Luckily, you can get around this, should it ever happen to you. If you’re shopping for leather jackets online, and find that what you want is no longer available, you can email us, and hand over your vital measurements. We’ll not only check that there’s really, truly no more in stock, we’ll check what we do have to make sure there’s nothing else that will suit your measurements.

The measurements needed have to be exact – no fudging to hide that Christmas pudding you’re carrying. Remember to measure wearing what you’ll normally wear under the leather jacket – a t-shirt or jumper etc. The chest should be measured around the widest part, as too, the waist. Throwing in your shoe size will give an indication of how tall you are, and your frame. However, telling us how tall you are will help, too! Let us know your build (don’t be shy) – are you large, small, thin? What size do you normally take? And lastly, tell us how you want the jacket to fit: fitted is 1" larger than your chest, semi-fitted is 2", comfort is 3 and loose is 4. Oh, don’t forget the actual jacket you saw – the name of the style, the colour and the kind of leather you’d like it in.

By sending in these details we can see if there’s something that you might like, if we don’t have the actual jacket in stock. Bear in mind, however, that with sale stock it’s generally what we have at the time. Usually, there’s no more and so once that particular style, colour or whatever is sold out, that’s it. Having said all that, clearance and sale items are a great way of picking up cheap leather jackets that will boost your wardrobe with a piece that can be worn anywhere, with anything, and by anyone. Whether timeless and classic or modern and hip, a decent leather coat is something that everybody should own.

Some great bargain buys can be picked up in clearance sales. Cheap leather jackets are now being sported by the younger generation due to their versatility and low cost. They can be worn with anything, and their affordability makes them attractive to the younger crowd. They can be seen to and from work (and even some schools), in town with pals or out with families.

Leather blazers, on the other hand, scream expensive – but need not be. A well-cut leather coat can look like it cost a packet but actually cost very little; it all depends on where you source it. Of course, having one tailor-made might run up the price, but it’ll fit you like a glove and no doubt look like it cost far more than it actually did. And if you don’t put on too much weight as you get older, a leather jacket made to your measurements can be worn well into your twilight years!

Leather biker jackets are huge at the moment, especially with the current tattoo trend. It seems everyone these days is sporting ink somewhere on their bodies, and what better way to compliment the look than with chunky, belted, zippered, low-slung leather coats. Designed to be functional and practical, a biker jacket will ensure your back doesn’t get too cold while you’re motoring down the highway with your gal (or guy) riding shotgun. And slung over the bike when you pull up, you can still maintain the look as you show off your tatts.

Classic ladies’ leather jackets are indeed timeless. Whether made-to-measure or off-the-shelf, a women’s leather jacket can be teamed with jeans, a skirt, or trousers. In an emergency it can be worn over a formal outfit and not look too out of place. It is equally at home on a picnic or out at dinner.

Even the not-so-humble red leather jackets are still being seen (how can you miss them!). Can be worn to revive an old outfit or set alight a new one, a red coat can make you stand out in the crowd – it’s just up to you how much and how good you’ll look while doing it!

How to become more ethical in the home

If you watch television programmes about green living you may feel exasperated by the amount of money spent by some people to make their homes eco-friendly. If you can afford it, and if you live in a part of the country with plenty of land around you, then this type of lifestyle is achievable, however for the majority of us it’s a case of making the best out of what we already have. But don’t think for one moment that living in a house or flat in a city means that you can’t do your bit for the environment.

Five simple steps to being eco-friendly at home

1). Energy is the one of the biggest factors in becoming more ethical in the home. Reducing your energy bill is a major step toward being green (and having more money in your pocket). Simple things such as not leaving appliances on standby and turning the light off when you leave the room can cut your usage dramatically.

Switching to energy-saving light bulbs and buying appliances with a high energy-efficiency rating can also make a huge difference to your bills. You can also buy your energy from companies who offer electricity from renewable sources (such as wind power). Although the main providers such as British Gas and E-On have green tariffs, a dedicated green energy company is committed to generating energy from a purely environmental point of view.

2). An ethical lifestyle can also be a natural one too. Being more environmentally friendly is better for your health so look for eco-friendly cleaning products that aren’t produced using chemicals. Ethical hygiene and beauty products produced using natural ingredients will help reduce your body’s exposure to harmful chemicals.

