Vintage Leather Jackets

A vintage leather jacket is a wonderful and classic addition to any wardrobe. This timeless piece requires special care to keep it lasting a lifetime. Leather by nature wears with time and becomes hard and brittle, tending to crack and tear. It is important to be proactive in caring for your leather so your investment retains its value through its lifetime. The following are some guidelines to keep your vintage leather jacket soft, supple and as beautiful as the day your purchased it.

1. Storage.  Store your leather in a cool dark place with low humidity.  A closet is usually a good choice unless it is in a sunnier section of the home.  Use a good heavy duty (preferably wooden) hanger.  Keeping leather folded over extended periods of time will cause folds in the jacket and can cause it to stick together which will create cracks and tears.  Hang your jacket so that it fits properly over the hanger.  Storing leather in plastic is a big no-no.  Leather needs to breathe and plastic does not allow leather to breathe.
2. Cleaning.  Usually a soft, lightly dampened cloth wiped over the surface of the jacket is all you need to clean your leather.  If it is unusually dirty or if you have worn it in snowy weather, be sure to get all of the salt off of it immediately as salt eats away at the material.  Using a mild soap such as baby shampoo with a soft, microfiber cloth will remove salt stains and any other dirt stains your jacket may have.  Put a few drops of the soap onto a dampened, soft lint free cloth and rub into the jacket until the entire surface is covered and you have worked up a small lather.  Then, using another dampened cloth, wipe away the excess soap.  Next, use a dry microfiber cloth and wipe dry.  Allow to dry completely before hanging or storing by laying out on a flat surface away from direct heat and/or sunlight.  You can also use a leather cleaner if necessary.  Simply follow the directions on the bottle.  Never pour any cleaner or conditioner directly onto the leather.  Instead, put a small amount on a dampened (not soaked)  microfiber cloth and then transfer to the jacket with the cloth.   Some people prefer to take their vintage leather to a leather cleaner and that is fine if that is the option you choose.  If the stain is stubborn or hard to remove, this may be the best option.  But with good care, it usually will not be necessary.
3. Moisturize.  Using a good saddle soap, moisturize your jacket by once again using a clean, lightly dampened soft cloth and rub the saddle soap over the entire surface of the jacket being careful to get into the creases and folds.  Saddle soap acts as a natural moisturizer and will help tremendously in keeping the leather soft and supple.  An important step in helping to keep the leather from drying out and cracking and tearing.
4. Condition.  Use a good leather conditioner to protect your vintage leather jacket from the elements.  Unless you plan on just looking at your jacket, you want to be sure that your leather will not be destroyed by rain or snow.  Protecting it with a good conditioner is a vital last step.  Once again, use a soft cloth and apply a few drops of the conditioner.  Do not over saturate with conditioner and stay away from conditioners which contain wax or silicone as they hamper the leather’s ability to breathe and leather needs to breathe.

As your vintage leather jacket ages, it becomes even more valuable but it also can bring with it other problems which can easily be avoided with proper care and conditioning throughout its lifetime.  Following these simple  steps is not only a good idea but a necessity if you want to retain the value of your investment.