All You Need to Know About Leather Jackets

26 Jul

Table of Contents

Overview

The global leather jacket industry is growing at 6.60% every year, which shows its demand and how much potential is in the industry out there.

Either you are trying to fit in this competitive market, and exploring business opportunities, or a buyer who should have the basic knowledge while buying leather jacket, in this guide you will find all the valuable information, like types of leather jacket, market size, how to buy, how to wash and a lot more.

What Are Leather Jackets and Their Uses?

We all know what leather jackets are! Don’t we?

A leather-made styling outerwear wardrobe option that provides style and safety to the upper body.
Leather jackets come in various colours, categories, and variants.
Firstly, authentic leather jackets are made of different animal hides.

Sheepskin
Goatskin
Buffalo
Lambskin leather
Crocodile
Pig skin
Cowhide
Deerskin

All these different types of leather possess different qualities, Like the cowhide is less likely to tear apart, as it is thick and rugged. However, the durability, usage, and the feature one is looking for determines what leather would fit best as per the requirements.

The authentic leather jackets are used for protection from harsh weathers like cold and dry winters, when we are looking for options that possess snug and can provide warmth. And this has everything, As it is comfortable, provide snug, And is stylish enough to pair it with multiple outfit options.

Although, there are other types of leather as well, which uses in manufacturing jackets, Including faux leather, and Vegan leather. But, both of them are not that durable and not a long lasting option as compared to authentic leather. But they are both prominent option if someone is looking for more colours, and unique designs in jackets.

What Are the Different Types of Leather Jackets?

You might have heard or seen about different leather jacket types. And maybe you are confused about it. So, let me clarify it for you.

Bomber leather jackets
Biker Leather Jackets
Cafe Racer Jacket
Moto Jacket
Varsity Jacket
Hooded Jacket
Aviator Jacket
Suede Jackets
Puffer Jackets
Denim Jackets

Bomber Leather Jackets

Bomber or Flights jackets are the same.

And these jackets were first used by pilots. But slowly it gained popularity. Now, it has become one of the most preferred type of leather jackets.

Bomber jackets have Waist-length cuts, Zipper closure, Ribbed hem, cuffs collars, and a defined neckline. And these jackets are made especially for high altitudes and low temperatures. So, anyone who want a durable option for winters can surely consider it.

Biker Leather Jackets

As, you can assume by its name that these jackets are especially designed for biking enthusiast and adventures. And it contains features accordingly. And it is more durable, and have some logos patched in it.

It has an Asymmetrical front zipper, Zipper sleeves, Belts and Buckles. It provides a perfect snug, and a sleek silhouette, and is considered amongst the finest jackets for men.

Cafe Racer Jacket

Cafe Racer is a simple, minimalist and stylish option, with 4 pockets and zipper closures these jackets are absolutely a timeless and effortless option to wear with casual and semi-formals.

Moto Jackets

The history of leather jackets in motorcycle culture is very old. Moto jackets are also amongst the type of biker and motorcycle jackets. As, the biker jackets have multiple types of jackets to embrace the ideal style, So, it has an option for every type of people. Although, you can use it other than riding a bike. As, it is also an exceptional option for casual outings.

Flap pockets and multiple zippers, slant front zipper closure, snap or round shirt collar, belted waist and shoulders make its look exceptionally good.

Varsity Jackets

The jacket is made for athletes in the first place.

The origin of Varsity jackets is the USA.

They are also known as awarded jackets back in time. These jackets, which are also called “Lettermen Jackets”, indicate an award for participation in varsity games.

Varsity Jackets usually have two colours, in which the front area is of one colour, and the sleeves are of the other, with a logo patch on the front or back, and stretchable sleeves and waist; this jacket has a unique appearance than other leather jackets. Now, it has become one of the most versatile and causal options, with multiple colour combinations for both men and women.

Hooded Jackets

A Jacket with a fascinating style, Elegance and functionality that enhances the overall appearance. And it looks super cool with casual wear options. As you can think by its name it has a hood, which makes it a more practical and delicate option.

Aviator Jackets

Aviator of pilot jackets that are worn by the aviators to keep themselves warm in freezing temperatures.

What makes it stand-out is its fur collar, which is often made up of shearling or faux fur. As, this jacket not only provides extra warmth, but also elevates your look in general.

Suede Jackets

With a nap and fuzzy finish, Suede jackets are also amongst the most dynamic options that you can consider while buying a leather jacket this season. Its soft texture and comfortable feel is worth wearing for semi-formal and formal events.

Puffer Jackets

A quilted design jacket with sections that are puffy and stitched between the sections. And they are filled with down insulation or synthetic fibre. These jackets are specially designed to provide warmth. And because it is a lightweight option. So, it makes it a convenient option to carry and wear in extreme weather conditions.

Denim Jackets:

So, you are aware of the denim jeans, right? these jackets are just made up of the same material, has the same look, and two pockets on front of the jacket with button closure gives a cool look. And it looks perfect with casual styling options.

