in the 2000 film Almost Famous.

What is the difference between a Penny Lane coat and an Afghan coat?

A Penny Lane coat is suede trimmed with shearling; an Afghan coat is embroidered sheepskin with the fleece inside and a fur edge, popular in the late 1960s.

What is curly shearling?

Curly shearling is sheepskin with long, curled wool left on, often from Tibetan and Mongolian lamb.

Is faux shearling as warm as real shearling?

Real shearling is generally warmer and more breathable; faux shearling is lighter and easier to care for.