Find luxurious leather at warehouse prices

Sandra Phillips

April 2012

It’s time to put away winter coats and buy a versatile leather jacket.

Leather clothing has moved from the edges of society, out of the north lands, past the bikers and right into mainstream dressing. Leather has become so versatile and malleable that European designers use it regularly in their collections. The newest incarnated version is full of stretch and worked so thin that it looks and feels like skin.

There are different kinds of leather:

Lambskin: softest; most expensive; requires more upkeep and care.

Suede: in Canada, usually comes from tanning pigs and is difficult to wear in our climate (can also be made of lamb, but is more expensive).

Cowhide: stronger more textured leather; less expensive.

Nubeck: tanning method of cowhide that makes it appear suede-like; quite durable

Sheepskin: heaviest, thickest, warmest because it leaves the wool attached. Merino is the Rolls Royce of sheepskin because it is lighter and more comfortable to wear and, of course, much more expensive.

We are lucky in Montreal to be able to go straight to the manufacturer.

Coronet Leather is a friendly family business, around for 33 years. This manufacturer has a showroom of jackets and coats in lambskin, cowhide and sheepskin for men, women or children, and will do made-to-measure (even embroidery on them) as well. They can make suits, pants, skirts and long coats, and can do repairs. If you have a sports team, jackets can be personalized with logos or emblems. Anyone looking for retro wool jackets with leather sleeves, this is the place for you. 7475 St. Laurent. leathercoronet.com

Open since 1983, Mercury Leather sells quality leather jackets, pants and skirts, and sheepskin. Since it is located in a factory building, prices are lower and you have the pleasure of having your items made to order. 9320 St-Laurent, Suite 514. 514-382-3504, mercuryleather.com

Cuir Olympic is in a Chabanel building; this showroom is full of samples of coats, pants, jackets, etc., in lambskin and cowhide. Get a made-to-measure lambskin with a zip-out lining for all-season wear. 9494 St. Laurent, Suite 513. 514-382-9913.

Alaska Leather, a mainstay in my book, is closing up shop. They sold to high-priced boutiques that required the most scrumptious leathers—baby lamb and kid, for example. They are selling off their men’s and ladies’ jackets and coats in the newest styles at clearance prices. 65 St. Viateur E. at Casgrain. 514-277-6259 (call first).