Leather fabric is often associated with luxury and their unique characteristics have been highly complementing. From sleek leather jackets to garments, it has been quite popular in the fashion industry. But wait, its uses are not limited to that,
Far beyond apparel and fashion, leather usage has been recognized in upholstery and home decor. Leather's supple texture, aesthetic vibes, and durability make it more demanding in the market. Today, we will be discussing both the conventional and unconventional uses of leather. Are you excited?
Leather apparel, furniture, automobile interiors, luggage, and sporting goods are some conventional uses. But if you dig more, in an unconventional way, leather is also used in industrial, medical, artistic, food, and beverage applications.
How differently can Leather Fabric be used?
Leather unlike any other material can get better with age if provided with proper care and maintenance. It is a remarkably famed fabric around the world, for its natural comfort, and property of adding a quality touch to other applications. So, what are the different uses of leather?
1. Leather Upholstery
Upholstery does that sound familiar with leather? Well, as far as the current trend, leather is a popular choice for making upholstery in furniture, boats, and even vehicles. And you know why that sounds like an amazing choice because nothing can look luxurious and is as comfy and durable as leather fabric.
Top Grain leather, corrected grain leather, and split leather are some highest quality to affordable options of leather used in upholstery. From leather furniture, and home decor, to the interiors of automotive, it is used everywhere.
2. Leather Accessories
Have you ever used leather-made accessories? As popular as handbags, belts, and jewelry what else can you miss out on? For a luxurious, stylish, and durable fashion item, leather has spread its wings beyond apparel and accessories like leather cords and straps jewelry.
Well, the refined and sophisticated leather fabric is used in some less common accessories than, handbags. What are they let's explore more on that?
- Leather laptop sleeves
- Leather phone cases
- Keychains
- Leather luggage Tags
- Leather coasters
- Arrow Quivers
- Knife Sheaths
- Gun Holsters
- Leather Eyeglass Cases
3. Leather in Sports
Leather has an enduring legacy when it comes to sports. Embodied with resilience, passion, and bearing witness to triumph, defeat, and being part of the spirit of competition, leather has spotted it all in sports.
i. Balls:
Did you know? Leather has been used in the making of soccer balls, footballs, and even baseballs, for ages now. That's because leather gives a good grip and is a durable material to keep the game going. It has revolutionized sports in other forms too.
ii.Leather gloves:
Leather gloves are used in American football, baseball, softball, and even in golf. As they provide a good grip and also protect the hands of the sportsperson, leather fabric has been a popular choice for making gloves since the Middle Ages.
iii. Leather Shoes
For soccer, baseball, and football players, leather shoes provide good traction. It is why most of the players also consider leather building a good choice in their sports shoes like soccer cleats.'
iv. Sports Equipment
In a nutshell, leather fabric is used in the making of helmets, straps, pads, and other comfortable materials required in the competition. Examples are, baseball batting gloves, catcher's mitts, football pads, and others.'
v. Equestrian Products
Leather has been used whenever it comes to the making of equestrian-related products. For centuries, leather has been a trusted material in terms of flexibility, comfort, and equestrian gear, including horse hoof boots. Most of the preferred uses of leather in equestrian products are,
4. Industrial Applications
Leather fabric has a range of industrial applications, used in machinery, vehicles, and equipment. As leather is resistant to abrasion, heat, and chemicals the demand for leather fabric is growing in the industry as it can survive harsh conditions and chemical treatments. So, how is leather used in industry?
i. Belting:
Leather belting is an excellent choice for the manufacture of agriculture, manufacturing, and mining tools. It is constructed as a conveyor belt through which power is transmitted to the machines. The best part is leather can withstand even heavy loads and high speed.
ii. Gaskets and Seals
Usages of leather gaskets and seals in preventing leakage from machine., It is effective because of the low friction, chemical, and heat resistance nature of the leather fabric. On the other hand, its conformability ensures a tight seal and remarkable resistance sets it apart from its alternatives.
iii. Leather hoses
Leather hoses are used in industrial pumps, and hydraulic systems to transport fluid. It is because they are flexible, strong, and even resistant to any sort of leakage and damage. They are quite expensive as compared to rubber hoses but are biodegradable, which is why it is preferred.
iv. Precision machinery components:
Leather is a smooth fabric that can function quite effectively even without lubrication. Precision machinery components like gears, bearings, and seals are made of leather.
v. Polishing and grinding tools
Leather can act as a good source of polish and grind to other materials like plastic, wood, and metal. For the same, leather disks and straps are used in polishing and grinding tools to make your work convenient.
5. Medical Applications
Leather is used in making wound care products as the leather material is capable of healing. Even in skin grafts, burn dressing, leather significantly contribute their part. Besides, leather usage ranges from dental implants, orthopedic devices, prosthetic limbs, and beyond.
6. Artistic Applications
Leather from ancient times has been used in bookbinding. And it has popularly added a luxury touch to it. Beyond that, from small to large crafting, leather wet pressing techniques were used to make leather scriptures from generations ago.
Leather embossing, stamping, and paintings are rather unconventional forms of artistic creation, but the texture is something to eye on.
Some Interesting Applications of Leather Fabric
That's an interesting topic, right? To start with, let's delve into how these expensive leather fabrics can elevate our day-to-day lives.
1. Chamois Leather
Chamois leather is quite an expensive form of leather, with filtration and water-resistant properties. It serves quite a unique purpose of cleaning and polishing cars and prevents scratches on the surface. It is worth of use even in the filtration of fuel and oil. Not only that even in some medical applications, chamois leather is in use.
2. Kidskin
Kidskin is leather made from the skin of young sheep and goats. It is more soft and supple in comparison to a mature goat. A coveted material such as Kidskin is used in making luxury items like gloves, handbags, etc. This kidskin comes in premium prices and is exclusive with inherent beauty suppleness, and demands skilled craftsmanship. Excellent riding or driving gloves are also made from the leather extracted from young goats.
3. Cuir bouilli
Cuir bouilli, have you heard of it? It is a fascinating leather material that was useful in medieval times. But now, it has become a history.
In French, Cuir bouilli means 'boiled leather'. Earlier in the Early Modern period and the Middle Ages, people used to make durable protective armor and flasks by soaking and boiling leather. This tendency often leads to making leather hard and waterproof.
Besides, book covers, wall panels, drinking vessels, and goblets were made from cuir-bouilli. That means leather from ancient times has experienced versatile applications, with efforts of medieval leather artisans to make it everyday essentials and luxury, at the same time.
Can leather fabric be associated with professionalism?
To your query, leather has been able to make a positive impression on people and is associated with professionalism. The touch of sophistication, luxury, and refined taste of leather make it a practical choice.
Leather has been widely used in professional settings in the form of briefcases, messenger bags, watch, belts, dress shoe, and thus, making it a classic choice. The durability, timelessness, comfort, and appearance are important choices to consider as professional and have perceived value. But is that all, how can you look professional with leather?
Conclusion
Leather's applications extend far beyond the realm, of apparel, fashion, and accessories. It has been integrated into diverse industries with its unique versatility. Leather is expected to lay a path toward innovative applications. From essential items footwear, furniture, and luggage to specialized uses like the automotive and medical industries, it has extended its array of applications. But what's appreciating is its exceptional properties transcend the confines of apparel, venturing into entirely new product categories.
