Leather jackets are synonymous with men’s and women’s casual wear. Defined by their leather construction, they offer a unique balance of softness and durability. Leather jackets are ultra-soft, yet they are equally durable. You won’t find these properties in many other jackets. When shopping for a leather jacket, though, you may discover that some of them are convertible. There are several things you should know about convertible leather jackets to determine whether it’s the right choice for you.
What Is a Convertible Leather Jacket?
A convertible leather jacket is exactly what it sounds like: a leather jacket that you can manually convert. As shown in the adjacent photos, it can be worn as either a standard leather jacket or a hooded leather jacket.
Convertible leather jackets have a hood. If it’s raining or snowing outside, you can pull this hood over the top of your head. The presence of a hood will keep your head dry while creating an extra layer of warmth in the process. With that said, you aren’t required to wear the hood. You can remove it. Convertible leather jackets are convertible in the sense that you can remove the hood, resulting in a traditional leather jacket.
The hood is located at the top of a convertible leather jacket. When attached, you can pull it over the top of your head. Convertible leather jackets simply have a removable hood. You can completely remove the hood from a convertible leather jacket. You’ll also have the option of adding the hood back to the convertible leather jacket.
Convertible vs Non-Convertible Leather Jackets: What’s the Difference?
The main difference between convertible and non-convertible leather jackets is that the former can be converted, whereas the latter can not.
You can find non-convertible leather jackets with a hood and without a hood. Most of them don’t have a hood. They consist entirely of an upper-body garment constructed of leather. But there are some non-convertible leather jackets with a hood. They aren’t as common. Nonetheless, some non-convertible leather jackets still have a hood. Non-convertible leather jackets with a hood, though, can’t be converted into a hooded leather jacket.
Convertible and non-convertible leather jackets are usually made of the same leather material. Napa leather is a popular material in which they are made. Originating from Napa, California, it’s a premium type of real leather that’s recognized for its superior softness. Whether convertible or non-convertible, jackets made of napa leather are typically softer than those made of other types of leather. Regardless, you can only detach the hood from a convertible leather jacket.
Benefits of Wearing a Convertible Leather Jacket
Wearing a convertible leather jacket offers several benefits. With its removable hood, you can wear it year-round. It will essentially offer the benefits of both a hooded and non-hooded leather jacket.
During the winter, you may want to wear a convertible leather jacket with the hood attached so that it keeps your head warm. During the summer, on the other hand, you may want to remove the hood to keep cool. Only convertible leather jackets allow you to change from a hooded to a non-hooded style and vise versa.
Convertible leather jackets are stylish. They look the same as most other leather jackets — with the only difference being that they feature a removable hood. If you’re tired of wearing a generic jacket day after day, you may want to invest in a convertible leather jacket. It will allow you to mix up your outfits with a classic form of casual outwear.
Many motorcycle riders prefer to wear convertible leather jackets rather than non-convertible leather jackets. If you regularly ride a motorcycle, you probably know the importance of covering your head. When uncovered, bugs and debris may fly into your hair. You can prevent this from happening by wearing a convertible leather jacket. Just pull the hood over your head while you are riding. After reaching your destination and getting off your motorcycle, you remove the hood.
How to Choose a Convertible Leather Jacket
When choosing a convertible leather jacket, make sure it’s constructed of real leather. Don’t assume that a convertible leather jacket is made of real leather just because it’s labeled as “leather.” Some leather jackets, including convertible leather jackets, are made of faux leather. Faux leather is a synthetic material that’s made of a plastic-coated fabric. It may look like real leather, but it doesn’t offer the same physical properties or benefits.
You should check the hood for a drawstring as well. Convertible leather jackets are characterized by a removable hood. The hood, however, may or may not feature a drawstring. If the hood has a drawstring, you’ll be able to easily tighten or loosen it to achieve the perfect fit.
Convertible leather jackets are available in different colors. Some of them feature a single color, such as black or brown. Other convertible leather jackets feature two colors. Those with two colors are known as two-tone convertible leather jackets. A two-tone convertible jacket typically has a primary color and a secondary color, such as black and white. You’ll need to consider the color or colors when choosing a convertible leather jacket.
Convertible leather jackets often have pockets. If you’re going to buy a convertible leather jacket, you should check to see how many pockets it has and where they are located. With pockets, it will offer a high level of utility. You can use the pockets to carry small items, which is particularly useful if you’re riding a motorcycle.
Keep in mind that some convertible leather jackets have removable sleeves. as well. In addition to the hood, you can remove the sleeves. Removing the sleeves from a convertible leather jacket will essentially make it a leather shirt. It’s a unique feature that results in a higher level of versatility. These are just a few things to consider when choosing a convertible leather jacket.