Looking at this product's photos, it appears to have a rich matte patina - made to look shiny in places by being shot in bright camera lighting. Not so - instead it has some sort of thin coating appearing almost glitter like, which produces a very bright sheen whenever any bit of light catches it. This coating is not uniform, but applied in random splotches throughout. If you want to walk around with a gleam that calls attention to itself wherever you go, this vest is for you - but not for me. Apart from the coating, the feel is mostly smooth but also a couple/few places where it is rough to the touch. I'm a fan of distressed suede and leather - one appreciates the lack of uniformity of appearance due to the individual grains in the skin/pelt. But I'm not used to feeling areas where the grain feels raw and rough to the touch like this one. Yet even where this vest is mostly smooth, it somehow still does not feel really comfortable - doesn't have the luxe feel one expects from fine leather. Overall, lasting impression is that this vest has a most unnatural look and feel.
Aside from the above, there are a couple of other problems: the snaps are difficult to align and fasten, especially the top one. Also, the outer layer of the collar doesn't have a place to stay - neither laying flat nor staying upright. It just sort of hangs there out in front of you, sticking out and looking silly.
Not to be entirely negative, I'll also mention what I did like about this vest: very nice touch having the leather trim extend partly into the interior of the hand pockets. This is always appreciated, gives that luxe feel which is lacking elsewhere. Also liked the layout and trim of the inner pockets - which gives this vest a much nicer appearance on the inside than on the outside!