Latest News for Jonval Leathers & Furs

To put it simply, a new leather jacket is a big investment. And, for good reason. Leather jackets are known to be one of the highest-quality, longest-lasting jackets around. In the past 50 years, leather jackets have  “grown up” from being a biker’s go-to look to one of the most versatile type of jackets you can own. Whether you dress it up or dress it down, a leather jacket will always be in style.

Now that you’re ready to make the leap and invest in a new leather jacket, be sure you know what to look for before you lay down your form of payment on the sales floor counter. Follow the steps below to figure out what you need to look for when shopping for a new leather jacket!

First: Decide What Type of Leather Is For You

There are several types of leather out there that you can choose from when wanting a new leather jacket. Each varies in style, finish and function. Here are some of the differences between them all.

Calfskin is a type of leather that comes from, well, a calf. The hide is less than three years old, and is very soft and durable. Shearling comes from a recently sheared sheep, where the wool has been left on. The surface is suede and on the inside you’ll find it lined with fur. Shearling is known for being lightweight but extremely warm. Ostrich skin typically comes from South Africa. You’ll notice that ostrich skin has a distinctive pattern of bumps all over the skin. This material is more intricate and specialized, making it more expensive. You’ve seen alligator and crocodile skin before, because it’s similar in texture and pattern. This skin is composed from square scales known as tiles. Alligator skin is considered a “finer” skin, but crocodile skin is tougher, and known to withstand rugged wear.

Second: Decide The Style of Jacket That’s Right For You

The most well-known leather jacket, and the one that people think of the most when they hear “leather jacket” is the bike jacket. Biker jackets have a flared collar and large lapels with a front zipper. Biker jackets are typically the most casual style, and can be worn with jeans with no problem. Bomber jackets are somewhat similar to biker jackets, as they are casual in style and have a zipper and collar. However, bomber jackets have elasticized cuffs and bottom. Finally, flying jackets or most commonly referenced as shearling jackets are known for becoming popular by World War I fighter pilots. These jackets are fur-lined which makes them a perfect winter jacket without making you look super bulky or puffy.

If you’re ready to invest in a new leather jacket, contact Jonval Leather today! We offer dozens of styles of jackets to choose from in our store, or we can even create a custom jacket, made to order for you. Pretty cool, right? Contact us today so we can work together to get you your dream leather jacket!

Shearling apparel has been around since the beginning of the Stone Age, around 4000 BC. Cavemen used sheepskin to make simple outfits and garments. It’s no surprise that this material has been popular ever since! From the middle ages where shearling represented a social status, from early Americana where sheepskin bomber jackets were all the rage, shearling has never gone out of style. The most recent example of a shearling trend are Ugg Boots and their popularity across the world.

Shearling coats are created using processed wool, sheepskin, or fur. When comparing shearling to leather, the sheepskin is tanned with the wool as a whole, giving a soft, natural wool material that is incredibly comfortable. Shearling coats are known to be extremely durable, warm, and oddly enough, lightweight. Because of shearling having wool attached to the sheepskin, the wool adjusts to your body temperature exceptionally well even in the coldest climates.

Besides being warm and comfortable, shearling coats have a myriad of benefits compared to other types of jackets and coats. Keep reading to learn more about shearling coats and why they have stood the test of time!

Lightweight

We mentioned shearling coats being lightweight above, but we’ve got to mention it again. When you compare a normal coat to a shearling coat, you’ll notice that they’re easier to take on and off and provide more comfort, and warm, next to seemingly thicker coats.

Durability

If you’re looking for a jacket that is known to be extremely durable, look towards a shearling version. Although they can be more expensive than a normal jacket, they are know for how tough and durable they are. Expect your shearling jacket to last decades if you properly clean it and take good care of it. Avoid throwing your coat in a dryer or washing machine, and also keep it away from flames and a prolonged exposure to sunlight.

