I'm so incredibly confused: sherpa at the Gap?

I have literally NEVER seen this referred to as "sherpa' before. If they'd said sherpa fleece I guess I would have let it pass as an adjective for the "fleece" part, but just referring to it as "sherpa" gave me pause....is it made of sherpas? (or is that "sherpi"?)

8 years ago

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

it could be my area of the world, too. I would refer to the posted fabric as simply "fleece".

8 years ago

Sisi

Veteran

Sherpa?! This must be the last invention of designers to name a fabric. For me as well the "sherpa" is the local inhabitant of Nepal that guides climbers-explorers in their mountain treks.

8 years ago

LaPed

Veteran

Yep, it's a type of polyester fleece, basically faux shearling. Not sure how this type of fleece ended up being labeled "sherpa" but it's a pretty common moniker and has been around for quite a while. Possibly Polartec/Malden Mills or one of the other "big" fleece manufacturers is to blame, but I honestly don't know. In any case, it seems to be having a trendy moment this year, especially as a lining for jacket collars/hoods -- feels very 90s-retro to me.

8 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

What Emily K said. Sherpa is a widely used fabric term. Does not look like polar fleece. It's nubby and textured.

8 years ago

Laura G

Veteran

I totally get the confusion. It's another from-thin-air marketing word.

I've always worn pima cotton when I could find it, for the softness. When "Supima" cotton appeared on the market, I avoided it for years until I discovered it *was* pima cotton. They just decided to give it a name they could trademark.

8 years ago

binkle

Veteran

Not a new term (to me). I was wondering where you are located and saw Seattle in your profile. Doesn't everyone there wear Patagonia? (just pulling your leg a little - no offense). Did a quick search of sherpa and a lot of items showed up.

8 years ago

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

Binkle! That's the thing...I almost thought that Jenava MUST be joking. Here in Seattle, I think we are the connoisseurs of all things fleece!

8 years ago

Anonymous

I suspect that they want people to know that it is not shearling, an animal product.

8 years ago

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