Ways to Identify Real Leather Jackets:There are plenty of ways to identify a real leather jacket

They are costly
Unique and Inconsistent texture.
It has an earthy or Oaky smell.
Check for the label that says “Genuine leather” or “Real Leather.”
The lining of the authentic leather jacket is made of silk and cotton.
Authentic leather Burns slowly with a non-chemical smell.

Pricing Difference:

The real leather jackets are costlier, As, it requires an expensive procedure to follow for its manufacturing. And that is why you can see a major difference between the pricing of PU leather and real leather. So, you should always Buy men’s leather jackets online from the platforms which are offering top-quality in economical pricing.

Texture of the Jacket:

If the jacket has a consistent and smooth texture, then it is most probably made of PU leather. And on the other side, if it has a unique, and supple texture with inconsistency then it is most likely a real leather jacket.

The difference of Smell:

The real leather smells earthy or Oaky. But the Faux leather smells like plastic or some kind of chemical. You have to take a good look at it to analyse it.

Check The Label:

The real leather jackets have a label attached to it mentioning “Real Leather” or “Genuine Leather”. If not then the jacket might not be real, So, you better ensure by doing all the necessary steps mentioned in it.

High-Quality Lining:

Authentic leather jacket is made up of high quality lining material like Cotton, and silk. While if the lining is of polyester or nylon than it is most likely PU leather.

Do A Burn Test:

One more thing that you can do is a burn test. Cut a small piece of leather and burn it, If it burns quickly and smells like chemical or some kind of plastic than it is not a real leather. While if it is taking time in burning than it is real leather.

Look for Natural Flaw:

You will seek scars and wrinkles in real leather because these are natural imperfections. On the other hand, PU leather is made free from any imperfections.

Do a Flexibility Test?

After doing all these tests and following steps you will find out the actual quality of the product. So, you can then find and buy Leather jackets for women on sale or for men without a single doubt in your mind.

Are Leather Jackets Waterproof?

Different type of leather has their own certain power to resist water. And it solely depends on the type of leather that you choose. But one thing you should keep in mind is that leather is naturally permeable, So it absorbs water, too.

So, if you want to buy a water resistant jacket than you can go for puffer jackets. As, these jackets are lightweight and their puffs are filled with down insulation. And polyester and nylon are the materials used in its making, both of them are water resistant and will save you from rain.

A Complete Guide On How to Buy a Leather Jacket?

There are plenty of aspects that you should consider while buying a leather jacket. And there are plenty of Benefits of owning a high-quality leather jacket. But to gain all the benefits you should buy genuine leather jacket. So, Let’s take a look on how you can buy that.

Buy After Looking for A Perfect Fit:

A jacket that is oversize as per your body or small enough for you to fit in, would cause a lot of trouble. Firstly, it won’t suit you. Secondly, you won’t find yourself comfortable. And these are the most crucial things which you shouldn’t ignore.

Always Buy High-Quality Leather:

If you aren’t into vegan leather jackets. Then you should buy authentic leather jackets. Because genuine leather jackets are durable and last for many years.

Secondly, authentic leather jackets are easy to manage and they won’t tear easily. The level of comfort and snug authentic leather provide is not possible with PU leather.

Details and Functionality:

Leather jackets are meant to provide not only warmth and comfort but also pretty good functions for different situations. Like zipper closure to save you from harsh weather, inside and outside pockets to put any necessary item. Also, waist belts and shoulder belts are important to make it a perfect fit for you.

Try Out Different Colours:

Don’t go for black or brown all the time. Try different colours and categories of leather jackets to experiment with what looks good on you. Trying different colours and categories will help you explore and understand more about yourself.

Note: For top-quality leather jackets you can visit Leather Jacket NZ official website, As they have plenty of variety to offer.

How to Take Care of Your Leather Jacket?

You should be aware of the type of leather jacket you wear. And if it is amongst nubuck or suede, then the best advice I can give you is to take it to the specialist.
Never Ever put your leather jacket in a washing machine
Clean it regularly after wearing it for better leather jacket care.
Store in a cool and dry place.
Use a Damp cloth for cleaning.
Use leather cleaning conditioners for better shine and leather health.
Don’t put it in the dryer to shrink; it will eliminate all the natural oils.
After Cleaning, let it dry on its own. However, you can use cloth to dry it by taping it, if it is taking too much time.
Don’t Iron it to remove wrinkles, instead you should avoid it in the first place, by storing it with a hanger.
The conditioning of the jacket depends on your usage and how you are using it. So, if the jacket isn’t in direct contact for too long, then once a year is ideal. But if you wear it too much in direct sunlight,, then its oils willst likely dry you have to condition it after three to five months.

How to Wash a Leather Jacket?

Step 1) Remove Surface Dirt:

Firstly, you should have to remove the surface dust or small stains from the jacket before cleaning it thoroughly. You should clean any particles of dust, or anything should be removed before applying the solution to save it from any damage.

