What is Napa Leather?

What is Napa Leather?

If you’ve done any shopping for leather jackets, shirts, pants or other leather products, you may come across some terms like “Napa.” Based on the name alone, it’s next-to-impossible to determine what exactly Napa leather really is. Is it from California’s Napa Valley? Maybe it refers to the leather’s color? While both of these options make sense, neither are correct. So if you’re still trying to wrap your head around Napa leather, keep reading to learn more about this unique, highly coveted style of leather. Napa Leather: the Basics Napa leather is a special high-end type of leather that’s characterized by a soft, chrome-tanned appearance. Also known as aniline leather, It features subtle pigmentation that really enhances its appearance. Some people assume that all leather is the same, but this statement couldn’t be further from the truth. Leather is available in several different qualities, with Napa ranking among the highest. It’s elegant, sophisticated, stylish, and offers all of the attractive characteristics that make leather such a popular and prized textile for use in jackets and clothing. Regardless of your personal style, you’ll appreciate the innate beauty of Napa leather. It’s important to note that Napa leather is open-pored, meaning it has a porous surface that is constantly absorbing and releasing moisture from the surrounding environment. When exposed to a humid environment, it will absorb moisture from the air. But when exposed to a dry and arid environment, the opposite happens: it releases moisture into the air. Don’t worry, this process is completely normal and should cause no reason for concern. Just remember to store your Napa leather in a...
Answering Your Questions About Leather Jackets

Answering Your Questions About Leather Jackets

Whether you currently own or are thinking of owning a leather jacket, you probably have some questions about this stylish garments. Today, we’re going to tackle some of the most common questions surrounding leather jackets. How do I Keep the Sleeves Rolled Up? This is an all-too-common question that both men and women ask about leather jackets. And with the summer season officially here, it’s particularly relevant. When the temperatures begin to warm, you may want to roll up the sleeves on your leather jacket to stay cool and comfortable. Well, it’s important to note that some leather jackets won’t have this problem. If the sleeves are slim and your arms (particularly biceps) are big, you can probably roll up the sleeves without worrying about them falling down. If this isn’t an option, however, try using invisible dress tape inside the sleeves to hold it in place. This is a quick and easy (and cheap) solution that should work perfectly. Other people have reported success using safety pins to hold their sleeves up, although this isn’t recommended since it requires you to pierce the leather. How do I Fold a Leather Jacket? Most people will rarely (if ever) fold their leather jacket. Hanging it on a clothes hanger is the preferred method for storage, as it preserves the original shape and integrity of the jacket while protecting it from common forms of damage. But if you’re traveling for business or leisure, you may need to fold your leather jacket. So, what’s the best way to fold a leather jacket? If you asked ten different people this question, you would...
8 Things You Didn’t Know About Leather Jackets

8 Things You Didn’t Know About Leather Jackets

While most leather jackets are made of cow’s hide, this isn’t the only material using in their construction. It’s not uncommon for antelope, deer, lamb or sheep hide to be used in leather jackets. Different hides offer different characteristics and qualities, which is why some men and women prefer alternatives to cow’s hide. Sheep hide, for instance, is softer and more supple, making it ideal for people with sensitive skin. Of course, there’s a reason why cow’s hide is the single most common material used in the construction of leather jackets: it’s strong, durable, comfortable and versatile. So if you can’t seem to choose between the different hides, stick with a leather jacket made of cow’s hide just to be on the safe side. World War II Leather Jackets Although they’ve been around for decades prior, it wasn’t until World War II when leather jackets really became popular. This was due to the fact that Air Force crew members were given leather jackets to help stay warm at high altitudes. Known as “bomber jackets,” they played a pivotal role in keeping pilots and other crew members warm during long flights at high altitudes. Even after the war was over, however, these leather bomber jackets remained popular and iconic garment in the world of fashion. Today, the bomber jacket continues to top the list as being one of the most popular styles of men’s jackets. Specialty Motorcycle Leather Jackets You might be surprised to learn that there are leather jackets designed specifically for motorcycle riders. Although they look similar to regular leather jackets, there are a few major differences that...
6 Awesome Hacks for Leather Jackets

6 Awesome Hacks for Leather Jackets

Leathers jackets offer a unique style that’s simply not available in other forms of outwear. They posses the perfect combination of aesthetics and functionality, making them the preferred choice among many men and women. Leather jackets can be dressed up or dressed down, depending on the occasion and your preference. You can wear them when running errands around town, or you can wear them when attending a formal or semi-formal event. The same cannot be said for other jackets and coats, making leather jackets truly unique and one of a kind. But there are ways to enhance the utility of a leather jacket even further, some of which we’re going to discuss in today’s blog post. So if you’re looking to maximize the utility of your leather jacket, keep reading for some essential tricks and hacks. While you may already know some of them, there are others that will probably surprise you. Preserve the Color Leather jackets, like all garments and accessories made of genuine leather, have a tendency to fade over time. While this typically doesn’t cause any direct damage, it can minimize the jacket’s luster and “glow.” The good news is that you can protect your leather jacket from this phenomenon by limiting its exposure to sunlight. Sunlight contains powerful ultraviolet (UV) rays that speed up the process of fading. Therefore, limiting your jacket’s exposure to sunlight will naturally preserve its color. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you should avoid wearing it outdoors on a sunny summer day, rather you should keep it stored in a closet where there’s little-to-no sunlight. This will go a long ways...