13 shearling jackets for bracing the cold in this winter

October 26, 2020

A shearling jacket is a must-have for your autumn winter wardrobe – not only are they super warm, they’re right on trend and come in a huge range of styles, too.

Originally, ‘shearling’ referred to leather from a sheep with the wool left on. It was an extremely effective material for keeping warm in pre-central heating times, and while you will find real shearling jackets in a vintage store, the ones you’ll find on the high street today will be predominantly faux, or borg, as it’s technically called. In some places, you might find faux shearling jackets referred to as teddy jackets, for the material’s resemblance to the fur of a teddy bear.

With the nomenclature clarified, let’s talk styles. Because of the historical use of shearling in American Air Force pilots uniforms, borg lends itself well to aviator style jackets, and there are plenty of those available on the high street right now. Or for a truly cosy vibe, go full on faux shearling – the below options from Monki, Mango and Fat Face are all super chic ways of sporting the ‘teddy’ look.

For a more subtle nod to the trend, try a faux shearling-trimmed jacket, where you’ll see borg pop up on cuffs and collars, such as on the below & Other Stories number.

To help you get started on your quest for The One, we’ve found 13 of the best shearling jackets on the high street right now – from Topshop and Zara to John Lewis and Mint Velvet – starting from just £58.