What Is a Sherpa Jacket?

With the arrival of fall has also come the cold weather. Again, it's time to update things in the closet, and many people will think about buying new clothes or start wearing warm jackets at this time. Want to change your usual jacket or coat for something more original? Pay attention to coats made of sherpa—a dense warm material with artificial fur on the front side.

But surely many people find the word 'sherpa' unfamiliar and are not sure what this style of jacket is. What is sherpa fabric and what is it used for in tailoring? Now let's understand together what a sherpa jacket is.

Sherpa fleece has become a popular fabric option due to its warmth and comfort. Now is the perfect time to enjoy the warmth and versatility of Sherpa fleece. But what is this fabric? It's a soft, thick material with a high pile on one side and a smooth knit on the other, reminiscent of the wool coat of the Sherpa people of Nepal.

The creation of Sherpa began in the XIX century in Great Britain. The name has a rather interesting history. The fact is, the Sherpa coat is named in honor of the Sherpa people living in the Himalayas. Sherpas are known for their mountaineering skills and their ability to withstand harsh weather conditions. Sherpa fleece was designed to mimic the warmth and comfort of traditional Sherpa clothing.

The idea to make such a fabric came about because of the high cost of natural fur. Sherpa fleece is a popular fabric that is widely used in various items of clothing and accessories. It is a synthetic material made from polyester fibers and has a soft, fluffy texture. The fabric is made by weaving two layers of polyester fibers together. One layer is smooth and the other is textured and fluffy. The fluffy layer is then combed to create a soft, fuzzy surface that resembles wool. This creates air pockets in the fabric that help retain heat and keep you warm. Sherpa fleece is known for its warmth, comfort, and durability, making it an ideal choice for winter clothing.

The fabric has the following set of characteristics:
good water resistance;
low air permeability;
noticeable rectifiability;
hygroscopicity is from 1 to 5%.

Sherpa can be dyed in almost any shade, but the most popular colors are: black, white, red, green, gray, and brown. Sherpa allowed people with different income levels to wear fur products. And such products are not always bought by people with a limited budget. Sherpa enjoys a fairly wide popularity among famous fashion houses.

It is versatile and can be used in various garments such as jackets, vests, sweatshirts, sweaters, and blankets.

Sherpa has found widespread use in the fashion industry due to its unique properties. Especially popular have become jackets with sherpa lining, which provide excellent protection from the cold. In addition to thermal qualities, sherpa gives products a high degree of comfort and coziness, which is especially appreciated in the cold season. It is also used in accessories such as hats, gloves, and scarves. Sherpa fleece is available in a variety of colors and patterns, from solid colors to prints, making it easy to incorporate into your closet.

In addition to clothing, sherpa is used in the production of various accessories and home textiles, such as plaids and pillows, due to its softness and warmth. But its use is especially important in the creation of winter products, where, in addition to warmth, appearance is also important. Sherpa fleece, which is also often used for this purpose, adds extra softness and warmth to products, making it an ideal choice for a winter closet.

The name Sherpa itself comes from the name of an indigenous people of Tibetan origin. Sherpas lived in Tibet but later settled in Nepal. “Sherpa” means ‘people from the east’ in Tibetan. A people of Eastern Nepal who inhabit the Mount Jomolungma area, as well as in India. They call themselves Sharkhombo and are descendants of Tibetans who crossed the Himalayan range in the Middle Ages. According to a census at the beginning of the 21st century, these people number just over 150,000. They are well aware of the mountainous terrain and because of the peculiarities of the climate have long worn things made of sheep's wool. As mountaineering gained popularity in the world, the culture of the mountain people also spread to other countries.

Although the Sherpas wore things made of natural materials, Sherpa cloth was always synthetic. The British were the first to produce it in the late 19th century. Sherpa was one of the first experiments in the production of artificial fabrics, was immediately recognized as a success, and began to gain popularity rapidly. Later, in the 1970s, the American company of decorative fabrics Collins & Aikman became the leader of the production - in fact, it registered the name of Sherpa fabric as its trademark. To date, the most productive producers of this synthetic fabric have become China and South Korea.

