A shearling jacket or coat will keep you warmer than anything else when it’s really really cold. A top level down jacket or coat will do a good job, but there’s no question than when you want to snuggle in something luxurious and keep toasty warm real shearling does the very best job. 
There’s a lot of ‘faux’ around this season, and some of it is very good indeed, and will also keep you warm, although not quite as warm, and if you don’t want to splash out £500 and up (usually up) then go for faux. The best thing other than the warmth about a real shearling jacket is that it will last, literally, for ever. Having collected quite a few over the years from Icelandic to Merino to Toscana shearling and although they’re all slightly too big, I will never have the need to buy a new one.
The fact that my daughter said I looked like a little old lady in one of my longer, larger shearling coats sailed straight over my head, as she shivered to go out until she gave in and begged for the loan of one which, of course, I gracefully lent.
This season, sheepskin/shearling coats and jackets are everywhere at everything from reasonable to totally unreasonable prices. It’s not essential to spend a fortune as you would at designer level, however buying for longevity is important here as you will be investing quite a lot if you’re buying the real thing. One of the best places for a very good, high quality collection at not un-reasonable prices is Celtic & Co.
Buy a neutral such as black or chocolate which you’ll never tire of unless you have several of these hanging in your coat cupboard already, and choose something that’s long enough to warm your behind as well as your top half if you live somewhere really cold.
Belted sheepskin will make you look bulky so look for something that has a flattering shape and fits you but with enough room so that you can wear a reasonably thick jumper underneath, as you’re bound to want to at some stage.
Bear in mind, when you’re considering investing, that sheepskin is not, however modern the design, a ‘fashion’ item. It will seriously last you for years.
