Has anybody stretched a leather jacket?

[Travlr]

I'm looking for some tips for stretching a leather jacket.  Someone suggested getting it wet and then stuffing it with a comforter.  Another said put it in the washing machine with some fabric softener.  Then pull on it.  But I'm open to other ideas.

Mike

[Enzo Toma]

What are you trying to achieve with stretching it?
You would likely need to start with leather that is thick enough and in good condition to not be damaged by stretching. I have had sleeves lengthened by a tailor who did leather work, they conditioned, steamed, and then press & pulled the sleeves to make them more suitable for motorcycle riding.

[cliffrod]

It may stretch a little but isn’t going to change much.  Forcing it to stretch in certain areas with gentle heat (hair dryer) and something hard over which to stretch it can work, but it needs  to be done in a way that doesn’t stress the seams or bad things can happen. 

When I get a new (especially brand new) leather jacket, I will get it as wet as possible to absolutely saturate it with only water, then immediately wear it until it is dry.  It’s an adventure but helps make a jacket fit you more uniquely.  It also helps eliminate any dye that would otherwise transfer to you during an unexpected soaking event. Wear something that won’t be damaged by this errant leather due vs ruining a favorite shirt when it happens.   Then plan on scrubbing some dye off of you.. 

After all is dried, then I treat the leather and enjoy the jacket.

[Ncdan]

If the jacket is small enough that it needs to be larger to fit better, going up a size is the only option.

[RHAT]

Mine  gets stretched every time I put it on.

[moto]

Vegetable-tanned leathers can be stretched and formed easily when wet, but chrome-tanned not so well. I expect most jackets are chrome-tanned. Some leathers have waterproofing treatments infused into them. If you try it, you should measure a panel before and after and then report your results.

[Dukedesmo]

Did it 'shrink' over the winter?, funny how that happens isn't it?   


I had a 2-piece suit on which the jacket was always a little tight, then I bought a new, thicker back protector which made it worse, in the end it was easier to buy a new, larger suit.


More recently I've lost some weight and it's a little loose now - should have kept the smaller suit...   

[fotoguzzi]

Would a zipper extender work?

[Travlr]

Thanks all for your thoughts.  The jacket is new and snug, not tight.  I'm going to get it very wet, and then pull on it and stuff it with towels.  I may do that a couple of times and see what happens. 

Mike

[Bulldog9]

Thanks all for your thoughts.  The jacket is new and snug, not tight.  I'm going to get it very wet, and then pull on it and stuff it with towels.  I may do that a couple of times and see what happens. 

Mike

Better to soak it as described and put it on over several layers so it stretches and forms to you. Towels likely wont cut it. Salads and PT help too 

[not-fishing]

If the jacket is small enough that it needs to be larger to fit better, going up a size is the only option.

I've used this option so many times I'm running out of sizes.

Maybe I'll have to switch to Harley leathers.

[Ncdan]

I've used this option so many times I'm running out of sizes.

Maybe I'll have to switch to Harley leathers.

If “stretching”  it a bit is you goal there’s a leather product out there that’s designed to condition the leather in a way that is can “stretch” more easily. I’ve used it with boots a time or too over the years. I can’t remember the name but I’m sure you can do a search and find it. That may be a better choice than soaking it in water.
Maybe leave the liner in and put on a heavy sweatshirt, zip her up and do some basic calisthenics such as push-up, pull- ups and other stretching exercises.
Good luck getting it to fit well.
I’m in the same situation with a FIRST GEAR jacket that I loved the style but could only get in medium and I’m a large. It fit ok without the full liner and just a T-shirt but to tight otherwise, even after the stretching procedure I just laid out.

[Tim Henry]

Rubbing alcohol I've used it on my old shott perfecto and gun holsters too used sparingly that's what a old shoemaker showed me when gout gave me a problem on my right boot to give me more room for comfort

[Travlr]

Here is what happened when I stretched the jacket.  Before it was "snug" when worn over a tee shirt.  Now it is comfortable over a heated vest and sweat shirt.  It is loose when worn over just a tee shirt.  My skeptical wife was amazed.  Here is what I did:

Removed all the armour and zipped it up.

Put it in the washing machine.  The settings were: cold water - rinse and spin dry only (no heat) - low water - gentle cycle and light load.  Downy fabric softener was used.

Essentially the washer gently agitated the jacket and then spun it dry with no heat.

When we removed the jacket my wife pulled on one side and I pulled on the other.  You could feel the leather start to stretch.

I then put on enough layers of thick clothing, like sweat shirts, to make the jacket hard to zip up.  My wife called me Michelin Man but it kept the jacket stretched while it dried.

After an hour or so I took it off and let it finish drying.

I'm happy.   

Mike

[fotoguzzi]

Very interesting and good job!