As we get deeper into the year, millions of people throughout the United States and abroad will begin to experience cooler temperatures. It’s a natural process that occurs during the transition from summer to fall and fall to winter. While there are numerous types of coats and jackets that you can wear to protect against the cold weather, few offer the versatility of a leather jacket. But if you’re worried about the cold weather causing you discomfort during this time of year, you should consider the following tips to achieve maximum warmth and insulation from your leather jacket.
Avoid Faux Leather
Faux leather may cost less than genuine leather, but it’s a low-quality textile that lacks the attractive qualities and characteristics of the real deal. A faux leather jacket may feel rough and rugged while offering little or no protection from the cold in the process. On the other hand, a high-quality leather jacket made of real leather will offer a superior level of warmth and protection from the cold, making it a smart investment for your fall and winter wardrobes.
Wear Multiple Layers Underneath
This tip doesn’t apply strictly to leather jackets; it works when wearing any coat or jacket, regardless of the fabric from which it’s made. If you wear two or more shirts underneath your jacket, you’ll create additional insulation that traps heat close to your body. This means less heat will be released from your body, thereby keeping you warm and comfortable even when it’s cold outside. Just remember to choose garments that are thin enough to wear underneath your leather jacket.
Go With Quilted Leather
Another way to improve the warmth and insulation properties of your leather jacket is to choose a quilted leather jacket. Quilted leather jackets are designed with a unique quilted construction that creates “pockets” of insulation throughout the textile. The end result is a jacket that’s both stylish and warm. You can shop for quilted leather jackets here at LeatherCult. Like all our leather jackets, we offer custom sizing at no additional charge when ordering them.
Choose a Hooded Leather Jacket
Most leather jackets feature a basic design that doesn’t include a hood. There are some leather jackets, however, that feature a hood. Known as a hooded leather jacket (for obvious reasons), it’s an excellent choice for your fall and winter wardrobes. A significant amount of your body’s heat is released through your head. By wearing a hooded leather jacket, you’ll create an additional layer of insulation over your head, reducing the amount of heat your body loses through your head. Hooded leather jackets are also stylish, allowing you to create a unique look that’s simply not found in traditional coats and jackets.
Keep It Dry
It’s important that you keep your leather jacket dry, especially if it’s cold outside. Assuming it’s made of genuine leather, your jacket will absorb moisture when exposed to rain or humidity. Small amounts of moisture are harmless and shouldn’t cause reason for concern. If you wear your leather jacket while it’s pouring outside, though, the leather textile will become saturated with water. This, of course, will make your leather jacket cold and uncomfortable to wear. The cold ambient temperatures combined with the saturated leather material will lower your body temperature. You can prevent this from happening by keeping your leather jacket dry. If it gets wet — either from rain, spilled drinks, humidity or other factors — use a clean towel to dry it off.
Button It Up
Conventional wisdom should lead you to believe that you’ll be warmer — and subsequently more comfortable — when wearing a leather jacket that’s buttoned up on the front. If it’s cold outside, buttoning the front of your jacket will provide additional insulation, thereby keeping you warmer and more comfortable. Alternatively, if your leather jacket has a zipper, zip up the front when it’s cold outside. Either zipping or buttoning up the front of your jacket will significantly increase the warmth and protection that your leather jacket offers.
Choose a Dark Color
Did you know that dark colors are warmer to wear than light colors? It’s not just a myth; it’s a fact. This is because dark colors work to absorb sunlight and heat, whereas light colors have the opposite effect by reflecting sunlight and heat. If it’s cold outside, wear a leather jacket in a dark color for maximum warmth. You can’t go wrong with a black or dark brown leather jacket, as they both offer excellent protection from the cold and elements.
Apply a Leather Protectant
Another hack to make your leather jacket warmer is to apply a leather protectant. Leather protectants are products that contain a proprietary blend of ingredients to preserve and protect leather from damage. As a side benefit, though, they’ll also make your leather jacket warmer by creating a thin, transparent layer over the exterior of it. A leather protectant alone won’t make a huge difference in the warmth of your leather jacket. When used in conjunction with the other methods described here, however, it can help you achieve a superior level of warmth and comfort.
Leave the Sleeves Down
I know this probably sounds like common sense, but it’s still worth mentioning that you should wear your leather jacket with the sleeves down if you are concerned about being cold. If the sleeves are rolled up, your arms will be exposed to the cold air, which is exactly what you want to avoid.
Choose a High-Quality Jacket
Perhaps the most important tip to keep warm when wearing a leather jacket is to choose a high-quality jacket. Not all companies produce the same quality jackets. Some use cheap leather materials with poor craftsmanship, resulting an inferior product that offers little or no warmth. To avoid this headache, choose a high-quality jacket made of premium, genuine leather materials.