When Is Your Leather Naked And Other Interesting Facts?

Some leather clothing is represented by a certain weight or thickness, but what
exactly is 3 1/2 oz. naked cowhide? And why is leather weight an important
consideration when making a jacket or other leather clothing purchase?

The material used in manufacturing a leather garment is available in different
weights. You will notice in some of our product descriptions a notation about
leather weight. The weight of leather is determined by the number of ounces
that one square foot of material weighs. For example, if a square foot of leather
weighs three ounces, it is called 3-ounce leather. It would also be approximately
one-eighth of an inch thick. The stated weight loosely translates to a particular thickness of leather. Higher weights means thicker leather and increased protection on the road.

Cowhide is the most common skin used to produce leather garments and can be treated with protective finishes such as waterproofing or acrylic paints which sometimes leads to a shiny finish called Patent Leather. Without such treatment we refer to the material as naked cowhide. Since cowhide is the thickest kind of hide to begin with, a full range of thicknesses are available from 12 ounces (3/16 inch) to 1 ounce (1/64 inch).


Even The Emperor's Clothes Were Cool

This history of leather conveys just how fascinated people were regarding the many uses of leather. Leather transcends time and class. It has been used by ancient empires, Victorian England and working class people.

During the Roman Empire, Caesar's troops sailed across the seas, their ships capturing the wind in sails made of leather. Leather has been in widespread use since its first
introduction in 3000 BC by the Egyptians.

They are credited for discovering leather as an excellent material for use in battle and household furniture. It was utilized for tents and weapon carriers as well as body armor.

As early as 4000 years ago, Egyptian women prized leather for fashion. Trading parties found the hunters of the Nile Valley willing to trade their panther and leopard hides for beads and fabrics. Small barges transported the hides hundreds of miles upriver to the waiting designers of the Egyptian fashion world.

Many civilizations, including Ancient Greece and Rome continued to explore many uses for leather. Goatskins were used to make maps, and hand-stitched pigskins were filled to carry drinking water.

Arabs settling in Spain introduced decorated leather to the region. The wall hanging of Cordova enjoyed international renown. In the 15th century, Spanish leather was used to cover walls and floors and to upholster armchairs and sofas.

In England, during the 16th century, leather entered a romantic period during the time of Elizabeth I and Shakespeare. In the pubs, people drank out of handmade leather mugs, and leather hats and tunics became popular.

In the 17th century leather wallpaper became fashionable in artistically progressive cities such as Florence and Venice, Italy. The Dutch instructed workmen in the installation of embossed leather as wall covering.

Victorian England and the rest of Europe were more interested in ornamentation of leather unrelated to any practical function.


The North American Plains Indians used leather for their tepees, coats and footwear.
Beaded leather moccasins were worn and all great warriors had fantastic clothes decorated
with beads or fringe. Leather was also used for saddles and chaps, holsters and harnesses.
Leather continues to be popular in modern society taking a role in furniture, car interior
upholstery, clothing, handbags and footwear to name a few products commonly constructed
of the durable material.