leather cowboy Skirt from Morris Kaye & Sons
If you love the look of leather, and you’ve finally talked yourself into putting down some money on a long lasting piece of leather clothing, then you may have some questions about what you’re buying. How can you tell if it’s genuine leather? Is it high quality leather, or what’s known as corrected leather?
To answer these questions, we’ve put together a guide to help you become more familiar with leather clothing before you purchase any.
How can I tell if something is made of real leather? – The smell will tell you more than anything else. Real leather has a rich, earthy smell, while imitation leather will smell like chemicals if it has any odor at all. The back of the leather will also tell you a lot. A cloth or plastic backing is a good indicator that the leather is not real.
What is top grain leather? – Top grain leather is leather that used to contain the fur of the animal. Top grain leather has been prepared, and a finish applied, but the grain is in an otherwise natural state.
What is corrected grain leather? – Corrected grain leather is leather that has been sanded down to remove any imperfections. Generally, corrected grain leather is just as appealing as top grain leather, and because it is much smoother, it makes a better material for making clothing. Corrected grain leather is often dyed.
What is patent leather? – Patent leather is leather that has a high gloss finish. It is very shiny, and often protected by a plastic coating.
Does leather stretch or shrink? How should I care for leather clothing? – The important thing about leather clothing is that you should always dry it properly if it gets wet or moist. You can’t always avoid rain, so if you get sprinkled on, hang your leather clothing in a cool, dark place away from the sunlight. It should air dry naturally. Never apply heat to leather, as that may make it too dry, and could cause the leather to crack. Dry clean your leather goods whenever you can.
How should I care for leather clothing that is fur lined? – If you have fur lined leather clothing, it is always a good idea to have these clothes stored professionally during the off seasons. Fur should always be stored in the summer to preserve its beauty and value, and so any high quality leather and fur garments should be properly cared for.