Can You Wear a Leather Jacket in the Rain?

Can You Wear a Leather Jacket in the Rain?

Leather is one of the most durable and versatile clothing materials, and there are several leather jacket models suitable for every season. But what about rainy days? Can you wear a leather jacket in the rain? The short answer is – yes, but you will need to provide your jacket with some extra care to avoid water damage. Wearing Leather in the Rain Whether you live on the east coast, west coast, or somewhere in between, you are bound to experience rain at some point throughout the year.  Thankfully, most garments are designed to withstand moisture, which should come as no surprise if they are labeled as “machine washable”. But leather is unique in the sense that it’s strong, durable yet still susceptible to damage caused by moisture. Exposure to small amounts of moisture shouldn’t cause any major issues. However, when leather is exposed to significant amounts of moisture over a prolonged time period, it can (and will) cause damage. The moisture will settle into the pores, where it can contribute to the formation of mold and mildew — and when this occurs, it’s difficult to fix.  So, what do you need to do to make sure your leather garments are protected from water damage? How Do I Protect My Leather Jacket From The Rain? It’s important to note that, although it has some water-resistant qualities, leather can never be completely waterproof. Because of its permeable nature, when exposed to excessive amounts of water, leather will get wet, and if not dried properly, it can become stiff, or even rot. However, if you condition it properly, you can wear...
7 Reasons to Wear Leather Shorts This Summer

7 Reasons to Wear Leather Shorts This Summer

Summer is fast approaching, so there’s no better than now to update your closet with fashionable new clothes. As we transition from spring to summer, the weather will get warmer. Therefore, you’ll need to choose clothes that are appropriate for warm weather. While you can always wear traditional cloth-based shorts during the summer, though, you should consider sporting leather shorts for the seven following reasons. #1) Cool to the Touch Some people assume that leather shorts are too hot to wear during the summer, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Leather is actually cool to the touch, making it an excellent choice for both the spring and summer months. If you run your hands across the surface of genuine leather, you’ll discover that it feels cool. The naturally cool properties of genuine leather make it an excellent textile for summertime clothes and accessories. Regardless of which style you prefer, you can rest assured knowing that leather shorts are exceptionally cool. #2) Fragrant Aroma A benefit of leather shorts that’s often overlooked is their fragrant aroma. Unless you’ve owned or worn a genuine leather garment before, you might be surprised to discover just how nice it smells. Leather shorts feature this same distinct aroma that many people have come to love. It’s difficult to describe the aroma of leather without smelling it for yourself. It’s a mildly sweet and earthy aroma that’s pleasant yet not overbearing. Leather shorts, of course, feature this same fragrant aroma, which is one more reason to consider wearing them this summer. #3) Easy to Clean Leather shorts are also easy to clean. All...
How to Soften Stiff Leather

How to Soften Stiff Leather

If not cared for properly, leather can dry and become stiff over time. When this happens, it loses its original look and becomes less comfortable and more prone to cracking, which is something you certainly want to avoid. Read on to learn how to soften leather. How to Soften Stiff Leather? Leather is among the most stylish and versatile fabrics on the planet. Being that it’s made from animal hide and not a synthetic/man-made material, it possesses certain qualities that aren’t found elsewhere. For instance, leather is supple, smooth, and has a natural “grain” that enhances the wearer’s appearance. But it’s not uncommon for certain types of leather to become stiff. This isn’t something that happens overnight, but rather months or even years of usage may stiffen the material to the point where it is no longer comfortable to wear. So, what can you do to soften stiff leather?   What Causes Leather to Become Stiff? Before we reveal the steps to softening leather, let’s first discuss what makes it stiff in the first place. There are a few possible causes of stiff leather, one of which is simply its quality. Not all leather is made equal, as some varieties are made with higher quality hides and craftsmanship than others. Products made with full-grain leather tend to yield the highest quality, simply because the hides from which they are made have not been buffed, sanded, or snuffed, whereas split and corrected-grain leather are two of the lower quality varieties. You can expect to pay more for high-quality full-grain leather, but this is a case in which the mantra “you...
How Sunlight Affects Leather

How Sunlight Affects Leather

Sunlight can take its toll on practically any fabric or garment, and leather is no exception. Leaving your leather jacket outside where it’s exposed to the sun’s harsh ultraviolet rays day after day will inevitably cause damage. This isn’t something that happens immediately, but constant exposure can and will damage your leather. To learn more about this phenomenon and how to prevent it, keep reading. As you may already know, sunlight contains radiation in the form of ultraviolet (UV) light. This is the same light that’s largely responsible for triggering the formation of cancerous skin cells such as melanoma. UV light is inherently powerful, causing disturbances on a molecular level. But it doesn’t just affect our skin cells. It can also affect leather. UV effect on leather When leather is exposed to UV light over a prolonged length of time, its structure begins to change. The first thing you’ll likely notice is discoloration. The once dark, neutral color of leather will transform into a lighter, more faded color. If it’s exposed to sunlight for long enough, will turn almost white, with a slight tan coloring. This alone isn’t exactly a serious issue that’s going to damage your leather, but it’s just one of the many ways in which sunlight affects leather. As leather remains exposed to UV light, it will begin to dry out. This is due to the fact that UV light evaporates the moisture from it. We’ve talked about this before on our blog, but it’s worth mentioning again that leather is incredibly porous, featuring thousands upon thousands of tiny pores that absorb and release moisture. Sunlight...
Help! My Leather Jacket Is Wrinkled

Help! My Leather Jacket Is Wrinkled

Have you noticed wrinkles in your leather jacket? Many people assume that leather jackets are wrinkle-proof, but unfortunately this isn’t the case. While they are less likely to develop wrinkles than most other types of jackets, leather jackets can still develop wrinkles if not properly maintained. It’s frustrating when you find wrinkles on your leather jacket. Maybe you’re heading to work, or perhaps you’re getting dressed for a semi-formal dinner. event. Regardless, you should strive to keep your clothes smooth and wrinkle-free. So, what causes leather jackets to develop wrinkles, and what steps can you take to prevent it from happening? Seasonal Storage It’s not uncommon for leather jackets to develop wrinkles when stored for long periods, such as the spring or summer seasons. Leather jackets are incredibly warm thanks, in part, to their construction consisting of 100% genuine leather. While this makes them ideal for the cold months of the year, some people may discover that leather jackets are too hot to wear during the warm months of the year. If you’re going to store your leather jacket for one or more seasons, though, you should be conscious of where and how you store it. Otherwise, it could develop wrinkles. You can still store your leather jacket for the season; you just need to take some precautions to protect it from wrinkles. Here are a few tips to follow when storing your leather jacket, all of which will lower the risk of wrinkles: Clean your leather jacket with a lint-free microfiber cloth before storing it.Store your leather jacket on a heavy-duty — preferably wooden — clothes hanger rather...