zibeline

Zibeline is a term used in fur and textile contexts to describe either the sable fur and the cloth fashioned from it, or, more broadly, a soft woolen fabric that imitates fur. The name comes from French zibeline, which in turn derives from Italian zibellino, meaning sable. In English, the term has been used since at least the 18th century to denote both the fur and the cloth that imitates or is designed to evoke the look of sable.

Historically, zibeline fur is dense, long-haired, and valued for warmth and sheen. Garments such as coats, capes, and stoles were cut from sable pelts or from fabrics intended to reproduce the fur’s texture. The textile zibeline can be produced from wool or wool blends and is finished with a soft nap and a subtle luster that resembles fur.

Today, zibeline commonly refers to wool- or synthetic-based fabrics that imitate the fur’s hand and appearance, used for outerwear and accessories. Real sable-derived zibeline fur remains rare and regulated due to the animal’s conservation status, while faux zibeline offers an animal-friendly alternative. The term is sometimes used more broadly in fashion to describe rich, fur-like fabrics rather than strictly genuine sable.