1. My father gave me his 25 year old leather jacket, but unfortunately it's been badly cared for over the years. There is one significant rip in the leather, and the rest of it is dry. Overall, jacket has impressive vintage look. What are steps I can take to maintain this jacket and increase its longevity?

    So you want to pop your collar like the Fonz, huh?  The jacket may be too broken in (and damaged) to really respond to treatment, but I have heard great things about the following method:

    1. Conservatively apply some Saphir cream-based polish that matches the color of the jacket.  If the jacket is black, ignore this step.
    2. Even more conservatively apply a coat of black Saphir cream-based polish.  
    3. Even more conservatively than (2) apply mink oil to the jacket.  This will prevent further water damage and give it an interesting patina.  Mink oil smells like shit, so you’re going to have to air it out after application.  Don’t worry, the smell is not permanent, nor does it reach Fes tannery levels.
    4. Stunt on them hos.  
    November 2, 2011