3). When carrying out improvements to your house or flat, buy eco paints and products made from sustainable materials. Reducing exposure to toxic chemicals found in traditional paint products is better for your health and sustainable materials reduce the devastation on natural resources.

4). Recycling is easily carried out these days. All councils provide a recycling collection service or facilities so ensure any waste in the home that can be recycled is put out for collection or taken to the appropriate place. Also try to buy products that have been made using recycled materials to continue the cycle and buy products that have the minimum amount of packaging to encourage manufacturers to produce less waste.

5). When it comes to food, look for products that are organic and fairtrade (make sure to look for a certified logo). Reducing food miles or buying products that help impoverished communities is a great way to do your bit for the environment and society as a whole. You can also try growing your own herbs, vegetables and fruit.

Green gifts for friends and family

Some of these recommendations will be down to you to implement in your own home but you can encourage others to do the same by explaining the benefits to them. If they’re not doing so already, they’ll learn something new and hopefully save themselves some money.

You can also steer them in the right direction by giving a green gift. Sustainable gifts for the home and garden are readily available online and when you give the present, you can explain the benefits of the gift so they’ll know what to look for in future when buying for themselves.

Reducing product miles

We’re becoming accustomed to the term ‘food miles’ when discussing food production and transportation. Food miles or ‘product miles’ can be defined as the total distance goods are transported from place of manufacture to the place of purchase and use.

Buying fruit, vegetables, meat and fish from British farms and fisheries ensures the food we eat hasn’t travelled too far as well as giving support to local producers and food distribution networks. Buying in season also guarantees better quality produce so if you’re buying vegetables that are out of season it probably means you buying something that has been imported. For example, in your local supermarket you could well find apples that have been shipped in from America (10,000 food miles) or tomatoes from Saudi Arabia (3,000 food miles).

However, it should also be noted that just because something has been imported from another country it shouldn’t immediately be demonised. Fruit and vegetable trade with the UK helps support around one million people living in Africa and Fairtrade gifts help distribute finances fairly to impoverished communities around the world. As a society, we need to make the right choices that will ultimately benefit people and the climate.

A similar case can be made for manufactured goods. Many products are manufactured thousands of miles away and then shipped into the UK. In some cases this can be of benefit however we should be weighing up the pros and the cons. If the same product can be made just as well, if not better, in the UK, and it is more energy efficient to do so, then as consumers we should encourage the process by buying locally.

Buying British ethical gifts

The same argument can be applied to the little luxuries in life such as gift-giving. If you’re looking to give an eco-friendly present this year then choosing British ethical gifts is a great way to keep carbon emissions to a minimum while supporting local traders and producers.

From British ethical gifts for the home and garden to British made jewellery, buying locally and buying online can help keep product miles to a minimum and reduce your carbon footprint.

But we don’t have to cancel Christmas to turn things around, we just need to think, act and buy in a responsible manner. Here are a few ethical Christmas ideas and gifts for the holiday season.

‘Tis the season to be ethical

It’s true that we are beginning to live our lives in a more ethical way and so Christmas shouldn’t be any different. In fact, it’s the ideal time to focus on what really matters in life. With a little thought and planning, you can do your bit for the environment and those people who are less fortunate.

Every purchase you make has an impact on the environment and the people who inhabit this planet. Key things to look for when buying products and gifts this Christmas include:

• Is it fair trade – buying fairtrade goods means that the workers involved in the production are being paid a fair price and monies are going toward improving social, health and education projects for local communities.

• Is the manufacturing process ecologically sound – what resources were used in producing the goods you buy, how were they transported and what impact did that have on pollution? Are they organic?

Try to make purchases that have not in some way exploited people or resources and the minimum amount of pollution has been caused by the manufacturing and transportation process. Here are a few tips to help you achieve this.

Have yourself an ethical little Christmas

Buy local – Using smaller independent shops for your shopping discourages car use and supports your own local community. However, sometimes you can’t always get the range of products you’re after so check out some of the excellent ethical websites.

If you do have to head out to the shops, take your own bags with you so as not to contribute to the millions of plastic bags that litter the streets or get thrown away only to end up in landfill sites.

Fair trade – To be ethical this season, look for fair trade products. This will mean the production chain from manufacture, shipping, wholesale to retailer has been treated with equity and fairness.

Organic – Look for products that have been certified organic by a respected body such as the Soil Association. How about some organic chocolate treats for the kids (and adults!)?

