Guide to leather jackets
Introduction
Leather jackets are a classic piece of clothing that has been around for decades. They're a staple in any men's or women's closet, and they can be used in conjunction with just about anything else you own. For example, I wear my leather jacket when I'm heading to work or running errands on the weekend—the only difference is what I wear underneath it! This guide will teach you everything you need to know about leather jackets and why they're so great.
Where does leather come from?
In order to understand the differences and benefits of different types of leather, you need to know where it comes from. Leather is made from the skin of an animal and can come from cows, goats, sheep, pigs, horses and other animals. The skin is tanned to make it soft and durable.
As a byproduct of the meat industry, leather is typically made from older animals that have been used for food purposes or culled having reached an old age.
What is leather?
Leather is a durable and flexible material that is made from the skin of an animal. You may have noticed that it comes in many different colours and textures, but there’s one thing they have in common: all leather is made from animal skin. The most common animals used to make leather include cows, sheep, calves and goats. Other types of animals can include deer, buffalo or even horse hides.A reputable custom made boutique such as KC Leather Co. offer these options to their customers.
Cowhide has long been considered “the original” because it was traditionally what people used when they wanted something durable yet lightweight enough not too weigh them down while walking around town during warmer months. Today, Sheep leather is by far the most common in the fashion industry as it contours for intricate detail much easier, forms to your body faster, and has a lighter touch and feel. It is more expensive than cow leather due to it typically being less abundant.
The leather industry has been around for thousands of years and even though it is one of the most common materials used in fashion today, many people are still unaware where it comes from or how it's created. While there are several different types of processes used to make different types of leathers, each step follows a similar pattern:
-
The animal is used for the meat industry, and it is skinned (usually by hand)
-
The skin is inspected for blemishes or defects then soaked in water for several days
-
After this period has passed it's removed from its bath then dried out with heaters, or in some cases, sun dried until completely dry
-
The hide then undergoes the tanning process
-
The tanned hides are then cut into strips called "skins." Different kinds of animals have different sizes for their skins, so you could have a large piece that's one color or several smaller pieces that together make up one big piece of finished hide that has slight colour variations to it..
-
Each piece has its own patterning, and natural markings. Some leather has no need for dyeing because it's natural variations give each product its own unique look.
What kinds of skin are used?
The skin used to make leather comes from a variety of animals. Most leathers are made from cowhide, goat, sheep, deer, elk, buffalo, kangaroo and horse hides. Some manufacturers use pig or fish skins for their products as well. Other exotic beasts such as snake, alligator and ostrich are also used for their unique properties, however, as a reputable company, KC Leather Co. avoid the use of exotic leathers as full tracibility can not be made to how they were farmed, and some practices are considerred inappropriate for those animals.
The skin is tanned after it has been removed from the animal it came from so that it can be processed into usable leather. During tanning hair follicles are removed while preserving the strength of the fibers in each layer of skin that remains under its outer surface.
Leather is organic.
Leather is a natural product. It's made from animals and it comes from the meat industry, which means that creating leather is a byproduct of the meat industry. It's not like plastic, where you can make new plastic out of old plastics; there are no chemical processes for creating more leather.
Leather is also organic and biodegradable, which means that if you have an old leather jacket that you want to get rid of or recycle at the end of its useful life, tossing it into your compost pile won't hurt anything.
Leather is a byproduct of the meat industry.
Leather is a byproduct of the meat industry. It comes from animals that are raised for their skin, fur, and/or muscle — which means that leather is a renewable resource. It also means that when you buy leather goods, you're not contributing to animal cruelty or environmental harm.
Because it's biodegradable, it's eco-friendly as well. Leather can be recycled into other products like paper and glue without any loss of quality. And because it's made out of animal skins rather than oil-based plastics like polyurethane or PVC (which would require toxic chemicals during manufacturing), there are no harmful chemicals lurking inside your jacket!
Are there different kinds of leather?
There are many different kinds of leather, each with its own distinct properties. Some leathers are better suited to certain applications than others, while some may be more comfortable or fashionable than others. Here's a look at the most common types:
-
Cowhide is a tough hide that can withstand heavy use and extreme weather conditions. It's also relatively inexpensive, making it an excellent choice for everyday jackets.
