Soaking a Wested Goatskin to get sleeve wrinkle, and such.

[Johnnydooks]

After having trouble with my first customer LC from Wested, as a lot of others have had, I am not waiting on a Raiders customer in goatskin. I think / hope that this one will work for me now that I know of the problems that I have already run in to.

I really don't want to mess it up, I am I not really interested in doing any distressing other that "breaking it in". I am trying to go for the look that was achieved in the temple in the opening scenes in Raiders.

Is it going to be ok to rinse the jacket lightly in the shower, or am I just asking for trouble? If it is ok would it be better to use hot or cold water, how much should I do, do I wear it after that?

Any help or suggestions would be helpful.

Thanks!

[Tennessee Smith]

How does it fit on you right now? How long are the sleeves on you? Are they where you want them to sit or do you wish they were a bit longer? I'm only asking this because whatever method you choose something with be altered.

[CM]

Over 25 years I've put over 15 leather jackets in the washing machine with detergent. It generally makes them softer and less new looking but goat sometimes doesn't show any difference. It's tough stuff. I have never had shrinkage or damage. The key is to dry naturally which can take a few days. Add heat and you may have shrinkage. I've used a front loader washer which puts much less stress on clothing.

[Johnnydooks]

I haven't received it yet. If all goes well the sleeves should be a little long so that if / when they start to wrinkle they should be where I want them.

[Michaelson]

Be mindful of the lining too. You can wrinkle/reshape the leather all you want, but sometimes the lining doesn't survive.

Regards! Michaelson

[Kt Templar]

No need to soak the jacket completely. But by all means, using the shower head, run hot water over the sleeves and body, then wear for a while or thread the jacket onto broom handle or postal tube and scrunch up and let it dry. Goat can be very hard to make comply to wrinkling though so you may have to do it a few times.

Wearing it a lot is the best method after the initial water treatment to knock the 'new' off.

[Johnnydooks]

Sounds good. Thanks for the help guys!