7 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Biker Jacket

7 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Biker Jacket

Not everyone who commutes in the United States uses a traditional car or truck; some prefer motorcycles. Of course, there are several perks to commuting via a motorcycle over a full-sized automobile. For starters, motorcycles are more fuel efficient. According to Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC), the average motorcycle gets approximately 43.5 miles per gallon, while cars get roughly 23 miles per gallon — that’s nearly a 50% difference in fuel economy. Furthermore, motorcycles are more maneuverable, giving riders more freedom over where they park. Whether you currently own a motorcycle or are thinking of buying one, you should update your wardrobe with the right “riding gear.” You won’t see many motorcycle riders wearing cotton t-shirts and cut-off shorts. Instead, they typically wear heavier and more appropriate clothing, including a jacket. Most motorcycle riders will agree that a high-quality jacket is the single most important piece of gear you can buy. Without a high-quality jacket, you’ll be exposed to the elements when riding a motorcycle. So, how do you know which biker jacket is right for you? Here are 7 essential tips to help you find the perfect motorcycle riding jacket. Avoid Windbreakers While a popular choice of outwear for the fall season, windbreakers generally lack the protection needed when riding a motorcycle. After all, the defining characteristic of windbreakers is their lightweight construction, usually consisting of a synthetic material. There’s nothing wrong with wearing a motorcycle jacket made of synthetic materials like polyester, but windbreakers are simply too thin. The thin construction of a windbreaker isn’t going to keep you warm, not will it offer any notable level...
Leather Accessories that Every Woman Should Own

Leather Accessories that Every Woman Should Own

Few textiles offer the same level of versatility as leather.  It’s strong, durable, stylish, and yet it’s still soft and comfortable to wear. Perhaps this is why so many fashion accessories are made of leather. If you’re a woman, you should embrace this centuries-old textile by adding the following accessories to your wardrobe. Leather Belt Arguably, one of the most commonly worn leather accessories is a belt. Most women wear belts for one of two reasons: either to keep their pants secured around their waist, or for added style and aesthetics. Regardless of your reason for wearing one, consider choosing a genuine leather belt. A leather belt is a stylish accessory that’s both functional and attractive. Unlike belts made of other materials, leather offers a naturally stylish appearance that’s simply not found elsewhere. And if you really want to make a fashion statement, you can always choose a studded leather belt, which as the name suggests features rhinestones, jewels or other embellishments. Studded leather belts are a fun alternative to traditional belts. With that said, you should really only wear them if your belt is going to be visible. If your shirt covers your waistline, for instance, your belt will remain hidden, in which case no one will see your studded leather belt. You can still wear one, but it’s not going to enhance or otherwise benefit your appearance. Leather Handbag We can’t talk about must-have leather accessories for women without mentioning handbags. While men typically carry wallets, women carry handbags. Using your handbag, you can store cosmetic products, cash, mobile devices and other small items. Again, you can...
9 Reasons Why You Need a Leather Jacket

9 Reasons Why You Need a Leather Jacket

Jackets are available in dozens of different materials, some of which include wool, cotton, linen, polyester, and various synthetic blends. Each of these materials has its own unique characteristics. Cotton, for instance, is lightweight and soft, while wool is heavier, thicker and more appropriate for cold weather. Of all the different materials in which jackets are made, however, leather is arguably the best all-around choice. If you’re still skeptical of leather jackets, keep reading to learn nine undeniable reasons why you need one. They Protect Your Body From Injury A high-quality leather jacket offers more than just a stylish appearance; they offer tangible protection from physical injury. The thick material creates a padded layer of protection between your body and the outside world. This is why motorcycle riders often wear leather jackets when riding. But whether you’re a biker or not, you’ll reap the benefits of added protection when wearing a leather jacket. This is just one of many reasons why so many people prefer leather jackets over other forms of outerwear. They’ve Been Around for More Than a Century You might be surprised to learn that leather jackets have been around for over a century, with some of the earliest uses dating back to the 1900s, during which they were worn by aviation pilots and crewmen. Back then, airplane fuselages and cockpits lacked climate-controlled features, exposing pilots and crewmen to sub-freezing temperatures at high altitudes. In an effort to keep warm and protect against hypothermia, pilots and crewmen wore thick leather jackets; thus, paying the way for what would latter become known as the leather bomber jacket. By...
Things to Consider When Choosing Leather Pants

Things to Consider When Choosing Leather Pants

Are you looking to buy a new pair of leather pants? Whether it’s your first pair or tenth, there’s no denying the fact that leather pants offer a unique style. You can differentiate yourself from the crowd and sport a fresh new appearance by wearing leather pants. They combine the benefits of leather with traditional trousers to offer a truly one-of-a-kind look. However, there are a few things you should consider when choosing leather pants. The Cut One of the first things to consider when choosing leather pants is the cut. Just like jeans are available in different cuts, so are leather pants. Straight-leg, for instance, is a type of cut that’s characterized by a narrow run through the leg that doesn’t open or otherwise become wider towards the bottom. Straight-leg leather pants are great for elongating your body to create the appearance of a slimmer and more narrow figure. Boot-cut, on the other hand, becomes wider around the bottom, allowing you to wear the pants over your boots (or shoes). Other common types of cuts in which leather pants are made include relaxed fit, loose fit, skinny leg, low rise, high rise and loose fit. The Leather In addition to the cut, you should also consider the type of leather the pants are made of. Just because two styles of pants are made with leather doesn’t necessarily mean they are of equal quality. Some companies use cheap low-grade leather to make their pants, resulting in an equally cheap product. Ideally, you should stick with pants made of 100% genuine leather, such as those offered here at LeatherCult. We...
10 Things You Didn’t Know About Leather

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Leather

Leather is one of the world’s oldest and most popular textiles. It’s used in everything from furniture and clothes to books, wallets and more. Today, we’re going to take a closer look at leather by revealing some things that you may not know about it. It’s Biodegradable Some people assume that leather is bad for the environment, believing it takes hundreds or thousands of years to decompose. In reality, though, leather is fully biodegradable, usually requiring just 20 to 40 years to completely break down when exposed to the appropriate bacteria and/or fungi. In comparison, it takes vinyl materials more than 500 years to decompose. Leather is Hardened Through the Tanning Process Before it’s tanned and processed, leather is actually very soft. So much, in fact, that it’s easy to break — and that’s simply not acceptable when producing jackets, belts, shoes and other common leather products. By tanning it, however, leather becomes harder and more durable; thus, making it acceptable for these and other applications. This is because tanning removes the fat deposits from the animal hide, which are responsible for its softness. So, while it’s not as soft, tanned leather is stronger and more durable than untanned animal hide. Some Types of Leather are Water Resistant Normally, you should keep leather away from water, as it can damage the material by promoting mildew. However, there are certain types of leather that are resistant to water, such as deerskin leather. As the name suggests, deerskin leather is made of deer hide rather than cow hide. This offers several key benefits, one of which is greater resistance to water....