Milk Chocolate Snowman Lolly	Milk and White Chocolate Snowmen

Recycling – Are the gifts you buy this year recyclable and have they been made using recycled materials. What about the wrapping? Why not take advantage of a recycled gift wrap service if it’s on offer by the retailer.

If you’re throwing a party this Christmas and need some extra glasses for the drinks, get everyone talking with these great recycled tumblers, wine glasses and goblets.

Chunky Recycled Tumbler – Amethyst	Chunky Recycled Wine Glass – Turquoise	White Frosted Fish Goblets – Pair

And when it comes to finally thanking everyone for your gifts, send thank you cards printed on recycled card.

Christmas Bunny Thank You Cards – Pack of 10

With the growth of the ethical market and plenty of websites to find everything you need, it doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming to do your bit for an eco-friendly Christmas this year.

Although most leather jackets are preconditioned, you should still apply a leather protector to keep the leather waterproof. Try to use products specifically designed for leather which do not contain waxes and oils. These additives can clog the leather and prevent it from breathing properly.

If your mens leather jacket or ladies leather jacket becomes wet, dry it in at room temperature away from sources of heat or fans. You may find that it will also dry better if it is placed on a towel to absorb water. When the leather is almost dry, add a leather conditioner or moisturiser to keep it supple, and when it has completely dried, add another coat. Caring for your leather jacket well when it gets wet is essential because if it is left the leather can be badly damaged by moisture and mildew.

Other measures that you should take to care for your leather jacket will depend upon the climate and conditions where you live. If you live in a dry location, you should make sure that you frequently apply leather conditioner to keep it from cracking. If you live in a wet location, make sure that you use products designed for waterproofing leather as well as conditioning it, to keep the jacket supple and dry. In snowy conditions, make sure to gently sponge salt off your leather jacket to keep it from damaging the material.

The best way to store your leather jacket is to hang it on a wide padded hanger. Do not wrap leather in plastic or other non-porous materials, because leather needs to breathe. If you must store a leather jacket in a plastic garment bag, leave it open slightly for ventilation. Never fold a leather jacket to store it.

So I convinced my husband to have it redecorated. He likes to hire ‘people’ to do work around the house, but when I went through the work involved he decided he could do it himself. Apart from the obvious things like electrical fittings and plumbing – although I’m sure he’d give those a go, if I let him. So off we all went to the bathroom place, and there began the arguments. We ‘discussed’ tiles, taps and toilets. Bathmats, towels and washers. Soap and toilet paper holders, towel racks and shower caddies. Two weeks’ later we were still ‘discussing’ bathroom lights and the little plastic things that go around light and electrical switches. Then we were told that the bathroom was divided into ‘zones’ (who’d have thought?). The areas closest to where the water will be – such as the shower, basin (don’t get me started on plugs!!!) and toilet – need a special kind of low voltage light, and as you move away from these areas, the voltage gradually increases. You can get lights for all the different bathroom lighting zones. Well, we didn’t know this. And so we got out the local phone book to look for bathroom redecorating businesses.

We’re still ‘discussing’ who to hire.

Get a bike stand to store as many bicycles as you have in your household. Perhaps your son and daughter have their own bicycles and it would be great to have a designated place for them to store it. You might even have your own bicycle. Why not keep all the bicycles in one place so that it is easier to get it when you need it?

You can even get a bicycle lift and hoist if you want to save space. Perhaps you have minimal garage storage and you want to use all the space efficiently. Consider a wall bicycle hook as an alternative for storing your bicycles. The hook is quite inexpensive, so everyone can afford to have better storage for their bicycles.

If you have gardening tools such as a rake, a shovel and a broom, you can get a wall mounted garden tool rack to keep all your tools in one place. This saves time as you can grab the tool you need within seconds rather than having to search for them for hours, not knowing the last place where you left it could be.

Old clothes, cloths, tiny nuts and bolts or a hose might be kept in garage storage as well. You can get a hose hanger for the hose and a rack for old clothes or cloths. Storage units with drawers are excellent for all sorts of items, ranging from clothing material to hardware tools. You can even get a rolling storage bin for your recyclables. It is easy to move around, especially when you need to get rid of the contents at the recycling centre.

With so many new ideas to sort out your garage storage, you should be able to organise your garage into a better storage facility so that you can get the items you need without having to waste time searching for them. Being organised is the key to having tidy garage storage.