Leather in Fashion - Timeless Pieces to Add to Your Wardrobe

When taken care of, your high-quality leather pieces can last you for decades without cracking or getting damaged in some other way. Due to this, it should come as no surprise that many decide to invest in timeless pieces rather than a passing trend that no one will remember in the next year or so. 

But what are some of the best timeless pieces you can add to your wardrobe? There are a few, and we’ll share them with you below, along with a few tips regarding how to best take care of them. After all, the last thing you want after buying a gorgeous leather item is for it to get damaged due to improper care.

Is Leather In Style? 

The simple answer is yes, always! Leather is a timeless material, and leather items will probably never lose their spot as a staple in fashion - especially when talking about classic shades like brown, tan, and black. 

However, that’s not all. Almost every year, a new leather trend takes the world by storm. Sometimes, it’s a specific shape, while in other cases, it’s a specific color. 

Are those pieces timeless as well? Not all, but they can be.

For example, do you think a very elaborate, almost “crazy” leather jacket shape can be timeless? In most cases, not really. What about a burgundy version in a more classic style, then? Well, this one has a pretty good chance for that.

How to Know If Leather Is Good Quality 

First things first. Before you start buying anything, you need to know how to distinguish between great-quality leather and not-so-good leather. There are a few things that allow you to tell them apart.

The first one is the smell. While that’s not very helpful when shopping online, when purchasing your leather goods in brick-and-mortar stores, you will be able to recognize real high-quality leather through its signature smell caused by a combination of chemicals, oils, and waxes used in the preparation process. Fake or low-quality leather will often either have no smell at all or a very noticeable plastic one.

Secondly, look at the structure of the leather. Does it seem too perfect? If so, then it’s probably not real leather. Quality leather will have a number of very small imperfections - and while in many cases that would be a red light, when it comes to this particular material, it’s actually something many leather enjoyers look for. A symbol of authenticity, if you will. Touch the leather. Quality leather will feel soft and warm to the touch, and the imperfections we mentioned will be noticeable under your fingertips.

Take a look at the label. Quality leather will always be labeled with a stamp identifying its grade. There are four - full-grain, top-grain, split-grain, and genuine. Based on the names, you would think that genuine leather is the one you’re looking for, right? Well, that’s not the case here. The highest quality leather is actually full-grain leather, while genuine leather is considered average by many. So, when on a hunt for timeless leather pieces, that’s what you should be looking for.

While not really connected with the quality of the leather itself, checking the stitching on the product you want to purchase will tell you whether it is worth investing in. Avoid poorly stitched items and items using low-quality threads. 

Timeless Leather Pieces to Add to Your Wardrobe 

With the increasing popularity of capsule wardrobes, which are nothing more than a carefully selected collection of items that can be worn in several combinations and for years to come regardless of the present trends, it’s no wonder that more and more people decide to invest in quality and timeless pieces that won’t go out of style. 

Leather Jacket

The first item we just have to talk about is a leather jacket. Leather have earned their place on this list by standing the test of time - they were, are and will probably always be an iconic element of the fashion world.

However, a good quality leather jacket has a number of other benefits. Contrary to the leather imitation jackets you can find in almost all major retail stores annually, leather can protect you from the elements - they’re wind-resistant and can keep you pretty warm, especially if you layer clothes underneath. Many of them also undergo waterproof coating, which makes them waterproof to a certain extent. For this reason, many wear them all year round, even during winter.

But why do you need a leather jacket in your wardrobe? The answer is simple. A leather jacket is one of the most versatile pieces of clothing you can own. Whether you need a casual outfit for an evening out with friends or a more professional one for going to work, leather jackets have your back. 

How to Care for a Leather Jacket 

Here are some care tips to ensure your leather jacket lasts as long as possible:

• Keep it dry. Even if your leather jacket has a waterproof coating, it’s still best to limit how wet it gets. If it rains when you’re out, make sure to hang it as soon as you get back home. And definitely don’t wash it in a washing machine! In fact, if you don’t have experience with leather items, you shouldn’t attempt to clean them at all - it’s best to leave it to the professionals. 
• Don’t fold, hang. One of the easiest ways to crack and crease your jacket is by folding it and leaving it like that. Instead, use a wide, padded hanger (not wire ones - those should be avoided at all costs), and store it in a well-ventilated closet, far away from sunlight as prolonged exposure can cause discoloration. If you can, try to give it some room instead of stuffing it with other jackets. 
• Avoid heat. Heat is another thing that can cause leather to crack, so try to avoid exposing your leather jacket to it. Don’t leave it near the radiator, heating vent and don’t iron it. 
• Use a leather conditioner. Using a leather conditioner can help keep your leather jacket in pristine condition. 

