by Leather | Leather Jackets
Real Leather Holds its Value Genuine leather garments and products typically hold their value, more so than faux leather. In the rare event that you decide you no longer want your leather jacket, you can always sell it — usually fetching the same or almost as much money for which you paid. This is in stark contrast to faux leather, which does not hold its value. Faux Leather is Bad for the Environment (and Your Health) No, that’s not a typo. Certain types of faux leather, particularly those made with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), are actually bad for the environment and your health. PVC is a harsh synthetic chemical that’s been linked to cancer. This doesn’t necessarily mean that wearing a faux leather jacket will give you cancer, but do you really want to expose yourself to these harsh chemicals? Real Leather is Breathable Although invisible to the naked eye, real leather contains thousands upon thousands of holes (known as pores) on the surface. These holes allow leather to breathe, absorbing and releasing moisture from the surrounding environment. Unfortunately, faux leather lacks this feature, which is one of the many reasons why people tend to choose genuine leather jackets over their faux counterpart. Real Leather is More Comfortable to Wear This alone should be reason enough to choose real leather over faux leather. While they may look similar in terms of appearance, genuine leather jackets and garments are significantly more comfortable than faux leather. They are softer, more supple, and have a certain “squishiness” that’s ultra-comfortable. Real Leather Smells Nice It’s hard to describe the pleasant aroma of real leather...
by Leather | Leather Jackets
Congratulations on your decision to invest in a genuine leather jacket. While fashion trends come and go, it’s safe to leather is here to stay. Leather jackets have been worn by men and women alike for over a century, and even today they remain one of the most popular styles of jackets on the market. But if you’re going to buy a leather jacket, you’ll want to make sure it’s the right fit. Sleeve Length One of the first things to consider when choosing a leather jacket is the sleeve length. If the sleeves are too short or too long, the jacket simply won’t look right; thus, you should choose a different size. Much like a standard suit jacket, the sleeves of a leather jacket should fall just shy of your wrist bone. Ideally, you should still be able to see your wrist bone, as this indicates the jacket is a good fit. Keep in mind, however, that too much space between your wrist bone and the jacket’s sleeve indicates the sleeves are too long. There should be a very small amount of space between your wrist bone and the sleeve. Chest Size You should also consider the chest size when choosing a leather jacket. A properly fitted jacket should allow you to rise both your arms to your sides, bring them forward, and place them down by your sides with ease. Jackets that are too small will restrict these movements, indicating you need a bigger jacket. Feel free to stand up and move around when trying on a leather jacket. Are you able to move freely and unrestricted?...
by Leather | Fashion
Would you wear a shirt that’s covered in mold or mildew? Neither would I! Unfortunately, though, this is an all-too-common problem that occurs when clothes are stored for long periods at a time. You may neatly fold your garments, placing them in the spare bedroom until the summer arrives. But when you remove them, you notice they are covered in mold and mildew. So, how do you protect your clothes from this phenomenon? The Yucky Science Behind Mold Mold and mildew thrive in wet, moist environments. When the relative humidity increases beyond 50% in a particular environment, it becomes susceptible to mold. Mold spores will attach themselves to anything they can find, reproducing and spreading. In addition to being unsightly, mold-covered clothes may pose a real threat to your health. Exposure to mold can cause respiratory infections and allergic reactions, so it’s important that you take precautions to eliminate mold from your home. Dry Clothes Before Hanging Them Wait until your clothes have fully dried before hanging them up in your closet. Some people may hang up clothes while they are still damp, assuming it causes no harm. But damp clothes will raise the humidity in your closet, creating an ideal environment in which mold and mildew can thrive. So let your cloths dry for an extra 5 minutes or so just to be on the safe side. Hang Bags of Charcoal How can this help to protect your clothes from mold and mildew? Well, charcoal works to absorb moisture. By hanging bags of charcoal in your closet, it will reduce the humidity levels so mold less likely to...
by Leather | Fashion
There’s no better fashion accessory for the winter season than a scarf. Scarves offer both style and functionality, enhancing your appearance with extra color while keeping you warm and comfortable at the same time. Unfortunately, though, many people don’t know the proper way to wear a scarf. They’ll toss it over their neck and call it a day. But if you wan to reap the full benefits of a scarf, you need to take a different approach to wearing it. Choosing the Right Scarf Don’t assume that all scarves are the same. You can find them available in all different colors, patterns, sizes, fabrics and designs, ranging from simple to complex. So, which style is right for you? Consider both your outfit and the occasion for which you’ll be wearing it. If you plan on wearing an outfit with red shoes and a red belt, for instance, a similar red-colored scarf would be an excellent choice. Alternatively, you can experiment with plaid scarves if your outfit has other plaid garments in it. The Infinity Scarf Among the most popular styles of scarves is the infinity. As the name suggests, this style is characterized by a circle or oval that never ends. Traditional scarves are usually shaped like a line, with two ends at which the fabric stops. But an infinity scarf is weaved together to form the shape of a circle or oval. To wear an infinity scarf, wrap it over your neck, and then twist it two or three additional times over your head so it hides the original knot. This is a simple yet stylish way to...
