What Is Stretch Leather?

What Is Stretch Leather?

Leather comes in many different forms. There’s faux leather, for instance, which is a type of synthetic material with an artificial grain. There’s also genuine leather, which consists of natural leather with a real grain. In addition to faux and artificial, however, you may come across stretch leather. Stretch leather is used to make everything from jackets and shirts to trousers, dresses and more. These garments share many of the same qualities as those made of traditional leather — but with a few key differences. What is stretch leather exactly? The Basics of Stretch Leather Stretch leather is any type of leather material that contains at least some amount of an elastic fabric in its construction. Going back to the term’s basic definition, leather consists of animal hide that’s tanned and processed for use in clothing, furniture or other applications. Some types of leather come from sheepskin, whereas others come from lambskin. Regardless, all types of real and genuine leather come from animal hide. There’s still animal hide in stretch leather. Stretch leather, in fact, is made mostly of the same sheepskin or lambskin that’s found in other types of leather. With that said, it contains a second, elastic material in its construction as well. How Stretch Leather Differs From Traditional Leather The difference between stretch leather and traditional leather lies in their respective construction. Traditional leather is made entirely of animal hide. In comparison, stretch leather is made of animal hide and an elastic material. As previously mentioned, stretch leather still consists mostly of animal hide. Stretch napa leather, for example, is constructed primarily of sheepskin with an...
What is Genuine Leather?

What is Genuine Leather?

There has been a lot of confusion about the usage of the word ‘genuine leather’ and on how to define genuine leather, especially in the clothing and accessory industry. Since there are no laws in the US on what products qualify as ‘genuine leather,’ the term is often used ambiguously and misleads customers. Thus, it is important to know what is genuine leather and how to identify products made of genuine leather. How is Genuine Leather Made? When you purchase genuine leather, it does not mean that you are getting the best quality. It simply means that there is some amount of leather in it. Thus, it is important to know what leather you are investing in. Let us know more about what is genuine leather made of. In most cases, genuine leather is nothing but split leather. It means that the inner layer of the animal hide is stripped off. The outer layer of the leather is of the highest quality. The number of layers that can be taken out of the hide depends on the skin’s thickness. A genuine leather layer can also come from the middle layers between the top and suede layers. These differences are based on the position of the hide that the leather is cut from. Many times, manufacturers mix genuine leather with leather scraps or other artificial substances. Quality Genuine leather is used when a product contains some amount of leather, but it does not mean it is of good quality. Only full-grain and top grain leathers are considered to be of high quality. Thus, a product made of genuine leather is not durable or long-lasting...
What is Suede Leather?

What is Suede Leather?

You might have come across the word suede leather a lot of times when looking for leather clothing, but what is suede leather? Suede leather is one type of leather that is made using the underside of the animal skin. It is usually a much softer, breathable, and full-grain leather. Even though the most common animal used is lamb, it is also made of other animals like pigs, goats, calves, and deer. The word ‘suede’ is derived from the term ‘grants de Suede,’ which means gloves of Sweden. In 1859, there were soft gloves produced in Sweden that were comfortable, luxurious, and greatly in demand. With the popularity of the material increasing, the term stuck, and any soft leather with raised fibers came to be known as ‘suede.’ Types of Suede Leather The types of suede leather will depend on the animal hide used for the production of the leather. Some of the most popular types of suede used are: Sheepskin Suede Leather: Sheepskin suede is made of lambs and sheep and is among the softest and the delicate suede leathers out there. It is also the lightest of the different suede leathers.Cowhide Suede Leather: Cowhide is made of older animals making its much tougher among the different suede leathers. This suede leather is thick and highly durable. Pigskin Suede Leather: Pigskin suede leather is also thick and durable. This kind of suede is tough and heavy type. How is Suede Leather Made? There are several different steps that leather has to go through to become suede leather. The process is called tanning and can take anywhere from a...
Everything You Need to Know About Faux Leather: Pros, Cons, and How to Choose, And More

Everything You Need to Know About Faux Leather: Pros, Cons, and How to Choose, And More

If you’re in the market for a new leather jacket, shorts, shirts, pants, or any other leather clothing, you may be considering faux leather. There is a lot of confusion about faux leather. What is it? Is it really leather? How is it different from the real thing?   Faux leather is often used in place of a genuine leather because it is less expensive and easier to maintain. But what are the pros and cons of using faux leather? And how do you tell the difference between genuine leather and fake leather? In this blog post, we will answer all of your questions about faux leather! What is Faux Leather? Faux leather, also known as PU leather, is a synthetic material that is made to look and feel like real leather. It is made from a polyurethane film that is applied to a fabric backing. Faux leather is cheaper than genuine leather, and it does not require the same level of care. Artificial or synthetic leather is known by several names, and one of them is faux leather. So, what is faux leather exactly? The construction of faux leather primarily falls into two categories that include Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC-Vinyl) and Polyurethane (PU). It is primarily used in leather clothes, sofas, upholstery, and chair covers. Faux leather jackets are a great alternative to genuine leather. These are made using artificial materials that are treated with chemicals to give the texture, color, and feel of real leather. There are different styles and designs of faux leather jackets available for both men and women. Due to the way these faux leather jackets are...
7 Common Myths About Leather Skirts Debunked

7 Common Myths About Leather Skirts Debunked

You can’t believe everything you read or hear about leather skirts. Like many fashion garments, they are shrouded in misinformation. Neglecting to separate the facts from the fiction may lead you down the wrong path. If you’re planning to buy a leather skirt, keep reading to learn more about seven of the most common leather skirt myths. #1) All Have the Same Length The length of a leather skirt can vary. Some of them are short, whereas others are long. Generally speaking, leather skirts are available in three lengths: mini, midi and maxi. A mini leather skirt is the shortest. A midi leather skirt, on the other hand, is slightly longer. The longest type of leather skirt is maxi. You can even order a leather skirt in a custom length. There’s no rule, written or unwritten, stating that you must buy a leather skirt in a generic length. With a custom-sized leather skirt, you can specify your desired length. #2) Not Made of Real Leather While you can find leather skirts made of artificial leather, this doesn’t apply to all of them. Most leather skirts, in fact, are made of real leather. They are made of the same high-quality leather as jackets. With real leather, leather skirts are incredibly comfortable to wear. If you’ve ever worn a leather jacket before, you’re probably familiar with the soft and supple texture of real leather. Jackets made of real leather have a naturally soft texture that makes them super comfortable to wear — even for long periods. Leather skirts are made of this same genuine and high-quality leather, so they share made...