It’s winter in Dubai, well, our version of it. Here in the UAE, the mercury dips just enough for a cardigan in the evening, but not nearly enough to justify a full wardrobe rotation. No, we are not reaching for heavy coats or thermal layers, but we do crave the mood of winter, especially the stylistic cues, the textures, the layered outfits. Year after year, we find the chicest ways of nodding to cold-weather style without pretending we live anywhere near snow. This year, that gesture arrives in the form of shearling trims — soft, sculptural borders of texture that frame dresses and tops with a quiet hint of coziness.
Far from the heavy coats of European winters, these pieces capture the idea of warmth rather than its practical function. They echo the history of shearling as a material rooted in utility. Shearling carries a long and fascinating history. It began as a material built for survival, worn by pilots, explorers, and workers in unforgiving climates. Over the decades, it evolved into a visual symbol of cool, appearing in seventies jackets and then resurfacing in the quiet luxury of the nineties. What designers are doing with it now feels like a new chapter. Instead of full panels or bulky linings, the material appears as precise accents placed along hems, seams, cuffs, and necklines. It is used with intention, almost like a sculptural detail that brings dimension to a silhouette.
In the Middle East, this treatment feels uniquely relevant. Winter dressing here is about creating a mood rather than combating the cold, and shearling trims capture that perfectly. They give garments a sense of seasonal character without weighing them down. They reference the memory of winter without demanding practicality. A crisp mini edged with shearling feels like a quiet nod to an alpine fantasy. A sleek top framed with plush texture becomes a conversation between softness and structure.
Most importantly, these trims have a transformative effect. A dress that begins its life as something casual suddenly feels evening-appropriate once that soft border is introduced. A simple black top acquires new depth under warm restaurant lighting. The tactile quality of shearling brings an element of drama that remains controlled and refined. It is an instant elevation, the kind of detail that turns a basic silhouette into something party-ready.
The trend resonates because it plays with contrast. Minimal lines set against tactile texture. Warm climate dressing enriched with cold weather symbolism. Daytime pieces that shift into night simply through the presence of a single material. They add cosiness without heaviness, elegance without effort, and a subtle glamour that catches the eye without overpowering the garment.
