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 climate-controlled environment with a relative humidity level of somewhere between 40 and 50%. This is the sweet spot that preserves leather while subsequently protecting it from damage.
Color-Coated Napa Leather
You’ll probably notice that many Napa leather jackets and garments are colored. Granted, you can find traditional leather in a variety of colors, as well, but it’s particularly common among Napa leather. So, why is Napa leather colored? Aside from the stylish appearance of colored Napa leather, this technique is used to further enhance the strength and integrity of Napa leather. As stated above, Napa leather is very porous, and these pores are susceptible to bleaching from prolonged exposure to sunlight. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as some people prefer the look of slightly bleached Napa leather. But if you want to preserve the original color, opting for a Napa leather jacket with a color coat will have protection against this phenomenon. The color coating acts as a barrier of protection between the actual leather and the outside elements, protecting it from bleaching, moisture and other forms of damage.
Tips on Choosing a Napa Leather Jacket
If you’re thinking about buying a new Napa leather jacket, we have some tips to help you find the perfect one.
- Only buy Napa leather from a reputable and trusted merchant. Some companies may attempt to sell low-quality leather jackets, slapping the “Napa” label on them. To an unsuspecting customer, it’s often difficult to distinguish between genuine and fake Napa leather. By shopping at a trusted vendor like LeatherCult, however, you can rest assured knowing that a Napa leather jacket is really made of Napa leather.
- Find the right size. Of course, that’s easier said than done. Being that no two people have the exact same body size and shape, finding a perfect fit can be difficult — and that’s putting it mildly. However, LeatherCult allows customers to specify their own measurements during checkout. So instead of crossing your fingers and hoping you get the right size, you can rest assured knowing that your Napa leather jacket will fit perfectly.
- Pay attention to the subtle details on a Napa leather jacket, such as the placement of pockets. Chest pockets offer a unique look that many men and women prefer. But in terms of utility, pockets closer to the bottom are more practical. Nonetheless, this is a personal decision that only you can make. Some people prefer Napa leather jackets with chest pockets, whereas others prefer pockets placed lower on the jacket. And some prefer Napa leather jackets without pockets altogether.
- If this is your first genuine piece of leather clothing, go ahead and buy a leather conditioning product. Napa leather requires routine conditioning to preserve its look. This is easily accomplished using a leather conditioning product like Saddle Soap. Just follow the instructions and apply once every couple of months.
- Don’t limit yourself to traditional color like brown and black. Napa leather jackets are available in a wide variety of colors, including traditional colors as well as bold colors like red, blue and even yellow. Opting for a bold-colored Napa leather jacket will allow you to wear more outfits.
- Consider the length. Napa leather jackets — like all leather jackets — are available in many different lengths. Some of the shorter ones stop just shy of the wait, while longer ones may stretch well beyond your thighs. Conventional wisdom should tell you that longer Napa leather jackets offer greater warmth, making them ideal for the winter months. For the summer, however, it’s usually best to stick with a shorter Napa leather jacket.
- Read the care label. It’s always a smart idea to read the care label before buying a new Napa leather jacket. This will reveal the manufacturer’s recommendations on how to clean and care for the jacket.
In Conclusion
After reading this, you should have a better understanding of Napa leather and its characteristics. Just remember that Napa leather is a special type of high-end leather that is prized for its soft temper. The term is somewhat generic, and it is used to describe jackets, shirts, pants and other garments made with this prized leather. Napa leather, however, is also used in products like furniture, handbags, belts and shoes. Napa leather is available in natural grain or corrected grain, although most clothing manufacturers use natural grain for its elegant appearance and attractive qualities.