Many people approach buying leather jackets by looking at the style and way the jacket looks, and by the price tag. Often it may be hard to understand why two apparently similar jackets have such widely different price tags. Isn’t it always better to go for the cheaper one if they both look much the same? After all, leather is leather – it can’t make that much difference?

In fact if you read the description you’ll discover that both jackets are made from 100% genuine leather, and they may both look very nice. But once you wear them, feel the leather and move around in them you’ll start to notice a real difference.

This is because whilst both leather jackets may have labels stating that they are both leather, the truth is that there are all different kinds of leather, and this makes a huge difference to both the comfort and feel of the jacket as well as the way it looks, hangs, moves and protects.

Most traditional biker jackets are made from cow hide. This leather is thick, tough and highly suited to the task, since the word is protection. Biker jackets are often bought for the visual look and style as much as anything, but the real reason why biker jackets are made from cow hide is because it’s about the toughest leather around, and will offer a great deal of protection if you happen to be riding a motorbike and having to protect yourself should you fall off at high speed onto a rather unforgiving surface.

But if you aren’t planning on wearing your leather jacket on a bike and are instead simply looking for a designer leather jacket which will provide you with comfort and protection whilst looking good and feeling great then cow hide isn’t the answer. Some manufacturers have tried to make cow hide leather jackets thinner and less rigid and heavy by using a laser to slice layers off the leather.

However, all you’re really left with is a thin bit of cow hide – it’s still not exactly supple, lightweight or soft. This is when your attention may turn to the other jacket. Perhaps the price tag is a little more expensive, but one touch demonstrates a real difference.

It doesn’t feel like armour, it feels smooth and supple, folding and hanging in a way that looks and feels much more comfortable, especially if you’re planning on wearing it throughout the summer and autumn. So what’s the real difference?

Some leather jacket labels may say that they’re made of genuine leather, but what you need to notice is the lack of the word ‘nappa’. Because genuine nappa leather is something quite different from cow hide leather. To start with it doesn’t have anything to do with cows.

Instead nappa leather comes from sheepskin, or in some cases goatskin. This is beautifully lightweight, and much, much softer and more supple to the touch. In fact it’s the same kind of leather used in highest quality upholstery, because it is so malleable and flexible. Stiff leather protects, but if what you want is comfort and style then soft leather simple has to be nappa leather.

Luckily, you can get around this, should it ever happen to you. If you’re shopping for leather jackets online, and find that what you want is no longer available, you can email us, and hand over your vital measurements. We’ll not only check that there’s really, truly no more in stock, we’ll check what we do have to make sure there’s nothing else that will suit your measurements.

The measurements needed have to be exact – no fudging to hide that Christmas pudding you’re carrying. Remember to measure wearing what you’ll normally wear under the leather jacket – a t-shirt or jumper etc. The chest should be measured around the widest part, as too, the waist. Throwing in your shoe size will give an indication of how tall you are, and your frame. However, telling us how tall you are will help, too! Let us know your build (don’t be shy) – are you large, small, thin? What size do you normally take? And lastly, tell us how you want the jacket to fit: fitted is 1" larger than your chest, semi-fitted is 2", comfort is 3 and loose is 4. Oh, don’t forget the actual jacket you saw – the name of the style, the colour and the kind of leather you’d like it in.

By sending in these details we can see if there’s something that you might like, if we don’t have the actual jacket in stock. Bear in mind, however, that with sale stock it’s generally what we have at the time. Usually, there’s no more and so once that particular style, colour or whatever is sold out, that’s it. Having said all that, clearance and sale items are a great way of picking up cheap leather jackets that will boost your wardrobe with a piece that can be worn anywhere, with anything, and by anyone. Whether timeless and classic or modern and hip, a decent leather coat is something that everybody should own.

Some great bargain buys can be picked up in clearance sales. Cheap leather jackets are now being sported by the younger generation due to their versatility and low cost. They can be worn with anything, and their affordability makes them attractive to the younger crowd. They can be seen to and from work (and even some schools), in town with pals or out with families.

Leather blazers, on the other hand, scream expensive – but need not be. A well-cut leather coat can look like it cost a packet but actually cost very little; it all depends on where you source it. Of course, having one tailor-made might run up the price, but it’ll fit you like a glove and no doubt look like it cost far more than it actually did. And if you don’t put on too much weight as you get older, a leather jacket made to your measurements can be worn well into your twilight years!

Leather biker jackets are huge at the moment, especially with the current tattoo trend. It seems everyone these days is sporting ink somewhere on their bodies, and what better way to compliment the look than with chunky, belted, zippered, low-slung leather coats. Designed to be functional and practical, a biker jacket will ensure your back doesn’t get too cold while you’re motoring down the highway with your gal (or guy) riding shotgun. And slung over the bike when you pull up, you can still maintain the look as you show off your tatts.

Classic ladies’ leather jackets are indeed timeless. Whether made-to-measure or off-the-shelf, a women’s leather jacket can be teamed with jeans, a skirt, or trousers. In an emergency it can be worn over a formal outfit and not look too out of place. It is equally at home on a picnic or out at dinner.

Even the not-so-humble red leather jackets are still being seen (how can you miss them!). Can be worn to revive an old outfit or set alight a new one, a red coat can make you stand out in the crowd – it’s just up to you how much and how good you’ll look while doing it!