Ah, the smell of a new leather jacket - you can’t beat that! You start to slip on your new coat and realize that it’s stiff and not as worn-in as you’d like it to be. The real tried and true way to break in a new leather jacket is to be patience and let time do the work. However, not all of us are patient, especially when we have a new beautiful jacket that we want to wear! If you’re one of these people, follow these tips and tricks on how to soften up a new leather jacket from your Denver leather repair experts!

Determining Leather Type

The very first thing that you should do, and know if you don’t already, is to learn what type of leather your jacket is constructed out of. If you want to break in a jacket and speed up the process, the leather must be strong enough to withstand your actions. Unlike fabric, you can’t simply stitch up a hole on anything made out of leather. Additionally, any scuffs,marks, or scratches are permanent. Choose a strong durable leather that you can really break in and wear it for a long time so it will conform to you and your body.

Use a Little Bit of Water

If you get caught in a rainstorm, don’t worry! This is actually a good thing for your new leather jacket. Water will soften up the skin, making it easier to stretch and crease at specific points on your body. You may have heard people saying that you can put your jacket in the washer and dryer, which can be effective, but will ultimately cause shrinkage of the leather that you won’t ever be able to fix. To avoid doing that, wear your jacket in some rain drizzle until you can tell that the leather is damp. Start moving your arms in natural motions like bending so you can get creases in the right places while the jacket is wet. If you prefer not wearing your jacket out just yet, lightly spray your jacket with water but don’t overdo it! As your new leather jacket dries, it will start to form to your body.

Roughen It Up

If you’d like to take some of the finish off of your jacket, you can use steel wool to lightly scratch the surface. Don’t ever use sandpaper as it is generally too abrasive. Use uneven strokes and go SLOW because as we stated before, you can’t go back and erase scratches - they’re there. If you do make a mistake, rub the area more as you wear it to naturally break it in. To really roughen your jacket up, and increase the amount of time it takes to break it in, you can always tie your jacket up in a ball using twine or rope, and toss it around. The more you play catch with it, the more it will soften and take on your shape!

Once you’ve got your perfect fit and shape, be sure to take good care of your leather jacket. Read up on how to store a Denver leather jacket so it will last for years to come! If you need more information on softening up your leather, talk to the experts! Jonval is known as the go-to store in Denver for leather, fur, and shearling. Contact us today to learn more about our services!