When choosing a leather jacket, you should consider the season for which you intend to wear it. You can typically wear most leather jackets year-round. Whether it’s spring, summer, fall or winter, you can’t go wrong with this classic form of outerwear. Some leather jackets, however, are better suited for certain seasons than others. By considering the following things, you can choose the right leather jacket for the season.
Type of Leather
Leather jackets are available in different types of leather, most of which can be classified as either real or faux. Real leather is constructed of tanned and processed animal hide, whereas faux leather is constructed of a synthetic material — typically a plastic or polyurethane base — that’s designed to look like real leather.
If you’re planning to wear it during the cooler months of the year, you should choose a leather jacket made of real leather. Real leather is softer and suppler than faux leather. More importantly perhaps, it offers greater thermal insulation. It’s a thicker and heavier material, so it will trap more of your body heat when worn.
For the warmer months of the year, you should still choose a leather jacket made of real leather. Suede leather is an excellent choice of material for the warmer months of the year. Suede leather is still real leather, so you can rest assured knowing that it’s soft and supple. Suede leather is thinner than other types of real leather, though, making it ideal for the warmer months of the year.
Lining
What type of lining does the leather jacket feature? All leather jackets are made of leather, but many of them feature lining as well. Lining consists of a layer of insulative material that’s added to the interior of a leather jacket.
You may want to choose a leather jacket with lining for the cooler months of the year. This extra layer of insulative material will trap your body heat so that you stay warm and comfortable even when it’s cold outside. The Leather Sherpa Jacket, for instance, features sherpa lining. Sherpa lining consists of a fleece material. Not only is it incredibly soft, but sherpa lining is warm.
There are leather jackets with lining, and there are leather jackets without lining. Those with lining are warmer than those without lining. You may want to choose a leather jacket with lining for the fall and winter seasons. If you’re looking for a leather jacket to wear during the spring and summer seasons, on the other hand, you may want to skip the lining.
Closure Type
You should consider the closure type when choosing a leather type. The closure type refers to the fastener or fasteners with which a leather jacket is closed. Most leather jackets don’t have a completely open front. Rather, the front has one or more fasteners that you can use to close them.
Common closure types for leather jackets include buttons and a zipper. Some people prefer leather jackets with buttons on the front, whereas others prefer leather jackets with a zipper on the front. Aside from nuances in aesthetics, zippers and buttons will affect the level of warmth offered by leather jackets.
Leather jackets with a zipper on the front are typically warmer than those with buttons on the front. When it’s cold outside, you can pull up the zipper so that it traps your body heat. You can always fasten the buttons on the front of a leather jacket as well. There are gaps between the individual buttons, though, so it won’t offer the same level of warmth. Regardless, you should consider the closure type when shopping for a new leather jacket.
Blazer
Leather blazers are a popular choice during the spring and summer seasons as well. They are leather jackets that feature a semi-casual style. Blazers are more formal than sports coats and less formal than suit jackets. You can find them in different materials, one of which is leather.
Aside from their semi-casual style that falls somewhere between sports coats and suit jackets, leather blazers are cool. Most of them feature a single-breasted front with just two or three buttons. If it’s warm outside, you may want to wear a leather blazer. The semi-casual style combined with a single-breasted front and button closure type will keep you cool — all while projecting a stylish appearance in the process.
Hood
You may discover that leather jackets have a hood. A hood is an invaluable feature if you’re planning to wear a leather jacket during the cooler months of the year. When the temperatures begin to drop, you may need a little extra insulation for your head.
Traditional jackets typically won’t cover your head. They’ll cover your arms and torso, but they’ll leave your head exposed to the elements. A hooded jacket offers a solution. You can pull the hood over the top of your head. Of course, you don’t always have to wear the hood over your head. If it’s warm outside, you can pull it down. Choosing a hooded leather jacket simply gives you the option of protecting your head during those chilly winter days and evenings.
Elastic Cuffs
Don’t forget to check the cuffs when choosing a leather jacket. Some leather jackets have standard cuffs consisting of the same leather material from which they are made. Other leather jackets, however, have elastic cuffs.
Elastic cuffs aren’t made of leather. Instead, they are made of an elastic material, such as polyester, nylon or lycra. Elastic cuffs are commonly found on motorcycle jackets and flight jackets. They are designed to seal the ends of the sleeves while subsequently protecting the wearer from the cold temperatures. Elastic cuffs will wrap around your wrists so that less heat escapes your body.
In Conclusion
Choosing a leather jacket is a big decision. You’ll want to ensure that it’s stylish, but you should also choose a leather jacket that’s appropriate for the season. Following these tips outlined here will help you choose the perfect leather jacket for the season.