Lay down your leather jacket on a clean and dry surface.
Take any soft cloth and clean it gently to remove any dirt particles in the jacket.
Make sure to start with the top and then go to the bottom. And also make sure that you clean every area of the jacket.
Try to focus more while cleaning the cuffs and collars. Because dust and dirt often remain hidden there.
Don’t put too much force to remove hard particles. Or else your leather jacket might damage. So, you should gently use a wet cloth and wipe it out.
Never use any cloth other than white for cleaning. Because the leather jacket might soak its colour within the jacket.
Make sure that you clean every part of the jacket.

Step 2) Prepare the cleaning solution:

Now, after cleaning the dirt particles, Select a mild soap or specialised solution for leather jackets. Also, keep in mind that if you use any harsh material, then it will extract the essential oils from your jacket.
Fill some lukewarm water in a bucket, but make sure to add only required water to clean that certain area of the jacket.
Add some drops of the soap or solution you choose.
Mix it until you see bubbles at the top.
Dip a soft cloth into the mixture. And then squeeze the maximum amount of the mixture from it. But don’t let it completely dry. As it should have something in it for cleaning.

Step 3) Cleaning:

After having the essential amount of the solution, test it on a small surface that either the mixture is working fine or not.
Wipe the solution in a circular motion and gently, and focus on a specific area to make an even cleaning of it.
Don’t push too harshly on the jacket, as it might reduce the colour or natural oils from it.
Make sure to clean the cloth or sponge that is used for the cleaning.
The folds, like cuffs, and collars require more attention. So, you have to clean it accordingly.
You have to be cautious while cleaning the hardware area like zippers, buttons, and pockets etc. Because cleaning these areas without special attention might put scratches on your jacket.

Step 4) Wiping and Drying Stage:

Firstly, take another clean cloth or form to re-rinse the whole jacket.
Secondly, make sure to press and re-rinse the whole area in a circular motion to avoid any type of stains.
Make sure to wipe the jacket evenly and don’t concentrate more on some areas to clean it better. Because you have to use the cleaning cloth right in order to clean perfectly.

Step 5) Inside cleaning of the Jacket:

Firstly, turn your jacket inside out.
Secondly, you can use a vacuum cleaner to clean the dirt particles on the inner part of the jacket.
Thirdly, you can use the same solution that you use to clean the outer surface of the jacket.
There might be some tough stains on the inner side of the jacket. So, you have to use specialise inner cleaner of the leather jackets for better results.
After wiping it out, make sure to let it dry at a place where there should be no direct sunlight or heat sources.
You can use some fabric freshener to give your jacket a fresh smell if there is any odour coming from it.

By following the above steps, you can wash your jackets with ease. However, We also have a dedicated post about this, which you can check out here: How to Wash a Leather Jacket?

How do you clean food stains from a leather jacket?

To clean food stains, you should make sure to follow the steps below quickly.

First, use any dull knife or spoon to remove any solid particles on the jacket.
Don’t rub the stain; it will eventually damage the texture of your leather jacket.
You have to blot it up to clean food stains.
After blotting it up, use another cloth to soak any excessive liquid on the jacket.
Let it dry in a cool and dry place, Away from direct sunlight.
If the stains are tougher for blotting it up, then use specialised leather jacket cleansers for that purpose. Or take it to any leather dry cleaner.

How do you clean paint, oil, glue, ink, and makeup stains from a leather jacket?

Blot the stain instead of spreading it out or using the circular cleaning method.
I don’t recommend using water etc, to clean it, you should use specially designed leather cleaner and moisturizer for that.
Be extra careful while cleaning, instead cleaning all the areas at once, start from a small area to analyze the effectiveness and how much effort it is required to clean it.

For Hair Products, Salt and Alcohol you just have to change the mixture, And the best mixture for these stains are water and vinegar.

How do you remove grease stains from a leather jacket?

To remove grease stains, after blotting up the excessive oil, Sprinkle baking soda, and leave it for some hours. Or leave it for the whole night for better results.
Use a soft brush to clean the area. But don’t put too much effort into cleaning it.
If the stains remain after this, then you should use the leather jacket cleaner and clean it gently. Or take it to the expert for that.

How to Polish a Leather Jacket?

Keep in mind that direct sunlight is as harmful to the leather jacket as it is to our human skin. And too much exposure directly to the sun harm the jacket.

Secondly, Don’t use shoe polish or apply like shoe polish because this will make your leather jacket dull and even reduce its colour and oil. So, you have to use the specialise leather jacket polish and apply as per the instructions in it.

How to Soften a Leather Jacket?

Don’t ever put your leather jacket in a washing machine to make it soft. Because by doing this, you will damage your leather jacket and your leather jacket will shrink.

Leather jacket will soften automatically over time; you just have to take good care of it. And use conditioner and maintain it when needed.

You can also read this post for a complete guide on How to Soften a Leather Jacket.

Conclusion:

This comprehensive guide has everything about leather jackets which includes, what is leather jacket and its uses, Types of leather jacket, Guide on how to buy a leather jacket, Ways to identify real leather jacket, how to take care of the leather jacket, How to wash, polish and soft the leather jacket.