Leather jackets are always a timeless outfit of your wardrobe but sometimes a leather jacket is too much polish which needs the fade to look perfect, In this case the distress is the best option to make your leather jacket more unique. At Leather Hub USA, we are passionate about everything leather jacket so now we will help you how you can distress your leather jacket at home with a complete guide and with the right technique you will easily distress the leather jacket according to your need. 

Why Distress A Leather Jacket?

As distress word comes in mind then people think that distress damage leather but in reality it can give another character to your leather jacket so distress jacket often:

• Looks Vintage Style 

• Pair With Causal 

• Add Uniqueness To Your Leather Jacket

• Make Your Leather Jacket More Comfortable

Tool And Materials 

Before starting the process you have to gather the material which will be used in this process: 

• Sandpaper 

• Wire Brush 

• A damp Cloth 

• Leather Conditioner 

• Rubbing Alcohol (optional) for fading 

• A Spray Bottle 

• And always test any technique on the hidden side of the leather jacket or on extra piece of leather  

Method 

1. Choose The Right Leather Jacket

The distressing process is not suitable for all types of leather jacket so use the pure leather jacket so you can work easily on the pure leather and the Faux leather jacket can peel instead of gracefully with age so always confirm the fabric of your leather jacket before starting any treatment.

2. Break In The Leather Jacket Naturally

Start the distress with simple wear and tear so:

• Wear your leather jacket in different weather

• To create the natural creases, bend your arm and move around

• Roll up the sleeves, set on the hanger and leave it in the sunlight to soften the color

• This initial process makes the leather jacket more flexible and easily distresses later 

3. Light Standing For A Worn Look 

Take a sandpaper, gently rub the natural wear area of your leather jacket like the shoulder, elbow and cuffs, move in the circular motion with light pressure in the start:

• For Subtle Look: Stick to the seams and edge of the leather jacket only

• For Heavy Vintage Look: For heavy vintage look you have to sand on the large area of your leather jacket like back panel and chest 

• Then you will go to the fine grip of sand paper to avoid the rough patches on the leather jacket

4. Use A Wire Brush For Texture

For deep scratches use the wire brush on your leather jacket and use it on random areas of your leather jacket so this create the natural scratched look for this you have to focus on the realistically wear areas like:

• Collar Edges 

• Around The Zip

• End of Sleeves

5. Fading With Rubbing Alcohol 

If you want to light the color of leather jacket so you have to follow these steps:

• Mix the rubbing alcohol with water in a spray bottle with the ratio of 1:1 
• Now light mist on the leather jacket and then rub with alcohol 
• Allow it to air dry naturally 

So this process gives your leather jacket a sun faded and the vintage tone without artificial dyes

6. Crumble and Fold  

Crumpling the leather jacket gives the natural creases to your leather jacket with softness so gently fold and then twist the sleeves of the jacket including the shoulder then these wrinkles can distress your leather jacket.

7. Condition The Leather Jacket

May the distress of your leather jacket dry the jacket so always finish any technique on leather with leather conditioner that makes it soft, prevents cracking and this step ensures your leather jacket while still looking rugged. 

Safety Tips When Distress A Leather Jacket

There are some safety tips you have to keep in your mind during the distress process:

• Go Slow: It is very easy to over distressing the leather jacket so go slow and start 

• Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Strong chemicals can damage your leather jacket so avoid the harsh chemicals

• Do Not Over Saturate With Water: Moisture can wrap your leather jacket so do not over saturate with water

• Condition Often: A dry leather jacket crack more easily then age gracefully

Styling A Distress Leather Jacket

As your leather jacket is perfectly able for worn then you will style it in different ways: 

• You can pair this leather jacket with jeans and boots for your biker look

• For casual dressing you will wear it on the plan T-shirt that gives you vintage vibes

• You can add the layer of accessories that create the streetwear style look

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:1 Is it safe to distress a leather jacket with home techniques?

Ans: Yes you can distress your leather jacket by starting with gentle pressures with sanding paper then you will use a different method that we discuss above.

Q:2 Which is the best way to fade the color of a leather jacket?

Ans: You can use the water rubbing alcohol diluted spray to fade the color of your leather jacket and it is the safest way but you have to apply it on the hidden area of your leather jacket for testing. 

Q:3 Can I distress my leather jacket of blue or red color? 

Ans: Yes you can dye your leather jacket of blue or red color but the results vary depending on the dye and the distress area becomes lighter than the jacket so it can give a unique character to your leather jacket.

Final Thoughts 

At Leather Hub USA, we believe that every leather jacket tell it story so if you give the distress touch to your leather jacket then you will the history or personality to the leather jacket but this require patience and the right balance of the right techniques so grab your tools, take your time and create a jacket that feels like countless adventures.