While most people prefer the original, untouched appearance of a leather jacket, some prefer a more aged, faded style. Over time, leather jackets — like most garments — will fade naturally from regular use and exposure to the sun. This isn’t something that happens overnight, however. It can take months or even years until you notice any visible change in your leather jacket’s appearance. If you’re looking to speed up the process, however, you can fade your leather jacket more quickly by following some simple steps.
Wear it outside
The more you wear your leather jacket outside, the faster it will fade. This is because wearing a leather jacket outside exposes the textile to sunlight. The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) light will beam down on your leather jacket, causing the leather to fade to a lighter color. If your leather jacket currently has a dark brown color, for example, wearing it outdoors may turn it to a light blue color. Whether you’re running errands around town or walking your dog down the driveway, put on your leather jacket so that it fade a little faster. Along with this other tips listed here, this will help you achieve a faded leather jacket.
Avoid faux leather
Is your leather jacket made of real, genuine leather? If not, may struggle to fade it. This is because faux leather doesn’t fade like genuine leather does. It’s made of a traditional textile that’s coated in a plastic-like layer. As a result, it doesn’t fade — or at least as easily as genuine leather. For a true faded appearance, you’ll need to invest in a genuine leather jacket. Genuine leather contains natural pigmentation that fades over time. Unfortunately, this isn’t something that you’ll find in faux leather. So, while faux leather jackets are cheaper, they don’t offer the same level of versatility as their genuine counterparts.
Cut back on leather conditioning products
There’s nothing wrong with using leather conditioning products on your leather jacket, but you shouldn’t overdo it. Leather conditioning products are designed specifically to moisturize leather and protect it from dryness. They contain various ingredients that inject moisture into leather to create a softer and more supple texture. However, they also create a layer over the leather to further protect it from damage. This is usually good, as the protective layer allows leather to retain a greater amount of moisture. But if you’re trying to fade your leather jacket to a lighter tone, it can hinder your efforts. The protective layer reduces the amount of light and oxygen that reaches the leather’s pigment or dye. You can still fade a leather jacket that’s been heavily conditioned, but it will take longer and require more work. For this reason, you should use leather conditioning products on your jacket less frequently. A good rule of thumb is to apply a conditioning product no more than once every two to three months if you’re trying to fade your jacket.
Hang it outside
In addition to wearing your leather jacket outside, you can hang also hang it outside to speed up the fading process. Like wearing your jacket outside, hanging it outside exposes it to the sun’s UV light, which is a key catalyst of the fading process. If you’re aren’t planning on wearing your leather jacket for the day, hang it outside. You can run a line between two trees, for example, to hang it from. Just remember to check the weather before leaving your leather jacket outside for any prolonged length of time. If there’s rain in the forecast, don’t leave it hanging outside. A little rain won’t harm your leather jacket, but allowing it to become saturated with water can promote mildew. Only hang your leather jacket outside if the skies are clear and sunny.
Toss it in the dryer
Another way to fade your leather jacket more quickly is to toss it in the dryer. You should generally avoid drying leather jackets in a clothes dryer, as it can degrade the fabric. As long as you use the “gentle” cycle setting on your dryer, though, this shouldn’t be a problem. Drying your leather jacket on the “gentle” cycle uses minimal force to rotate the drum as it dries your jacket. It’s not enough force to degrade your leather jacket, but it is enough to stimulate the fading process.
Choose a lighter leather jacket
Of course, you can avoid the headache of having to fade your leather jacket by choosing a jacket in the right color. Some people assume that leather jackets are only available in traditional colors like brown and black. While these are the two most popular colors for leather jackets, you can find them available in a wide range of other colors. Whether you’re searching for a light brown or even a gray leather jacket, you can probably find it with a little digging. And by choosing a leather jacket in the right color, you won’t have to worry about fading it.
You might be surprised to learn that some leather jackets are designed with an already faded appearance. Manufacturers of leather jackets have acknowledged the growing trend for faded garments in recent years. From jeans and jackets to shirts and dresses, distressed garments have a unique appearance that’s not found elsewhere. As a result, some manufacturers produce and sell leather jackets that are designed with a faded tone. They feature the same genuine leather construction as traditional leather jackets. The difference is that they are processed in a way that makes them look aged and faded.
In conclusion
By following these tips, you can fade your leather jacket more quickly. And if this sounds like too much, consider investing in a new leather jacket that already features a faded tone. Either way, you’ll be able to diversify your style by sporting a faded leather jacket that’s different from the mainstream crowd.