Latest News for Jonval Leathers & Furs

If you have never worn a real fur coat, you have probably wondered how it would feel to wear one. And whether you’ve considered wearing them yourself, or you’ve wondered why people are so enamored with wearing them, you have probably heard a lot about furs – from the many types of custom design fur coats available to the controversies that surround them. Unfortunately, much of what you may have heard about real fur is comprised of myth. In our efforts to bring you real information you can use, we are offering to debunk some fur myths.

Animals Are Trapped and Left to Suffer
Fur farmers actually raise the animals they need, which means there is no trapping of wild animals. Traditionally, when people think of furs, they envision bear traps and other similar steel traps historically used. Fortunately, this isn’t the way the fur industry works any longer. Fur farmers also use more humane methods of obtaining the furs, so the animals themselves don’t suffer.

Fake Furs Are More Sustainable
Because real fur coats and real fur accessories are made from natural furs, they are biodegradable when the fur's life ends. This myth simply doesn’t make sense, because fake furs are made from non-renewable, petroleum-based products that are actually harmful to the environment – both in the production phase and after the coat is discarded.

Animals Are Mistreated
When you think about fur animals, it makes sense that the quality of their fur relies heavily on their diet and how well they are cared for. Fur farmers make sure they are raising the highest quality furs, so they can continue to stay in business. This means using the most humane processes for raising, caring for, and even harvesting the furs.

Domesticated Animals
There are some who try to perpetuate the myth that furs are made from domesticated animals, such as dogs and cats. But we are all aware of the most popular types of fur coats, such as mink, rabbit, and fox. And no reputable furrier is going to use the fur of domesticated animals to make their creations.

No Regulations
There are state, federal, and even international laws in place designed to protect the fur industry and its consumers. But many people would have you mistakenly believe that the fur industry is relatively unregulated. Fact vs. fiction tells us, however, that this just isn’t a fact. The laws cover things like animal welfare, environmental regulations, as well as industry codes.

Endangered Species
Every animal that is used by reputable business owners in the fur industry is legal to hunt/use. Endangered species are not used in the fur industry. This practice would be highly illegal as these animals are legally protected.

Need more information? If you’re looking for the best real fur coats and accessories in the industry, contact us at 720-377-1555 to get more information about the pelts we use for our products, because we only use fur from reputable fur farmers.

When you get a new leather jacket, it usually takes some time before it gets soft and is more comfortable to wear. However, who wants to wait for their jacket to be soft and comfortable? So we are offering some ideas for making the process faster to break in your Denver leather jacket.  

Pay attention to old leather jackets that have your desired look, ones that are worn already, and see where there is the most wear to the leather. When it comes to how to distress a leather jacket, remember to proceed carefully, because anything you do to your jacket cannot be undone. It is usually the collar, pockets, and under the sleeves that get the most wear from friction and rubbing. Leather will naturally get softer and broken-in over time, so be sure not to be too precise and be sure not to overdo it.

Some people will tell you to put your leather jacket in a washing machine and dryer, but this will cause serious shrinkage, so it’s best not to go down that proverbial road. Water will soften up the leather, however, and allow you to stretch and crease it at specific points on your body. In order to avoid shrinking your jacket significantly, try wearing it through a light drizzle – until the leather is damp. Then bend your arms repeatedly, find a punching bag, or do some pushups. The idea is to allow it to dry on your body, because as it dries it will form to your shape. If you can’t wait for the weather, lightly spray the jacket with water to the same effect. Just be sure to do it carefully. Do not drench it.

If you plan to prematurely “age” your jacket, it is important to choose strong, durable leather, because to break in a jacket, the leather must be strong enough to withstand the abuse. So it is imperative to know what type of leather the jacket is made of. Lambskin is soft and luxurious, but does not have the same tensile strength of cowhide or goatskin. And leather is not like fabric. You can’t stitch up a hole/tear, and marks and scratches are permanent.

