Leather jackets offer a unique blend of classic style, strength, durability and comfort. They've been around for over a century, with some of the first modern leather jackets being worn by military pilots and crewmen during World War I. Since then, they've become more and more popular. But if you're planning to buy a leather jacket, you'll need to follow some basic steps to protect it from scratches and scuffs. Leather is undoubtedly strong, as it's able to withstand more stress and pressure than garments made of other fabrics. With that said, leather jackets can still develop superficial scratches and scuffs when neglected. The good news is that you can protect your leather jacket from such blemishes in the following ways.

Choose a Premium, Genuine Leather Jacket

You'll have an easier time protecting your leather jacket from scratches and scuffs if it's made of premium, genuine leather. Unfortunately, not all leather jackets are made of real leather. Some are made of faux leather. While some people assume that faux leather is just a different type of leather, this isn't necessarily true. There's actually no real leather materials used in faux leather. Rather, it's made of a traditional fabric that's coated in a plastic-like material. Because of this, faux leather jackets are more susceptible to scratches and scuffs. If you're going to invest in a leather jacket, make sure it's made of premium, genuine leather and not faux or fake leather.

Don't Store It in Direct Sunlight

You can wear your leather jacket outdoors, even on bright and sunny days. However, you should avoid storing it in direct sunlight for a prolonged length of time. Why is this important? When genuine is leather is exposed to sunlight, it will dry out. The sun's ultraviolet (UV) light both fades and dehydrates leather, thereby increasing the risk of scratches and scuffs. This doesn't happen immediately. But after storing your leather jacket in direct sunlight for days or weeks on end, you may find new scratches or scuffs. Therefore, it's recommended that you store your leather jacket in a dark or shaded area. Along with the other tips listed here, this will protect your leather jacket from scratches and scuffs.

Use Caution When Wearing Your Leather Jacket

Try to use caution when wearing your leather jacket, especially if you're working outdoors, exercising or performing other laborious activities. Many people wear their leather jacket on a daily basis -- and that's okay. If you're planning to wear it while engaging in physical activities, though, you need to use caution so that you can don't accidentally scratch or scuff it. If you're working in your garden, for example, keep a safe distance away from plants and shrubs that could otherwise scuff the surface of your jacket.

Avoid Using Non-Leather Cleaning Products

When cleaning your leather jacket, only use products that are formulated and designed specifically for leather. Traditional garment cleaning products are typically designed for cotton, wool and other common fabrics. They are not designed for leather. And attempting to use one of these products to clean your leather jacket may damage its exterior. The various chemicals contained in traditional garment cleaning products can eat away at the exterior of leather, resulting in a weaker surface that's more likely to develop scratches or scuffs. You can prevent this from happening by only using cleaning products that are designed specifically for leather. Unless a product says it's safe to use on leather, err on the side of caution by keeping it away from your jacket.

Use a Leather Protectant Spray

In addition to leather cleaning products, there are also leather protectant products that, as the name suggests, are designed to protect leather garments from damage. Typically sold as spray bottles, leather protectant products offer a simple and easy way to protect your leather jacket from scratches and scuffs. To use them, first thoroughly clean the surface of your jacket to remove any lingering dirt, dust or debris. Once finished, spray the procetant product evenly across your leather jacket, ensuring that every square inch is treated. Depending on the particular type of leather procetant, you may need to wait for it to dry. When finished, however, your leather jacket will have a protective barrier that protects it from scratches, scuffs and other forms of minor damage.

Keep It Out of Your Washing Machine and Clothes Dryer

Never place a leather jacket in a washing machine or clothes dryer. While this typically fine for most garments, it can degrade leather and increase the risk of scratches and scuffs. If your leather jacket is dirty, use a washcloth and small amount of laundry detergent to spot clean it. And if it's wet, hang it on a line to dry. Cleaning your leather jacket in a washing machine or drying it in a clothes dryer will only increase the risk of scratches and scuffs.

Polish It

Polishing is arguably one of the most effective ways to protect a leather jacket from scratches and scuffs. There are leather polish creams and lotions that you can massage into the surface of your jacket. The primary purpose of polishing a leather jacket is to create a lustrous shine and minimize fading. But another benefit of polishing is that it protects your leather jacket from scratches and scuffs. Like leather protectant sprays, it creates a protective barrier over the surface of your jacket. Polishing your leather jacket won't make it immune to damage, but it can certainly reduce the risk of scratches, scuffs and other superficial blemishes.

Make Sure It Fits

Finally, you should choose a leather jacket that fits your particular body. If it's too big, it will have excess leather that may catch or snag or various objects. When this occurs, it can scratch, scuff or even tear your jacket. To avoid this headache, order your jacket from Leather Cult. Unlike most other retailers, we offer custom sizing at no additional charge. Just provide us with your body measurements when ordering, and we'll ship a custom-fitted leather jacket directly to your home.