If you’re planning to update your wardrobe with a stylish new pair of leather pants, you’ll need to choose the right ones. By definition, leather pants are simply trousers consisting of leather material. With that said, however, they are available in dozens of styles. With so many different styles available, you may struggle to choose the right one for your specific needs. The good news is that we’re here to help. In this post, you’ll find a list of seven features to look for when shopping for a pair of leather pants.
#1) Pockets
I know this probably sounds like common sense, but it’s still worth mentioning that you should look for pockets when shopping for leather pants. If your leather pants don’t have pockets, you won’t be able to carry small items like your smartphone or car keys. Thankfully, most leather pants have between two and four pockets. They usually feature two pockets in the front and another two pockets in the back. Using these pockets, you can store and carry small items.
#2) Type of Leather
Don’t assume all leather pants are made of the same type of leather. Some are made of high-quality leather, whereas others are made of low-quality leather. The Black Leather Jeans sold here at LeatherCult, for example, are made of premium Napa leather. Originating in Napa, California, Napa leather is prized for its superior softness. It’s an incredibly soft and supple material that’s perfect for leather pants, as well as other leather garments. Split leather, on the other hand, is a lower-quality type of leather that’s coarser and harder than Napa leather.
You don’t have to necessarily limit yourself to only choosing Napa leather pants. Nonetheless, you should pay attention to the type of leather the pants are made of. It a pair of leather pants are made of cheap, low-quality leather, you should put them back on the shelf and continue shopping. Low-quality leather pants may cost less than high-quality leather pants, but this is an instance in which you get what you pay for. As you wear low-quality leather pants, they’ll quickly degrade, thereby forcing you to spend more money to either repair or replace them.
#3) Boot Cut
Do you typically wear boots with your leather pants? If so, you should consider choosing a pair of boot-cut leather pants. As the name suggests, they are designed to fit over the top of your boots — just like boot-cut jeans.
The purpose of boot-cut leather pants is to create a more attractive appearance, as well as a more comfortable fit, when wearing the pants with boots.
#4) Metal Buttons
You might be wondering how to tell if a pair of leather pants are high quality or low quality. While you can always reference the brand, another way to gauge the quality of leather pants is to inspect the buttons. Although there are exceptions, most leather pants have at least one button on the fly. When shopping for leather pants, look at this button to see if it’s made of metal or plastic.
Leather pants with metal buttons are generally better made than those with plastic buttons. If a pair of leather pants has plastic buttons, it’s safe to assume the manufacturer used other cheap materials in its construction. But if a pair of leather pants has metal buttons, you can rest assured knowing that they are high-quality.
The Suede Leather Jeans feature metal buttons. With their all-metal buttons, you can rest assured knowing these leather jeans won’t succumb to wear and tear. At the same, the presence of metal buttons enhances their aesthetics.
#5) Stretch Leather
You may find that some leather pants are made of stretch leather. Stretch leather is a special type of leather that’s more elastic than conventional leather. It’s called “stretch leather” because it literally stretches. If you pull them, they’ll stretch without breaking or otherwise sustaining damage. Still not convinced that stretch leather pants are worth purchasing?
Here are some benefits of choosing stretch leather pants:
- They are typically softer than other types of leather pants.
- They are better protected against damage than other types of leather pants.
- Leather pants cost roughly the same as other types of leather pants.
- They are available in a wide variety of colors, some of which include black, tan, white, red, yellow, green, orange, blue and more.
- They are easy to clean and maintain, often requiring nothing more than an occasional spot cleaning using soap and warm water.
- Because they are in high demand, stretch leather pants retain their value.
#6) Cargo Style
What are cargo-style leather pants? Cargo-style leather pants are trousers made of leather that feature one or more cargo pockets on the pant legs. While most leather pants have just two to four pockets, cargo-style leather pants typically feature six or more pockets, some of which are found on the sides of the pant legs.
If you walk long distances, you can’t go wrong with cargo-style leather pants. With their distinct cargo pockets, you can carry larger items — something that’s not possible using traditional pockets. As a result, cargo-style leather pants have become increasingly popular in recent years.
#7) Belt Loops
Finally, make sure your leather pants feature belt loops. Without belt loops, conventional wisdom should lead you to believe that you won’t be able to wear a belt with them. And without a belt, you may struggle to keep them around your waistline.
To see if a pair of leather pants has belt loops, inspect the top of the fabric. The pants should have at least a half-dozen loops on the outside of the leather, allowing you to wear a belt with them. If a pair of leather pants don’t feature belt loops, you may want to continue shopping. After all, you can’t easily add belt loops to a pair of pants, regardless of the material from which they are made.