Latest News for Jonval Leathers & Furs

Real fur is luxurious, expensive, and surprisingly delicate. A well preserved fur coat can actually appreciate in value--what other piece of clothing can claim that? When the heat of summer descends and it’s time to put up the winter furs, you’ll want to preserve their quality and extend the life and usefulness of the garments. Custom leather experts offer the following tips for storing those warm and lovely furs.

Control the climate. Summer heat and humidity dry out the natural oils in a fur coat, leading to brittle hairs and cracking hide that cannot be fully restored. Livestrong recommends that fur vaults be regulated at 40 degrees Fahrenheit (never below freezing) and set to a 50 percent humidity level.

A fur coat that is more than 20 years old may not retain sufficient value to merit the expense of professional storage, unless it’s already very well preserved. If you decide to go the DIY route of fur storage, especially for that ancient mink coat inherited from Aunt Agnes who acquired it in the 1950s, then you’ll need to take special precautions.

• Do not store the fur in plastic. Plastic does not allow for air circulation and contact with the garment bag may cause the hairs to break.
• Store the fur in a cool, dry, dark area. If the closet has a heat vent, close it so that direct heat does not dry out the fur and damage it. Do not allow your fur to freeze, either. The freeze-thaw cycle degrades furs and causes significant damage. Sunlight fades and dries out fur.
• Leave room around the fur for air circulation. In other words, don’t wedge your fur into an already tightly packed closet. Proper air circulation allows moisture from your body to dissipate before mold can grow.
• Keep the fur dry. If it becomes damp, shake it out and hang it to dry. If it gets soaked, then take it to a Denver leather and fur repair store for restoration.
• Cover the fur with a protective cotton cover. The cotton yields more readily to the press of the fur and allows air to circulate, while shielding the garment from dust.
• Keep insects and other vermin from your fur. Insects and rodents will eat the hide and may nest in the fur, creating a nasty mess and forever ruining the garment. Cedar chips, mothballs, and certain other herbs packaged in a sachet (mint, rosemary, ginger, cloves, lavender, sweet woodruff, tansy, lemon rind) will repel insects.

It is recommended you clean your furs once a year to ensure the leather remains supple and the fur silky and shiny. Proper cleaning and conditioning prior to storage will extend the life of your fur hats and coats. Fur coats in Denver deserve the same care as fur coats in New York, Chicago, and Minneapolis--places that understand winter just as much as Colorado residents do.

Jonval Leather & Fur understands how quickly and severely Colorado’s hot, dry summer weather can damage delicate furs. A stiff, brittle, dried-out pelt oftentimes cannot be restored, so careful preservation is the best way to care for fur garments. Jonval’s fur vault is temperature and humidity controlled for proper fur storage. Call (720) 377-1555 to inquire about cleaning, conditioning, and storing your valuable leathers and furs over the hot summer months.

While summer time usually means lighter layers and fun in the sun, it is also a great time to find a deal on winter items that you will be so glad you have come the Fall. Jonval is currently having our fabulous Summer Sale through the end of July - half off everything in stock in the entire store! That's right, half off all furs and leathers! Take a break from the heat and engage in some retail therapy and visit Jonval Leathers & Furs today.  

Summer clothing evokes images of floaty gauze, crinkled leather, old fashioned seersucker, and the ubiquitous tee shirt and cut-off shorts. In hot weather, leather is most often relegated to better quality footwear, belts, purses, and other accessories. Leather stores in Denver beg to differ. Leather can be worn all year ’round, especially if you work in an air conditioned environment.

The popular Huffington Post showcased spring and summer fashion designs that featured short, pleated leather skirts and supple tops. The key to summer comfort, they said, “is choosing a shape that falls a bit away from the body, giving your skin room to breathe.” They also suggest wearing a lighter weight leather and favoring light, neutral colors.

Women’s magazine Cosmopolitan echoes the Huffington Post. Leather, they say, is chic and never goes out of style. The trick to leather is in being savvy about how to wear it. Their roster of fashion photos showcases, short sleeved leather shirts, leather miniskirts, leather shorts, and strappy leather sandals. For a classic pairing, wear leather with denim.
Leather Exotica pairs summer leather ideas with the practicality of comfort.

• Dresses: There isn’t a woman’s body shape that the proper dress cannot flatter. The beauty of a dress is that hem lengths, sleeve lengths, and silhouettes come in amazing variety, so it’s perfectly feasible to find a cut and style that suits the individual woman. Choose a dress in a lightweight leather, pastel or neutral color, with short sleeves (or just shoulder straps), and a loose, flattering drape that won’t bind.
• Skirts: Leather skirts cross seasons easily. Pair them with sweaters in cooler weather, form-fitting tee shirts or flowing blouses in warmer weather for a chic, trendy look.
• Shorts: Leather shorts might be one of the less common items, but they combine hot weather style with comfort and durability.
• Pants: Capri length pants might be the better option for hot weather, but lighter weight leather pants work perfectly well when those summer days turn expectedly cool or if you’re stuck in a frigid conference center.
• Tops: From leather tee shirts to halter tops to button-down Oxfords, leather shirts come in every style and color. Look for soft lamb leather and lightweight suede for summer wear.
• Jackets and vests: Exchange that dull, ordinary blazer for a cropped leather jacket for instant, professional style. With myriad details--studs, three-quarter length sleeves, and other variations--you’ll make a statement without saying a word.

Repeating the wisdom of choosing lightweight leather for summer, The Fashion Spot suggests increasing the breathability of leather garments by choosing items with “perforated treatments, laser-cut finishes, cropped cuts, and fine skins.”
If you cannot find suitable summer leatherwear at your favorite retailer, Jonval Leather & Furs excels in custom leather designs. Bring your idea for that perfect leather clothing item and we'll make it for you. Or, bring an outdated piece to Jonval and we'll refashion it for contemporary fit and style. Visit the fully stocked store or call (720) 377-1555 to check out the incredible summer leather fashions that will fit your lifestyle.

We are so pleased to welcome you to the new and improved Jonval Leathers and Furs website. While our website has a new look, our dedication to style remains the same. If you are looking for new fur or leather pieces, or simply looking to re-style an existing leather or fur, give us a call or stop by today. We look forward to serving you. 

Change up your look for 2016 with the latest styles in leather and furs. Or, bring us your old favorite coat and we can work with you to create a one-of-a-kind, custom update just for you!