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Leather armour is something found in most if not all fantasy media. Is there a reality to this? Well... yes!
The trope is usually medieval in nature in which, while it was done, it wasn't common. There are a few survivals of arm armour: bracers (forearm) and rear braces (upper arm). There are also depictions in effigies and brasses that seem to be leather based on decoration.
What most people who talk about fantasy vs reality of leather armour, they neglect the 17th century. Leather buff coats, thigh-high boots, and leather gauntlets. The main users were cavalry, and the evidence is everywhere through many survivals and portraits.
Studded leather however, is what people mistakenly call brigandine, because people don't see the inside of the armour usually.