Leather jackets are a classic piece for any wardrobe. I personally believe that a nude or a bright colored jacket can give your look an instant makeover. Jackets in bright colors like red or green can give any regular outfit an interesting twist, especially if worn when you go clubbing.
However, one problem I face is that after a few years, these jackets get old. Considering the whopping amount spent on these, I don’t have the heart to dispose of them. Some of the pieces I own are vintage leather jackets passed on for generations. What I love about them is the distressed look that they have. An old, faded leather jacket in black gets me the most compliments. It is crinkled and dull and definitely in vogue (even though it’s more than fifteen years old)!
It was then I realized that giving my leather jackets a distressed makeover was way easier than I thought. If you don’t like a very shiny or stiff jacket, just throw it in the washer. Set in on the delicate garments mode or else you’ll shred your jacket up. Remember that only genuine leather can sustain the tough washer and dryer ordeal.
I had recently picked this gorgeous red leather jacket from Cole Haan. The cozy Adidas nylon jacket comes with a winged collar and leather binding. The front zip closure ensures easier wearability. Since I don’t have anything in red that’s distressed, I decided to experiment with its look.
You can get this instant update with any good leather jacket: just be sure the material’s not synthetic, pleather or any other form of plastic. My friend has this Michael Kors leather jacket made of toggle leather. This sturdy piece is made from luggage leather and can withstand the machine wash experiment. Here’s what we did for the distressed makeover:
- Tossed the jacket with usual detergent on a cold cycle to prevent running of color
- Gave it a good wringing to get all the water out
- Put it in the heater to dry it out (on medium heat)
- If you don’t get the effect, just repeat the process again