Have you heard of leather ponchos? They’ve become a popular alternative to traditional leather jackets. Leather ponchos are still made of leather, and they are still used as outerwear. They are different, however, in several ways. If you’re thinking about buying a leather poncho, there are a few things you should below. In this post, you’ll find a complete guide to leather ponchos.
What Is a Leather Poncho?
A leather poncho is a form of outerwear consisting of a sleeveless leather garment. There are other types of ponchos available. A poncho is simply a sleeveless garment that’s designed to keep the body dry and warm. Some of the earliest known examples of ponchos date back to the 18th century, during which they were discovered in South America. Other cultures in other parts of the world have also worn ponchos.
While ponchos have been around since the 18th century — or even sooner — leather ponchos are a relatively new invention. Leather ponchos feature a similar design as those made in the past. Like their name implies, however, leather ponchos are made of leather.
Leather Ponchos vs Leather Jackets
The main difference between leather ponchos and leather jackets is that the former is sleeveless, whereas the latter has sleeves. They are both made of leather.
You can find leather ponchos and leather jackets available in many of the same types of leather, such as napa leather and stretch leather. With that said, only leather jackets have sleeves in which you can place your arms. Leather ponchos are characterized by a sleeveless design.
Aside from the lack of sleeves, leather ponchos are similar to leather jackets. Most people, in fact, can’t tell the difference between a leather poncho and a leather jacket when viewing them from afar. It’s only when they inspect the two garments up close until they realize that they aren’t the same. Leather ponchos are sleeveless, whereas leather jackets have sleeves.
Leather ponchos aren’t necessarily vests. Vests are also sleeveless, but they are designed with a form-fitting construction — which is entirely different than the construction of leather ponchos. Vests are constructed so that they sit close against your body when worn. In comparison, leather ponchos are construction so that they drape from your body when worn.
Advantages of Leather Ponchos
Leather ponchos offer a myriad of advantages, one of which is a unique style. Leather jackets are undoubtedly attractive. If they weren’t attractive, they wouldn’t be worn and used by so many people. Nonetheless, leather ponchos offer a more unique style than their jacket counterparts. With their sleeveless design, they project a more unique, one-of-a-kind style that’s not found in traditional leather jackets.
There’s no denying the fact that leather ponchos are comfortable. You can wear a leather poncho like a cape by draping it over your body. It won’t constrict your torso, nor will it dig into your arms. In terms of comfort, leather ponchos are one of the most comfortable forms of outerwear.
You can wear a leather poncho to stay warm during the cold fall and winter months of the year. Leather ponchos are prized for their superior level of protection against cold weather. They’ll insulate your body, essentially trapping your body heat so that you stay warm even when it’s cold outside.
Leather ponchos are easy to maintain. Assuming it’s made of real leather, you won’t need to wash or dry your leather poncho. If it’s dirty, you can spot clean it. All garments made of real leather can be spot cleaned with warm water and dish soap — and leather ponchos are no exception.
You’ll also have the freedom to create layered outfits with a leather poncho. Since they feature a sleeveless design, leather ponchos can be worn over other layers, including other jackets.
How to Choose a Leather Poncho
If you’re going to buy a leather poncho, you should check to make sure it’s constructed of real leather. Some stores sell ponchos constructed of faux leather. Known as faux leather ponchos, they don’t offer the same advantages as real leather ponchos. Faux leather ponchos typically cost less than their real leather counterparts, but this is a case of “You get what you pay for.” You’ll get more value and utility by investing in a real leather poncho.
Leather ponchos constructed of napa leather are regarded as some of the highest-quality leather ponchos on the market. Napa leather is a type of ultra-smooth and equally soft leather. It receives its namesake from Napa, California where it was originally pioneered. Napa leather is used to make dozens of garments, one of which being ponchos.
Check the pockets when choosing a leather poncho. Most leather ponchos feature pockets. With that said, some of them have a different pocket configuration than others. Both the number of pockets, as well as the areas in which they are placed, may vary between them.
You should choose a leather poncho in the right size. While all leather ponchos are designed to fit loosely when worn, it’s still a good idea to get the right size. If your leather poncho is too big or too small, it may look awkward when worn. Alternatively, it may degrade more quickly, resulting in a shorter lifespan for your leather poncho.
How do you know if a leather poncho fits right? Well, you can always try it on, assuming you are shopping in person. The problem with this, however, is that many local stores don’t sell leather ponchos. They may sell leather jackets, but they typically don’t sell leather ponchos. Fortunately, a solution is to order a leather poncho from LeatherCult.
Here at LeatherCult, you can order a leather poncho in a custom size. Custom-sized leather ponchos are those that are designed according to your body measurements. You can provide your body measurements when placing an order. Using these measurements, we’ll create a custom leather poncho that’s designed specifically for your body.