Are you looking to take your fashion game to the next level? If so, you should consider investing in a leather waist coat. Also known simply as a leather vest, a leather waistcoat is a sleeveless jacket that’s characterized by a leather construction. They are made of the same leather material as traditional leather jackets. The only real difference is that leather waist coats are sleeveless, whereas leather jackets have sleeves. While wearing a leather waist coat may sound difficult, you can create a stylish and fashionable look by following these seven simple tips.
#1) Go For Genuine Leather
Don’t assume a waist coat is made of leather just because it’s labeled as a “leather waist coat.” Like with leather jackets, some leather waist coats are made of a synthetic material that’s designed to look and feel like real leather. Known as faux leather waist coats, they typically cost less than those made of real leather. But this is a case in which the saying “You get what you pay for” rings true. You may save a few bucks by purchasing a faux leather waist coat, but you won’t reap the full benefits of genuine leather and everything it has to offer.
#2) Wear the Right Shirt or Top With It
If you’re going to wear a leather waist coat, you need to wear the right shirt or top with it. Contrary to what some people believe, you shouldn’t wear a shirt or top in the same color as your leather waist coat. If you wear a black shirt with a black leather waist coat, the two garments will seemingly blend together to create an awkward-looking outfit. Instead, you should choose a shirt or top in a color that contrasts with the color of your leather waist coat. A white shirt or top, for instance, will contrast with dark-colored leather waist coats, including black leather waist coats. As a result, it offers a cleaner and more stylish appearance.
#3) Consider Pairing With Leather Pants
There’s nothing wrong with wearing two or more leather garments in the same outfit. Even if you’re wearing a leather waist coat, for example, you can still wear a pair of leather pants. Doing so is a fun and easy way to enhance your aesthetics with this prized textile. The key thing to remember, however, is that you should match your leather pants with your leather waist coat. If you’re wearing a black leather waist coat, you should also wear black leather pants. If you’re wearing a brown leather waist coat, you should wear brown leather pants — you get the idea.
#4) Check for Pockets
When shopping for a leather waist coat, look to see whether it contains pockets. And if so, how many pockets it has and where they are located. While most leather waist coats don’t have any pockets, some have two or more pockets. The Leather Biker Vest #318 sold here at LeatherCult, for example, contains four pockets. As a result, you can use them to store small items like your car keys, cash, smartphone, wallet and more.
#5) Leave the Front Open
Should you leave the front of your leather waist coat open or closed? Well, in most cases, you should leave the front open to achieve the best possible appearance. With the front of your leather waist coat open, your shirt or top will be more visible. And assuming you’re wearing a shirt or top in a contrasting color, it will enhance the appearance of your leather waist coat. So, whether your leather waist coat has buttons or a zipper on the front, you should typically leave it open.
There’s an exception to this fashion rule, however. If it’s particularly cold outside and you need additional insulation to stay warm, you should leave the front of your leather waist coat closed.
#6) Get the Right Fit
Perhaps the most important tip on how to rock a leather waist coat is to get the right fit. No two people have the same size and shape body. As a result, there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all leather waist coat. A leather waist coat may look stylish and attractive, but if it doesn’t fit right, you probably won’t it wear it.
How do you know if a leather waist coat fits? Well, you can always try it on, but an easier way to find the perfect fit is to order your leather waist coat from LeatherCult. Unlike other retailers and other stores, we offer custom sizing at no additional charge. When you order a leather waist coat, you can specify your body measurements. We’ll then use your provided measurements to create a custom-fitted leather waist coat that fits perfectly.
#7) Condition It
Leather waist coats are easy to clean and maintain, but you shouldn’t overlook the importance of conditioning them. If you don’t condition your leather waist coat, it may dry out. Like all garments made of genuine leather, leather waist coats are susceptible to dryness when not properly maintained. As the leather material begins to dry out, it may crack or peel. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to repair a leather waist coat once it’s sustained damage such as this. The good news is that you can protect your leather waist from dryness by conditioning it.
Conditioning a leather waist coat requires the use of a leather conditioning product like saddle soap. Using a washcloth or lint-free towel, simply rub the conditioning product into the surface of your leather waist coat. Leather conditioning products contain water as well as other hydrating ingredients that protects leather from dryness and associated damage.
The Conclusion
Aside from conditioning, leather waist coats really don’t require anything else to maintain. With that said, you may need to spot clean your leather waist coat on occasion to remove superficial dirt and debris. By taking the time to clean and condition your leather waist coat, you can protect it from premature degradation.