-
Calfskin is less durable than cowhide but much softer and more flexible, making it ideal for casual jackets or riding apparel where flexibility is key (think motorcycle jackets). But do expect to pay a premium price as Calfskin is very expensive.
-
Lamb leather has a soft texture similar to calfskin but with more durability and resistance to wear-and-tear from everyday use over time. It's often used in expensive designer handbags due to its softness — the same effect would not be desirable for say an automobile seat cover! This is by far the most popular choice for jackets.
What kinds of leather jackets are there?
Leather jackets are available in many styles and colors, but what gives them their personality is the material itself.
Leather jackets are made from different kinds of leathers, with each type having its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, bison leather is durable and has a soft feel to it, which can make for a comfortable jacket for everyday use ( One of the most expensive, and would price a quality made jacket to around $2100 - $2500. Sheep is another popular choice for its ability to break in over a short time so you get a custom fit that's perfect for your body shape. Cowhide is also an option that comes with great durability as well as buttery softness that makes it easy on sensitive skin types or those who suffer from allergies—but it takes longer than other types of leathers to mold into the perfect fit (upwards of 10 years!).
Leather jackets last forever.
Leather is very durable, water-resistant and stain-resistant. Some are waxed, which adds price to the jacket, but repells stains and water marks. It’s also fire-resistant (which means you can wear it in the kitchen without worrying about it catching on fire). In fact leather will naturally decompose when thrown in landfills within 25yrs. It may take hundreds or even thousands of years for faux leather or PU clothing to break down in a landfill! Leather is made from animal hides that are best tanned with vegitable oils to provide environmental protection.
High quality brands that are environmentally responsible, as is KC Leather Co. will never use hides dyed with chromium sulfate and formaldehyde during processing which some tanneries use.
These chemicals are toxic to the environment—they help preserve the hides so they can be used for clothing even though they would have been discarded as waste products otherwise. So those cheaper jackets out there, are using rejected damaged leathers, waste bi-products that have been dosed in chemicals to make them look ok, and consequently priced so cheap, that the uniformed buyer is fooled. We call these cheap jackets "nugget" leather. Not only are they soaked in harmful chemicals, but they are pressed, machined and glued together to resemble a hide.
There is a downside to this extra preservation: because of these harsh chemicals, some people have allergies to certain types of leather jackets or belts; however, if someone does have an allergy to these materials then they should avoid them anyway because those chemicals could cause health problems over time if worn regularly (especially around sensitive areas such as eyes, neck or mouth).
Instead, ensure you slect your leather jacket that has been vegitable dyed for the best natural and environmentaly safe practice. (KC Leather Co. source only ISO accredited tanneries that use vegitable dyes)
So the real statement is you get what you pay for, and buying from a reputable brand like KC Leather Co. your leather jacket will last forever. The quality hide, tanning process, environmental protection, and handcrafted care is what you invest in for the long term.
Do leather jackets go out of style?
Leather jackets are timeless. They're a classic item that every man, woman, and child should own. Leather jackets are as versatile as they are stylish—you can wear them with nearly anything!
The only thing you need to remember is that leather jackets can be worn with any other type of garment fabric items. A pair of jeans or chinos will go perfectly with your new jacket. However, if you want something to dress up your outfit even more, try wearing it over an oxford shirt. It'll add some classiness to your look without being too formal for an everyday occasion like school or work!
Leather jackets look cool and feel comforting, which is why most people choose to have one.
If you're looking for a durable and classic jacket, look no further than leather. Leather is a resilient material that has been used in jackets since the beginning of time. Its durability makes it perfect for outdoor wear, since you can use it in all sorts of conditions with little risk of damage.
Leather jackets are also incredibly comfortable—the soft texture will keep your body warm without sacrificing mobility or style. You'll never want to take them off!
If you live where winters are cold and dry (like me), then a leather jacket could be the perfect choice for keeping warm without having too much bulk around your arms or torso area; plus there's something about wearing an iconic piece like this that makes anyone feel tough as nails (or at least more confident).
Conclusion
You should get a leather jacket. It's the best kind of jacket, and it's timeless. It will never go out of style, and you'll wear it forever.