Warmth

Because shearling jackets have sheep’s wool on the inside layer, the wool will insulate the airspace while the actual sheepskin will retain your body heat thus keeping your body cozy and warm, even in freezing temperatures. Remember how shearling jackets because famous during World War II and amongst pilots? That’s because those pilots trusted their shearling bomber jackets to keep them warm when they were flying at altitudes over 30,000 feet where the temperatures were negative 50 degree Celsius. The best part about a shearling coat is how long it will keep your body warm and will beat out any other coat on the market.

Water Resistant

Did you know? Shearling coats are naturally resistant to water. The inside layer of wool has fibers that do not allow water to reach the core, thus repelling any water. If the core does absorb moisture, only up to 30 percent, it will not get muggy. If you happen to be outside wearing your jacket when it rains or snows, don’t worry as shearling repels external water and doesn’t absorb moisture. If you do get caught in a rainstorm, just casually shake your jacket lightly after you wear it and it will be good as new!

Questions about your shearling jacket or looking for the perfect one? Contact Jonval Leathers! Or, if you want to see some coats in person, stop by and see us at 6880 E. Evans Ave. in Denver, Colorado from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every Monday through Friday!

Leather jackets are an expensive investment which is why it’s extremely important to keep them clean so they last for years, and even decades. It’s inevitable that you’re going to be wearing your jacket out and you spill something on it, or get spilled on. Cleaning up a spill right away is imperative to retain the color of your jacket, and so you won’t get a stain lasting for years on end. While it’s important to get your jacket professionally cleaned, like we offer at Jonval, these are a few of the ways you can get rid of stains and spots by yourself at home from your Denver leather store!

Before You Begin

It’s important to know to never use ammonia- or bleach-based cleaners to clean leather. They will damage the finish and dry it out and cause your jacket to crack. While you might think that water is definitely okay to use, don’t use too much as it can stain leather. If you can, clean spills on your jacket immediately with a soft cloth. Leather itself is incredibly porous and will absorb liquids quickly, causing a stain to form. Leather will also scratch, so keep anything rough or sharp away from your jacket.

Cleaning Options

The first way you can clean your leather jacket is to use soap and water. Mix a solution of warm water and dish soap and dip a soft cloth into it. Wring out the cloth so it’s not super wet, and wipe your jacket. If you normally clean with vinegar, you can try using that solution on your jacket as well. Mix one part vinegar to one part water and use a new damp cloth to wipe off the solution. Dry your jacket with a towel.

Is your stain oil- or grease-based? If so, sprinkle some baking soda or cornstarch on the stain. Using a damp, soft cloth, rub it gently and let it sit for a few hours or even overnight. The baking soda or cornstarch will absorb the oil. Wipe off the residual power with a soft cloth and then dry the stain off with a soft towel.

Specialty leather cleaners are available that contain ingredients that take away dirt, stains, and oils that also help soften the leather and keep it healthy. If you buy a bottle, squire a dime-sized glob of the solution onto the stained jacket. Take a soft, clean towel and rub the leather cleaner into the surface of the jacket. Go in slow, circular strokes. As you work the cleaner in, it will start to collect dirt and remove any spots or stains that have gotten onto the leather. Use another soft, clean towel to remove any excess solution on the jacket.

If you’re not comfortable trying to clean your leather jacket at home, bring it to the professionals! Jonval Leathers is known for being “the” place for all things leather. We offer professional alterations, repairs, and cleaning. Contact us today for any questions you might have!

Jonval Leathers & Furs has a rich history for providing the best leather and fur service in the Denver area for years. Started in 1984, we have become known throughout the Denver area as THE place for our fantastics, eclectic collection of leathers, furs, and shearling, but also for our renowned service and repair. We only have the best experts at Jonval, working to help you with your new purchase or restore and repair your old one. We provide a full range of services for our own retail trade, but also provide service for other retailers all over the west. At Jonval, we take pride for offering our customers the very best selection of manufacturers from around the world. We put an emphasis on quality and uniqueness, things that you can’t readily find elsewhere. We make sure that your visit to Jonval is fun, exciting, and an efficient use of your shopping time.

