Why do leather jackets have fringe?

Today, most leather jackets have fringe simply as a style embellishment that adds visual appeal to the garment. However, the original purpose of fringe was to wick water away from the sleeves of leather jackets if a wearer gets caught in a rainstorm. If leather gets very damp, it can lose vital natural oils which may cause it to shed its supple quality and eventually become brittle. Find a collection of leather jackets from some of the world's top boutiques on 1stDibs.