If you’re tired of wearing the same pair of jeans day after day, you should consider investing in a pair of leather pants. Made from the same high-end material as leather jackets, it’s the perfect alternative. Unless you’ve shopped for leather pants before, though, you may struggle to find the right pair. To make the process a little easier, we’ve compiled a list of nine tips on choosing the perfect pair of men’s leather pants.
Consider the Purpose
When shopping for leather pants, you should consider the purpose. In other words, why are buying a pair of leather pants? Motorcycle riders, for instance, often prefer leather pants over jeans and other styles. The thick, heavy-duty leather material offers an additional level of protection against injury. While it’s no substitute for actual riding armor, a pair of leather pants can protect against road rash and other forms of motorcycle-related injury. Alternatively, some men wear leather pants to make a fashion statement. If you’re planning a night on the town and want to look your best, a pair of high-quality leather pants can help you achieve this goal by differentiating you from the rest.
The Cut
Just like jeans are available in different cuts, so are leather pants. Boot-cut leather pants, for instance, are characterized by a wider opening around the bottom, allowing you to wear them over boots (or other types of footwear). Boot-cut leather pants such as this are particularly popular during the winter, as millions of men trade in their sneakers for boots. However, boot cut is just one of many cuts from which to choose. Be sure to familiarize yourself with other cuts like skinny, straight leg, relaxed fit, etc. before making a final decision.
Colors
One of the advantages of choosing leather pants over other types of pants is the vast range of colors in which they are made. You can choose from basic colors like brown or black, as well as bold colors like red, yellow and blue. Some leather pants are even designed with two or more colors. Available exclusively here at LeatherCult, the Zod Mix Leather Pants feature two colors in a stylishly unique design. While the default color options are black and white, you can select from 50 different colors. This level of customization isn’t something that you’ll find in other retail stores.
Buttons or Zippers
Of course, it’s also a good idea to consider the type of fly when choosing leather pants. Nearly all men’s leather pants have one of two different types of flies: zipper or buttons. So, which one should you choose? There are obvious differences between buttons and a zipper; however, neither style is “better” than the other. It really depends on your personal style and whether you prefer pants with buttons on the front or with zippers.
Check the Material
Don’t assume that a pair of men’s pants are made of 100% genuine leather just because they are labeled as “leather pants.” Many companies and retailers deceive their customers by marketing non-leather pants as “leather pants.” Faux leather, for instance typically doesn’t have any real leather in it. Instead, it’s made of a synthetic, man-made material. To the unsuspecting shopper, a pair of faux leather pants may look like the real deal, but they lack the attractive appearance and characteristics of genuine leather pants. The bottom line is that you need to check the material to ensure it’s made of 100% genuine leather and not some synthetic material.
Basic or Complex Style
Some leather pants feature a basic style consisting of nothing more than a single color with no other visual elements. Others, however, have a more complex style. The Electric Zipper Combination Leather Pants, for instance, feature more than half a different zippers, two of which are placed directly on the knees. This unique style is guaranteed to turn heads and make you stand out in the crowd. Because of this, you should consider the Electric Zipper Combination Leather Pants to make a bold fashion statement.
Full Length or Half Length
Most men’s leather pants are full length, meaning the legs extend all the way to the bottom of your feet. However, there are alternative styles that stop just halfway. Known half-length leather pants, these are essentially shorts made of leather material. When choosing between full- or half-length leather pants, think about when and how you’ll be wearing them. If you’re planning to wear them during the summer, conventional wisdom should tell you that half-length pants are probably the best choice. On the other hand, full-length leather pants are recommended for the winter and fall months.
Keep in mind, however, that you can wear full-length leather pants year-round. While half-length pants should usually only be worn in the summer (or other times when it’s hot), full-length pants are more versatile, making them the preferred choice among many men.
The Fit
Perhaps the single most important thing to consider when choosing a pair of leather pants is the fit. If you’re lucky, you may find the perfect size, but this usually doesn’t happen. You can scour countless retail stores in search of the right size leather pants, only to walk away away empty-handed at the end of the day. Thankfully, there’s an easier way to find the perfect size. At LeatherCult, we offer custom sizing on all leather pants at no additional charge. You give us your body measurements, and we’ll use those measurements to customize a pair of leather pants to fit just right.
Waistband
Finally, check the waistband when shopping for leather pants. Some leather pants are designed with elastic waistbands, which allow them to stretch. Normally, however, this style is used for lounge pants and not “everyday” pants. Nonetheless, it’s a good idea to check the waistband when choosing leather pants. If you plan on wearing them around the house, an elastic waistband may offer a greater level of comfort.