To take off some of the finish in your chosen areas to simulate a worn look, use a fine grade of steel wool to lightly and unevenly scratch the surface. Remember to use uneven strokes and proceed cautiously, because you can’t go back and erase the scratches. Anything you do to soften up the leather will speed the breaking-in process, so try scrunching it up into a ball; tie it up with twine; play catch with it; sit on it. The more you throw it around and soften it up, the more it will take on your shape.

We are proud to offer our customers the very best selection of leather from around the world, with an emphasis on quality and uniqueness – things you can’t readily find elsewhere. When it comes to better quality and luxury outerwear you really must come in and shop world-famous Jonval Leathers and Furs. Contact us today for more information: 720-377-1555.

Additional Resources: Tips for Breaking in a Leather Jacket

The type of animal skin used and the tanning and manufacturing methods employed characterize different types of leather. Leather is defined as any type of tanned animal hide. The most common type of leather used for clothing is cowhide, but leather from other animals, such as kangaroos, pigs, sheep, snakes, sharks, and ostriches, is also popular in certain applications and markets.
An animal hide can be made into leather by a number of different methods. Leather tanned with vegetable-based products is supple but can be damaged by exposure to water. Alum-tanned leather, created with aluminum salts, is less supple, but it can be made in much lighter shades than vegetable-tanned leather. Tanning using chromium salts results in a very supple leather that holds up relatively well in water. Brain-tanned leather (buckskin), made with animal brains or other emulsified oils, is washable and significantly softer than any of the above varieties.
Not all leathers are created equally. You’ll want some information before you choose your leather type:

• Bonded leather is a cheaper, low-quality material made from scraps of leather pressed down and chemically bonded together.
• Genuine leather is an industry term for leather made from the inner hide. It is thinner, cheaper, and less durable than top grain or full grain, but it is still made from a whole piece of animal hide.
• Top grain is preferred for most jackets. It’s the whole outer hide, but with the skin smoothed off to make an even surface.
• Full grain is made from the whole hide, including the outer layer of skin. It is tough and long lasting – but will sometimes have blemishes and marks from the animal’s lifetime.

Different animal hides will yield different textures and looks:

• Lambskin is the softest and smoothest conventionally used leather. It has an almost silky feel, but is not as durable as other hides.
• Goatskin is a light material, and wears well over time. It has a noticeable pebbly finish.
• Deerskin is a light material also, good for warmer-weather jackets. It’s not as damage-resistant as other hides, but stretches well and doesn’t wear thin.
• Horsehide is thinner than steer hide, but still tough, with suppleness similar to bison and a pattern of visible surface cracks.
• Bison performs much like steer hide, with a little added suppleness and a unique vein pattern that gives it a more prominent texture.
• Steer hide is the skin of adult cows (in many cases a byproduct of the meat industry). It’s tough and stiff, requiring a long break-in period but providing excellent durability and protection.

At Jonval, we make all our custom leather jackets by hand right here in our Denver leather shop. With virtually hundreds of leather samples to choose from in every color imaginable, the only limitation is your own imagination. And take our virtual tour to have a look at the variety we carry in our shop. Call us today for all your leather needs: 720-377-1555.

Additional Resources: How to Wear a Leather Jacket With Style

Gentlemen, if you choose well, a leather jacket is a classic staple that will last forever; it can be timeless. In the 50's, Brando, McQueen, and James Dean made the leather jacket cool, and it has since grown even more prevalent and popular for men. When deciding on a leather jacket, take into consideration that it has the potential to outlive you – so choose carefully.

Successfully wearing a leather jacket requires confidence, and the key to buying the timeless leather jacket is finding one that fits your personality and style. Consider the cut, type of leather, and color. Then focus on details, selecting how many zips, buttons, and metal things you want – or none at all. Keep in mind that you can choose a rough, grungy style statement or a clean-cut, classy look. Avoid gimmicky tassels or fringing and anything that looks even remotely cowboy – unless, of course, you are a cowboy and that's the look you're after.

The fit of a leather jacket – like a suit – is paramount. The jacket should cling to the contours of the body, with shoulders cutting sharp and square – like a blazer. A leather jacket isn’t really designed for wearing over bulky layers – more a fine-gauge sweater or tee – so buy the smallest size that fits, allowing for a bit of stretch to occur. Your arms should be able to move freely, however, and not feel tight and uncomfortable. Sleeves should skim the wrist, and the bottom jacket hem should be right at the belt line.

