Custom Leather Jackets: What to Look for in a Good Quality Jacket

When it comes to leather jackets, you don’t want to settle for just any old jacket; you want one that’s well-made and that will last you through the years. There are some things you should look out for when considering the purchase of a custom leather jacket, so here’s what you need to know before buying one.

The Right Price

Before you can determine if a custom leather jacket is worth it, you have to consider what makes it worth it in your mind. How much do you want to spend on it? More important than price, though, is quality. I’m sure you’ve seen some expensive jackets that look like they belong to James Dean and others that look like they’ll fall apart as soon as you button them up.

When shopping for custom leather jackets, ensure that there are no obvious flaws in stitching or fit (although minor alterations can often be done by a tailor). You should also feel comfortable getting your hand caught or snagged by zippers and buttons without worrying about shedding your skin.

Upgrades

There are many upgrades that can be made to custom leather jackets. These upgrades include zippers, snaps, buttons, and stitchings. Any part of your custom leather jacket can be altered or customized by adding or removing these details. You should look for designs and parts of your coat that you think are plain or outdated, and talk to your designer about how they can update those details with their latest trends and creative details.

Your designer will also ask you about any preferences or ideas that you may have for changing your custom leather jacket as well as make suggestions about changes themselves based on their knowledge of fashion design styles throughout history. Remember that every detail added increases both cost and timeline of production so make sure you want everything on your design before confirming it with your custom leather jacket company.

Custom Fit Your Jacket

Getting your jacket custom made is important, especially if you’re looking for it to be in top-notch condition after several years of wear. That said, it’s vital that you make sure your jacket is custom fit before ordering so you know exactly what you’re going to get. Custom jackets generally fall into two categories—standard and semi-custom.

Semi-custom jackets are less expensive than custom ones, because they come with some adjustments already built into them. If you want even more customization options, though, go with a fully custom leather jacket. These run more money than semi-custom coats and require longer lead times as well but generally come out better in the end when compared with other options on the market today.

Choose The Perfect Design

When looking for a leather jacket, it’s important to choose something that fits your style. When choosing a design and color, it’s best not to go too trendy or you might find yourself replacing your jacket again soon after. Instead, look for timeless pieces that can grow with you. For example, an all-black leather biker jacket will never go out of style and can be worn dressed up or down—it’s more of an investment piece than one with more flash.

However, if you’re going full punk rocker and want a multicolored leather bomber, opt for better quality materials so they don’t start falling apart at first wear! There are tons of options when it comes to customizing your jacket, but think about what you’ll need before deciding on embellishments.

If you live somewhere particularly cold, maybe skip all of those studs and patches. And while metal zippers are hot right now, if you’re going somewhere humid (or where things tend to get stolen), plastic is often better because it’s harder to break into. But these are just some suggestions; let your personality shine through by picking designs that suit how you want others to see you!

stylish-leather-jacket

Understanding Different Leathers

The most common leathers used by leather craftsmen are full-grain, top-grain, and corrected grain. Full-grain leather is considered to be of superior quality and provides excellent durability. It’s typically slightly more expensive than top-grain leather but you get what you pay for.

Top-grain leather has had only its top layer removed so it has an intact outer surface with reduced scratches and scuffs. It’s much less expensive than full-grain but also doesn’t last as long or offer as good an abrasion resistance as full grain or corrected grain. Corrected grain is the lowest grade of all.

Don’t Forget About Accessories Like Stitching, Buttons, And Snaps

When it comes to leather jackets, looks are everything. But even if you don’t care how it looks, remember that your custom leather jacket will need buttons and zippers and various other accessories. You want these elements of your jacket to be high quality.

A good quality jacket is made with top-grain cowhide (the toughest) or horsehide (the softest), which should be tanned using vegetable tanning agents instead of harsh chemicals. The best jackets are sewn together using strong nylon thread rather than cotton or polyester. Make sure any snaps on your jacket are brass—not plastic—and that they have some weight to them. That way, they won’t fall off easily. Finally, make sure all seams on your jacket are reinforced with extra stitching so they last longer.

Tips And Tricks

Consider what you want your jacket to do and how you want it to look. Do you need durability, or fashion? Will your jacket see daily wear, or will it be a special occasion garment? If you’re buying something as pricey as custom leather jackets, it’s worth spending some time thinking about what you really want.

A good leatherworker can tell you if something is possible—but don’t be afraid to ask questions like can I add an extra zipper somewhere else on my jacket? Asking questions up front (rather than wondering why your garment doesn’t look quite right later) is always better.

Written by Megan Taylor
Megan is a beauty expert who is passionate about all things makeup and glam! Her love for makeup has brought her to become a beauty pro at Glamour Garden Cosmetics.