How to Use Your Sheepskin

No, we're not talking about that pricy piece of paper that was supposed to guarantee you security and satisfaction in your career. Instead, we'd like to discuss sheepskin and its unique properties for use as clothing. In case you didn't know, sheepskin is a highly coveted material used in items such as hats, mittens, gloves, boots, and car seats.

Why sheepskin?

If you've worn a sheepskin product, you've noticed it is fine-looking, indeed. But apart from its purely aesthetic properties, sheepskin has some practical, often overlooked advantages, as well. The warmth, of course, can be traced to the insulating properties of the hide and fur. What is not so obvious is that sheepskin is also flame-resistant and it will not conduct static electricity. You can't say the same for those other slippers you have, can you? Ouch!

What else?

Sheepskin is also referred to as lamskin or lambswool, and it specifically means the hide of a sheep, not necessarily including the lustrous, fluffy fur that comes with it. The skins come with varying lengths of wool, all the way from "Bares" (fully shorn), up to 4 inches in length.

Quality usually dictates price, unless, as may be the case, you are paying for a stylish brand. That's okay too, as most reputable brands use quality sheepskin. The critical differences in the caliber of sheepskin are seed scars and visible gaps in the wool. Otherwise known as "seed contamination," this means that the animal had significant scar tissue from wounds that never healed. Often, seed will be present in all but the finest sheepskin products. A little seed should not deter you from buying a product or affect your satisfaction, since small seed cannot be detected without effort.

How do you say "sheep" in French?

Glad you asked. It's "mouton." This style of sheepskin is treated to resemble the slick fur of beavers or seals. The wool is straightened, chemically treated, and then thermally set to create a moisture-repellent finish. Though many colors are available, it is often dyed brown to fully resemble a beaver. It's not the look that is all the rage these days, but it's still a fine product.