How to Care for Your Leather Jacket

A good leather jacket gets better with every year you wear it. The hide softens, the creases settle where you move, and the colour deepens into something nobody else owns. All it asks in return is a little care, and far less than most people think.

Wear it, then let it breathe

Leather is a natural material and it needs air. After a long day, hang your jacket on a wide, shaped hanger so the shoulders keep their line, and give it a night before it goes back into the wardrobe. Never store it in plastic. A breathable cotton cover is all it needs.

Clean little, but clean right

For everyday marks, a soft dry cloth is enough. For anything more, use a slightly damp cloth and let the jacket dry naturally, away from radiators and direct sun. Heat is leather’s biggest enemy: it dries the fibres out and makes them crack.

• Dust it with a soft, dry cloth once a week in season.
• Blot spills straight away and never rub them in.
• Let wet leather dry slowly at room temperature.
• Keep perfume, hairspray and alcohol away from the hide.

Condition twice a year

Every six months, work a small amount of quality leather conditioner into the jacket with a clean cloth, in slow circles. It keeps the hide supple and water-resistant. Always test it on a hidden spot first, like the inside of the hem.

Treat it like a pair of good boots, not a shirt. A little attention twice a year and it will outlive every trend. Our head of workshop

When to call in a professional

Deep stains, torn linings or a stuck zip are best left to a leather specialist. Every Vaelrum jacket comes with free repairs in its first year. Write to us and we will take care of it.