A leather jacket can be a long standing signature piece in your wardrobe. To keep it looking great and wearable through the years though, leather needs to be cared for and maintained properly. Unlike other materials leather can easily become cracked and appear worn, however; a few simple steps will keep your garment in tip top shape and see it still looking as good as new in five or ten years time.

Washing: Leather clothing should never be put into a washing machine. If there are marks or stains on the outer of the garment, a damp sponge should suffice in removing them. When the lining of the garment is in need of a thorough clean, the leather piece should be taken to the dry cleaners, or even better, a specialist leather cleaner.

The Weather: If leather gets wet frequently and then dries out, the process can warped the leather, resulting in misshapen garments. Before wearing your leather jacket in wet weather, take a leather friendly, odourless waterproofing spray and lightly cover the garment with it. If the jacket does get wet in the rain, hang it in a wide hanger on return and allow to air dry away from any heat sources.

Maintaining: Leather jackets can become cracked if they are not conditioned properly. Using a special leather conditioner is preferred but some petroleum jelly on a piece of cloth will suffice. Massage the conditioner into all of the jacket taking special car of collars, cuffs and elbows.

Storing: To keep your leather jacket at its best when it is not in use: store it properly. Use wide hangers to keep the jacket in shape and hang it in a cool dry place. Leather is a natural material and can be effected by things like sunlight and moisture. Use a storage bag over your leather jacket to protect it from the elements and keep it clean, ready for wear when the next season arrives.

Following these simple tips will maintain your favourite leather jacket for many years. Leather jackets have been and will be in and out of fashion forever but knowing that you have a well kept jacket at the back of your wardrobe will keep you ahead of the pack.