10 Surprising Facts About Leather Jackets

10 Surprising Facts About Leather Jackets

The leather jacket is a classic, timeless choice of outerwear that’s preferred by millions of men and women throughout the world. While most people are familiar with the general concept of a leather jacket — a thick jacket made of animal hide — there are probably some things you don’t know about it. Not All Leather Jackets are Made of Cow’s Hide When you think of leather, you probably assume it’s made of cow’s hide. After all, the majority of genuine leather jackets are in fact made of this natural material. Cow’s hide leather is soft, supple, durable and comfortable. These characteristics make it an ideal choice for use in the construction of jackets and other apparel. With that said, some leather is made of different materials, such as antelope, deer, sheep and lamb hide. While similar to cow’s hide, these alternative choices have unique characteristics. Leather Jackets are Worn for Safety Leather jackets aren’t worn strictly for style and comfort; they are also worn for safety purposes. Motorcycle riders, for instance, often wear them to reduce the risk of bodily injury during an accident. If a motorcycle rider crashes, he or she could sustain serious, potentially life-threatening injury without the right protection. A leather jacket isn’t a fool-proof means to protect against all crash-related injury, though it can certainly reduce the risk of injury. It creates a thick barrier of protection between the rider’s body and the asphalt/pavement. This is one of the reasons why you see so many motorcycle riders wearing leather jackets. More Colors than Brown Brown has long been the de-facto standard color for leather...
Men’s Leather Jacket Trends to Watch in 2017

Men’s Leather Jacket Trends to Watch in 2017

There’s no denying the fact that leather jackets are a timeless, stylish choice of men’s outerwear. With origins dating back to World War II, they embody a certain uniqueness that’s found elsewhere. Perhaps this is why leather jackets remain one of the most popular styles of jackets, even after all of those years. Regardless, you really can’t go wrong with a genuine 100% leather men’s jacket. But like all areas of fashion, it’s important to familiarize yourself with current trends. Some leather jacket styles are slowing going the way of the dinosaur, while others are becoming more popular. So, what leather jacket trends can you expect to see more of this year? Black Leather Black leather isn’t a new option. On the contrary, companies have been producing leather jackets and other leather goods in black for decades now. With that said, there’s been a growing trend towards the use of black leather jackets. There’s just something naturally appealing with black leather. Traditionally, leather has been made in brown, tan and beige colors. All three of these colors are excellent choices, especially if you plan on wearing similar-colored footwear. However, black is a viable alternative that men should consider when choosing a leather jacket. Black leather jackets offer a slightly more formal appearance, making them ideal for the workplace. Furthermore, they tend to age more gracefully than their brown counterparts, which is another reason why they are preferred. Bomber Jacket If you keep up with leather jacket styles, you may notice an increase in the number of bomber jackets. As the name suggests a leather bomber jacket is the same...
Guide to the Different Types of Leather

Guide to the Different Types of Leather

From coaches and recliners to shoes, belts, jackets and more, leather is used to produce a wide variety of consumer goods. The term “leather” refers to a flexible and durable material created with tanned animal skin and hide. While most leather is created with cow’s hide, other leather is created with sheep, goat or other animal hide. The animal from which the leather is made will affect its quality and characteristics. While most people are familiar with the general concept of leather, few know about the different types. To learn more about the different types of leather, including terminology, keep reading. Chrome-Tanned Leather Not to be confused with the color chrome, chrome-tanned leather is a special type of leather that’s characterized by its use of chromium salts during the tanning process. When compared to vegetable-tanned leather (see below), it’s typically softer and more pliable, making it the preferred choice among many consumers. Some people refer to chrome-tanned leather as “wet blue” in reference to its color (it looks blueish). With that said, chrome-tanned leather is available in many different colors, only one of which is blue. It’s easy to make and readily available, with reports indicating that roughly 80% of the world’s leather consists of chrome-tanned leather. Vegetable-Tanned Leather As the name suggests, vegetable-tanned leather is a type of leather that’s made using the tannins and other natural ingredients found in vegetables. During its production, vegetable matter such as bark, wood, leaves and fruit are added during the tanning process; thus, facilitating the drying and tanning. Vegetable-tanned leather typically has a brown color, though tones may vary depending on...
Is a Leather ‘Bomber’ Jacket Right for Me?

Is a Leather ‘Bomber’ Jacket Right for Me?

If you’re looking to upgrade your wardrobe with a new jacket, you should consider a leather jacket. Made from the tanned animal hide (usually cow’s hide or sheep hide), leather jackets offer an unmatched level of aesthetics, durability and overall quality that’s simply not found in jackets made of other materials. Perhaps this is why they remain a popular choice of outwear. About the Leather Bomber Jacket But there are dozens of leather jacket styles from which to choose, including the traditional bomber style. Also known as a leather flight jacket, a leather bomber jacket is a type of outerwear originally created for military pilots and crewmen. According to Wikipedia, the bomber jacket has origins dating back to World War I, a time during which airplanes lacked enclosed cockpits and internal heating. As such, pilots and their crewmen often battled extreme cold temperatures when flying at high altitudes. So, in order to keep warm and comfortable, the United States Army established the Aviation Clothing Board — an organization designed specifically for creating and distributing leather jackets to pilots and crewmen. Known as bomber jackets, they typically features a fur-lined interior, high-rise collar, zippers with wind flaps, and snug cuffs and waists. So, what made the leather bomber jacket such a perfect choice of outwear for pilots and crewmen? While there were many other forms of outerwear available at this time, the leather bomber jacket was unique in its ability to provide an exceptional level of warmth and comfort. Cotton, wool, silk and other fabrics lacked the warm and heat-insulation properties of its leather counterpart. Therefore, the Aviation Clothing Board...