YES, leather jackets definitely improve with time because of their natural aging process that enhances the old characteristics. It develops patina with age which gives it a darker finish, change in texture and color, and uplifts its visual appeal.
But that doesn’t mean that new leather is less useful. But the older a leather gets the better it becomes, due to the natural body oils, sun, Dirt and other environmental factors.
Let’s understand the reasons, characteristics and other aspects of old leather.
Characteristics of Old leather:
Although the new leather look and feel is extremely comfortable, but there are some characteristics that develop with time. Some of them are:
Durability of the Jacket:
Although, leather is considered a quite durable material for many products. And new leather does offer great strength. But the older leather gets the better when it ages. You can stretch and pull and it won’t show you any damage. Tearing an old leather apart isn’t that easy. As it becomes stronger with time which is one of the biggest advantages of aged leather over new leather. But you have to protect the leather well to see its real durability and longevity.
Improved Smell:
Old leather produces a more subtle and softer smell. Although the new leather produces a good but artificial kind of smell. It is difficult to explain the odor of old leather without whiffing on your own. But people compare its smell with the smells of cedar and cinnamon.
Better Softness:
If you compare both new and aged leather, then you’ll see the difference in softness itself. The aged leather will provide better softness, and you’ll feel that is smoother and pliant then the newer leather. Leather is designed to last a good life and one of its reasons is its softness and the fact that it becomes smoother over time.
Pleasing Look:
With time, the leather will start to show some natural lines, these lines are small but add a lot of pleasing character and appeal in the jacket. That gives it an eye-catching look that enhances its appearance.
These are the characteristics that develop with time in the old leather. So, now that we have gone through the characteristics, let’s move onto the next step, which is to understand the durability of different leather materials and how to take good care.
Different Type of Leather and their Durability:
Although, overall, any genuine leather has a very good durability. But the different type of leather definitely has a bit of uniqueness. The most durable type of leather is full-grain leather in which leather jacket women and men are made. Although top-grain leather is also a good option, but because it has some imperfections and a smoother out process, this is what makes it a little bit less durable. So, you should always check the type of leather while buying a leather product. Choosing the right leather will help you take good care of it and use it accordingly.
How to Take Care of Leather Products?
There is no doubt that leather is a durable and strong material. But it requires immense care and adequate maintenance to ensure longevity of the product. Either you are buying a bag, jacket, shoes, or anything you have to take good care of it in order use it for a longer time period.
- Use leather conditioner and moisturizers to help it remain soft and supple, So, that it can heal the product from harsh weather, and exposing too much to the sun.
- Do not wash leather products in a washing machine, Take a damp cloth and firmly rub in a circular motion to clean any dirty parts.
- Store your leather product in a cool and dry place and away from a place where the sunlight is reaching directly.
- To clean spots and stains from the leather product you should use leather cleaner or take it to any expert. Like if the product a womens brown leather jacket or men’s leather jacket, then you should definitely reach to the expert.
Conclusion:
Leather products becomes more durable, soft, pleasing, and better in smell with age due to its natural aging process and patina which gives it a darker shade and adds more characteristics to it.
