Apr
Complete Guide from The Leather Grow: How to Soften a Leather Jacket
How to Soften Leather Jacket ?
Nothing truly compares to a leather jacket; it is the ageless item that improves with age, enhances your outfit, and narrates your narrative. The thrill can occasionally be eclipsed by discomfort, though, if you first wear it and it’s somewhat too rigid.
So, what can you do if your leather jacket seems more like armour than outerwear?
The solution: properly soften it.
The Leather Grow’s complete guide goes deep into how to organically, safely, and successfully soften your leather jacket without sacrificing quality. Whether you recently bought a brand-new item from our New Arrivals Collection or you’re working to revive a vintage favourite, here is your go-to roadmap.
Why Do Leather Jackets Initially Feel Stiff?
Leather is a natural material. When originally created, particularly from premium cowhide or lambskin like those we utilise at The Leather Grow, it can seem stiff. In fact, that stiffness is a positive indication; it indicates your jacket has not been weakened or over-processed.
Reasons for stiffness:
- Leather thickness (full-grain cowhide usually feels firmer)
- Tanning method (vegetable tanning usually produces firmer leather)
- Absence of moisture/conditioning
- New material not yet fitted to your body
Fortunately, with the correct care, real leather breaks in and becomes more comfortable with time.
What Sort of Leather Requires Softening?
Cowhide Leather Coats
They are durable and rugged, ideal for winter coats and motorbike jackets. Though they could take longer to soften, they provide long-term durability. Visit our Best Seller Collection to witness these in action.
Lambskin Leather Coats
They are lightweight, buttery, soft, and stylish—perfect for blazers, bombers, and everyday wear. Though they break in quicker, they nevertheless benefit from appropriate softening methods.
Nubuck and suede
Usually not appropriate for conditioning creams or severe treatments, these have a fragile texture and require extremely mild techniques.
If you purchase your jacket from The Leather Grow Shop, it will respond well to natural softening methods since it is manufactured from premium materials.
📦 Getting Your Jacket Ready for Softening
Follow these prep actions first:
- Using a moist cloth, clean away dirt, filth, or any accumulation. If necessary, use a leather-safe soap to spot clean.
- Let it air dry; dry it naturally. Avoid using heat.
- Examine the leather. Understanding the kind of leather in your jacket will help you decide, which items are safe.
Best Ways to Soften a Leather Jacket
Let’s examine the most efficient approaches to softening your jacket, from simple methods to pro-level care.
Wear It Regularly
Wearing leather is the most natural and most straightforward approach to soften it.
- Raise your arms.
- Bend the elbows.
- Stroll about.
- Allow your body heat to shape it.
According to The Leather Grow Pro Tip, many of our jackets are made to naturally fit your body. The longer you wear them, the better they feel and look. Visit our Customer Gallery to see for yourself.
Apply Leather Conditioner
Leather conditioner restores suppleness and flexibility to the leather by adding the necessary oils.
Application:
- Use a clean cloth to apply a tiny amount.
- Rub in circles.
- Allow it to soak in for many hours.
- Use a dry cloth to buff it gently.
Select a conditioner meant for genuine leather, not for synthetics.
Our clients say that once every 3–6 months is best. We advise the same attention for every jacket in our Trendy Leather Jacket Collection.
Soft Massage Method
Massaging your leather jacket can relax its fibres as much as exercising sore muscles.
- Put the jacket flat.
- Knead the tight spots with your hands.
- Focus on the elbows, collar, and shoulders.
- You can also softly roll the sleeves; don’t twist them.
This mimics natural body movement and fractures in the leather.
Steam Approach (Exercise Caution)
Steam opens up the leather’s pores, improving its moisture absorption; still, you must exercise caution.
- Hang your coat in a steamy bathroom—not in the shower.
- Allow it to steam for 15–20 minutes.
- Take off and dry naturally.
- Subsequent state.
Though careful with suede or nubuck, this approach works well for thick cowhide jackets from our Best Sellers.
5. Water and Alcohol Mix (Only If Necessary)
It is a do-it-yourself tip that some people swear by, but only for rugged leather.
- Combine water and rubbing alcohol in equal amounts.
- Spray the rigid sections lightly; don’t soak.
- Gently massage the leather.
- Condition right after drying.
Caution: This is not our first advice for luxury coats or lambskin. Always test in an inconspicuous area first and use with caution.
How NOT to Soften Leather
Some techniques can permanently harm leather, particularly when it is high quality like ours.
Don’t:
- Soak in water
- Employ heaters or hair driers
- Use olive oil or petroleum jelly
- Put it in the washing machine unless you use our unique instructions
These damage the finish, degrade the fabric, and limit the life of your jacket.
Where you purchase your leather jacket matters for several reasons.
Softening methods only function well on premium leather.
The Leather Grow jackets are made from 100% genuine cowhide and lambskin; we never use bonded leather or PU. Therefore, our items fit pretty well with natural care and conditioning.
Our direct-to-consumer pricing, ethical sourcing, and handcrafted approach guarantee no designer markups for quality that should be normal.
Investigate:
✨ Keeping Softness Over Time
Leather requires continuous love; it’s not a one-time task.
- Wearing it often will help to keep it soft.
- Keeping it in a ventilated garment bag
- Every few months, conditioning
- Steering clear of strong chemicals and water
- Using a dry cloth to brush off dust weekly
Bonus: Treat it like a second skin
Living in your jacket—whether travelling, biking, or just running errands—becomes yours. The wrinkles, the texture, and the patina—it all give it personality.
Look at the changes in our Customer Gallery.
Should You Change Rather Than Soften?
Occasionally, the problem is not softness but rather quality.
Your present jacket may be synthetic or poorly manufactured, which would create stiffness. You should replace it.
Every jacket at The Leather Grow is:
- One hundred per cent genuine leather
- Ethically made
- Built to endure a lifetime
Join the leather enthusiasts who switched and never looked back. New to purchasing? At checkout, enter TLG30 to get 30% OFF your first purchase.
👉 Buy Now
đź“Ś Softening Leather Jacket Questions
Q: May I soften the leather using coconut oil?
We do not advise it. Natural oils can discolour leather and create a sticky residue.
Q: How long does it take to soften a fresh leather jacket?
Frequent wear and appropriate conditioning will help it break in 1 to 2 weeks.
Q: Can jackets made of suede be softened?
Yes, but not with conditioners. Steam and suede brushes are helpful tools.
Q: Will softening change the jacket’s lifetime?
Not at all—if done right, it improves comfort without sacrificing structure.
Final Thoughts: Softening Is an Art
Softening your leather jacket is a maintenance chore and a component of the relationship you create with it.
The Leather Grow takes great pleasure in making jackets that will last, age well, and feel even better as time passes. Your coat should move with you, not against you, whether you wear a sleek lambskin bomber or a structured café racer.
Ready to begin your leather path?
🧥 Browse Our Complete Inventory. Your first buy is 30% OFF with code TLG30. Show your style in our Customer Gallery