Online Shopping - love it or hate it?

On one hand there is no need to leave your house or even your sofa, you can view a vast range of what is available or on offer and then decide to have a look at it in the flesh at a local shop outlet . Or if you want to save your fuel and parking money just buy online as a refund period has to be included as the purchaser is buying before seeing in the flesh.

Buying clothes on the internet can be a bit more tricky than your standard white goods (fridge, washing machine, vacuum cleaner) or electronics. Clothes do require an initial perception of what you like, are after and or suits you. Leather jackets and or coats can be a bit more straight forward as you are likely to have owned one previously or at least a cloth or other material version such as a blazer, bomber or biker come fashion jacket.

Higher value items can work-out a fair amount cheaper in price when buying online. Regardless of whether you are searching for a leather jacket, skirt or trousers it can be worthwhile to try out different styles, leather finishes and colours at a shop first, even synthetic high street versions if you are very undecided or unsure of what you want. Alternatively if you live somewhere fairly remote and the shopping centre nearest you only offers a limited selection of the main chain stores, then you can always order a number of your main choices if your credit card limit or bank account can stump up the funds. This way you can at least try on a variety of styles from the fitted and shapely biker jacket or fashion bomber through to a smart tailored blazer and or a casual button or zip coat jacket. There is definitely an enormous range of leather jackets and coats for men, women and children (kids) online and a multitude of designs, colours and fits to choose from. If you need something quickly and have not got the time to get out to the shops then shopping online will save you time and energy, however you ideally need to have a reasonable idea of what you want. If owning a leather jacket is a completely unchartered territory and it is a luxury that you decide you would like to par-take in then you may be a while whilst you are perusing through lots of designs, texture finishes, colours as well as lengths. It may be a good idea to route through your wardrobe first to see which jacket or coat you wear the most and then look for a similar leather version.

Leather Types & Finishes

Whether you are a man or woman, the basic principles are the same:

The main leather types to note are as follows:

• Nappa is from sheep / lamb skins and is beautifully supple and soft and you hardly even know you have it on.

• Nappa has a sealed finish and therefore has a light sheen, if something is spilt on it if wiped quickly marks can be avoided.

• Aniline nappa is an unsealed nappa and offers a more subtle colour finish, the shade intensity can vary slightly across the garment which can lend it a soft antiqued come vintage finish look. Aniline can be sprayed with a leather / sheepskin protector however the protection will need to be topped up. The colour shade can darken slightly, however this should not be a problem as aniline colours may lighten slightly with time.

• Nubuck and matt brushed matt leathers have been lighted milled on the surface to produce a non-sheen finish. This is also an unsealed leather and should have a protector guard applied if you wear it regularly and or would like to maintain a nice finish. Otherwise, as all leathers it will age gracefully so long as you don't abuse it.

• Semi-glazed leathers are for a 70's retro finish and have a slight shine which does dull down with wear.

• Hide leathers are heavier stiffer and better suited to colder weather and or heavier wear. Individuals who want a weightier jacket or coat should opt for hide.

Sizing - Essential

If you are buying a leather jacket or coat online whether for a man, woman or child, then ensuring that you have the individual's vital statistics before you attempt to order anything on the web is important if you want to reduce the risk of it not fitting.

Almost any tape measure will do, if you do not have a dressmaker's / tailor's measuring tape then the well loved flexi re-tractable builder's tape measure will do. It is important that before taking the person's or your own measurements that you are wearing the same thickness of clothing that you plan to wear with the jacket or coat. So there is no point taking torso measurements when wearing a dressing gown, pyjamas, thick woollies, fleece or overalls if this is not the regular attire that you intend to wear under the jacket, coat or waistcoat.

The main measurement required are around the full width of the chest, widest part of the waist and also full hip if the item is to come down that far. There is no need to puff out the chest or hold in the belly as truth is the best policy, you are not going to be walking around outdoors in looking like a puffed out pheasant. So take the measurements at chest, waist and hips at the widest points BUT breathing normally and also stood up. Once you have these, you should then find it easier to select the appropriate size with greater confidence.