Once associated with edgy musicians and bikers, leather comes in so many chic trends this season. Anything from dresses to leggings, vests and outerwear. You’ll see traditional colors as well as vibrant hues. Here are 10 tips to keep leather clothing looking luxurious, so you can enjoy them for many seasons:
- Wear a scarf around your neck to keep the collar from being soiled by the oil in your skin.
- If a leather garment gets wet, blot with a white cloth and dry it out in a cool, dry place on a broad padded hanger. Do not put it in the dryer.
- Avoid carrying heavy objects like keys or a cell phone in the pockets as this will stretch out the skin.
- Avoid spraying perfumes or hair spray while wearing.
- Don’t apply pins or adhesive name badges on leather.
- Saddle soap is best used on saddles. It shouldn’t be used on leather clothing since it may cause streaking and staining.
- If an item is wrinkled, you can press it using the coolest setting on your iron, BUT NEVER USE STEAM. Use a heavy brown craft paper as your pressing pad and always do a test spot on an inconspicuous section.
- Use breathable fabric bags to store leather items. DO NOT store leathers in plastic bags. They can promote a moist environment for mold or mildew to grow.
- Clean matching garments at the same time since some variation in color may occur.
- Hang leather garments on padded hangers. Avoid folding items in a drawer to avoid deep wrinkles.
If staining occurs, the garment needs to be cleaned ASAP by a professional leather cleaner. Don’t try to remove it yourself. The danger is you start removing the color, and then it’s harder than ever to get out and restore. And remember that even thought a leather coat may not look dirty; it’s best not to wait more than two seasons to have it professionally cleaned.