A leather jacket is one of the unique and timeless outfits in your wardrobe, whether it’s a bomber jacket, classic biker or other leather jackets make the right difference but the main thing is what if your leather jacket feels too long or oversize?
And many people wonder can I shrink a leather jacket? At Leather Hub USA, we often get questions about how we fit our leather jacket without the help of a tailor or taking them to a tailor, so shrinking the leather jacket is possible but it requires care or attention to protect the quality of the leather jacket, now we are breaking down the myth of shrinking your jacket safely whether it real or pure lather or faux leather.
Does leather shrink?
Yes, leather jacket can shrink when it expose to the heat or moisture because the fabric of the leather is natural material, in the presence of the water the leather molecule expand but in the presence of the heat the molecule of the leather fabric contract that is the reason your leather jacket feel tight after getting quickly dry, however the leather jacket is not shrink evenly or uncontrolled shrink can cause the damage of the colour, texture and overall shape jacket so that way the controlled method are essential.
Methods for shrinking a Leather Jacket
Here are some most common methods people do when their jacket got shrink:
1. Leather jacket shrinking in the washing machine
Many people think if we wash the leather jacket in a machine then it will shrink, this is possible, technically it is possible but it is quite risky because a washing machine can oversaturate the leather the reason it can lose the natural oil and even crack once it dried. If you tried this method, you have to use cold water, avoid detergent, never use the hot water, the jacket should be dried naturally (never in any drier) and applied the conditioner afterward to avoid the stiffness of the leather.
2. Shrinking Leather Jacket Sleeves
If your are face the problem of long sleeves of leather jacket, so you have to shrink the sleeves of your leather jacket not the whole jacket so for this you have to spray water with help of spray bottle as you slightly wet the sleeves then allow it to air dry while keep the rest of the jacket protected and this approach help to avoid over-shrinking the entire leather.
3. Targeted Heat Application
There is a very easy and unique method of shrinking the loss of the leather jacket so you have to spray water on the loss area then dry it with the help of hairdryer at a safe distance so this method will gradually shrink the damp of the leather jacket. Note: you have to move the dried slowly over required area otherwise this will burn the leather jacket as the continuous supply of the hot air.
Can you shrink a leather jacket?
If you are facing these problems with faux leather jackets, this process is quite different and shrinking the faux leather jacket is much harder because the synthetic material does not react to moisture and the heat the same as the natural leather react. Too much supply of the heat can cause the faux leather to peel, crack or wrap permanently and if your faux leather jacket is too big then the adjustment of styling may be safer than attempting the method of shrinking.
Pros and cons of shrinking a leather jacket
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Tips for safe shrinking at home
If you want to shrinking the leather jacket at your home then you have to follow these precautions:
Test First: Spray the small hidden area to see the reaction of the leather jacket
Do Not Use Hot Water: Hot water can be discolored or harden the leather, so use the cold water or lukewarm water instead of hot water
Air Dry Only & Conditioner After Shrinking: Never put your leather jacket in the dryer, so always let it dry naturally in the shady or cool area and Leather can lose its natural when it come in contact with water so after shrinking use the conditioner to restore the softness and also prevent from crack
Go Slow: Shrink the gradually your leather jacket in steps rather than all it once to prevent the damage of the leather jacket
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:1 Can I shrink my leather jacket without ruining its texture or natural colour?
Ans: Yes, you can shrink your leather jacket but carefully by only misting the leather jacket with water and a natural air dryer is the safest method.
Q:2 Will the shrinking of the leather jacket affect the colour of my leather jacket?
Ans: Excessive water or heat exposure can fade the color or discolor of the leather jacket and the conditioning after shrinking can help to preserve the look of the leather jacket.
Q:3 Does the leather shrink permanently?
Ans: Yes, once the shrink your leather jacket does not expand the leather jacket to its original size and that is why you should shrink the leather jacket gradually and continuously.
Conclusion
Can I shrink a leather jacket? And the answer is yes but this method is difficult, from shrinking the leather jacket sleeves with a spray bottle to attempts like shrinking the leather in a washing machine and the results are different or may sometimes damage your leather jacket. At Leather Hub USA we believe that your leather jacket is the investment of the piece that deserves care, so if your jacket feels too big then tailoring the leather jacket is the best and safest option that long last the jacket fits.
