Feeling comfortable while wearing a garment is the key to look stylish, as that impacts the confidence that you carry. Leather jackets are the epitome of comfort and warmth, but we seldom debate the fact that this comfort largely depends on the type of lining material used in them.
The lining is an important part of a garment, something that we inspect when buying a jacket to check its quality. When searching for a quality leather jacket or a leather coat, avoid one with low-quality lining material or something that reflects cheap stitching quality. The lining is also a key feature to consider when designing a custom leather jacket.
In this blog, we will walk you through the different types of leather jacket linings you can go for and provide tips on choosing and maintaining the lining material.
What is the Lining of Leather Jackets?
Lining in a leather jacket is the material used on the inside, giving it an extra layer of fabric which provides many benefits, such as a better shape, comfort, warmth, and durability of the jacket. The lining allows you to slip on the jacket comfortably without tugging at your inner layers. Besides giving a neat look to your leather jacket, the lining also extends its life.
The leather jacket lining materials are of many different types, including natural or synthetic fabrics. The lining can be in any color or print, which adds to the outfit's appeal if the jacket is unbuttoned.
What is the Purpose of Leather Jacket Linings?
- A jacket with a lining is much warmer, more structured, and more comfortable than an unlined garment.
- The lining hides the jacket's stitching details such as shoulder seam and fabric edges, giving it an impeccable appearance.
- If the lining is sewn in properly, it adds years to the jacket's life by preventing stretching and tearing.
- A great benefit of the lining is that it increases the crease resistance of the jacket.
- The lining material, if silky, allows the wearer to slip on the jacket easily.
- The jacket becomes warmer due to the layer and added weight of the lining material.
- Adding a lining to the jacket makes it fit better.
Types of Lining Material
It is important for the buyer to have a basic knowledge of different types of lining materials. You can pick a lining depending on the suitability for the weather in which you would wear your leather jackets, frequency of wear, and durability. Plus, you can also go with a combination of lining materials, with silky ones for the sleeves, and any other type of lining for the body of the leather coat or jacket.
POLYESTER
Synthetically produced polyester is a fairly common material used to line leather jackets. It is a tightly woven, lightweight fabric that is non-breathable. The silky feel of polyester allows you to wear the jacket quickly.
Quilted polyester lining is popular for winter leather jackets. In this type of lining, two layers of polyester with synthetic fiber filling sandwiched between them are stitched in a diamond shaped grid. The quilted polyester lining can be thin or thick, depending on how warm you need your leather jacket to be.
SATIN
Satin is a soft fabric with a shine and silky soft feel at one side and a matte feel on the other side. The leather jackets lined with satin can be slipped on easily. Being silky and slightly flexible, satin lining is ideal when you need to add multiple layers beneath the jacket.
SILK
Known for its soft and smooth feel, lightweight, and beautiful lustre, silk is a commonly used lining material for leather jackets to give them a supple inner texture. Silk can be of many different types, with natural silk being pricier than china silk. Heavier silks are better suited for cold weather, while lightweight china silk is a flimsy material good for summer jackets.
COTTON
Nothing can beat pure cotton lining when it comes to breathability, longevity, and comfort, but it is not slippery enough to be used as inner lining for jackets under which you need additional layering. Cotton lining, being readily available, is lesser in cost than other materials.
POLY-COTTON
Long lasting and much lighter in weight, poly-cotton lining is a blend of polyester and cotton fibers. A great feature of poly-cotton, besides breathability, is that it is wrinkle free.
NYLON
When it comes to synthetic fabrics, nylon wins amongst all for its strength and water resistance. Nylon lining is added to jackets meant for active wear, such as a leather biker jacket. It is also light in weight and a suitable option for jackets worn in spring and summer.
VISCOSE
Another breathable and smooth option for lining leather jackets is viscose, a blend of natural and synthetic fibers. It is also known as faux silk. Viscose is cost-effective, absorbent, versatile, and drapes nicely.
MESH
Sometimes, leather jacket manufacturers use mesh lining for jackets that need to be highly breathable and stretchable. Mesh is made from synthetic fiber weaved in a way that creates closely spaced holes in the fabric. Mesh lining allows air to pass through it, keeping the wearer comfortably cool in hot weather.
FLEECE
Made with polyester fibers, fleece is an incredibly soft and warm material with a brushed nap that gives it a splendid furry texture. Fleece lining has excellent insulation properties, as well as an appealing look.
SHEARLING
If you are looking for a type of lining that adds absolute warmth, style and softness to your winter jackets, Shearling lining is the right option. Acquired from sheep’s wool that is shorn in equal length, Shearling is undoubtedly he softest leather jacket liner that one could go for.
SHERPA FABRIC
Sherpa lining is made in a way that imitates real sheepskin. A sherpa lined leather jacket is quite warm and soft. As it is synthetically made, sherpa is inexpensive and easy to maintain. You can opt for a sherpa lined leather biker jacket to enjoy bike rides in chilly weather as it would keep you warm and snug.
TAFFETA
Taffeta lining is mostly used in luxury garments, due to its amazing silky texture and softness. Taffeta lined jackets hold their shape for longer as it resists stretching.
