Safety Before Style: How to Choose a Good Quality Biker Jacket

Leather is one of the most popular materials used by bikers worldwide and there is a very good reason for this. The increasing demand for leather products has increased competitors which can drive prices down (great for the buyer but not for the seller). But when looking for leather to wear for riding purpose, never look for the cheapest price, look for quality and what will keep you the most protected! Look for an investment!

What Leather to Buy?

There are many different leather used for different purposes, below are different types of hides and what they are best used for:

●     Cowhide/buffalo- One of the most durable hides used in the leather industry, used for furnishing and motorcycle leather jackets. It is one of the more expensive hides but offers the best thickness and is long lasting. This leather is usually stiff and heavy.( Image by jacketsusa )

●     Lambskin- A lot more softer and supple, lightweight and used in the fashion industry forfashion wear. It will still last longer than fabrics.

●     Split- This leather is what most manufacturers calls budget leather, top layer of leather is sliced and two thinner layers are used.

These are the main leathers used, there are a lot more which available but the listed above are mainly used for leather jacket. When buying online look for trusted sellers and for jackets made in cowhide or buffalo hide. These hides will offer the best protection on the biker as they are the thickest hides available. The thickness can vary depending on what sellers are offering but 1.1-1.3mm is a good thickness for a biker jacket.

There will be a lot of sellers who only use the terms real leather, or full leather! email or telephone in and ask what leather is actually used. This is because sellers may be selling split leather which is a lot cheaper than cowhide but not as thick or durable. So always look for a seller who states what hide the jacket is made of.

Added Features:

Below are the main added features which make up great motorcycle leather jackets:

1.     Protectivearmour pads- the most key feature to look for, check to see if the jacket comes with armour and/or has pockets to place armours into. These are typically in the shoulders, back and elbows. CE approved armours are the pads which you should search for as these have been tested.

2.     Extra external padding- Some jacket come with extra padding on the outside

3.     Double lining- This will help keep you insulated, most sellers who sell jackets with double lining usually have one which is removable and can be easily zipped out.

4.     Air vents- This helps to circulate air around the jacket.

5.     YKK zippers- These are heavy duty zips

These are the main things to look out for when purchasing leather jacket online, once you’ve looked at the leather used, the safety aspects that the jackets have then look at the style and colour you refer. Once again note that it is key to buy from a seller who has stated what leather is used and to be sure always email or telephone to confirm. ( Image by jessica )

Leather is pricey, so if for a great biker jacket but at a cheaper budget, there is lots of fabric jackets which are ideal for biking. These jackets can sometimes offer more features such as reflective piping to help keep you visible to other drivers at night. These jackets can also be very well insulated if purchased from the right person. 

Kelly Richards- Leather expert has studied different hides, focusing on safety for bikers. 

Leather Leather Leather, what can you buy?

Leather is everywhere! It’s used for making the majority of our sofas, shoes, handbags, purses and clothing. Leather jacket for mens is probably the most purchased leather clothing. Anything bought in leather is money well spent if you have purchased the right leather, it’s durable and will last a long time. Unlike fabric clothing it, the more worn leather is, the better it seems to look. Below we will look at some of the most purchased designs in leather jackets, coat and waistcoats.

Leather Jacket for Mens

The most famous style which has been used by a vast majority of sellers is the marlon brando leather jacket. This jacket offers the a punk rocker look which most musicians now where as well as bikers and for generalfashion wear. In the early 19th century leather jackets were associated to a certain group or just for bikers.

Now it’s worn as an everyday item regardless of whether you own a motorcycle or not. It is important to buy jacket which are made from 100% real leather if you want your monies worth, generally in biker wear then you should be after products made in buffalo or cowhide. For fashion wear then your looking at a softer less expensive leather which is lambskin or sheepskin. (Image by san )

Mens Coats

fabric seem to be the popular option for coats, especially for formal wear. Leather coats are now coming into style also, we see them worn in major Hollywood movies and realise that they actually look quite good on. In recent movies we see the Jack Reacher wearing a nice mid length black leather coat and going back about 15 years there is the famous red coat worn by Brad Pitt in Fight Club.

Mens coat come in a range of different style and colours, the majority stick to neutral colours. We have given examples of mid length coats, let's not forget trench coats. These were bought back into style after the release of The Matrix movies where you see all the main characters wearing long length trench coats.

