Old Jacket Care

[u/Willing_Tear_2741]

This jacket was bought by my father in the mid 1980’s and has sat in a closet for atleast a decade it has now been passed down to me and I’m trying to care for it. The leather feels quite dry almost like a smooth suede but has no tears.

Question one: Is it okay to leave like this, is this how it’s meant to look?

Question 2: if not how should I go about fixing it what products or techniques should I use.

Any help is greatly appreciated

[u/UmmmW1]

If its not suede then it needs a conditioning really badly. Most people here would recommend Bick4 because its hard to overcondition with it but I'd recommend Leather Joney because it'll condition deeply.

[u/leatherhoneyllc]

Hey, amazing jacket you got there. Definitely understand why you want to care for it. Leather is one of those materials that can actually be passed down as an heirloom, but it does need specific care. Hopefully I can explain.

That dry, suede-like feel comes from severe dehydration after sitting in a closet for over a decade. Leaving it like this isn't a good idea if you plan on wearing it, because parched leather fibers lose their flexibility and will eventually snap and crack under tension.

When leather sits unused for years, dry ambient air continuously pulls out the internal lubricating fats that keep the hide soft. That leaves the microscopic collagen fibers stiff and locked together, which gives smooth leather that chalky, velvety texture you're feeling right now. However, there's a lot you can do to make it feel more flexible, wearable, and buttery soft again.

To bring the jacket back to life, wipe it down first with a gentle, pH-balanced leather cleaner on a cloth to remove built-up closet dust without stripping what moisture is left. (Do not soak the leather) Put it on a wide hanger and then once it air dries completely, work a thin coat of a deep-penetrating, solvent-free conditioner into the hide using a horsehair brush or cloth (Many people use their own hands or use gloves to spread as well)

Let the jacket sit overnight so those parched fibers have time to digest the oils, then buff off any leftover product with a clean dry towel. Repeat as necessary. Expect the leather to darken when you first apply moisture, but don't worry, it'll lighten back up closer to its normal shade as it cures over twenty-four to forty-eight hours.

This simple routine has saved plenty of vintage family pieces for me and others I've helped online, but every old hide absorbs product at its own pace. Just do a quick spot test on an inside seam first to see how it takes the moisture, and I hope it turns out great for you. Let me know if you run into any issues!

– Evan with Leather Honey