Our Services

Jonval offers Fur Storage and Fur Cleaning to everyone all over the nation. In Colorado, we experience hot and dry summers that can be extremely damaging to your fur or leather coat. When you start to notice that your leather is starting to dry out and becoming stiff and brittle, bring it in to us so we can give it the proper care. We want to make your investment last as long as possible. We can store your furs in the summer in our U.L. certified, temperature and humidity controlled vault.

We also offer cleaning services because cleaning your fur regularly is very important to its longevity and looks. Have it cleaned and glazed at least every other year to protect it and keep it from getting dry. We have our own process to clean your fur and shearling garments, cleaning each one individually by hand - something we pride ourselves on. All furs are carefully combed, steamed, and glazed, leaving your fur clean, soft, and shiny.

Jonval also offers some of the best alterations and repairs in the state. We offer zipper replacement and relining, resizing, remodeling, rip repairs, panel replacement, fur repairs and alterations, fur glazing, and fur resizing and remodeling. You won’t find anyone else in the area that can help repair your prized jacket.

Finally, we offer custom fur and leather jacket design. We often find people in disbelief that we do make jackets right here in our shop, but it’s true! We do make our own line of in-house manufactured leather and shearling coats and jackets. We use very old school techniques which is actually very cool. If you have an idea in mind, or a favorite old jacket or pants that you would like to replicate, we can make that a reality. We have literally hundreds of leather samples to choose from in any color imaginable. The only limitation you have is your imagination!

Jonval is known as the go-to store for leather, fur, and shearling. Browse our eclectic collection of furs and leathers or stop by to have one of your furs or leather pieces cleaned, stored, or repaired. Contact Jonval Leather today to learn more about us and our services!

Fur coats have been around for thousands of years, and for good reason. They’re known for being long-lasting and keeping your body extremely warm, which is important for Denver winters! If you’ve been thinking about a fur coat for a while, winter is the perfect time to wrap up with a fur coat! Read more about the pros of wrapping up for the winter from your Denver Leather and Fur store!

Pros of a Real Fur Coat

For starters, we all know that fur will keep you warm. And for a long period of time when those cold Denver winters hit. A true fur coat will definitely cost you more upfront than a faux fur or different materialed jacket, but know that when you do invest in a fur coat, you won’t be disappointed when it comes to warmth. There are various types of fur jackets you can choose from, and some types of fur will do a better job at keeping you warm than others, however all will keep you toasty to some degree!

Fur coats are also known to last a very long time. So, while the upfront investment may be more than other jackets, your fur jacket will last for decades or even centuries. There are so many instances of fur jackets being passed from one generation to another because of this. Families love heirlooms, and your fur coat could be one of them! You’ll just need to take proper care of your fur coat.

Looking for some pieces that will never go out of style? You can bet that your fur coat will always be in style, making them a timeless addition to your wardrobe. Fur coats can be a major fashion statement piece that can be associated with glamour and wealth. If you’re looking to give your style an elegant makeover, a fur coat is the way to go!

When you start looking for your own fur coat, make sure they used quality fur. Quality fur will be extremely soft, and will feel amazing against your skin. If your coat uses quality fur, it will be one of the most comfortable jackets you’ve ever owned.

Taking Proper Care

Once you’ve purchased your dream fur jacket, be sure to properly take care of it! At Jonval, we offer fur cleaning because a regular cleaning is important to its longevity and its looks. Think about all of the makeup, perfume, and hair spray that has collected on your coat. Cleaning and glazing it at least every other year protects it and keeps it from getting dried out. We have our own exclusive process to clean your fur and shearling garments, and clean each individual piece by hand. Not many other stores can say that! Read more about extending the life of your fur coat.

Looking for more advice on purchasing your own fur coat? Contact Jonval, the professionals in Denver. Jonval is known as the go-to store for leather, fur, and shearling. Browse our eclectic collection of furs and leathers or stop by to have one of your fur or leather pieces cleaned, stored, or repaired. Contact us today to learn more about our services!