The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word CHAMOIS
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
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The straight part
We know that "soft leather" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case soft leather = chamois.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does CHAMOIS mean?
CHAMOIS noun- A short-horned goat antelope native to mountainous terrain in southern Europe; Rupicapra rupicapra.
- Usually as chamois leather: soft pliable leather originally made from the skin of chamois (nowadays the hides of deer, sheep, and other species of goat are alternatively used).
- The traditional colour of chamois leather.
- An absorbent cloth used for cleaning and polishing, formerly made of chamois leather.
- To clean with a chamois leather cloth.
- Chamois-colored.