Shearling
Encyclopedia
Shearling is a sheepskin
or lambskin pelt that has gone through a limited shearing
process to obtain a uniform depth of the wool
fibers for a uniform look and feel. Contrary to misconceptions, shearling is not shorn wool; the term refers to the pelt of a yearling sheep that has been shorn only once by the process described above. Shearling garments or footwear are made from the pelts by tanning
them with the wool of uniform depth still on them.
A typical shearling pelt has leather
, or suede
d leather, on one side and shorn fibers on the other side. The fibers of shearling tend to wick away moisture or retain moisture, depending on humidity, and thus a garment or item of footwear made from them tends to be comfortable year round.
Shearling coats have been worn since ancient times throughout Asia and Europe. They remain popular in many countries, although they are made in modern styles. Winter coats may be made of synthetic fabrics with synthetic shearling attached to one side of the fabric, to give the coat a traditional shearling appearance. In recent years, shearling boots have become a popular fashion among young women in much of the world.
Sheepskin
Sheepskin is the hide of a sheep, sometimes also called lambskin or lambswool.Sheepskin may also refer to:* Parchment, a thin material made from calfskin, sheepskin or goatskin** Diploma, originally made of sheepskin...
or lambskin pelt that has gone through a limited shearing
Sheep shearing
Sheep shearing, shearing or clipping is the process by which the woollen fleece of a sheep is cut off. The person who removes the sheep's wool is called a shearer. Typically each adult sheep is shorn once each year...
process to obtain a uniform depth of the wool
Wool
Wool is the textile fiber obtained from sheep and certain other animals, including cashmere from goats, mohair from goats, qiviut from muskoxen, vicuña, alpaca, camel from animals in the camel family, and angora from rabbits....
fibers for a uniform look and feel. Contrary to misconceptions, shearling is not shorn wool; the term refers to the pelt of a yearling sheep that has been shorn only once by the process described above. Shearling garments or footwear are made from the pelts by tanning
Tanning
Tanning is the making of leather from the skins of animals which does not easily decompose. Traditionally, tanning used tannin, an acidic chemical compound from which the tanning process draws its name . Coloring may occur during tanning...
them with the wool of uniform depth still on them.
A typical shearling pelt has leather
Leather
Leather is a durable and flexible material created via the tanning of putrescible animal rawhide and skin, primarily cattlehide. It can be produced through different manufacturing processes, ranging from cottage industry to heavy industry.-Forms:...
, or suede
Suede
Suede is a type of leather with a napped finish, commonly used for jackets, shoes, shirts, purses, furniture and other items. The term comes from the French "gants de Suède", which literally means "gloves of Sweden"....
d leather, on one side and shorn fibers on the other side. The fibers of shearling tend to wick away moisture or retain moisture, depending on humidity, and thus a garment or item of footwear made from them tends to be comfortable year round.
Shearling coats have been worn since ancient times throughout Asia and Europe. They remain popular in many countries, although they are made in modern styles. Winter coats may be made of synthetic fabrics with synthetic shearling attached to one side of the fabric, to give the coat a traditional shearling appearance. In recent years, shearling boots have become a popular fashion among young women in much of the world.