Protect your investment
A leather jacket can last a very long time if cared for properly. Here are a few tips for making it last, and keeping it looking good.

1) Breathable storage
Cracking and fading can be avoided if you store leather in a cloth garment bag. Leather needs to breathe, which means no plastic, ever. 

2) Attend to spills ASAP
If the jacket is smooth leather, wipe off spills and dirt with a damp cloth; suedes and nubucks only require occasional brushing. If you have a major mishap, especially with suede, take the jacket as soon as possible to a leather cleaning specialist. But be warned, leather cleaning is expensive and often fades the color of suede.

3) Stay on top of repairs 
If the hem comes loose, this can often be fixed with a touch of rubber cement. For seams that have come unstitched or loose buttons, stop by your local tailor. They will have special needles to make these repairs. Trying to fix it yourself can just mean a bunch of holes left in the leather.

4) Dry slowly if it gets wet
If you get caught in a downpour and your leather or suede jacket gets soaked, don't put it in the dryer. Instead just hang it (on a broad shouldered hanger) in a well-ventilated area to dry slowly. Extreme heat can damage the skin's natural oils, so placing it near a heater isn't a good idea either.