It’s all about you, shearling!
Embracing the cold with faux & vintage furs
I’ve been working on a project where the client has been very inspired by Ralph Lauren, which means I’ve had the privilege of studying RL’s fashion, ads, and interiors extensively. Coinciding with this blossoming re-obsession (I’ve been obsessed before), is the part of winter where some days are warm enough for a maxi coat to be overkill, which means I’ve been turning to faux fur and suede jackets.
Now, I have to caveat, all of the jackets that I wear in today’s post were gifted to me, not by a brand, but by a friend. Such a gift to know people who love fashion and keep their old coats from past styles!
Fur (faux or real), suede, and leather are all great insulators without the bulk of a puffer coat, making it a great in-between jacket. As a bonus, they add a wow-factor to any outfit. A white t-shirt or simple sweater and jeans is transformed to something just a bit more…a nod to Ralph Lauren, perhaps.
I love how RL has stayed so consistent. But back to the jacket: RL or not, it provides a statement.
And on a practical side, shearling jackets have made a huge resurgence this year in Europe. They started to catch on here, but my bet is they will make a much bigger appearance here next year, which means you’ll be ahead—and you’ll thank yourself come November.
Plus, if you buy at the end of this season, you’ll get one at a much more affordable price. Most of the time it can feel so hard to shop after you did all your holiday shopping less than a month ago, but it will save you money if you buy what you need for next year at this year’s discount.
So, without further ado, my jacket picks for you.
Mango has quite a few and they’re all going quickly:
The far left is the cult one for Europe (sold out multiple times this season); It’s also a much more affordable version of this Toteme jacket (also a brand that is all the rage this year).
And the rest are all fun: top middle, right, bottom middle.
Also, I found this brand in the process of researching shearling jackets for men. The jackets are almost all over $1000, but at least go read the story: started by a man who was a pilot in the military…the US Air Force now sources from them. The company also did the jackets for Top Gun, etc.
But the best place to find a shearling, fur, or suede jacket? Your local flea markets, antique malls, and vintage stores. Trust me. Find something old and give it new life in your wardrobe.
If you made it to the end, would you consider subscribing? It’s free! And it really does support my work as I continue to build my fashion and styling portfolio.