The leather jacket is a Western fashion icon – that much is unarguable. Popularized by figures such as Harrison Ford, Keanu Reeves and, of course, The Fonz, the leather jacket continues to form a staple part of Western fashion as it has done for the best part of half a century. Leather jackets are also used by military police and were popular with the Russian Bolsheviks during the Soviet era, giving the jackets an air of mystery and intrigue that remains to this day.
The range of different types of leather is simply staggering. Nappa leather, for example, is the highest quality and most expensive type of leather. The lightweight, supple nature of nappa leather allows the wearer to wear it for long periods of time without discomfort. Nubuck leather is soft and velvety, giving a vintage look, while hide leather is thicker and heavier, not to mention cheaper to buy and easier to get hold of. Most high street leather jackets are made from thinly sliced hide leather in order to sacrifice quality in the name of big profits.
Often, the best bargains on leather jackets can be had online. A high-grade nappa leather jacket can be bought for upwards of $500 – not all that expensive when you consider the quality of the leather and craftsmanship involved. However, if your budget is limited then hide leather may be suitable. Hide leather is heavier and often more uncomfortable than higher grades of leather, but is available far cheaper than higher grades of leather and in more outlets.
The classic black leather jacket remains the most popular color of leather, as it has done for many years. Some men opt for brown colored jackets in order to attain a vintage look, while red is a popular color for women. Leather coloring is achieved either by using aniline dyes on higher grades of leather or surface dyeing on lower grades. Surface dyeing helps hide blemishes in lower grade leather while aniline dyes give a varnished effect to high grade leather.
It’s not difficult to keep a leather jacket looking brand new. With a little care and attention, a leather jacket can give many, many years of good service. Use a leather protector regularly in order to protect your leather from rain and spillages. Moisturizing the jacket with a leather conditioner will prolong the life of your jacket and keep it supple and moist, providing it with flexibility to move and stretch without cracking or ripping. Enjoy your leather jacket and look after it.
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