Leather has become something of a mainstay in fashion. Who would have thought that something which was once used largely for the sake of practicality — whether for furniture or saddles, and much more — would have become one of the most edgy and interesting materials on the runway? This isn’t to say that leather is just for those looking to appear edgy in their fashion sense. Leather pieces can also appear classic, as with leather belts and briefcases. They can also appear naturalistic and soft. Leather was once popular during the hippie movement — when people were trying to look neither edgy nor traditional. Leather bracelets, among other pieces, remain just as popular now as they were fifty years ago. Perhaps that’s the best thing about leather: it never goes out of style. So whether you’re looking for a leather piece as gift for a loved one or as a present for yourself, you’ll have a lot to choose from. Below, we’ll look into some of the fine leather goods on the market right now, as well as the deep history of leather as a material for fashion and practicality. The more you know about leather, the more likely you’ll be to choose a piece that’s right for you — or whoever you’re trying to gift.
The History Of Leather
The history of leather — from leather briefcases to leather jackets — is longer than you might think. The use of leather dates back to the age of the Roman Empire. Boat sails were known to be made of leather back then. Leather was also used to make furniture, tents, weapons, and even body armor. After 1000 years passed, the Egyptians picked up leather and began using it to make fashionable accessories and clothing items for women. Many, many years later leather would morph into the popular leather jacket we know today. Interestedly, General Patton popularized the aviator jacket when he wore it during World War II. The interest for leather jackets only increased in the 1950s when James Dean began sporting a black leather jacket. Soon enough, leather would be picked up by European designers in the 1980s. These designers include but are not limited to Versace, Claude Montana, Armani, Ungaro, Fendi, Gucci, Alaia, and Hermes. And as we mentioned before, leather bracelets were embraced by those seeking an “earthy” look into the 1960s and 1970s — despite many of their wearers claiming not to care about fashion trends.
Leather Pieces Today
Today, leather remains extremely popular. There is a perception that leather is meant to be expensive, and this isn’t the case. While some pieces are expensive you can often find leather bracelets, for example, quite cheaply. Other times it just depends on the quality level of leather you’re seeking, or the size of the piece. Still, it’s recommended that you be prepared to invest when seeking leather. You — or whoever you give the piece too — will appreciate it when the piece lasts for years to come. And indeed, just because a piece is small doesn’t mean that it has to be inexpensive or low-quality. Just as you can find cheap leather bracelets, so too can you find some made of very fine material. Very rarely can you possibly go wrong when buying a fine leather piece — with the average consumer wearing at least four leather pieces at any given time, it’s clear that plenty of people appreciate leather to this day.
Looking For Leather
There are many different types of leather on the market. Generally speaking, leather can be broken down into four different categories. These include full-grain, top-grain, corrected-grain, and split leather. Full-grain and top-grain offer the highest level of quality. They’ll probably make up the jackets, pants, and other leather accessories you might choose. You should be extremely careful about where you buy leather from. Remember that many sellers are out to sell fake leather — you want the real thing. Real leather isn’t just meant for now; it’s meant for forever.