Dyeing my Shearling / Sheepskin Coat

[papertiger]

My coat (below) has become a little bit unevenly faded across the shoulders.

I love the colour but I'm not sure I want to wear it as is. I'm wondering if I can dye the outside.

1. Can anyone suggest a leather dye. It must be available to/in the UK.

I have used TRG on a pair of white platforms I dyed beige with worked quite well. I'm open to other brands.

2. Which colour would you dye it (has to be darker). I was thinking black, dark grey or dark green, perhaps navy, obviously dark teal or something close would be ideal?







TIA

 

[Love Of My Life]

I'd be concerned as to how it would feel once you have treated it.

Does Harrod's provide a cleaning service for your shearling-sheepskin coat & is it worth
it to you to go in that direction, just asking, IYKWIM..

 

[papertiger]

I'd be concerned as to how it would feel once you have treated it.

Does Harrod's provide a cleaning service for your shearling-sheepskin coat & is it worth
it to you to go in that direction, just asking, IYKWIM..

Thanks for posting

Me too, but I have had no problem dying leather shoes in the past with specialist products.

The Harrods website wasn't working yesterday (flickered and finally went to a 404 message) but I'll try again.

I was wondering whether feeding the outside with moisture may bring 'back' the original colour. It wan't faded by the sun as though near a window, so maybe it's just dry. I have plenty of sheepskins but none this colour.

I could also sew up the pockets and wear it inside-out (the Toscana fury-side)

 

[Love Of My Life]

Dying it may further dry it out.
The idea of sewing up the pockets & wearing it inside-out could work
Explore some options & then you'll have thinking to do
Good luck

 

[A bottle of Red]

It's such a pretty color! I think fluffy side out is a good way to go

 

[880]

@cowgirlsboots might know how to dye shearling garments. I personally have had not so great results when I’ve tried DIY.
I think turning the item inside out as per posts above is a good idea

 

[RachelVerinder]

+1 for wearing it inside out. The fluffy side is so pretty…

 

[Bag peace]

It wan't faded by the sun as though near a window, so maybe it's just dry. I have plenty of sheepskins but none this colour.

What a fabulous coat!

I personally wouldn't change the colour. It's so special as it is! I like your idea of feeding it as it may just be dry.

Though I'm comfortable re-dying bags and shoes and have always had good luck with those, I wouldn't risk a coat with a DIY job (especially not one this beautiful). If the conditioning alone isn't enough to restore it, then perhaps seek out a professional restorer to assess the cause of fading and suggest solutions (you mentioned Harrod's already, and there may be others whom you could contact for their opinions and quotes). I'd do that before wearing it inside out, because that furry side may get matted over time if fully exposed to the elements.

Please do update here when you've found a solution.

 

[papertiger]

What a fabulous coat!

I personally wouldn't change the colour. It's so special as it is! I like your idea of feeding it as it may just be dry.

Though I'm comfortable re-dying bags and shoes and have always had good luck with those, I wouldn't risk a coat with a DIY job (especially not one this beautiful). If the conditioning alone isn't enough to restore it, then perhaps seek out a professional restorer to assess the cause of fading and suggest solutions (you mentioned Harrod's already, and there may be others whom you could contact for their opinions and quotes). I'd do that before wearing it inside out, because that furry side may get matted over time if fully exposed to the elements.

Please do update here when you've found a solution.

I will have a go at no-colour moisturising the leather side first.

I know a good leather tailor (Balmain use him) maybe he knows how to restore or know someone who does.

It's quite annoying, one of my most worn sheepskins and 3/4 of the year.

 

[Bag peace]

one of my most worn sheepskins and 3/4 of the year.

I can see why!
Best of luck! Hopefully it's easier to restore than expected.

 

[papertiger]

OK, thin layer of clear leather cream with beeswax on the worst bits CeraVe all over.

Letting it dry.

The finish on the leather is not exactly smooth leather nor nubuck, but like a matte 'velvet-powder' leather so I may have added shine but we'll see.

 

[A bottle of Red]

What a fabulous coat!

I personally wouldn't change the colour. It's so special as it is! I like your idea of feeding it as it may just be dry.

Though I'm comfortable re-dying bags and shoes and have always had good luck with those, I wouldn't risk a coat with a DIY job (especially not one this beautiful). If the conditioning alone isn't enough to restore it, then perhaps seek out a professional restorer to assess the cause of fading and suggest solutions (you mentioned Harrod's already, and there may be others whom you could contact for their opinions and quotes). I'd do that before wearing it inside out, because that furry side may get matted over time if fully exposed to the elements.

Please do update here when you've found a solution.

Did not think about it getting matted but very good point

 

[papertiger]

Getting there (I think).

I am putting the loss of colour from drying out. My opinion is based on the pattern of the less saturated parts and the way it's improving with the leather cream.

The no colour cream seems to have restored the the leather where is was most faded on the sleeves. Now dried, it's come-up to it's former colour and not stained darker.

I used CerVe on the slightly faded part on the front because it was easier to use around the buttons, but that hasn't improved (or not as much). Makes me think I should be using leather cream on my skin LOL

So I'll be having another try on the whole coat, concentrating on the still more faded parts at the front but going over the whole coat as (to me) it must be all a little dry for the edges to be visibly faded.

None of my brown shearlings, suede or leather outer, of similar age (old) have faded this way. So this makes me think blue dyes are more susceptible over time (good to know for our bags).

I will report further.

 

[Bag peace]

I am putting the loss of colour from drying out. My opinion is based on the pattern of the less saturated parts and the way it's improving with the leather cream.

Thanks for reporting back. Did you find the process added any shine to the finish once dried?

So this makes me think blue dyes are more susceptible over time (good to know for our bags).

In my experience this is true. I've had deep blue bags that faded entirely to a hint of blue and I've had to re-dye them. It hasn't happened with other colours.
Also, sort of tangentially, back when I used to dye my hair in rainbow colours, my blue hair dye would fade weekly and need to be re-done, whereas purples, pinks, reds and greens lasted months. <- not sure how applicable that is.

 

[papertiger]

Thanks for reporting back. Did you find the process added any shine to the finish once dried?

In my experience this is true. I've had deep blue bags that faded entirely to a hint of blue and I've had to re-dye them. It hasn't happened with other colours.
Also, sort of tangentially, back when I used to dye my hair in rainbow colours, my blue hair dye would fade weekly and need to be re-done, whereas purples, pinks, reds and greens lasted months. <- not sure how applicable that is.

No change of texture or shine so far