Leather has been used for clothing people for thousands of years. It is a durable and practical material that can be fashioned in to a wide range of clothing.

Leather is the tanned hides of animals. Cow hide is the most widely used in leather clothing, but there is a high level of sheep hide (lambskin) used too. However, although softer and more luxurious in feel, for most leathermen lambskin is too ‘lightweight’ and is reserved for woman’s fashion.

The thickness of cow hide is measured in millimetres. We recommend you bear the following in mind when you’re looking at leather items.

  • 1.5mm - 2.0mm This is the minimum recommend for motorcycle leathers. Any thinner and there’s little protection.
  • 2.0 mm - 3.0mm Leather of this grade is still flexible enough to be used in clothing but will feel significantly heavier than a thinner grade.
  • over 3.0mm At this thickness, garments become heavy and really stiff to be really practical. However, this thickness is good for reinforcing stress or vulnerable areas.

Leather also has a grain.

“Full grain” leather is the best quality and the most expensive but isn’t colour fast.

“Top grain” and “corrected grain” are refinished leathers which are lower quality than full grain, but more practical.

Finally remember, leather does not stretch. It will soften with age and mould to your shape, but it doesn’t get looser with age. So if you buy those jeans and they feel tight now - they will stay tight!

 

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