When you get a new leather jacket in Denver, it usually takes some time before it gets soft and is more comfortable to wear. However, who wants to wait for their jacket to be soft and comfortable? Chances are if you’ve recently purchased your leather jacket you want to break it in immediately - good news for you. We have some tricks and tips to help get your leather jacket in tip top shape.

Pay attention to old leather jackets that have your desired look, ones that are worn already, and see where there is the most wear to the leather. When it comes to how to distress a leather jacket, remember to proceed carefully, because anything you do to your jacket cannot be undone. It is usually the collar, pockets, and under the sleeves that get the most wear from friction and rubbing. Leather will naturally get softer and broken-in over time, so be sure not to be too precise and be sure not to overdo it.

Some people will tell you to put your leather jacket in a washing machine and dryer, but this will cause serious shrinkage, so it’s best not to go down that proverbial road. Water will soften up the leather, however, and allow you to stretch and crease it at specific points on your body. In order to avoid shrinking your jacket significantly, try wearing it through a light drizzle – until the leather is damp. Then bend your arms repeatedly, find a punching bag, or do some pushups. The idea is to allow it to dry on your body, because as it dries it will form to your shape. If you can’t wait for the weather, lightly spray the jacket with water to the same effect. Just be sure to do it carefully. Do not drench it.

If you plan to prematurely “age” your jacket, it is important to choose strong, durable leather, because to break in a jacket, the leather must be strong enough to withstand the abuse. So it is imperative to know what type of leather the jacket is made of. Lambskin is soft and luxurious, but does not have the same tensile strength of cowhide or goatskin. And leather is not like fabric. You can’t stitch up a hole/tear, and marks and scratches are permanent. 

To take off some of the finish in your chosen areas to simulate a worn look, use a fine grade of steel wool to lightly and unevenly scratch the surface. Remember to use uneven strokes and proceed cautiously, because you can’t go back and erase the scratches. Anything you do to soften up the leather will speed the breaking-in process, so try scrunching it up into a ball; tie it up with twine; play catch with it; sit on it. The more you throw it around and soften it up, the more it will take on your shape.

We are proud to offer our customers the very best selection of leather from around the world, with an emphasis on quality and uniqueness – things you can’t readily find elsewhere. When it comes to better quality and luxury outerwear you really must come in and shop world-famous Jonval Leathers and Furs. Contact us today for more information: 720-377-1555.