XXL: Shearling Madness

From left: Brioni at Mr Porter Shearling Lined Suede Coat, Burberry Prorsum at Mr Porter Shearling Coat, MCQ Alexander McQueen at Harvey Nichols Shearling Lined Coat.

It is quite evident that it’s the time of year where only the biggest, comfiest and softest things will work against the seasonal cold and we are of course not talking about the dreaded “onesie”. The classic shearling coat has seen a slight transformation this season with a few contemporary contenders and we’ve picked our top three luxury options.

The most classic style we have comes from Italian luxury brand Brioni and whilst it’s somewhat traditional in aesthetic, it certainly makes a bold statement. The lining is constructed from a detachable shearling  with a 100% leather calf suede exterior – a true gentleman’s coat.

Burberry Prorsum’s incredibly extravagant offering is this dark green overcoat crafted from 100% lamb’s shearling with an interior of 100% lambs leather. This tailored option is certainly emphatic of the Burberry that we know today – pushing boundaries and giving the world more than just a coat.

Finally there is the classic/contemporary fusion of MCQ Alexander McQueen’s show-stopping piece that features a two-tone shearling collar for a modern take on the traditional taupe exterior. It’s certainly a different take on what the other McQueen [Steve] was known for wearing.

On another woolly agenda, British designer Paul Smith announced recently that he is collaborating with The Woolmark Company for his Spring/Summer 14 Collection and also his Autumn/Winter 14/15 collection that will be showcased in just a few weeks at London Collections: Men. This partnership is based around Merino wool but even he – for his A/W 13 collection – pushed the boundaries of shearling construction with his sheepskin waistcoat for men. In a similar arena, Vivienne Westwood has teamed up with Johnstons of Elgin to produce a collaborative cashmere collection [below] so it certainly seems that we are in no short supply of our favourite woollens this season.

Vivienne Westwood X Johnstons of Elgin