Types of Leather: Your Perfect Guide

Types of Leather: Your Perfect Guide

It is safe to say that the different types of leather have transformed the way people dress, hence the many different online channels that have been saturated by this timeless material for wardrobe staples, especially outerwear. Whether categorized by gender, age, color, style, fit, quality, or even price range, leather outerwear, in particular, is more accessible to the masses now than in years gone by.

There are many different types of leather and each one varies in functionality and its quality. If you’re buying leather you need to make sure that you should know what you are paying for. If we talk about variety of leather it would be a little bit confusing for you, however this extensive guide would help you get perfect bang for your money. Normally different types of leather have changed the way people dress, many of different brands have been saturated by this timeless fabric especially for enchanting wardrobe.

Introduction to Leather (Types of Leather):

There are different types of leather, ranges from their appearance and weight to finishing, and that’s why finished products look and feel the way they do. These differences can’t be identified easily by us, as leather expert who would be able to tell a lambskin from sheepskin in a second. Many of the products are often look similar so a leather expert would be needed to differentiate between them. Now if you’re thinking that this detailed guide will help you being a leather expert, but that’s not going to happen although it sets you on a position where you want to make decisions when it comes to leather.

So we all genuinely knows that leather comes from animals such as cows, buffalos, camels and sometimes even wild ones. Leather that comes from sheep, goats and deer’s are categorized as leather skins, and others are identified as leather hides. The mere mention of the ‘types’ of leather often left confused and mistaken in some cases, that lead to purchases that are unsatisfactory or products that are short-lived, simply because of the misunderstanding of information that is found floating around the world of internet.

Different Types of Leather:

Full Grain Leather:

The more the leather is used the more beautiful it will look.  Full-grain leather is the highest quality of leather even more than top-grain, most of people thought that top grain leather is of top quality but that’s not true.

It is the best quality of leather in the town and this was also reflected by its expensive price rates and its unique quality of developing beauty with usage. This was top layer of hide that is the outer skin layer of animals including grains and that’s how it got’s its name, Full Grain Leather.

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Genuine Leather:

Genuine leather is also referred as a corrected grain. Another misconception regarding leather types and genuine leather, in particular, is that it is made of real leather hence the name.

Which in its defense, is real leather but one that is from the bottom end of all the leather types. This applies to grade as well as quality. This leather type is commonly used in making belts, shoes and bags all with a lower price-point. With any type of genuine leather product, you will notice a fuse of many layers of low-quality leather bound together with glue and then painted to take on a uniform appearance.

Top Grain Leather:

It was also best known due to its durability. If we compare full grain with top grain, we’ll get to know that top-grain leather is not suitable for long use however it’s less expensive than full-grain. This is second most top quality of leather that is removed from its top layer of hide and then it goes from the processes of sanding and finishing to get rid of scars. All the grains are removed and imitation grains are added for patterns and more finished look.

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Types of Leather: Based on Animals

Before getting started, it is important to know that a particular type of leather cannot be rated the best or worst, even more so when comparisons are made among themselves. For example, cowhide may be considered tough and rugged while lambskin may be soft to the touch.

Sheepskin Leather:

Sheepskin leather is greatly preferred by people as it is soft, smooth, and very lightweight. It is also greatly desirable as it is stretchable and it adjusts to the shape of the body with use.

When it comes to clothing, sheepskin is greatly used and is preferred by both genders due to its gentle feel. Perhaps one of the most interesting subjects in this section of leather types based on the animal is sheepskin. Used not only for leather but also for wool, sheepskin is often tanned with the fleece intact.

Goatskin Leather:

Similar to pebbles, goatskin can be identified by its distinctive ridges on the surface and is used by many renound brands for making leather bags, purses, and jackets simply due to its quality and feel as well as the lightweight it possesses in comparison to cowhide. Goatskin also has a much better appearance as opposed to cowhide and enjoys the flexibility that makes it a front runner in apparel, footwear and accessories.Sheepskin is more flexible, lightweight and soft than goatskin, but goatskin is more durable than sheepskin.

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Cowhide Leather:

In terms of strength, durability, toughness, and ruggedness, cowhide is considered a better option than most types of leather. As far as thickness goes, cowhide has different weights and thicknesses but on the whole, it is stronger and more durable, which is an added advantage to its good looks.

Conclusion:

As interesting a subject as leather may be, so too would be its complexity when talking about the different types, finishes and processes that go in to make what will be the material, from which creatively designed products are made. Each type of leather has its own qualities and functionality, which makes it useful for different applications. While choosing leather products, knowledge of its types will help you to make decision based on your needs for durability and maintenance.