Not all leather jackets are made of the same quality materials and craftsmanship. Some companies cut corners by using cheap leather — or other materials to mimic the characteristics of leather — as well as low-quality craftsmanship to produce their leather jackets. This results in a lower cost of production, allowing companies to turn a greater profit. Unfortunately, however, it’s the consumer who suffers, as low-quality jackets such as these pale in comparison to their higher quality counterpart. So, if you’re planning to buy a new leather jacket, look for the following signs to ensure it’s high quality.
Genuine Leather Construction
Don’t underestimate the importance of choosing a genuine leather jacket. Even if a jacket is labeled “leather,” it could be made of faux leather, which isn’t really leather at all. Instead, it’s made of a synthetic material that’s designed to look like leather. You can expect to pay more for a genuine leather jacket, but it’s a smart investment that’s well worth the cost. Always check to see what materials a leather jacket is made of before buying it. If it’s not genuine leather, choose a different jacket.
Napa Sheep Skin Leather
Another tell-tale sign of a high-quality leather jacket is the presence of Napa sheep skin leather. Originally coined by Emanual Manasse in the mid-to-late 1970s, Napa sheep skin leather is a special type of leather that’s characterized by its soft temper. When compared to other types of leather, Napa sheep skin is particularly soft and supple, making it an excellent choice of material for use in the construction of jackets and other fashion garments.
It Feels Like Leather
A high-quality leather jacket should feel like leather. When you rub your hands across the surface, it should glide smoothly without crunching or bunching up. Low-quality leather jackets lack this characteristic. Instead of a smooth surface, they have a somewhat rough texture that tends to create a “crunch” noise when you rub it.
Leather and Only Leather
When shopping for a leather jacket, check the tag to see what all materials it contains. Some jackets are made of leather as well as other materials like polyester. Companies often add these extra materials to cut down on the cost of production. But again, it’s the consumer who ends up losing in this scenario. If you’re going to buy a leather jacket, check the tag to make sure it’s made of leather and only leather.
Bold Styles
If you really want to turn heads, consider choosing a bold style leather jacket. In other words, avoid the traditional styles and instead opt for a newer, more visually striking style. The Ricky Stripe Leather Jacket is one such style that’s sure to draw compliments. t features a two-tone color scheme consisting of light red with white strips. The white on red combination naturally contrasts with one another; thus, offering a bold, stylish appearance. You can find the Ricky Stripe Leather Jacket available for sale by clicking the aforementioned link.
Pockets
Check to see whether the jacket contains pockets. And if so, how many pockets it has and where they are located. Normally, pockets are a sign of a high-quality leather jacket. It takes a certain amount of skill and experience to create pockets in a leather jacket without damaging the material. Therefore, you’ll generally only find pockets in high-quality leather jackets, not their lower quality counterparts. The Espanol Timber Brown Brewer Leather Jacket, for instance, features two pockets in the front, one on each side of the chest. It’s a simple yet attractive style that looks great on everyone.
Full Grain
There are several different types of leather, including full grain, top grain and corrected grain. Corrected grain has been buffed and sanded to remove imperfections, resulting in a flat and dull appearance. Top-grain leather is characterized by the removal of a split layer from the top layer, resulting in fewer imperfections but a somewhat plastic-like appearance. The highest quality leather type, however, is full grain. Full-grain leather is characterized by its natural, unaltered state. Without undergoing sanding and buffing, it’s usually a softer and higher quality type of leather when compared to top grain and corrected grain.
Made to Measure
Of course, leather jackets that are “made to measure” typically feature a higher quality construction than traditional “off the rack” jackets. As the name suggests, made-to-measure leather jackets are customized for each individual. Here at LeatherCult, we offer one of the largest selections of made-to-measure leather jackets. You tell us your measurements when ordering, and we’ll use those measurements to ensure your new jacket fits just right.
Comfort
How does the leather jacket feel when you are wearing it? This is another indication of its quality. A high-quality leather jacket should feel soft and comfortable, whereas low-quality jackets are more rough and rugged. This is because high-quality leather jackets are designed with premium full-grain leather. In comparison, low-quality jackets are designed with cheap top-grain or corrected-grained leather.
Return Policy
Does the vendor from whom you are buying the leather jacket offer returns? If not, you should consider choosing a different vendor. Conventional wisdom should tell you that reputable vendors offer returns on their products. This doesn’t apply strictly to leather jackets. This applies to all sales of consumer products. Unless the vendor is trying to take advantage of you, they should allow you to return the product within a certain amount of time from the date of purchase. So, if a vendor doesn’t allow returns on their leather jackets, avoid buying from them and instead choose a different vendor.
Remember, not all leather jackets are made of the same quality materials and craftsmanship. If you want your leather jacket to last, you need to check its quality. Referring to the criteria listed here should help you distinguish between low-quality and high-quality leather jackets.