budget 'worn leather' look

[enigmata_wood]

I've been planning this for some time.
frankly I wasn't ready to potentially ruin a good cotton Wested. But then I remembered that was why I bought it and I haven't worn it since, as it looked too bland to me.
For comparison, here's how it looks with half the jacket [left half of this picture] treated.



Basically I just waxed the cotton without ironing it into the fabric.
I ordered chocolate brown coloured natural beeswax off the internet. 500g was more than enough.
I melted it and poured it into tall, narrow shot glasses - to make it into chunky crayons.
working one panel at a time, and going over each panel more than once in different directions, I worked the cold wax in broad strokes into the fibres. It's hard work but goes quickly.
It wont penetrate the weave evenly, nor do you want that.
There was no special technique with the seams, they just showed up more due to the stitching.
I worked over each panel again with the back of a broad spoon just to take off any obvious lumps of wax.
finally the wax can feel a bit sticky so I puffed talc all over the jacket then brushed it off again.

ADDITION

Since this I briskly rubbed the whole jacket with a stiff nylon nail-brush - especially where the wax was too thick or drew attention to the weave. This has greatly improved the overall patchy shiny-matt look.
I'll post more pictures soon

[scot2525]

Does look good enigmata. Couple of questions that soring to mind are, How will this wash? and How does it feel after the talc treatment?

[enigmata_wood]

one generally doesn't wash waxed cotton
the wax has a little 'tack' - the talc takes that away it feel much more like leather

[atkins]

Thanks Enigmata, for reminding me this jacket might be the answer for me in my tropical country.

Atkins

[Indiana Jake]

It sure does photograph well. I look forward to seeing more pics when you can put it together with your outfit.

Indiana Jake

[Indiana G]

i have a belstaff hardwick coat that is waxed cotton.....made to looked distressed. on more than one occassion, i've heard friends comment "another leather jacket?". i said nope.....it's cotton

it does come with leather trim on the shoulders, belt and elbow pads which gives an illusion that the rest of the jacket is leather too.

[whipcracker]

That jacket does look good. I really like the pocket flaps. With its realatvively low price I think that that would be a good work jacket alternative.

And yes please show more pictures. I was thinking that would a coat of the treatment for Austalian oikskin drovers be a good thing for it?

[RCSignals]

Once applied and dusted with talc does the wax rub off on anything?

I know on Barbour etc wax jackets it tends not to, just wondering about this.

[enigmata_wood]

I was thinking that would a coat of the treatment for Austalian oikskin drovers be a good thing for it?

To that I have no answer, it might change the finish? I'm very happy with the look just as it is.

[enigmata_wood]

Once applied and dusted with talc does the wax rub off on anything?

I know on Barbour etc wax jackets it tends not to, just wondering about this.

I only put the slightest dusting of talc on which i then brushed off. it doesnt even show.

[enigmata_wood]

The complete jacket is now to be seen in my full gear pictures in the 'scrapbook'. I've worn it a lot this summer and it's cool in the heat and sheds all but the heaviest rain. I'm very happy with it.