How To
How to Break in a Leather Jacket
Leather jackets are timeless and an essential part of people’s winter wardrobe around the world. Every year, apparel manufacturers and designers come up with different styles of leather jackets, tempting buyers to expand their collections. Even though buying a new jacket is an exhilarating experience, and most people can’t wait to flaunt it, it can initially pose a little challenge when it comes to wearing it. Subsequently, people ask: How to break in a leather jacket?
Always make sure to take care of your jacket to maintain its quality and longevity. Not paying attention to proper cleaning or leather conditioning will lead to quicker wear and tear.
If you’ve purchased a jacket made with authentic leather, it will be stiff and a bit uncomfortable to wear at first. It doesn’t mean that there’s anything wrong with the quality of the jacket, but authentic leather will always have some rigidity when it is new, unlike jackets made with faux or synthetic leather. Therefore, it will take a while for the jacket to mold itself to the shape of your body, eventually allowing you to feel comfortable in it.
However, there are certain dos and don’ts of wearing a brand-new leather jacket, as the wrong approach can damage it. This blog will show you how to employ some effective techniques and essential tips when breaking in leather jackets, making sure that your piece provides you character, durability, and comfort – lasting for years to come.
How Long Will It Take For a Leather Jacket to Break In?
While most people want to know how to break in a leather jacket, it is equally pertinent to ask how long does it take to break in a leather jacket. The answer is simple: It will take a while because it’s a gradual process, and several factors can influence the duration. For instance, it depends on how often you choose to wear your jacket and what methods have you employed to soften the material. According to different users and manufacturers, breaking in a leather jacket can take from several weeks to months before it can mold itself to your body’s shape. Below are some factors that can define the timeline.
Types of Leather:
If you are trying to find out how to soften a leather jacket, it is important to know what type of leather is used to make the jacket, as it can significantly define the breaking-in period. Thicker leather, which is made with cowhide, will take more time to break in as compared to other types because it is known for its toughness. But if you decide to buy a jacket made with lambskin leather, it will soften pretty quickly.
How Frequently You Wear Your Leather Jacket:
Another factor that will affect how long it takes for your leather jacket to break in is how frequently you wear it. If you are wearing your leather jacket daily, it will mold itself to the shape of your body more quickly. But if you choose to wear it occasionally, then it can take months before you can fully break in leather jackets. So, if you don’t want to wait for several weeks or months for your brand-new jacket to soften, start wearing it more frequently.
Environmental factors:
The time it will take to break in leather jackets can also largely depend on environmental factors. For example, if you live in a place where the climate is warm or humid, your leather jacket will break in more quickly and conform to your body shape. On the other hand, if you belong to a country or city where the weather is usually cold and dry, softening your leather jacket will take a longer time.
Don’t use polish, pen, or any other such substance to try to hide the spots in your jacket, as they might ruin the leather and cause irreparable damage. Always be gentle while cleaning and moistening the leather to help with longevity.
How to Properly Break In Your Leather Jacket
Layer The Jacket Over Your Clothes:
One way to soften the leather jacket quicker is to wear it over thicker clothing items, such as hoodies and sweaters. Doing this will let your leather jacket stretch itself and become more pliable, especially areas like sleeves and shoulders which can feel very tight when the jacket is new.
Move More While Wearing The Jacket:
If you want to break in your leather jacket faster, you have to start performing daily activities and be more physically active while wearing the jacket. For example, sitting, bending your arms, etc, will help loosen up the jacket and let go of the stiffness.
Opt for Leather Conditioners:
If your new leather jacket is too stiff and you are unsure about how to soften it, consider applying a good-quality leather conditioner over your jacket to keep the fabric moisturized and supple. Leather conditioning is a tried and tested method to prevent cracks from appearing on the jacket, maintaining its natural luster for many years. At the same time, leather conditioners aid in breaking the material, so using one could be worth it.
Apply Heat, But Be Careful:
Another method you can use to break in leather jackets is by applying some heat to it. However, you have to ensure that you are using a safe and moderate heat source and not overexposing the jacket. For instance, you can use a hairdryer set at a low temperature to gently warm the jacket, paying special attention to stiff areas. Once it cools down, wear it immediately.
Stuff Your Jacket:
Lastly, if you are not wearing your jacket, stuff its sleeves and body with towels or some soft fabric. Doing this will keep the leather stretched over time.
Things Not to Do While Breaking in Your Jacket
Do Not Soak Your Leather Jacket:
Many DIY methods to break in leather jackets found on the internet suggest users soak the jacket for a while, but doing this could be disastrous and may cause irreparable damage. If you submerge your jacket in water, it will not only leave permanent stains but will also strip the leather of its natural oils and luster. What’s more, your jacket will turn stiffer after drying, which cannot be repaired.
Do Not Apply Harsh Chemicals:
Never use harsh chemicals on your brand-new leather jacket to soften it, such as abrasive cleaners, household cleaning products, or solutions containing alcohol. These harsh chemicals will get rid of the leather’s natural oils and shine, rendering it brittle and eventually useless.
Avoid Overstretching:
While learning how to break in a leather jacket, always remember that no matter how tight or stiff it initially feels, it will naturally soften over time. Keeping that in mind, do not try to employ extreme methods to stretch the leather, such as pulling it aggressively or hanging it on wide hangers. Doing so will do more damage than good by distorting the structure of the jacket.
Avoid Direct Heat Exposure:
While applying controlled heat to the jacket, such as using a hairdryer set at a low temperature, may help you soften the jacket if done properly, using excessive heat can destroy the jacket. Exposing your jacket to direct sunlight or keeping it in front of a heater can cause the leather to develop cracks, making it extremely aesthetically unappealing and non-functional in the long run.
In a Nut Shell:
As you must’ve learned from this blog, how to break in a leather jacket is not that difficult. However, it requires patience, proper care, and the right techniques to achieve the desired results. Following all the steps as well as the dos and don’ts explained in this blog will transform your hard, stiff jacket into soft, comfortable outerwear without taking away its original shine and texture. If you use the right techniques to break in your leather jacket, you can continue using it for years while flaunting your unique style. If you are looking to purchase a new jacket for yourself to make a style statement, check out our men’s leather jacket and women’s leather jacket sections today!
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I step out in the drizzle to break in my jacket?
While it is not the best method, some experts recommend stepping into drizzle for a few minutes to soften your leather jacket. However, make sure that you don’t soak it, as it would damage your jacket, as explained in this blog. If you decide to use this method, make sure to let the jacket dry naturally, and don’t forget to apply a leather conditioner afterward to prevent water damage.
Should I seek professional help to break in a leather jacket?
If you think you have tried all the methods used in this blog or are unsure about using them yourself and find your new jacket to be excessively stiff, you can consult a professional leather expert. These professionals know a variety of techniques to soften leather without damaging it.