Mens Waistcoats

Waistcoats for men seem to be a multi purpose where and depends on the style purchased. For example, the multi pocket fishermen's waistcoat is usually worn while fishing to hold all the bits and bobs as well as camping. This is what we call a multi purpose vest because of its excessive pockets. These are usually made from cowhide leather and can be quite expensive.

The there is the very famous Sons of Anarchy leather vest which, this seems to be quite a popular design and worn by bikers and fashionbuyers. Made from cowhide leather, it’s simple and can be worn over a leather jacket. The mandarin collar style is simple and we see that most fashion buyers wear this vest with combat trousers and a t shirt.

Mens waistcoats were mainly associated with bikers but now are worn for fashion wear, the numerous different styles make them desirable to everyone. ( Image by Freaky )

Leather trousers

Worn by fashion buyers and bikers, these come in a range of styles and colours. The most popular are the classic loose fits trousers which are plain and match with almost everything. You can wear these with a shirt or t-shirt. The next most common style sold are the combat cargo leather trousers which are a lot more casual and comes with large pockets on the side of the legs. 

Why Leather Jackets are worth the money

Leather can be an expensive to buy in all clothing but the price can differ between different hides that are used. For example fashionjackets tend to be cheaper than biker jackets simply because of the different hides used. So what can leather jackets offer that a normal fabric jacket can not? And what makes us so drawn to invest in such products.

Longevity

Leather is a lot more durable and long lasting, it is one of the strongest materials used in clothing, furniture and accessories. The bestthing about leather is that the more you break into the better it looks, giving it vintage look. There are different types of hides which can last longer than others:

●     Cowhide and buffalo- mainly used for biker jackets and is stiff and heavy. This hide will last for an extremely long time.

●     Lamb skin- A lot more soft and supple than cowhide and is mainly used for fashion wear. It feels like fabric when worn on and is very lightweight. This will still last longer than your average jacket.

●     Goat skin- this is not as soft as lambskin and is more versatile.

So it seems that leather itself is a good investment, we purchase leather shoes, belts and furniture. Leather jackets are just as much worth it. Mens designer jackets may have a heavier price tag but note that you are paying for the brand name.

Safety for Bikers

We see a lot of mens leather jackets and women's which are specifically made for biking. Buffalo and cowhide are typically the most used leather for biker jackets and there are many reasons as to why. If you are a biker that you will understand why leather costs more and why it is worth it.

Leather serves as another layer of skin and helps protect you from road rashes and burns. It always helps keep you insulated against the cold air and stop air from hitting your chest. ( Image By:- Will Smith )

Matches with Almost Everything

Mens designer jackets are a must have addition to the wardrobe, in most fashion magazines we see celebrities now wearing leather biker jackets casually with a simple tshirt and pair of denim jeans. It seems that everyone has fallen in love with this look. There are so many different styles such as:

●     The bomber jacket

●     Leather blazer

●     The biker jacket

●     Leather trench coats

●     Aviator jackets

Let’s not forget womens jackets, leather matches with almost anything. Lets take a simple blac biker style leather jacket. This can be worn with:

●     Striped tops

●     Boots

●     Trainers

●     Blouses

●     Skinny jeans

●     dresses

●     casual t shirts

●     heels

●     hats

The list will be endless!!! you can dress down and be casual or you can dress up for an evening out and add a leather blazer or jacket on top. ( Image By :- DGonlinestore )

So in conclusion, there seems to only be positive reasons to pull out your cash and purchase leather apparel. We spend money on nice leather boots, shoes and bags. Jackets are the same investment but will last alot longer than any other piece of clothing or leather accessory. But one last point, look at the label before buying check that it is 100% real leather you are investing in and not faux or split which will wear out easily. If you're going to spend money then spend it wisely!

Male Celebrities and Leather Clothing

Leather is becoming increasing popular in the Men’s fashion industry and this may simply be

due to the fact that we see it everywhere. In movies, tv shows and models we see idyllic men

wearing fashionable leather clothing.

