So you want to make your leather jacket look old and distressed? Leather jackets remain a popular choice of outerwear among both men and women, offering a unique combination of timeless style and durability. However, many people prefer the look of aged leather, as it’s softer, lighter in color, and has other distinguishable characteristics that set it apart.
Ideally, the safest and most effective way to make a leather jacket look old and distressed is to wait patiently for it to happen naturally over time. This isn’t a fast process by any means, as it often takes years before any noticeable change can be seen. Assuming you aren’t in any rush to make your leather jacket look distressed, this is the best way to do it. But if you plan on wearing the jacket in the near future, you’ll have to come up with some alternative means.
How sunlight affects leather
If you want to make your leather jacket look old, you should expose it to moderate amounts of sunlight. The sun’s powerful ultraviolet (UV) rays will cause it to fade, turning its “new” looking color into a lighter, more “aged” look. Keep in mind, however, that sunlight can damage leather, causing it to dry out and even crack in extreme cases. To prevent damage from occurring to your leather jacket, try to limit sun exposure to no more than a couple of hours per day. As time progresses, you’ll see exactly how the sunlight is affecting it.
Another helpful tip to make a leather jacket look old and distressed is to place it in the dryer for a couple of cycles. Use the lowest heat setting possible to preserve the integrity of your leather jacket. As it bounces around in the dryer, it will create a more distressed look that’s commonly associated with aged leather.
In Conclusion
According to the folks at doityourself.com, rubbing sandpaper against the surface of a leather jacket will also make it look older and more distressed. Of course, you should heed this advice with a grain of salt, because sandpaper can certainly damage leather. Stick with low-grit sandpaper and apply low-to-medium pressure when using this method.
Be sure to check out the leather jackets offered here at LeatherCult.com by visiting http://www.leathercult.com/leather-jackets.