How you store a leather jacket when you are not wearing it has a significant effect on how the jacket looks and performs over time. Poor storage causes creasing, shape distortion, cracking, mold growth, and hardware damage. Good storage keeps the jacket in the same condition it was in the last time you wore it. This guide covers the right way to store a leather jacket, whether for a few days between wears or for a full off-season period.
The Most Important Storage Rule: Use a Wide Hanger
The single most important storage decision is the hanger. A leather jacket needs a wide, padded or contoured hanger that supports the full width of the shoulder seam without concentrating pressure on a narrow point. A thin wire hanger creates a peak at the shoulder seam that gradually distorts the shape of the jacket and can leave a permanent indentation in the leather. Invest in wide, padded or sturdy wooden hangers for any leather jacket you want to maintain properly. Browse Elvora™'s men's leather jackets and women's leather jackets at Elvora™.
Where to Hang the Jacket
Temperature and Humidity
Leather needs a stable environment. Avoid storing a leather jacket in areas with extreme temperature fluctuations, such as attics, garages, or unheated sheds. Heat dries the leather out. Cold is less damaging but sharp temperature swings are harmful to the leather over time. A bedroom wardrobe or a temperature-regulated storage space is ideal.
Humidity
Leather needs some ambient humidity to remain supple. Very dry environments accelerate oil loss and contribute to cracking. Very damp or humid environments encourage mold and mildew growth. A standard indoor room with normal ambient humidity is appropriate.
Direct Sunlight
Never store a leather jacket where it receives direct sunlight. UV light breaks down the leather's surface finish and causes fading and drying over time. A closed wardrobe or a dark, ventilated storage space is ideal.
Preparing for Off-Season Storage
Before putting a leather jacket away for a full off-season period:
- Clean the jacket thoroughly with a leather cleaner to remove any surface dirt or marks before storage
- Condition the jacket fully to replenish oils before the storage period
- Allow the jacket to air for a few hours after conditioning before storing
- Hang on a wide hanger
Using a Garment Bag
For extended storage, a breathable garment bag protects the jacket from dust without trapping moisture. Use a fabric or non-woven garment bag, never a plastic dry-cleaning bag. Plastic bags trap moisture and prevent airflow, creating conditions for mold growth. Fabric garment bags allow the leather to breathe while protecting from dust accumulation.
What Not to Do in Storage
- Do not fold a leather jacket for long-term storage. Folded leather develops creases that are difficult to remove. Always hang.
- Do not store in a plastic bag or sealed plastic box.
- Do not store in a damp basement or a humid shed.
- Do not store the jacket in direct sunlight or near a heat source.
- Do not store in a bag that compresses the jacket's shape.
Also browse Elvora™'s shearling leather jackets, men's leather biker jackets, women's leather biker jackets, and leather trench coats.
FAQs
Can I fold a leather jacket for travel?
For short-term travel of a few days, folding is acceptable if done carefully with the lining facing outward. For extended storage, always hang.
Can I store a leather jacket in a plastic storage box?
Not recommended for extended periods. Plastic limits airflow and can trap moisture, creating conditions for mold. A breathable fabric garment bag hung in a wardrobe is better.
How do I store a leather jacket in summer when I am not using it?
Clean, condition, hang on a wide hanger in a fabric garment bag in a cool, ventilated, dark wardrobe. Check on it once or twice during the off-season and condition again before wearing at the start of the cooler season.
Are Elvora™ leather jackets made from real leather?
Yes. All Elvora™ products use genuine leather. Product pages specify the exact leather type used.
Do you offer free shipping?
Yes. Free shipping is included on all Elvora™ orders.
Does leather need to breathe during storage?
Yes. Leather requires airflow to prevent mold and maintain its natural condition. Always use breathable storage rather than sealed plastic.
Final Thoughts
Proper storage extends the life of a leather jacket significantly. A wide hanger, a stable environment, a breathable garment bag for extended storage, and a clean and conditioned jacket before putting it away are the key factors. Get these right and the jacket comes back out at the start of the next wearing season in exactly the condition it went in. Explore Elvora™'s genuine leather jacket range at Elvora™, all made to order with free shipping.