Each piece of leather is unique . Fascinating, isn't it?
What is really fascinating, however, are the different facets that leather brings with it.
Robust and breathable are just two of the wonderful properties of leather, we would like to tell you more about the leather that makes our hearts beat faster.
What properties make leather so popular?
You can always rely on your PICARD shopper. Your companion is not just an elegant space saver - read on and find out more about the leather that supports you in all situations.
Breathable:
Yes, leather is breathable, even if you don't think so at first glance. For this reason, leather is particularly popular in shoes. Especially in the hiking and leisure sector .
Suede types such as,
- Suede,
- Nubuck leather
- and suede are highly breathable.
Open-pored smooth leathers , such as aniline leather, also have this property. Pigmented leathers also have this fascinating property, although it is less pronounced than in suede leathers due to the pigmentation.
Robust:
The robustness varies between different types of leather .
Smooth leather is generally more robust than suede . This is due to the roughened surface of suede, which means it loses surface density, which is responsible for its robustness and tear resistance.
Nevertheless, leather is a very robust natural product. Just think of motorcycle racers: in a fall of up to 300 km, a leather suit protects you from serious skin injuries.
That's fascinating, isn't it?
Easy-care:
Cleaning and care are really quick. Although smooth leather requires different cleaning and care than suede, you can use household remedies for both types of leather or choose a professional cleaner for the corresponding leather .
In general, you should regularly remove dust and dirt from your leather , using a cloth (smooth leather) or a leather brush (suede). You should treat the leather with a care balm every 6 months, but only for smooth leather. You can simply treat your suede with a waterproofing spray. That's really pretty easy to care for, isn't it?
Flexible:
Leather is an elastic and flexible natural material . Of course, it is not as flexible as a viscose T-shirt, but it adapts to the wearer. Think of a nice leather boot that fits tightly at first, but with the warmth of the foot and over time the leather adapts to the foot. This is also the case with motorcycle suits, which are very tight at first, but after a few minutes the leather slowly adapts to the wearer.
Timeless:
We would also describe this quality as noble and timeless, because leather develops its own patina over time. This patina is the character of your leather , it is unique and timelessly beautiful . Leather, whether brightly colored, classic brown or black, is simply timeless, it has been with us for many centuries and is sometimes even passed down from generation to generation.
Moisture resistant:
Suede leathers are not as moisture-resistant as smooth leather without waterproofing . This is due to the roughened surface, which absorbs water more easily, but a proper waterproofing protects the leather and makes it water-repellent.
Smooth leather is not as sensitive to water and has a certain water-repellent ability. However, this should definitely be increased with a leather balm or waterproofing spray. Smooth leather can easily handle a rain shower, but it would like to dry slowly afterwards.
Sustainable:
A high-quality imitation leather handbag will last you for years, but leather can be your faithful companion for a lifetime. Of course, we can discuss the tanning of the leather here, but also the use of PVC or polyurethane in the production of imitation leather.
Expert knowledge: It is a fact that artificial leather is simply disposed of more quickly than leather and the ingredients then end up in the trash. Leather can be a loyal companion for many generations, which thus reduces its carbon footprint.
Leather in everyday life – these properties make it so irreplaceable
Do you want to make your everyday life timeless, elegant and sustainable and do you value style and modernity?
Maybe you like some products from PICARD :
- The smartphone has become an indispensable part of everyday life . This sensitive combination of electronics and glass requires protection.
Why not leather? For men, we recommend the functional, angular Buddy cell phone case , and for women, the elegant Marie solution - both combine accessibility and the availability of the necessary change. Cell phone case and wallet in one. While Buddy is made of robust water buffalo leather, the women's cell phone is clad in soft cowhide.
- Work is not only necessary and a creative process, it can also be chic. The Buddy writing case , made from water buffalo leather , compactly holds everything that is important for meetings: DIN A4 format, business card slots and space for the tablet. Plain, simple and classy. And sustainable and made for a long career.
- Opera in the evening! After a two-hour sitting appointment, you want to be able to see not only the lady in the foyer with a glass of Prosecco during the break, but also your evening bag? Dolce Vita can take care of that.
The simple combination of black cowhide leather and a decorative silver clasp, which cannot be surpassed in terms of elegance, underlines the perfect black outfit.
