Distressed leather is treated to give it an aged appearance without weakening the material. It is used in clothing, accessories, and furniture. Manufacturers and individuals can distress leather using various methods, and it is often considered more visually appealing than pristine leather.
Distressed leather is any type of leather that has been treated to age the appearance of the leather without weakening the overall integrity of the product. There are several different methods used to wear down leather clothing and upholstery. Often the goal is to give newly produced products a worn-out, broken-in quality that is sometimes more appealing to consumers.
The use of distressed leather is common with many different types of items. Accessories such as gloves, belts, wallets, and handbags are sometimes aged using one or more distressing methods. A jacket or coat, along with other clothing such as leather pants and vests, is often aged to make the leather more flexible without weakening the material. Even leather furniture can be distressed, as the look of aged leather on a couch, sofa, or chair is often considered attractive.
Although the treatment of leather products often takes place at home, there are manufacturers who offer new clothing and other products with worn leather. While techniques vary, leather is usually treated with a thin layer of some sort of alcohol-based agent, then put through a series of steps intended to create creases and wrinkles in the grain. This pre-stressed leather can also undergo treatments that effectively abrade the material to lighten color in random areas.
Worn leather products are often considered more visually appealing than pristine leather products. For this reason, vendors can often sell items made from worn leather for a higher price than leather that is in mint condition. However, consumers may choose to avoid the higher price by choosing to distress their leather goods at home.
One benefit of this approach is that the owner can control how much or little artificial wear and tear the leather product undergoes. For example, an upholstered sofa could be sprayed with a small amount of alcohol and then lightly rubbed with sandpaper by hand. The finished look of distressed leather can look almost antique, or make the sofa look like it has been in the family for no more than a few years.
Distressed leather clothing like jackets or pants can also be a lot of fun. As with the leather of a sofa, the garment is sprayed with a thin layer of isopropyl alcohol. The garment was crumpled into a ball, smoothed out, and then repeatedly wrinkled. Using an action that is similar to kneading bread dough, it is possible to work a series of folds and lines into the body of the leather. If desired, sandpaper can also be used to further age the leather.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
