Congratulations on your decision to buy a leather jacket. It’s a smart investment that will pay off in the form of increased comfort and a more fashionable appearance. Assuming this is your first time shopping for a leather jacket, though, there are a few things you’ll need to know.
Real Leather vs Faux Leather
Leather jackets are available in different materials. Some of them are made of real leather, whereas others are made of faux leather. From afar, real leather jackets may look the same as faux leather, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.
If a jacket is made of faux leather, it’s not an authentic leather jacket. Faux leather is a synthetic material. Most faux leather jackets consist of a polyester base layer that’s coated in polyurethane. As a result, they don’t offer the same soft and gentle texture as those made of real leather. If you’re looking to buy a leather jacket, you’ll get a better bang for your buck by choosing a real leather jacket.
Check the Pockets
Don’t forget to check the pockets when shopping for your first leather jacket. Most leather jackets are designed with pockets. You can usually find them on the front left and right sides. Pockets provide a convenient place to store small items. At the same time, you can place your hands inside of the pockets to keep them warm.
Of course, some leather jackets have more than just two pockets. There are leather jackets with four pockets, and there are leather jackets with six pockets. Therefore, you should check the pockets when determining which leather jacket is right for you. Pay attention to both the number of pockets a leather jacket has and the size of the pockets.
Inspect the Fasteners
You should inspect the fasteners when choosing your first leather jackets. All leather jackets have fasteners. Fasteners are the attachments that allow you to open or close the front of a leather jacket. There are two primary types of fasteners with which leather jackets are made: buttons or a zipper.
Some leather jackets have buttons on the front. They feature either one or two columns of buttons that you can fasten to close the front. Other leather jackets have a zipper on the front. You can pull the zipper up or down to put them on or take them off. If you’re going to buy a leather jacket, inspect the fasteners to ensure they are high quality. High-quality buttons or a zipper are indicative of a high-quality leather jacket.
Consider the Season
For what season or seasons do you intend to wear your leather jacket? If you’re planning to wear it during the winter, you should choose a leather jacket that’s insulated and warm. Most leather jackets are, in fact, warm. With a real leather construction, they’ll trap your body heat so that you stay warm in otherwise cold weather. With that said, some leather jackets are designed specifically for use during cold weather.
You can find quilted leather jackets, for instance, that feature a quilted construction. Like a quilted blanket, they feature many small patches. Each of these patches acts as insulation so that you stay warm. For the winter season, you can’t go wrong with a quilted leather jacket.
Choose the Right Style
It’s no secret that leather jackets are available in multiple styles. There are dozens of styles in which leather jackets are made. Some styles are simple and traditional, whereas others are bold and modern.
Traditional styles include those that have been around for at least a few decades. Bomber, for example, is a popular traditional style for leather jackets. Bomber jackets are high-quality leather jackets featuring the same design as aviation jackets worn by military pilots. There are also biker leather jackets. Biker is a traditional style that’s commonly worn by motorcycle riders. Regardless, you should choose a style that matches your personal preference.
Go With a Versatile Color
When choosing your first leather jacket, remember to go with a versatile color. Versatile means that the color of a leather jacket will match most other colors. If your leather jacket features a versatile color, you’ll be able to wear it with most other colors in your outfits.
Brown is a versatile color in which leather jackets are made. There are different shades of brown. Some leather jackets feature a light brown color, whereas others feature a dark brown color With either dark or light brown, you’ll have a versatile leather jacket that naturally flows with most other colors.
Black is another versatile color in which leather jackets are made. Some of the very first leather jackets ever made were black. Black leather jackets are classic and stylish. And like brown, black is a versatile color that matches most other colors.
Learn How to Clean
A high-quality leather jacket can offer countless years of use — but you’ll still need to clean it. Many people neglect to clean their leather jackets, resulting in premature wear and tear. You can make your first leather jacket last longer by cleaning it.
Fortunately, leather jackets are relatively easy to clean. You don’t need to wash them, nor do you need to use any special cleaning products. If your leather jacket is dirty, you can clean it using dish soap and warm water. Take a washcloth and run it under warm water. After ringing out the excess water, add a few drops of dish soap to it. You can then gently rub the damp and soapy washcloth across the surface of your leather jacket. It’s a quick and effective way to clean a leather jacket.
You can also keep your leather jacket supple and shiny by conditioning it. Conditioning creams and lotions contain special ingredients that hydrate leather. With a real leather jacket, conditioning will protect it from dryness. It will hydrate your leather jacket so that it doesn’t dry out.