Lets begin with jackets and leather, leather jackets for men have become a must have item not

to forget that every movie you watch has the lead actor in a leather jacket. It all started with the

classic movies such as Easy Rider or The Terminator; these styled jackets are now worn by the

majority of bikers. We would normally associate leather with bikers and why not, bikers go for

the entire leather outfit such as trousers, leather vests and jackets. The most famous mens

leather jacket to date in biker wear has to be the brando jacket worn by Marlon Brando and

worn in the movie The Wild One. (Image by Charles Dusty )

Mens coats are also becoming increasingly popular, in recent movies we see Keanu Reeves

wearing a leather trench coat in The Matrix Trilogy. As well Dean Winchester in the tv show

Supernatural wear he sports a fashion ¾ length leather coat. The more we see mens apparel to

more fashionable it seems to get.

Mens designer jackets come at price, especially when you see something worn by a famous

actor in a blockbuster movie then it going to be a well known brand and expensive. There are

also a number of high street labels which offer fashionable leather jackets at affordable prices.

There are so many different styles available for men that it becomes difficult but there is

different genres which a jacket can fit into such as Rock/ punk style, these are short length

jackets which are normally in black leather and often seen worn by top artists. This style usually

comes with metal studs and silver hardware to stand out.

Then there is the sophisticated styled leather blazers which can be worn casually for formally.

These fall under the category for mens coats and can be short length or ¾ length, we always

seem to see Tom Cruise sporting long and short length leather blazers in his blockbuster

movies such as Minority Report, Mission Impossible and Jack Reacher.

The hit tv show show sons of anarchy has started the craze for leather vests, the cut off style

has become popular not for just bikers but for male fashion wear. In the recent blockbuster

Jurassic park you see actor Chris Pratt wearing a multi pocket leather vest which seem to look

great on him! (Image by motor jacketsusa )

 Lets not forget the massive hit movie Fight Club where Brad pitt wore the iconic red leather

blazer and the famous red fight clubjacket with white stripes. This is now worn by men

everywhere in fashion and biker wear. During this movie you can see how one guy can pull off

two different styles of jackets.

Leather bomber jackets are also now being shown on the big screen such as Daniel Craig in the

James Bond movie, the bomber style is short in length and usually comes with tight cuffs and

waist.

Aviator styled jackets have also become increasingly popular looking back at Tom Cruise's

appearance in top gun which shows a military styled aviator jacket as well as Leonardo

Dicaprio’s aviator jacket in the hit movie The Aviator.

I think it is safe to say that leather is now everywhere, in the movie industry, fashion industry,

biker industry and TV shows. This makes it increasingly more appealing for men to buy and

mens designer jackets have just increased in popularity and will remain to do so. We have

seen the styles changed over the decades but the classics remain the classics and the new

eventually become the classics. It’s amazing how it always seems to stay in fashion in mens

wear.

Worked in the leather industry for many years and has knowledge on the history of leather and

the way that has evolved in the fashion industry today. Kelly Richards.

Why Pay a High Price for Leather?

Leather clothing has been in the fashion industry for a very long time and seems to

stay in trend. The styles may vary; whether it’s biker wear or fashion wear but all in all it seems

that putting your money towards purchasing a leather jacket is money well spent.

Why Leather?

Leather is a durable and lasts alot longer than synthetic materials so you can expect to get a lot

more out of your money. The nature of leather means that the older it gets the better the jacket

will actually look; adding a popular vintage look. There are now so many different types of

leather to choose from the main ones used for clothing are: cowhide, buffalo, lambskin and

sheepskin. Not to mention the vast variety of colours, if you are looking for natural hides than

brown and black are the most commonly available. To get most other colours the hides are

dyed. ( Image by Charles Dusty )

Biker Wear

Motorcyclists use leather jackets as a source of safety, the thickness of the leather helps

protects bikers from road burns and debris. The most popular hides used are buffalo and

cowhide, these are generally thicker than most other hides and also a tad bit more expensive.

Most biker jackets come with all the features bikers look for such as air vents, double lining and

pockets to place protective armours in. Apart from deciding on the safety features, bikers also

focus on style of the jacket, there are so many different styles available such as the famous

brando or easy rider. The different collar styles such as mandarin collar or flap back collars or

whether you like belt length jackets or ¾ length. Motorcyclists also match with leather trousers

which also help protect them from road burns and flying debris on the road. Not to mention it will

help keep you warm during the winter.( Image by motor jacketsusa )

Fashion Wear

Men’s designer jackets are becoming increasingly popular in leather; every single new movie

launched in Hollywood will show the lead actor wearing a leather jacket. Celebs are always

seen out in leather apparel. When it comes to fashion wear the price is affected in different way

than to biker wear. In fashion wear youwould look for a leather which is more lightweight and

less rigid; so lambskin or sheepskin would be the better option. Then there’s the brand name,

the bigger the brand the higher the price. Most high street shops or online stores will sell at a

third of the price compared to high end labels.

