How to Store a Leather Jacket: 8 Tips to Keep It Like New

A good leather jacket can last for decades, but only if it is looked after between wears. Most damage does not happen while you are wearing it. It happens in the wardrobe: creases from a wire hanger, mould from a plastic cover, cracking from a hot radiator. The good news is that storing leather properly is simple. Follow these eight tips and your jacket will look just as good next season as it does today.

1. Clean It Before You Put It Away

Dust, sweat, body oils and food marks all sit on the surface of the leather and slowly work their way in if they are left. Before you store a jacket for more than a few weeks, wipe it down with a soft, slightly damp cloth and let it dry naturally. If it needs more than that, follow our step-by-step guide on how to clean a leather jacket at home. Never put a jacket away damp.

2. Condition the Leather

Leather is a natural material, and like skin it can dry out over time. A light coat of a quality leather conditioner before storage helps keep it supple and less likely to crack. Test the conditioner first on a hidden spot, such as inside the hem, and apply a thin, even layer with a soft cloth. Wipe off any excess. Suede and nubuck are different: they should not be conditioned with cream, so brush them gently with a suede brush instead.

3. Use a Wide, Padded or Wooden Hanger

The hanger matters more than most people think. Thin wire hangers dig into the shoulders and leave bumps and creases that are hard to remove. Choose a wide wooden or padded hanger that supports the full shoulder line, so the jacket keeps its shape.

• Zip or button the jacket up so the front hangs straight.
• Empty the pockets so they do not stretch or sag.
• Give it space: a crammed wardrobe crushes the leather and causes creases.

4. Choose a Breathable Cover, Not Plastic

Plastic dry-cleaning bags trap moisture, and trapped moisture is how leather gets mould and mildew. Use a breathable cotton or canvas garment bag instead. It keeps out dust and light while still letting air move around the leather. An old cotton pillowcase with a hole for the hanger works in a pinch.

5. Keep It Cool, Dry and Out of the Light

Heat and sunlight are leather's biggest enemies. Direct sun fades colour, especially on tan, brown and coloured leathers, while heat from radiators, heaters or a warm loft dries the hide and can make it crack. The best spot is a cool, dark wardrobe with steady temperature and normal humidity.

Watch out for damp

Basements, garages and outside walls are often damp. If your wardrobe tends to feel humid, a moisture absorber or a few silica gel packs nearby can help. If you notice a musty smell, take the jacket out, air it in a shaded, well-ventilated room and check the lining.

6. Never Fold Leather for Long

Folding is fine for a day in a suitcase, but folding a jacket for weeks or months sets hard creases into the leather. If you really must pack it away flat, roll it loosely with acid-free tissue paper inside the sleeves and between layers rather than folding it into a box.

7. Let It Breathe Now and Then

If a jacket is stored for the whole summer, take it out once a month or so. Give it a gentle shake, check for marks or dryness, and let it air for an hour before putting it back. This small habit helps you catch problems early.

8. Store Suede and Nubuck with Extra Care

Suede and nubuck have a soft, open surface that marks easily. Brush them in one direction before storing, keep them well away from anything that could rub or bleed colour onto them, and always use a breathable cover. A suede protector spray applied before the season starts adds a useful layer of defence against water and stains.

Quick Storage Checklist

1. Clean and fully dry the jacket.
2. Condition smooth leather; brush suede.
3. Hang it on a wide wooden or padded hanger.
4. Cover it with breathable cotton, never plastic.
5. Store it somewhere cool, dark and dry.
6. Check on it every few weeks.

Shop Leather Jackets Built to Last

A well-made jacket rewards good care. Explore a few favourites from the Zervano collection, all available in sizes XS to 4XL with free shipping:

• Zervano Men's Falcon MA-1 Brown Leather Bomber Jacket
• Zervano Men's Rustic Distressed Brown Leather Bomber Jacket
• Zervano Women's Aria Black Leather Bomber Jacket
• Zervano Women's Tan Leather Trench Coat
• Zervano Women's Nova Black Suede Button Bomber Jacket

Browse the full range in our men's and women's leather jackets collection, and if you are not sure whether a jacket is the real thing, read real vs faux leather: 7 easy ways to tell the difference.