by April Quibido
A wife, a mom, and a definite homebody who loves writing about all sorts of interesting things online. She loves fashion, interior design, and other creative pursuits—writing included. She also has entrepreneurial endeavors and, like everyone else, wants to thrive and grow in all aspects of life.
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Leather jackets are timeless pieces of fashion that fit whatever chic, cool, and bad ass style you are going for.
Leather is one of the most durable and versatile materials used for clothing, this is one of the reasons why leather jackets are among the most sought after closet additions. Although they can be pricey, more so if made with high-grade leather, that hasn’t stopped people from loving them. Maybe even reason to love them more.
Leather jackets come in different styles, leathers, and quality, these can weigh in on the jacket’s price and its weight.
Why are they so heavy?
If you are a big leather jacket fan and like incorporating them in your fashion on the regular, then you know that they can be a little heavy on the shoulders. Different kinds of leather jackets also have varying weights when you put them on, there are key factors that affect their heaviness.
Here’s what they are:
1. LeatherMost leather jackets are made with real leather, real leather is made from animal skin, that alone gives us an answer to the question.
Leather already holds a lot of mass by itself, so when made into something to wear it is understandable that the piece of clothing will also be heavy. However, the weight also depends on what kind of animal the material is made out of; sheep and goat skin are lighter while cowhide is heavy.
There are leather jackets in the market now that are made from vegan leather or faux leather which is made from a plastic base, it isn’t as durable or as flexible as real leather and it is also not as heavy.
2. LiningAnother thing that makes leather jackets heavy is the lining.
Leather jackets are usually lined on the inside, since leather is not a breathable material lining helps for when you sweat and it also covers the ugly parts inside the jacket from production so you can slip it on easily.
Different kinds of lining are used for leather jackets depending on the purpose of the piece.
If you are wearing it to cruise on your motorcycle under the sun, you want a leather jacket that is breathable and doesn’t stick to your skin, so you can go for a cotton-lined one. If you want to go around your city looking cool in the winter, then a wool-lined leather jacket will keep you warm and keep you looking chic.
Some fabrics used to line leather jackets are also heavy materials that hold some weight on their own, added in with the leather makes these jackets heavier.
Here is a list of materials used as leather jacket lining:
- Cotton
- Poly-cotton
- Satin
- Silk
- Wool
- Fleece
- Faux fur
Leather jacket construction can differ on their specific use, like for sports or fashion, but they also vary when made for a specific gender. Jackets for men are longer, broader, and bigger which makes them bulkier and heavier than the women’s slimmer, sleeker jacket.
Specific uses also have specific designs. Biker jackets, for example, can be heavier because they have a lot of details and extra accessories. They are made to be heavy-duty because they are exposed to a lot of damage risks.
These different styles and designs affect the overall weight of the leather jacket, some more than others, but here is a run down of leather jacket styles:
- Bomber jackets
- Racer jackets
- Blazers
- Vests
- Biker jackets
Zippers, buckles, snaps, and more, hardware and accessories also add to a leather jacket’s weight. Brass, stainless steel, gold, or silver, these are some of the metals used for the hardware on your jacket.
The more accessories, the heavier it’s going to be. Especially when using high-quality metals to match your material, not only will it be heavy to wear but also heavy to buy.
5. StiffLeather jackets are usually stiff the first time you get them, leather takes breaking in to get it flexible. The material’s stiffness can affect its weight since it isn’t very easy to move around or wear.
Breaking in your leather jacket will not only make putting it on easier but it will also make it lighter, although it won’t shave off a huge amount of weight, the ease will help.
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What to remember when getting your leather jacket?
They won’t go out of style very soon, that’s what I think. Leather jackets will always be in style no matter what you are pairing it with. It functions great as a jacket and as a statement piece. Style AND substance.
Whether you are adding to your collection or just getting into leather jackets, here are some things to look at:
LeatherMake sure you are getting the best quality for your money; you want something that will last you a long time so examine the leather the jacket is made of.
StyleFind a style that fits you well, while also considering the length, size, and fit you like.
DetailThere might be details and accessories you want on your leather jacket: lapels, pockets, and straps, that’s entirely up to you.
There are a lot of different brands and jackets you can find in the market, scope out the one’s you like the best and fit your taste. Try looking at the generic clothing brands or try Independence Brothers.
Conclusion
As a leather jacket enthusiast, you probably already know how good they feel and look but nevertheless, we hope you learned a little bit about why they weigh a lot. Maybe you can take this information with you when you get your next one.