Shopping Advice

Leather Jackets are everywhere; online and in store so it is very easy to get charged a high

price for something which is not 100% real leather. For examples, some men’s designer jackets will be made from a mixture of materials so it is always good to read the label and see what the jacket is actually made from. When buying online, read the descriptions and if it is not mentioned what type of leather the jacket is made from then contact the seller first before purchasing.

To sum up, leather has always been an expensive material to buy if you are looking to buy

100% real leather then you will have to pay the extra price but in return you will get a long term

investment as the older it gets the better it will look. I think It’s safe to say that leather jackets

made for biker wear are worth the cost mainly based on the increasing the safety . You do not

need as many jackets as jeans or shirts so to spend a little more on buying one or two a year is

worth it.

Working in the leather industry for many years Kelly Richards knowledge of the authenticity of

leather and the social fashion trends is vast.

2015 Fashion Trends - Women’s Leather Jackets Styles

Check Out our list of women's awesome leather jackets styles to wear in 2015. For 2015 Trends focusing only on Leather jacket, here’s the compilation of women’s outerwear that are going to hit fashion looks fabulous and trendy, along with a few shopping ideas. Each one of these pretty must-haves is great for adding to your wardrobe.You will discover a wide range of outerwear basics to go with the rest of your outfits. No matter if you are getting ready for work or a casual day, here are presented beautiful offerings to match with your overall look.

Women’s Leather Jackets Styles

 

Brown Leather Jacket For Women

Leather Jackets for Stylish and Tough Men

Men wearing leather jackets are all about swagger and masculinity. Leather jackets highlight the attitude of the individual and there are many more cultural social aspects of a leather jacket. The advantages are aplenty which have been touched upon in this article.

 Leather jackets can be considered as monsters unto themselves as far as external wear goes. It is normally worn on top of other clothes and is made from various animal products. Leather jackets for men show certain manliness when worn and add a sense of style to the overall dressing. They are available in a wide range of colors but different shades of black and brown are the most popular versions.

These jackets don’t come easy but we do have men craving for more jackets than ever. The reasons of this craze for men’sleather jackets can be many. Some of them are shown as below:

1)      Masculinity and Attitude are the qualities that one associates with these jackets. It is simple men want to look tough and hot. And history has shown that men killed and skinned animals to have the jacket made. It tends to identify things like hunting, swagger, fight and toughness. So, it is the cultural image that the society at large holds about these jackets. They show intensity without much flashiness or show off. Even the Hollywood films tend to follow the same formula. There are countless films which have promoted these jackets and the protagonists wear these jackets to show toughness and style in the scenes.

2)      These men’s leather jackets are one of the long lasting apparel in men’s cloth line. They last for quite a few decades and the charm still stays. The longevity is the result of the raw materials from different skins. The durability of these products makes them a hit among the men. In fact, we can find many museums with warrior leather clothes lasting for centuries. 

3)      The other big advantage is these jackets do not need regular washing or ironing and it makes it even easier for the men. The primary difference between a normal cloth and a leather jacket is it is made up of solid mat of fibers brought together rather than being woven. Even if the jacket is cut, nothing is going to disturb its look. The damage will also not spread to the rest of the area and hence it will last longer despite being torn unlike normal clothes.

4)       Although, it is a cultural idea that these jackets make men look tough, it is entirely true in reality because they can protect you from extreme cold during winter and  can also save you from being hurt during a physical brawl or use of a sharp material. So, it can protect you in many ways. In fact, it is a must for motor cyclists.  Leather can play a role of second skin during motor races as it is thicker. If a motor cyclist encounters a fall, then these jackets will play a pivotal role in reducing the damage to the body. There will be lesser skin bruises for sure.

5)      Apart from the other factors, these jackets are highly water-resistant product and with proper care, the can also be turned into 100% water proof apparel.

So, while the jackets might look expensive upfront, they sure pay for every penny during their long stay as tough companions in your wardrobe. And in the end they come very cheap when compared to other apparel which are damaged in less than an year.

John Morell is a leading commentator on global fashion trends and also an authority on cultural and social impacts and history of clothes and leather jackets for men.