Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Kings 1:8

"And they answered him, He was a hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite." — 2 Kings 1:8 (ASV)

An hairy man — This is either an allusion to his shaggy cloak of untanned skin or, more probably, an expression describing the prophet’s physical appearance: his long, flowing locks, abundant beard, and general profusion of hair. His costume was that of a thorough ascetic. Generally, the Jews wore soft and comfortable girdles of linen or cotton material. Under the girdle, they wore one or two long linen gowns or shirts, and over these, they sometimes had a large shawl. Elijah had only his leather girdle and his sheepskin cape or “mantle.”