Leather Belt

A leather belt, aside from its obvious practical use, is also an effortless way to elevate your outfit every time. Have dress pants that are a bit too loose at the waist? Add a belt. Want to add a bit of elegance to an otherwise plain dress and, at the same time, accentuate your waist? Add a belt. Want to include a splash of color into your outfit but don’t want it to be too obvious? Adding a belt in brown leather (or black leather if you prefer lighter outfits) should be your way to go.

Just like leather jackets, high-quality leather belts are meant to last. If you take care of them properly, they will become a staple in your wardrobe for years to come. 

How to Care for a Leather Belt 

So, how do you take care of a leather belt? In a very similar way to a leather jacket. However, we have some additional tips, aside from the ones mentioned in the previous section, that can come in handy:

• If you clean your leather belt, do it carefully. Leather belts can be cleaned at home, but you need to be careful about how you do it. First of all, don’t expose it to water - leather is a natural, porous material that can absorb water, changing the belt’s appearance and fit. Use a microfiber cloth and a gentle leather cleaner instead. Once you’re done, use a dry cloth to take care of any remaining moisture, and leave the belt to air dry. 
• Use a leather dye to restore your belt. Sometimes, the color of your leather belt might fade - it’s a natural process; the more you use something, the more it will show. That doesn’t mean you have to go and buy a new one right away. All you need is a bottle of leather dye, and your belt will be as good as new. 

Leather Bag

Your bag has a pretty tough job - it has to keep your things safe for hours, and if you are one of those people who seems to have their whole life packed inside their bag, that can quickly make it wear off if it’s not done with a quality material. Leather, due to its durability, is a perfect choice for an everyday bag, for any person. While the style of choice might be different, both men and women will benefit from adding a leather bag to their collection.

An incredible thing about leather bags is that, depending on where they’re from, they can actually increase in value over the years. Consider Hermès bags - made with full-grain leather, the access to them is so limited that their value increases the moment the handbag leaves the store, with many doubling in value over the first few years. 

All in all, a leather bag is without a doubt a great investment - one that you need to take care of properly. 

How to Care for a Leather Bag 

A lot of the things we’ve mentioned in the case of the other two leather goods are also true for a leather bag, so let’s have a little recap, with more information found above.

• Try to avoid getting your leather bag wet - due to the nature of the material, moisture can damage it. If you want to clean it, use a leather cleaner. 
• Avoid exposing your bag to heat - the only exception being sunlight, but that too only when you’re outside. If you’re not using the bag, keep it in a dry and cool place without access to sunlight as the color can fade. 
• Leather conditioner and leather dye are great for keeping your bag in an “as-new” condition. 
• Try to avoid keeping your bag folded or in any other position that can cause creasing. 

Leather Wallet

Just like a bag, a wallet is something you use every day, so it’s important that the material it is made of can withstand daily usage - and there’s no better option in this regard than leather. Add the luxurious feel of a leather wallet and you have yourself a timeless accessory that has been proving itself to be able to stand the test of time for years now. 

How to Care for a Leather Wallet 

Again, a lot of the points would just be repeated, as leather has pretty universal care recommendations regardless of what type of leather item we’re talking about. However, there are some things that we should add in case of taking care of a leather wallet, which include: 

• Try not to overstuff it. Remember how we mentioned not to fold your leather? The same principle applies here. If your wallet is overstuffed, it can crack more easily. So, try to only keep the necessary items in there. 
• Protect your leather wallet from scratches. Consider keeping your wallet separate from objects that can easily damage it, such as keys. 

The Bottom Line

If you’re trying to build a wardrobe that will stand the test of time and that will remain in style even as years pass, then leather accessories should be one of the first things you should take a look at. The first traces of leather fashion date as far back as around 1200 BC, when Ancient Greeks used it to create sandals and clothing, and since then its position as one of the go-to materials within the fashion industry had not changed.

However, picking the right piece requires work - to make sure your leather will stay intact for years to come, some research is needed, especially if it’s your first quality leather pieces. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of low quality ones available so being able to distinguish between what is and what is not worth your money is essential.

At Bull Sheath Leather, you will never have to worry about getting a substandard piece. Specializing in leather wallets, all of our creations are made using full-grain, high-quality leather that is meant to last. Plus, our products are handmade right here in the US, more specifically in Texas, and come with a lifetime “No Bull” warranty.

Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, it is true! Browse through our website and see for yourself.