Buying A New Leather Jacket

Choosing a leather jacket for the first time might send you into a flurry of questions and decisions. First and foremost is, which style to opt for? You really need to ask yourself whether you want it for everyday wear, weekend wear or just for going out, or even a combination. Once you know the answer to this, then you need to think about the style that you really fancy. If you are really unsure ask yourself whether you prefer a zip or button jacket, if you like both then do you want a classic style that will blend with smart and casual wear in an understated yet elegant fashion, or do you want an eye catching satement that will stand out from the crowd, or just glamorous chic styling. Which ever it is, searching through the online leather jacket websites will certainly give you a plethora of design and styles to think about and enable you to pin point what appeals, or at the very least cross-off what you don't like.

Jackets with smooth and classic contoured lines will always be very wearable and go with almost anything whether smart, casual, relaxed or comfort wear. You really can't go wrong with these. Such jackets do come in a choice of zip and button formats. Fashion style and designer leather jackets tend to be in more striking designs that have lots of detail whether a number of pockets zips, epaulettes, high level seam detailing, detailed buttons and or zips or just an unusual styling that sets it apart from the rest. True designer leather jackets are also available in classic designs and they usually have some unusual detailing whilst subtle designing does set it apart from the run-of-the mill. A designer brand should offer a high quality product from the leather feel and softness through to the build quality and cut. However, there are a number of what we can call pseudo designer brands that use low grade materials and poor attention to a quality finish, yet the price is higher than mid range brands which offer the same quality and styling. In this instance you should be aware that you are definitely paying for the label.

It also pays to be aware, that there are a number of fashion brands and styles that offer glamour and chic look at a cheaper price tag, hence softer on the pocket. A lot of it is also wown to available budget when you are looking to buy a new leather jacket, coat or blazer  and whether you are willing to put the work in to hunt for that bargain or great buy. Be careful, you could be hunting forever if you are being unrealistic on price, if you find a leather jacket you like at the quality you want and a price that is affordable, then buy it, don't delay or you may regret it.

The leather quality generally, tends to go hand in hand with the price. So for top dollar you would expect exceptional quality. If the leather is paper thin, and I do mean paper thin then this is likley to be a cowhide skin that has been split by laser into 3 layers for example. This should not be confused with the difference in thickness between a nappa leather and cow / buffalo hide which is a bit like comparing thick glass to a fine crystal, both serve their purpose well but are very different in quality, price and fineness, glamour and distinction. Cow hide (aka buffalo hide) is great for extended durability and will take quite a bit of breaking-in as it is quite stiff. But a lot of people want the real weightiness of a hide leather and if you are of a sturdy and strong construction and don't mind the extra weight on your back then hide it is for you. If you want a jacket that fits like a glove out of the box and is so comfortable you barely know you have got it on, then nappa is what you should seek.

For autumn and winter wear if you have the money, then a genuine sheepskin or silky soft lambskin is to die for, especially the Toscana lambskins. These are very practical and desirable coats and jackets and will be invaluable in the depths of a cold winter or freezing temperatures. They also look great on and are unbeatable. The sheepskin pilot jackets where created in World War I as most air planes did not have enclosed cockpits and the pilots needed to be kept warm in all weather without incumberance when flying. Toscanas are derived from sheep and lambs that are bread in snowy mountain climates generally and their wool is very long and has beautiful tones through it and is opulently soft and beautiful.

Nubuck leather is soft to the touch and has a lovely matt finish to it, making it ideal for those that do not like the very light sheen of regular nappa that some might be described as slightly shiny. Nubuck is produced by lightly milling the top surface of the leather whilst at the tannery. Suede is also a matt finish but with a vsparsely spread nap and is produced by splitting the original animal skin between its outer and inner scetions, and is thus thinner than general leather.

Choosing a new jacket, coat or piece of clothing to some of us is a very enjoyable activity, hence the 21st Century term "retail therapy" we love buying new stuff for ourselves and enjoy looking good and feeling even better. Believe it or not, being a miser or seldom spending any money on yourself is not good for the soul. It is important to strike a balance and not spend money that you simply don't have.