When the Leather Guy goes to buy shoes.....

I head over to Allen Edmonds, as I did today. As regular readers might anticipate, I'm not much for the "Made in China leather uppers" for $ 89.99 at DSW stores. I like real leather. Today I picked up a pair made of Chromoexel from Horween leather - one of the few operating tanneries in the USA and the only one in Chicago.

http://www.allenedmonds.com/shoes/me...810_color=1811

Chromoexcel is a pure aniline, and a pull-up leather (the ones so many dislike because "they scratch"). It's just a fantastic hide (and very costly) that has a richness and hand you will find in few leathers. The salesman at the Allen Edmunds store was going to explain the hide to me, but I told him I am familiar with it already, and know how they perform and that you don't use colored shoe polish on them - EVER. Creams only.

When I get bold enough (and have sold enough sofas to feel a tad wealthy) I intend to commision a leather jacket in Chromoexcel as well from this jacket maker in Scotland.

http://www.aeroleatherclothing.com/p...classicleather

It would probably be crazy expensive to do a leather sofa in this hide, it would be something like a Hancock and Moore Grade 7 (and they only go as high as 5), but it would be stunning. There's a really good blog from Horween on how they make this leather - and the photos are excellent (and you can see how nasty this business of tanning hides is). Here's the blog on Chromoexcel:

https://www.horween.com/blog/2010/03...mexcel%C2%AE-2

One of the founders of Hancock and Moore, Jack Glasheen, told me one day he decided to follow the example of Allen Edmunds shoes when he and Jimmy Moore began their company in the 1970's. Use the best components, build it right, and if a customer needs to return one for repair they will fix it. It was a good company to pattern yourself after.

Duane, I have several Chromexcel jackets from Aero, I'll bring them by next time I visit your store. Aero allows a fair amount of customization, so for your first jacket (and anyone else considering an Aero in the US) I definitely would recommend purchasing through Aero's US distributor - Thurston Brothers in Seattle https://www.thurston-bros.com. (I have no affiliation with Aero or Thurston Bros.) They've done a bunch of these jackets and can steer you in the right direction. Thurston also will send a fit jacket in the style you choose to make sure you get the proper chest size and arm and body lengths, as some of their styles fit differently than others. To check out some of the lining and color options available in actual jackets, here's a link with a bunch of photos - http://www.thefedoralounge.com/threa...-thread.70770/. One thing to keep in mind is that these jackets are very heavy, particularly any of the longer length models. I don't notice the weight once I put them on, but holding them you really get a sense that these aren't the run-of-the-mill leather jackets you pick up at the mall. And they do develop pretty amazing character over time. I know you'll love the jacket once you take the plunge!

Nice! Bring one by the store, Chris - would love to see it. Good advice! I suspect they are like my heavyweight leather motorcycle jackets I have from Vanson....