If you are on the slim side, opt for a tight or elasticated waistband, tapering the body section and accentuating the shoulders. For the bigger man (including those muscle-bound gentlemen), go for a straight cut, avoiding anything that clings.

The type of leather affects the coat’s function and feel. Cowhide is the most common leather. It’s slightly cheaper and tougher and is resilient in the face of water and dirt. It’s a great protector because of its thickness, but it can take time to break in. Similar to cowhide’s rugged feel and durability, bison/buffalo skin differentiates itself with a natural graininess on the skin, which adds texture to the jacket and gives it a raw, earthy aesthetic.

Goatskin is a popular choice for most luxury brands, and is recognized by its pebbly grain. Goatskin is softer, lighter, and more flexible than cowhide. It is durable and breaks-in well, becoming more supple and better looking as the years roll on. Lambskin is known for its softness, suppleness, and wear-ability. It is one of the most luxurious of the leathers. It has a rich texture and is very versatile. It’s lightweight and creates a jacket that can be worn year-round.

How to wear the leather jacket and its timelessness also depend on what color of leather you choose. A neutral color, style-wise, is going to outlive its flashier counterparts, for instance. Like suits, neutral colors are best.

At Jonval, we have a Denver showroom full of leather, as well as make all our custom leather jackets by hand right here in our shop. With virtually hundreds of leather samples to choose from in every color imaginable, the only limitation you have is your own imagination. So to get the exact fit, cut and style that is right for you, call us today:  720-377-1555.

Fashion trends continue to change every year and new fashion trends are always coming and going. However, there are specific items that still remain in style, no matter the changing trends. Leather jackets have managed to stay constant no matter what kind of fashion trends come and go. One thing may change as to this regard is the style and cut of the jacket. However, for the most part, leather jackets have remained popular either way.

Adding a New Look
Leather jackets are the choice many people make when they are trying to add a new look to their wardrobe. If you wanted a bomber jacket, for example, it could be worn over a dress or other outfit to change the entire ensemble, giving you a different look. Biker style jackets are also handy when you are looking for a casual look. For the person going to a business meeting, there are more formal options. Let’s take a closer look at the history of the modern leather jacket.

The Cave Men
Leather is used to make jackets as a means of providing protection. Cavemen discovered in the past that they were able to dry animal hide using smoke. Plants would be used to preserve the animal hides. For that reason, they would feel warm during the cold weather as the animal hide used to make leather provided that protection. In fact, this was how leather jacket started its path to the modern world. While this is a crude method of curing animal hides to create a jacket, it laid the fundamentals and with more advanced methods, leather was crafted into a contemporary look.

Modern Times
In modern times, leather jackets got its popularity in the early part of the 1900s. This is when the bomber jacket got its attention. This kind of jacket was worn by military staff and aviators. They wore it as part of their uniforms in order to protect them from the harsh weather that they would stumble upon while at high altitudes. For that reason, bomber jackets during those times were made with durability, warmth, and comfort in mind.

The Motorcyclist
Biker style jackets were designed to provide safety to motorcycle riders. These types of jackets were constructed with more thickness and functionality, providing protection from weather and other hazardous situations while riding. The value of these jackets to the motorcyclist is evident as you will more than likely not see a rider without his or her jacket. These come in various designs and styles, some incorporating extra padding for more protection. The padding is strategically positioned in high impact areas of the jacket to cushion the cyclist if there is an accident. Even if you are not a motorcyclist, you will still appreciate the value and durability of this particular jacket.

Other Fashion
In modern times, many fashion designers have incorporated leather into their clothing line, using both leather and other materials in one ensemble. This has become the modern culture as designers have come to appreciate the history and benefit of leather.

If you are looking for a timeless piece of clothing, leather jacket is the choice. It has gone through many cultures throughout history. To own one of these timeless pieces, call Jonval Leather and Fur today at (720) 377-1555.