Are you planning to travel in the near future? According to a report by the American Automobile Association (AAA), the average American drives more than 10,000 miles each year. Whether you’re driving or flying to your intended destination, though, you should follow some basic tips to protect your clothes from damage. If you’re traveling with a leather jacket, this is particularly important, as leather may damage when improperly handled or stored. So, consider the following tips when traveling with your leather jacket to protect it from damage.
Wear It
Perhaps the easiest way to travel with a leather jacket is to wear it. If you’re traveling in a vehicle, you can wear it while driving. If you’re flying via a commercial airliner, wear it in the cabin. All major airlines allow passengers to wear coats and jackets, and there’s no rule stating that passengers can’t wear leather jackets. As long as it’s doesn’t make you uncomfortably hot, wearing your leather jacket is probably the easiest way to travel with it. You don’t have to worry about someone mishandling it, nor will it get lost or stolen. Since it’s on your body at all times, you can rest assured knowing that it’s safe and secure during your travels.
Apply Leather Protectant
Before traveling with your leather jacket, apply a leather protectant product. Available both in store and online, leather protectants live up to their namesake by protecting leather jackets, garments and accessories from damage. They are typically sold in spray bottles that, once applied to a leather jacket, creates a barrier of protection over the fabric. You spray the leather protectant over the surface of your jacket, after which will increase its strength and resistance to damage. A leather protectant spray won’t protect your leather jacket from all forms of damage, but any extra protection helps when traveling.
Apply Conditioner
In addition to a leather protectant spray, you should also apply a conditioner product to your leather jacket before traveling. We’ve talked about this before, but in case you missed it: Conditioning products are designed to moisturize leather. They contain water, oils and other moisturizing ingredients that make leather strong and supple. Unfortunately, many people overlook the importance of conditioning their leather jacket. If you don’t condition a leather garment, whether it’s a jacket, shirt or anything else, it may dry out. Eventually, this can cause the leather to crack open, which can be difficult or impossible to repair. The bottom line is that you should condition your leather jacket before traveling with it so that it’s not susceptible to dryness-related damage.
Bring an Umbrella
It’s a good idea to bring an umbrella when traveling with a leather jacket, especially if you intend to wear it. Leather is naturally absorbent, with its porous surface absorbing moisture from the environment. If you wear your leather jacket in the rain, the fabric will become saturated with excess moisture. Normally, a leather jacket will dry out without sustaining any permanent or long-lasting damage. But prolonged exposure to water — such as standing outside in the rain for several consecutive hours — can take a toll on your jacket, causing it to develop mildew. A simple solution to prevent this from happening is to bring an umbrella when traveling with a leather jacket.
Place in Garment Bag
If you’re not going to wear your leather jacket when traveling, it’s recommended that you place in a garment bag and then place the bagged jacket in your suitcase or luggage. Garment bags are designed specifically to protect garments from damage. They are usually made of a durable synthetic material, either featuring a waterproof design or permeable surface that allows the garment to breathe. Regardless of which one you choose, a garment bag will safely secure your leather jacket so that it’s not damaged during your travels.
Use Luggage Tags
It’s also a good idea to use luggage tags when traveling with your leather jacket. If you lose the suitcase or luggage containing your leather jacket, you might be forced to replace it. Lost luggage is an all-too-common problem, with millions of travelers losing their luggage each year. You can lower the risk of this happening to you by keeping a close eye on your luggage at all times. Additionally, you can increase the chance of recovering your luggage if it’s lost by using tags. Place a tag on each piece of luggage that you are carrying, and in this tag include your name, address and phone number. Hopefully, it doesn’t happen, but if your luggage is lost, the person who finds it can read the tag to find your contact information.
Make and Bring Homemade Leather Cleaner
In the days leading up to your departure, create a homemade leather cleaning product. If your leather jacket gets dirty, you can use this product to quickly and easily clean it. There are several ways to create a homemade leather cleaner, one of which is to mix water with distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle. Another way is to mix water with a small amount of liquid dish soap, also placing it in a spray. Using either of these homemade products, you can clean minor stains and blemishes on your leather jacket, all without spending a fortune on store-bought leather cleaning products.
Bring the Right Clothes
Finally, be sure to bring clothes that match your leather jacket. I know this probably sounds like common sense, but countless inexperienced travelers bring mismatching outfits. It’s not until they arrive at their intended destination when they realize they’ve made a serious mistake. If you have a brown leather jacket but only brought black shoes, for example, you won’t be able to create an attractive and cohesive appearance. Rather, bring a pair of brown shoes so that you can create a cohesive outfit with your leather jacket.