Natural Sheepskin Vest — British Army Jerkin Style
Natural Sheepskin Vest — British Army Jerkin Style
Natural Sheepskin Vest — Locally & Sustainably Sourced
This sheepskin vest is naturally tanned and ethically sourced from a local meat processor, giving new life to a byproduct that would otherwise go to waste. Cut in the tradition of the iconic British Army jerkin — the sleeveless, collarless work vest that kept soldiers warm in the trenches of the Western Front — this piece carries both history and purpose in every stitch. Each vest is unique in hide color, wool length, and texture. A true one-of-a-kind piece that carries the story of where it came from.
From Farm to Hide — The Art of Green Fleshing
One of the most demanding steps in our process is green fleshing — removing the membrane and fat from a fresh, unsalted skin directly after harvest. Unlike conventional processing where hides are salted or preserved first, we work with the skin while it's still fresh, requiring speed, skill, and care. This approach avoids the use of salt to preserve skins in a raw state, reducing environmental impact and keeping the hide in its most natural state from the very beginning. It's labor-intensive work that demands precision.
Naturally Tanned with Tree Bark
Our sheepskins are tanned using traditional bark tanning — an ancient, time-honored process that uses tree bark "tea." Free from synthetic dyes and heavy metals, this method is not toxic. The result is a hide that is naturally supple, breathable, and develops a beautiful character over time — just as the original army jerkins did, worn soft and dark by years of field use.
A Vest Built for Work, Worn for Life
The British Army jerkin of the First World War was not a fashion piece — it was a tool. Issued to soldiers, laborers, and dispatch riders, it was prized for its warmth without bulk, its freedom of movement, and its rugged durability. Our vest honors that lineage. The wool or hair fleece faces inward, trapping warmth against the body, while the bark-tanned leather exterior sheds wind and light rain. It shapes to you over time, molding to your torso for a fit that only gets better with wear.
Every Vest is One of a Kind
Because we source our skins from a local meat processor without selecting for breed, each hide is unique in texture, color, and fiber — from thick woolly fleece to shorter, silkier hair sheep coats. Some vests will have a dense, plush interior; others a flatter, more supple lining. That variation isn't a flaw — it's what makes each piece genuinely bespoke, a rare folk garment rooted in real craft.
How to Wear Your Vest
Warm, breathable, and naturally durable, this vest is perfect as:
- A working layer over a shirt or under a coat in cold weather
- A festival or renaissance fair statement piece
- A rugged outer vest for outdoor work, hiking, or riding
- An heirloom garment that develops character with every wear
Care Instructions
Machine wash cold on a delicate cycle. Air dry in the shade — never in direct sunlight or a dryer. Can be worn in light rain and snow. With proper care, your vest will stay supple and beautiful for years to come.
Sustainably sourced. Naturally beautiful. Made to last.