WOOL BLEND
Another option for lining of a leather jacket used in colder climates, wool blend is incredibly warm and comfortable. As it is made with natural and synthetic fibers, wool lining is strong and resistant to wear and tear.
FAUX FUR
A material that looks like real animal fur, faux fur lining is a soft and cozy option. Due to its aesthetic look, faux fur lining is used in luxury garments, such as an opulent leather coat.
Why Should You Pick the Suitable Leather Jacket Lining?
The material of the lining is a key element for the comfort of the jacket, as well as its style. A flimsy fabric such as china silk or taffeta can be your choice for a summer jacket that you wear quite rarely, as it is breathable and cool. However, for a fall and winter jacket, such as a heavy bomber jacket, you must go for a warm material such as wool, shearling, or sherpa to feel warm and snug from the inside.
The type of lining fabric is a deciding factor for the jacket's breathability. If you have opted for a goatskin jacket due to goat leather being breathable, a tight woven polyester lining would defeat the purpose.
Another thing that is dependent on the lining is the style of the jacket. Cotton lining is not silky and is hence suitable to layer over garments without sleeves or tight-fitting clothes. A premium quality lining material helps the jacket keep its shape, giving the wearer a more polished look.
How to Choose the Right Leather Lining Material?
When customizing your leather jacket, it is crucial to give some thought on the appropriate lining material, as that would impact its comfort, longevity as well as style. To choose lining of a leather jacket according to your needs, consider the following points:
- Always choose the weight and warmth of the lining material according to the purpose of your jacket. Lightweight, breathable materials such as taffeta, poly-cotton or cotton are for spring and summer jackets. Satin, silk, and polyester can be well suited for moderate climates. For the fall and winter seasons, sherpa, wool, and shearling can be used to line a leather bomber jacket or other styles of leather jackets.
- Check the compatibility of the lining material with the outer shell material. As sheepskin, lambskin, and goatskin are stretchy, go for a lining material that has elasticity, such as fleece, mesh or nylon. This point needs to be considered especially if your activity levels would be high while wearing the jacket.
- When going for high maintenance leather types, don’t go for lining material that easily gets stained or catches dust. Going for a type of lining that catches dust and is difficult to clean for a leather biker jacket is not a good idea.
Leather Jacket Lining Customization
One of the top advantages of customizing a leather jacket is that you get to pick a suitable lining, depending on your specific needs, weather, and personal style. At Poshele, you get abundant choices when it comes to the lining material. Not only plain lining fabrics, but printed ones are also available to add an interesting element to your jacket. You can get a print of your choice done on the lining as well.
Adding a practical option in our endless customization services, we also provide removable lining for your custom leather jackets. Thankfully, replacing the lining for that antique bomber jacket of yours is a breeze, and you don’t need to worry about ruining your much loved jacket.
How to Maintain Leather Jacket Linings?
As mentioned earlier in the blog, you need to choose compatible outer shell material and lining to make sure maintaining your jacket is easy. When buying a ready-to-wear jacket, make sure you read the care label of your jacket to know the general maintenance tips, both for the outer shell and the lining.
Cleaning Leather Jacket Lining
As it comes in direct contact with skin moisture, oils, and moisture, the lining of your leather jacket might need cleaning. The safest way is to take it to a professional leather goods cleaner. As the lining is attached to the leather, you cannot wash it like regular fabrics.
To clean the lining of a leather jacket, turn it inside out to clean it easily. Make a solution of a mild washing liquid with water. Dip a microfiber cloth in it, and squeeze out the excess liquid. Clean the lining by rubbing it with this cloth, focusing more on areas with stains. Remove the soapy residue by dipping the cloth in water, wringing it well, and wiping off the jacket lining. Hang the jacket inside out on a hanger and let it air dry.
Replacing Leather Jacket Lining
If your jacket’s lining is soiled or torn in a way that cannot be restored, you can reline a leather jacket rather than throwing it away. We won’t suggest replacing the lining of the jacket yourself, as improper stitching would ruin the shape and fit of the jacket. Take it to a professional who provides relining service to ensure a proper finishing with new lining.
FAQs
What is Used to Line Leather Jackets?
Polyester, quilted polyester, nylon, silk, cotton, viscose, sherpa, or satin are commonly used to line leather jackets.
Can you Add a Lining to a Jacket?
You can add a lining to your unlined jacket to add structure, warmth and durability to it. We recommend getting a tailor's help to add a new lining to the leather jacket for a neat look.
Should I go for Jackets without Lining?
You may opt for an unlined jacket if you want a lightweight, breathable layer for your summer outfits. However, a light jacket with a breathable inner shell is comparatively a better option as it has a better fit and shape.
Does Lining Make a Leather Jacket Warm?
The lining of the leather jacket is elemental for warmth. There are many materials out there which can trap the heat inside, such as Sherpa, Shearling, quilted polyester, or faux fur which can add warmth to the jacket.
It's a Wrap
Knowing the appropriate materials to line a leather jacket helps you design a custom jacket that checks all the boxes, including comfort, easy wearability, and style. It is a vital element to warrant the durability of the jacket, as it prevents stretching and helps the garment stay in proper shape. Make sure you go with a lining material for your jacket that fits your style and warmth needs.
