Leather
I'm for the leather padded mirror covers. I, too am a pretty good with a sewing machine. I can try to work with some fabrics to get patern. This has to be do-able.
As far as off roading and still keeping it nice..... well let me tell
ya... The first dent was hard. The first scratch was hard. When I drove it down the side of a rock wall... it was hard. When we had to replace the first tire from sidewall damage... it was hard. When I watch my dear hubby take a sawzall to the cladding... it was hard. It still looks awesome washed up on Mondays.
I too can totally understand the ones that want to keep the no scratch look. Its just a few of us like the "well seasoned 4wheeler" look.
Improve the desert.... plant a Sierra Club Member!