Leather jackets have long been the basis of everyday wardrobe. However, this does not mean that you can choose any leather jacket without looking. You should buy only those products that have the qualities necessary for you to be able to wear the chosen jacket for many years.
The Main Criteria for Choosing a Quality Leather Jacket
To choose a women’s leather jacket that will not stretch, will not go out of fashion and will retain its appearance for many years, you should approach the choice of the product with special attention. Below we will tell you what you should consider when choosing a leather jacket.
Skin types and their features
Before we look at the types of leather, it is important to learn how to distinguish leather from leatherette. It is quite difficult to distinguish genuine leather from artificial leather. Because modern leatherettes, in comparison with genuine leather, have almost the same wear resistance, are highly moisture resistant and are not afraid of frost. Previously, artificial leather could be distinguished by an unpleasant chemical smell. Today, manufacturers add crumbs from animal skins to the product, which helps to eliminate this chemical smell. Leatherette can be identified by the number of layers: a layer of knitwear, non-woven material, impregnation and polymer coating. While natural material consists of one single layer of leather.
For the manufacture of leather jackets, 4 types of leather are used:
- Beefskin. The main advantages of this leather are its strength and durability, but it is considered one of the heaviest;
- Sheepskin. One of the most common types of material. It has a beautiful appearance, depending on the dressing it can be thin or thick. Affordable, but not very durable;
- Pig skin. It is considered the softest and most pleasant, so clothes are most often made from this material, including leather jackets;
- Calfskin. It is durable and long-lasting, but looks rougher than other types of leather.
Quality of leather finishing and processing
Leather also differs in the way it is tanned or processed:
- Raw. Initially soft and elastic leather undergoes the processes of liming, fleshing, and then hardens. This method of dressing is used when the leather needs to be given a certain shape, for example, when covering drums.
- Tanned. Tanning is the most common method of processing. It gives the leather strength, durability and flexibility. The material that has undergone such processing is soft, elastic, resistant to moisture and temperature changes.
- Rawhide is leather that is tanned with aluminum alum. It is most often used in the production of harnesses and reins for horses, as well as for the manufacture of orthopedic shoes.
Strength of seams and fittings
Not only the leather itself should be of high quality, but also the tailoring and fittings of the jacket. Choose jackets with metal fittings. When buying, be sure to check the zipper, it should move freely and not jam, and the material should not get caught in the zipper. Carefully inspect the seams of the jacket, both external and internal on the lining. A high-quality jacket should not have missed loops, protruding threads, or tears.
Choosing the right style and cut
Choose the style of the jacket based on your own style, based on what items you already have in your wardrobe, where and with what you plan to wear this item. If this is the first leather jacket in your wardrobe, opt for basic classic models, otherwise you can safely experiment with trendy models. As for the cut, you can only determine the right one for you during the fitting. You should be comfortable in the jacket and it should not restrict your movements.
Popular Leather Jacket Styles
Classic leather jackets are timeless and trendless – a win-win solution for all times. Such options include a leather jacket. It will easily complement business and casual looks. A biker jacket, an aviator jacket or a pilot jacket with sheepskin, a leather bomber jacket: all these jackets have become the base. Feel free to wear them with different styles of clothes: sporty, feminine, elegant and evening. Leather windbreakers, down jackets, motorcycle jackets, oversized, long or shortened “bolero” jackets: literally everything is in fashion now!
How to choose a jacket according to your figure
First of all, the leather jacket should fit you in size. It does not matter whether you buy a biker jacket or a leather jacket: any jacket model should not be too tight. The fit should be semi-fitted or loose, do not expect the leather to stretch over time. When moving, the jacket should not restrict your movements. To do this, stretch your arms forward and see if the sleeves at the shoulders rise too high and if the jacket presses on your back. If this does not happen, then the size is right for you, otherwise take a larger size. Be sure to try on insulated winter jackets over a sweater.
Optimal length of a jacket
The length of the jacket depends on the model, your preferences and tasks. Both shortened and extended versions are in fashion. Short leather bolero jackets are more suitable for summer and spring, while extended models are relevant for cold weather.
Color solutions and their compatibility
The most difficult thing in creating an organic image is the ability to correctly combine colors, especially considering the diversity of the fashionable color palette. Therefore, do not chase trends, but rather focus on the color scheme of your wardrobe. And based on this, choose the right color of the leather jacket.
Classic Leather Jacket Colors
Classic colors are time-tested, they are practical and will go with all the colors in your wardrobe. First of all, these include: black, brown and its lighter shades like beige and sand, gray, burgundy, emerald. A white leather jacket will also be easy to combine with clothes of any color scheme, but it is not as practical to wear and is more suitable for summer or spring combinations. Bright colors from the trendy palette, for example, bright blue, purple or especially fashionable recently things with a metallic effect, cannot be called universal. Such jackets will be difficult to fit into everyday looks. However, if you are the owner of several basic models, then you can complement your wardrobe with more spectacular options.
Details and decor: what to pay attention to
Details, even the smallest ones, are something that should not be ignored. After all, even the presence of a small decor like rhinestones or floral embroidery deprives the model of universality. An abundance of metal rivets, spikes, too frequent stitching and other jacket decorations are a sure sign that it will be difficult to find clothes for the jacket and it will very soon go out of fashion.
Collar: Choosing the Optimal Style
The collar is most often subject to fashion changes. Therefore, pay attention not only to the decor of the jacket as a whole, but also to the collar in particular. A collar that is too bright, too big, or even absent also indicates that you have an ultra-fashionable jacket in front of you, which will quickly go out of fashion.
Pockets and fasteners: functionality and design
Pockets and fasteners should be primarily practical. Fasteners and zippers should open and close well. Pockets can be functional or decorative. However, they should not be overly decorated, this again makes the jacket fashionable, but not a basic model.
Fashionable accents and their appropriateness
Trendy models with fashionable accents are a way to diversify your basic wardrobe. But it is better to do this when you already have a couple of universal leather jacket models in your closet that go with everything and are suitable for every day. In this case, you can get carried away by trends and periodically introduce something ultra-fashionable into your image.