It is also practical. You don't need a wallet because this leather wonder takes over its function and leaves room for your smartphone, which has been moved from your cell phone pocket into your evening bag. There is also room for your ticket and it stays at home as a souvenir of an evening in the spotlight.
- Weekend! Leisure time is also part of everyday life and is equipped for hiking tours by PICARD. The Speed backpack is a multi-colored example of the fact that, despite all the love for leather, it doesn't always have to be animal skin to be able to offer the practical properties of leather .
It looks like it could be made from a combination of suede, cowhide and sheepskin , but it is actually made from high-quality synthetic material.
The backpack is suitable for shorter business trips with its compartments for the notebook and its USB output for easy charging of devices. But the notebook compartment also fits a good book to sweeten the evenings on a leisure trip or the collection of maps that will lead you to your destination.
The material is crucial: practical zippers and a water-repellent surface ensure that hikers are not left out in the rain, even in adverse weather conditions.
The processing methods and the different leather quality levels
- Depending on the appearance and intended use, there are almost 10 types of processing plus some special ones . The most important types of leather are smooth leather, aniline and nappa leather, patent leather, rough leather and suede . The most important differences are on the surface.
While smooth leather is opaque and fine , aniline leather, for example, is dyed very heavily and patent leather is given a coat of varnish . Rough and suede leather have a roughened, velvety surface. Treated, dyed and varnished leather is therefore more waterproof than its wild counterparts.
- The quality levels can be influenced by the way the animal is kept . The animal's age, gender, diet, keeping and climate all affect the quality of the leather. You also have to care for the leather. The amount of care required depends on how it is processed and how natural it is. Smooth leather is the easiest to care for and is also the most naturally preserved.
Suede and suede are harder to care for because of their rough structure. If the animal was injured during its lifetime and left a scar, this increases the amount of care required.
The right leather care to protect all leather properties sustainably
Even if you got your new leather bag with a decent discount or even as a gift, you will definitely want to keep the fresh look for as long as possible. Although many types of leather are robust and, in contrast to imitation leather, very durable, it is a good idea to take time to care for them regularly.
Whether it's a bag, wallet or jacket - they're made of high-quality leather and are long-lasting companions. You can care for the leather so that it doesn't dry out over time and simply stays as beautiful as it was when you first bought it.
It starts with small, everyday things:
- Do not expose your leather handbag to constant sunlight . If you do not use it every day, store it in a soft fabric bag to protect it from dust and sunlight.
Attention: You should not store your leather bags in a plastic bag . The leather cannot breathe in it and can become porous.
- If your piece of leather has a special shape, you can stuff it with some filling material if it is not going to be used for a long time.
Leather boots with high shafts are a good example: if they are left standing for a long time and the shaft is permanently bent in one place, this can lead to marks, wrinkles or small cracks in the leather .
- If your bag or leather jacket gets wet, dab it gently and then let it dry at room temperature.
- We say no to the basement . Sure, there's plenty of room in a box - but you shouldn't store your leather accessories in a cold, damp place. In the worst case, mold can form on the natural material.
Conclusion
Leather is a fascinating material with a variety of properties that make it a popular companion in everyday life.
It is robust, breathable, easy to care for, flexible, timeless and moisture-resistant. These properties make it versatile, be it in the form of bags, wallets, briefcases or backpacks. In addition, leather is a sustainable material that can last for many generations and thus reduces its carbon footprint.
The variety of processing methods and leather quality levels also offers a wide range of options for every taste and need.
To preserve the beauty of leather, proper care is essential, such as protecting it from sunlight, stuffing it when not in use, gently drying wet leather and storing it in a suitable room.
FAQ
What properties make leather so popular?
Leather is popular because of its robustness, breathability, ease of care, flexibility, timeless beauty, moisture resistance and sustainability.
What types of leather are there and how do they differ?
There are different types of leather, including smooth leather, aniline leather, patent leather, suede and nubuck, which differ in their surface texture and water resistance.
What is the best way to care for leather to preserve its properties?
To best care for leather, protect it from constant sunlight, stuff it when not in use, dry wet leather carefully and store it in a dry room to avoid mold growth.
Find out more by reading our other articles.