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Care advice on a 1930s woman’s leather jacket

mulceber

Moderator
I bought a 1930s woman’s jacket for my wife for Christmas (yes, my wife is interested in my hobby, I am THAT lucky). It’s generally in good condition, and the leather is still flexible, but there is really heavy sueding around the shoulders. My question is, is there something I can/should do about this to protect the jacket and prevent further deterioration? How would you guys treat this jacket?
 

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B-Man2

Well-Known Member
I would suggest giving the jacket a light coat of Pecards leather dressing . It will bring back some of the life to the leather. It will also help control the drying out of the leather.
Welcome to the Forum Nnatalie!
 

Garylafortuna

Well-Known Member
After the Pecards has soaked in and the jacket feels normal again, try giving the jacket a coat of matching color shoe cream. Perhaps a couple of coats on the affected areas.Then buff with a soft cotton or microfiber
cloth. This worked very well for me on a jacket with the same problem. Got rid of the suede effect.
 

B-Man2

Well-Known Member
Before you guys treat the jacket, please take some before shots and then afterward post them with the results of your work. Would love to see how it turns out.
 

jeremiah

Well-Known Member
Nice jacket.
I would add that there isn’t much you can do once the Wear reaches the suede and caution must be taken to not “over” saturate it even with pecards as it will drink that stuff quicker now the finished top layer had worn down. I would take car e with doing any of the above mentioned. But enjoy it.

also. the suede section will always take color (shoe cream included) differently from the finished leather.
 
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Nnatalie

Well-Known Member
Nice jacket.
I would add that there isn’t much you can do once the Wear reaches the suede and caution must be taken to not “over” saturate it even with pecards as it will drink that stuff quicker now the finished top layer had worn down. I would take car e with doing any of the above mentioned. But enjoy it.

also. the suede section will always take color (shoe cream included) differently from the finished leather.

Thanks! Would you avoid the Pecards and other products entirely, or just do it lightly/in small amounts?
 

MikeyB-17

Well-Known Member
I definitely would not put shoe cream/polish on it. You’re not going to replace the surface coating, and you’re just going to cover up all those years of patina which is half the point of a jacket like that. If it’s still flexible and not dried out, I doubt it needs anything. Nice to have you with us, Natalie.
 

Ken at Aero Leather

Well-Known Member
Hello, wife here. Finally created an account. Looking forward to seeing what people have to say about caring for the jacket, and generally sharing and learning.

Don't touch it you'll make it more noticeable, it's just patina, nothing to worry about
I'd love to see a front & back pic of the full jacket, the shoulder area is very unusual, maybe unique
Great prezzie, enjoy
 

Ken at Aero Leather

Well-Known Member
Nnatalie
The only time I can recall seeing that shoulder.sleeve cap on a leather jacket was one by Ozzie Clark and he was probably the best designer ever to work in leather, not just my opinion

Ozzie Clark.jpg


Check the price his jackets make these days


 

mulceber

Moderator
Don't touch it you'll make it more noticeable, it's just patina, nothing to worry about
I'd love to see a front & back pic of the full jacket, the shoulder area is very unusual, maybe unique
Great prezzie, enjoy

Happy to provide. These are the original Etsy photos. I’d be happy to snap some more after the 25th, but the jacket’s a little “tied up” now.

It sounds like the consensus is to leave it alone. That’s what we’ll be doing. Who knows, after the leather someday gives out, maybe we can find someone who’d be willing to make a replica of it. It’s a beautiful design.
 

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Nnatalie

Well-Known Member
Nnatalie
The only time I can recall seeing that shoulder.sleeve cap on a leather jacket was one by Ozzie Clark and he was probably the best designer ever to work in leather, not just my opinion

View attachment 28742

Check the price his jackets make these days


Oh wow, that is certainly something! I should go do more browsing of his work...not my typical style (not that I’d have the money anyway haha), but really interesting design
 

jeremiah

Well-Known Member
Yeah I think it looks great and I don’t think that suede is in danger or splitting or cracking so why add something that would more affect the appearance now.
 

Ken at Aero Leather

Well-Known Member
Happy to provide. These are the original Etsy photos. I’d be happy to snap some more after the 25th, but the jacket’s a little “tied up” now.

It sounds like the consensus is to leave it alone. That’s what we’ll be doing. Who knows, after the leather someday gives out, maybe we can find someone who’d be willing to make a replica of it. It’s a beautiful design.

PLEASE don't touch it, Natalie
Unique design, says 1930s to me by the panelling, lots of inovative design took place in that decade to use up every bit of leather. depression and all that...........
The label and close up of the zipper will provide the best evidence
I'm sure the girls working on our lady's jacket deigns will be interested in seeing this
 

mulceber

Moderator
I’d be interested to hear anything you have on this one. And if the ladies at Aero would like to get a look at it, I’d be happy to provide more pics, measurements, etc.
 

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Ken at Aero Leather

Well-Known Member
I’d be interested to hear anything you have on this one. And if the ladies at Aero would like to get a look at it, I’d be happy to provide more pics, measurements, etc.
That's 30s zipper, of course it could have been in stock for a while before it was used but I've seen enough to be happy with my dating
 

mulceber

Moderator
Thanks, it'll be new to them, personally I'm looking forward to seeing the label

Weirdly, I don’t think it has a label. I’ll give it a good look when it’s unwrapped, but I recall it had a green and white plaid lining in the body and off-white in the sleeves, but no label. I suppose it’s possible the plaid lining is new and covering up the label.

Are those pockets on the upper chest? Seem a tad awkward to access. Wonder what they were for.

Yep, pockets in the upper and lower torso. Personally I like the upper ones. They seem like a neat addition and could be used as a pen pocket.
 

Nnatalie

Well-Known Member
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