Moleskin trousers: what are they?

Often, when winter comes knocking, we layer up in a winter wardrobe of jumpers and coats to try to keep ourselves cosy, but leave our legs to shiver and freeze in the cold by still donning summer chinos and jeans with too thin fabric.

Sadly, you’ll just never keep truly warm if you’re losing heat through your legs. The cold will just creep in from your bottoms and up.

Thankfully, when it comes to keeping warm and comfortable all over, our Schöffel moleskin trousers will make sure your legs aren’t left out. Going back centuries to Mediaeval Europe, moleskin was the go-to for farmers and hunters that needed wind-resistant, durable clothes that safeguarded them against winter chill during the bleaker seasons.

The wisdom of moleskin continues to this day, making it an excellent option for the coming winter.

What is moleskin made from?

If you’re a lover of moles and their snouts, don’t worry! Moleskin is a natural, heavyweight cotton with durable, twilled weaving that is not cultivated from moles in any capacity. The reason for the name relates more to the qualities of the fabric, namely how the lightly brushed surface of the material reminds of mole fur than there being any actual shearing.

Why is moleskin so popular?

Moleskin’s warm, resilient and sleek nature has made it a staple of outdoors’ wear, lending itself excellently to modern cuts and needs. It’s so good at keeping you warm it’s considered the sole exception to the ‘no cotton in the Arctic’ rule for adventurers going into the Arctic.
We also even use this fantastic fabric for our fantastic waterproof breeks range due to its many, natural benefits. See our Women’s and Men's breeks pages.

Men's breeks

Women's breeks

How and when do you wear moleskin trousers?

Traditionally, moleskin trousers are worn in winter. One of the great things about moleskin is that they’re heavy-natured, tight weave keeps the warmth in, making Moleskin trousers perfect for your legs during the colder months. Although, don’t let that tradition stop you from showing off your lovely Schöffel moleskin trousers all year! Due to its high breathability, it’s also suitable for keeping cool in summer as well.

Versatility is another one of the great qualities about Moleskin trousers. Not only does this apply to use, but also wear and style. Our men’s moleskin trousers are smarter than jeans and more robust and luxurious than khakis. They have an excellent, comfortable cut, perfect for a smart casual look with a nice jumper as well as a more formal look for the office or an evening out when paired with our Belgrave Tweed Sports Jacket and fantastic cotton shirt range.

Meanwhile, our ladies’ moleskin trousers options cut an extremely flattering figure and go great with our exclusive-print shirt designs like our Owen William’s shirt selection, making them perfect for casual and formal occasions alike.

How do you wash moleskin trousers?

When it comes to washing moleskin trousers, they’re actually relatively straightforward to care for compared to other fabrics due to their long-lasting and durable nature. While it’s ideal to dry clean moleskin trousers as this helps maintain its shape, all our moleskin trousers are machine washable, making them easy to keep. When washing, it’s recommended you:

Turn clothing inside out
Wash moleskin trousers in cold water on a gentle cycle at max 30 degrees. Use non-biological detergent without a softener.
Hang up to dry so the garment's own weight prevents fabric shrinkage. Do not tumble dry.

If the garment wrinkles after drying, iron on the back of the fabric, aka ‘the wrong side’, with a low setting. Following these instructions will help prevent fading and maintain the integrity of the tight, twilled weave and the shaping of the clothing, keeping your moleskin trousers as good as new for even longer.