Recently, things made of sherpa have begun to gain new popularity. Jackets, hoodies, and hybrid sweatshirts have become one of the most desirable artifacts in the closet of admirers of street style. First of all, this can be explained by the fact that outdoor aesthetics has ceased to be part of the mountaineering community and has become one of the main trends of recent years.

Sherpa clothes can be combined with anything (except suits): jeans, casual pants, or sweatpants. A great alternative to classic hoodies and sweatshirts - things made of this fabric will make the image relaxed, and its warming properties are perfect for the off-season. Here are a few sherpa pieces to get you started with this style.

Things made of sherpa look great not only in hiking but also in urban looks. They are easy to mix with each other, and most importantly - they are very warm, which is especially important in fall and winter outfits.

Sherpa can be worn in several ways. There are several outfit ideas you can try out with your Sherpa. It all depends on how brave you are and how far you are willing to go. In short, you have the freedom of choice when it comes to sherpa outfit ideas. Here, we will focus on what you can wear a zippered Sherpa jacket with. You can make many changes to these ideas to achieve the look you want. The Sherpa jacket is more like a denim jacket, which goes well with different outfits and is suitable for many occasions.

Winter look with a full-length zippered Sherpa jacket
If you want to create a winter look with a full-length zipper sherpa jacket, here's how you can do it. Choose your favorite solid-colored top. It can be anything from a blouse with sleeves to a revealing top. Keep it simple and choose a bright color that brings it to life. Something like red or pink would be ideal. Once your inside is in place, grab a pair of tight-fitting pants.

For tights, choose a bright color that emphasizes authenticity. Blue or black would be the best choice. If you don't have them in your closet, you can wander a bit and choose gray or brown colored pants. To complete the look, add heavy leather or suede boots that will exquisitely emphasize the feminine look. A zippered Sherpa jacket and boots will go well together. If you want to add a little extravagance, a hat will do the trick.

This look is best suited for cold weather. You can use it in winter and spring, as well as on those cold nights when you decide to go for a walk outdoors.

Women's hooded sherpa jacket and dress
Looking good requires innovation, and wearing a women's Sherpa jacket with a dress is the ultimate definition of innovation. It doesn't take much to bring this outfit to life. Put on your favorite dress of any color and wear a hooded Sherpa jacket. The best dress to pair with a sherpa jacket is a solid color, and you can wear a short dress of the length you want. In fact, the shorter the better because a shorter dress length leaves a lot of scope for fashion changes.

So, your simple short dress and hooded sherpa are good for you. Next, you need to find comfortable high-heeled shoes that will make you exude confidence and emphasize the brevity of the dress you are wearing. The cherry on the cake will be a shoulder bag that will liven up the whole look and create an adventurous party mood.

You can wear this look to an evening or night event in cooler weather. Whether you choose to zipper the jacket or leave it unzipped, it will still look great and stunning. Pose for photos and enjoy your evening in this special outfit.

Given that sherpa clothing is made from more than one fabric, many people probably don't know how to properly clean and care for it. Let's take a look at how sherpa should be cared for.

Care of products made of sherpa fabric requires following certain recommendations to preserve their original appearance and functional qualities for a long time. First of all, it is important to wash Sherpa products in a soft mode, using cold or warm water to prevent shrinkage and damage to the fibers. It is recommended to use mild detergents designed for delicate fabrics and avoid bleaches and aggressive chemicals that can harm the material. After washing, products should be dried in a straightened form, avoiding direct sunlight and high temperatures, which will help prevent color loss and change in the texture of the fabric.

In addition, when caring for Sherpa, it is important to avoid frequent use of strong heat, such as hot air from a hair dryer or high ironing temperatures, as this can cause shrinkage and loss of softness of the fabric. If it is necessary to freshen the item or remove small dirt, it is better to use a soft-bristled brush or vacuum cleaner on minimum power. Observance of these simple rules will help to preserve the appearance and quality of your sherpa clothing for many years, providing warmth, coziness, and comfort in the cold season.