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 jackets — and for good reason. Most leather is naturally brown after it is produced, so companies don’t have to perform any additional work to make it “ready to sell.” Furthermore, brown is a classic color that’s easy to match with other styles and outfits. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that brown is the only color in which leather jackets are made. As you can see from shopping here on our website at LeatherCult, we offer leather jackets in dozens of different colors, ranging from traditional brown and tan to black, white, red, blue, yellow and virtually any other color you can think of.
Different Latching Mechanisms
You’ll also notice that leather jackets feature different latching mechanisms. Some feature a single long zipper on the front, which you can zip or zip down. Others feature buttons on the front (see below for example). So, which latching mechanism should you choose? It really depends on your personal preference. Some people prefer the ease of use associated with zippers, while others prefer the unique appearance of buttons. Either way, both of these latching options are perfect for a leather jacket.
You Can Wear Them Year-Round
Some people assume that leather jackets can only be worn during the cold fall and winter seasons, but this isn’t true. While leather jackets are perfect for these otherwise chilly months, they are also ideal for use during the spring and summer — assuming you choose the right type. A thick leather jacket with a fur-lined interior, for instance, probably isn’t the best choice for this time of year. The fur-lined interior provides additional warmth and insulation, making it ideal for the fall and winter. For the spring and summer, however, you should stick with a lighter leather jacket that doesn’t have a fur-lined interior.
Leather Jackets Offer a Timeless Style
When you buy a new jacket — or any garment of clothing — you should choose a style that’s currently trending. If the style goes out in just a few years or months, you’ll probably have to stop wearing it and replace it with a new style. Thankfully, this isn’t a problem with leather jackets, as they offer a timeless style that’s here to stay. For more than a century, leather jackets have remained a popular style of outerwear. There’s no signs of this trend slowing down anytime soon, either. The classic elements and visual style of leather jackets is simply unmatched by other forms of outerwear.
Buying a Leather Jacket is an Investment
You have to think of a leather jacket as a financial investment. And like all financial investments, you’ll get what you put into it. So, while purchasing a new genuine leather jacket may require some initial monetary investment, it pays off in the long run. A new genuine leather jacket will keep you comfortable, stylish and looking your best for years to come. But if you purchase a cheap jacket made of synthetic “faux” leather instead, it will likely degrade. This is why you should spend the extra money on a genuine leather jacket instead of the cheap faux leather jackets.
Available in Single or Double-Breasted
Leather jackets are available in both single and double-breasted styles. In case this is your first time hearing these terms, let me explain: single-breasted is a style of coats and jackets that’s characterized by a narrow overlap of fabric and a single column of buttons. In comparison, double-breasted is a style of coats and jackets that’s characterized by a wider overlapping of fabric and two parallel columns of buttons. Other than that, there’s really no difference between the two. Therefore, you should choose the style that you believe looks best. Some people prefer single-breasted leather jackets, while others prefer double-breasted.
Leather Jacket are Easy to Maintain
Aside from their visual appear and aesthetic benefits, another reason why so many people prefer leather jackets over other forms of outerwear is their ease of maintenance. Assuming it’s 100% genuine leather and not fake/faux leather, it really doesn’t require any special maintenance other than an occasional spot cleaning.
These are just a few fun and interesting facts about leather jackets. If you’re ready to invest in one, click here to begin shopping. LeatherCult is one of the world’s leading suppliers of high-end leather jackets and accessories.