Have you heard of stretch leather jackets? If so, you might be wondering how they differ from standard leather jackets. You can find leather jackets in dozens of styles, patterns and colors. With that said, most of them can be classified as either standard or stretch depending on the material from which they are made. Stretch leather jackets are still available in many of the same styles, patterns and colors as their standard counterparts, but they feature a different construction that distinguishes them from standard leather jackets.
What Is a Standard Leather Jacket?
A standard leather jacket is a traditional form of outerwear consisting of real leather. Real leather, of course, is a soft yet durable material that’s comprised of animal hide. All standard leather jackets are made of this material.
There are different types of real leather. Some types of real leather are made of sheepskin, whereas other types are made of deerskin or cowskin. Regardless, standard leather jackets are made exclusively of real leather, which comes from animal hide. The animal hide is tanned and processed, after which it’s used to make standard leather jackets.
What Is a Stretch Leather Jacket?
A stretch leather jacket is an alternative form of outerwear that’s characterized by a stretch leather construction. Based on their appearance, stretch leather jackets typically look like standard leather jackets. They both consist of an upper-body garment — typically with sleeves — that’s worn over a shirt and other upper-body garments. The difference is that stretch leather jackets are made of stretch leather.
To better understand the differences between standard leather jackets and stretch leather jackets, you should familiarize yourself with the term “stretch leather.” Stretch leather is still considered real leather; it simply contains one or more other materials that make it more elastic.
Differences Between Standard and Stretch Leather Jackets
Standard leather jackets are made exclusively of real leather, whereas stretch leather jackets are made of real leather along with one or more elastic materials. Stretch suede, for instance, is often used in stretch leather jackets. The stretch suede is added to the rear, inside section of the real leather. Stretch suede, of course, is an elastic material. You can bend and pull it, and upon releasing it, stretch suede will revert back to its original size and shape.
Other types of stretch leather jackets may contain polyester. Like stretch suede, polyester is an elastic material. It’s used to increase the elasticity of various materials, including leather. Polyester can be added to the rear, inside section of real leather to make it more elastic. There are many different types of stretch leather, but they all contain one or more elastic materials that’s used in conjunction with real leather.
Benefits of Choosing a Stretch Leather Jacket
Being that they look like standard leather jackets, you might be wondering what benefits stretch leather jackets offer. You ultimately can’t go wrong with any high-quality leather jacket. Nonetheless, choosing a stretch leather jacket can prove beneficial for several reasons.
Stretch leather jackets are more form-fitting than standard leather jackets. In other words, they sit closer to your body when worn. Stretch leather jackets aren’t baggy, nor do they fit loosely. With their form-fitting construction, they sit relatively close to your body.
We can’t talk about the benefits of choosing a stretch leather jacket without mentioning its soft and supple texture. All forms of leather are soft. After all, leather is derived from tanned and processed animal hide, which is naturally soft. Stretch leather jackets, however, are typically softer than standard leather jackets.
Because they are naturally elastic, stretch leather jackets are more forgiving regarding their size. Even as you grow, you should be able to continue wearing a stretch leather jacket. All stretch leather jackets contain an elastic material. As a result, they’ll expand with your body while offering a form-fitting construction.
The possibilities are endless when choosing a stretch leather jacket. You aren’t restricted to basic styles. While stretch leather jackets are available in basic styles, they are available in many other styles as well. You can find two-tone stretch leather jackets, for instance, that feature two different colors. You can also find stretch leather jackets in biker or aviation styles.
Tips on Wearing a Stretch Leather Jacket
When wearing a stretch leather jacket, remember to choose matching garments. The color of your pants or trousers, for instance, should flow with the color of your stretch leather jacket. They don’t have to be the exact same color as your stretch leather jacket. But your pants or trousers should feature a color that compliments that your stretch leather jacket.
Not all stretch leather jackets are the same. If you’re planning to buy a stretch leather jacket, you should take the time to choose the right one. For starters, make sure it’s made of real leather and not faux leather. Some stretch leather jackets are made of real leather. Others, though, are made of faux leather. You’ll get more use out of the latter type.
Keep in mind that stretch leather jackets often require breaking in. When originally manufactured, they may feel somewhat stiff. Newly manufactured stretch leather jackets aren’t necessarily hard or rough. Nonetheless, they’ll become softer the more you wear them. If you’re going to buy a stretch leather jacket, you may want to wear it around the house for a day so that it breaks in. Doing so will make your new stretch leather jacket softer and more comfortable.
In Conclusion
Leather jackets can be defined as either standard or stretch, depending on how they were made. Standard leather jackets are made exclusively of real leather. In comparison, stretch leather jackets are made of real leather with an elastic material.
They may look the same, but standard and stretch leather jackets are constructed differently. Only stretch leather jackets are constructed with an elastic material. The presence of this elastic material is what distinguishes them from standard leather jackets.