Leather Materials & Quality | Leather Taboo

The Leathers We Use

Every Leather Taboo product starts with a choice of hide, because the leather itself determines how a finished piece looks, feels, and wears over time. We work primarily with two genuine leathers: cowhide and sheepskin.

Cowhide Leather

Cowhide is our go-to material for pieces that need structure and durability — motorcycle jackets, leather armor, straitjackets, restraint gear, and other designs where the garment has to hold its shape under stress. It has a firmer hand-feel than sheepskin and typically develops character with wear rather than losing it.

Sheepskin Leather

Sheepskin is softer and lighter, with a more fluid drape. We use it for fitted fashion pieces — corsets, catsuits, dresses, and jackets where comfort and closeness to the body matter more than rigidity.

Neither leather is objectively "better" — the right choice depends on the garment. You can read more about how the two compare in our Cowhide vs. Sheepskin guide.

What We Look For in a Hide

Before a hide becomes a garment, it's evaluated for consistency of grain, thickness appropriate to the design, and how well it will take stitching and hardware at stress points. Genuine leather is a natural material, so some variation in grain and texture between panels is normal and expected — it's part of what distinguishes real leather from a uniform synthetic.

Hardware & Construction Materials

Depending on the design, our products use metal buckles, D-rings, zippers, rivets, and lining fabric selected for the garment's intended use — heavier-duty hardware for restraint and outerwear pieces, lighter fastenings for fashion pieces. Construction details like reinforced stitching and lining are covered per-product on each product page's Materials & Craftsmanship section.

Custom Materials & Sizing

If you have a specific leather type, color, or hardware preference in mind for a custom piece, our Custom Order page is where to start that conversation.