Leather comes in many different forms. There’s faux leather, for instance, which is a type of synthetic material with an artificial grain. There’s also genuine leather, which consists of natural leather with a real grain. In addition to faux and artificial, however, you may come across stretch leather.
Stretch leather is used to make everything from jackets and shirts to trousers, dresses and more. These garments share many of the same qualities as those made of traditional leather — but with a few key differences. What is stretch leather exactly?
The Basics of Stretch Leather
Stretch leather is any type of leather material that contains at least some amount of an elastic fabric in its construction. Going back to the term’s basic definition, leather consists of animal hide that’s tanned and processed for use in clothing, furniture or other applications. Some types of leather come from sheepskin, whereas others come from lambskin. Regardless, all types of real and genuine leather come from animal hide.
There’s still animal hide in stretch leather. Stretch leather, in fact, is made mostly of the same sheepskin or lambskin that’s found in other types of leather. With that said, it contains a second, elastic material in its construction as well.
How Stretch Leather Differs From Traditional Leather
The difference between stretch leather and traditional leather lies in their respective construction. Traditional leather is made entirely of animal hide. In comparison, stretch leather is made of animal hide and an elastic material.
As previously mentioned, stretch leather still consists mostly of animal hide. Stretch napa leather, for example, is constructed primarily of sheepskin with an ultra-fine grain. Whether it’s stretch napa leather or any other type of stretch leather, however, the material also contains an elastic material. The elastic material is typically added as lining. In other words, stretch leather features an elastic lining that’s sewn into it.
Elastic materials are characterized by their stretchy physical properties. When you pull them, they’ll stretch. When you release elastic material materials, they’ll revert back to their original shape and size. Examples of elastic materials include lycra, polyester and spandex, all of which are commonly used in stretch leather.
Advantages of Stretch Leather
Many people prefer garments made of stretch leather over those made of traditional leather. Since they contain an elastic material, they often fit better. Stretch leather will contour to the shape of your body when worn. A stretch leather jacket, for instance, will naturally stretch around your body to provide a superior fit.
If you’re looking to buy a motorcycle jacket, you should consider purchasing one made of stretch leather. You can’t expect to stay comfortable when wearing a stiff or otherwise hard jacket on a motorcycle. Riding a motorcycle requires flexibility. You’ll have to bend and move your body to control your motorcycle. Therefore, a stretch leather jacket is a smart investment. It will give you the freedom to comfortably bend and move your body.
Stretch leather is also easy to maintain. You don’t have to use any special cleaning products on it. All you need is some warm water and dish soap. When it’s time to clean a stretch leather jacket — or any other stretch leather garment — you can blot it with a damp washcloth.
Disadvantages of Stretch Leather
What are the disadvantages of stretch leather? Well, if you want a garment with a stiff texture, you’ll have to look elsewhere. Stretch leather doesn’t offer a stiff texture. There are some people who prefer garments with a stiff texture. Stretch leather isn’t stiff. It’s the exact opposite. Stretch leather has a soft and elastic texture that allows it to stretch without sustaining damage.
Stretch leather is also less common than traditional leather. When shopping at local retail stores, you may struggle to find garments made of this material. There are still places that sell stretch leather garments, but you’ll have to know where to look. Here at LeatherCult, for example, we offer a wide selection of jackets, trousers and other garments made of stretch leather.
As you can see, the advantages of stretch leather greatly outweigh the disadvantages. Garments made of stretch leather are comfortable, offer an amazing fit and are easy to maintain.
Choosing a Stretch Leather Jacket
If you’re going to buy a stretch leather jacket, there are a few things you should know. For starters, you’ll need to choose the right color. Like traditional leather jackets, stretch leather jackets are available in a variety of colors. You can find stretch leather jackets in conventional colors like black and brown as well as alternative colors like red, yellow and even green.
When choosing a color for a stretch leather jacket, you need to consider the clothes and accessories with which you plan on wearing it. You don’t want to choose a stretch leather jacket in a color that clashes with your outfits. Rather, the color should flow cohesively with your outfits.
Stretch leather jackets can be classified as either single breasted or double breasted. Single-breasted stretch leather jackets have one column of buttons on the front, whereas double-breasted stretch leather jackets have two columns of buttons on the front. Which style should you choose? Neither single-breasted nor double-breasted stretch leather jackets are better than the other.
Don’t underestimate the importance of choosing a stretch leather jacket in the right size. While they are more forgiving than traditional jackets, you still need to choose a stretch leather jacket that fits. If it’s too big, it will be baggy and awkward to wear. If it’s too small, it may constrict your body to the point of causing discomfort.
In Conclusion
Not all leather is the same. Stretch leather is a unique type of leather that’s characterized by the use of an elastic material. Garments made of stretch leather have an elastic lining sewn into them, thus making them particularly comfortable to wear.