by Leather | Leather Jackets
Nothing says first-class style like a genuine leather jacket. From its subtle grain texture to its soft yet durable feel, leather truly in a class of its own. Perhaps this is why so many men and women prefer leather jackets are over fabrics and materials. But like all garments, even those made with leather must be properly maintained to preserve their appearance and characteristics. Don’t Leave it in the Sun Granted, occasional sun exposure isn’t going to cause any major damage to a leather jacket. However, if you leave your leather jacket stored directly in the sun, day after day, it can fade its color. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as some people prefer the unique look of faded leather. But if you’re hoping to preserve the original appearance of your leather jacket, it’s recommended that you store it out of the sun. Don’t Scratch it Use caution not to scratch your leather jacket, as this can leave visible marks behind that aren’t easy to remove. If you are working outside, for instance, consider wearing a different jacket so you don’t damage your leather jacket. Rubbing a leather jacket against a tree branch, nail or debris may leave behind visible scratch marks. Spot Clean Stains Try not to panic if you accidentally spill something on your leather jacket. With a little bit of work, minor stains can be removed. Just run a clean washcloth under lukewarm water and blot the stain until it comes out. Assuming the stain was recently made and hasn’t settled into the leather, this should suffice. For deeper stains, however, you may need to...
by Leather | Fashion
They may not boast the same level of popularity as leather jackets, but suede jackets remain a classic, time-tested choice of outwear among both men and women. Featuring a soft, almost fuzzy texture, it’s a welcomed alternative to many traditional fabrics and materials. But if you’re going to buy a suede jacket, you need to know how to care for it. Don’t Wear Suede in the Rain Suede and water don’t mix, which is why you should avoid wearing suede jackets (or any other garments made of this fabric) in the rain. When suede is exposed to water, it tends to soak it up, promoting the formation of mold and mildew. This doesn’t necessarily mean that splashing a small amount of water on your suede jacket is going to destroy it, but if you’re looking to prolong the life of your suede jacket you should keep it dry whenever possible. Spot Clean Stains It’s bound to happen sooner or later. Maybe you accidentally spill your morning coffee on your suede jacket, or maybe some mud makes its way onto your jacket. Rather than attempting to clean your suede jacket in the washing machine (never a good idea, by the way), you should spot clean these stains. The best way to spot clean a suede jacket is by blotting the stained area with a lukewarm washcloth topped with a small amount of liquid laundry detergent. As long as you blot the stain and don’t rub it, it should come out with relatively ease. For more severe stains, however, you may need to use vinegar. Instead of using liquid laundry detergent...
by Leather | Fashion
Color Coordinate When planning your wardrobe, make sure it features colors that match or at least flow cohesively with one another. Randomly pairing different garments together with no sense of color coordination is a recipe for disaster. You may get lucky and find a winning combination, but nine out of ten times it will clash. The bottom line is that you need to make sure the colors of your outfit match before walking out the door. Wear a Belt Some women assume that belts are only useful when wearing jeans or other traditional pants, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Belts offer a great way to accessorize a dress as well. Whether it’s little black dress (LBD), formal dress, etc., you can wrap a belt around the waist to enhance your appearance. Press Your Garments I think we’ve all been guilty of wearing wrinkled clothes at some point or another. While it may seem harmless enough, wrinkled clothes will have a negative impact on your appearance, so it’s best to avoid this fashion faux pas. Using an iron and ironing board, press your garments before wearing them. Or if they are dry-clean only, take them to the dry cleaners. Dress in Layers One of the easiest ways to improve your look is to dress in layers. This offers greater versatility in terms of defining your appearance for specific occasions. If you want a new “look,” you can simply take off the outer layer. Assuming the under layer consists of a different color and/or style, you can change your appearance on the fly by wearing multiple layers. And...
by Leather | Fashion, Leather Dresses
Nothing says modern fashion like an elegant leather dress. Featuring the subtle yet sophisticated characteristics that define leather, it’s a stunning choice that’s sure to enhance any woman’s appearance. But like most garments, the trick to successfully wearing a leather dress in the most appealing manner possible lies in the accessories. Unfortunately, many women struggle to choose accessories for their leather dress. Because this isn’t an ordinary cotton dress, it requires a different approach. If you wear the same “ordinary” accessories with it, you’ll likely fail to achieve an attractive, thought-out look. So, what are some good accessories to wear with a leather dress? Belt Just because your leather dress lacks the standard belt loops around the waistline doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t wear a belt with it. On the contrary, accessorizing your leather dress with a belt is a great way to enhance its appearance while adding new color to your outfit. If you have a black leather dress, for instance, try accessorizing it with a red belt. The contrasting relationship between the black and red creates a stunningly bold appearance that’s sure to turn heads. High Heels High heels are an excellent choice of footwear for a leather dress, assuming you choose the right color. Going back to the example above, if you’re going to wear a black leather dress with a red belt, then you should complete the look with a pair of red high-heeled shoes. Maintaining cohesion with your belt and shoes is essential to creating a uniform look. Clutch Purse Yes, a clutch purse is also considered an accessory — and it’s a...
by Leather | Leather Jackets
So, you’re in the market for a new leather jacket? Being that leather is our specialty, you’ve come to the right place! But now you’re faced with the task of choosing a style and color. While leather jackets are available in a wide variety of colors, the two most popular are black and brown. You really can’t go wrong with either a brown or black leather jacket, assuming it’s genuine leather and made with a high level of craftsmanship. However, your choice of color will directly impact the way in which you wear it. This begs the question: should you choose a brown or black leather jacket? What’s Your Preferred Choice of Footwear? Consider your shoes and footwear when choosing a leather jacket. If you normally wear brown boots during the fall and winter months, then perhaps a similar brown-colored leather jacket would be the best choice. On the other hand, if you normally wear black shoes, then you should choose a black-colored leather jacket. A good rule of thumb is to match your jacket with your shoes, in which case your leather jacket should be the same color (or at least similar) as your shoes. Black is More Formal… Some people may argue otherwise, but many fashion experts view black as being a more formal color than brown. It possesses a newer, more modern appearance that’s not found in brown. Therefore, a black leather jacket is the preferred choice for formal events. If you’re looking for an everyday jacket, however, a traditional brown leather jacket may suffice. ‘Rugged’ Brown Look Of course, many men and women prefer the...