leather identification + cleaning

[Davidchee5]

Here I have a jacket that I got when I was kid, don't remember exactly how old I was but I was pretty young, I think like 11 or 12. I found it in the back of my closest and pulled out for the first time in years. And either it used to be really big on me, or I havent grown much since then, because believe or not, it actually still fits great (sleeves are a tad short though). I don't know much about the maker but from the little research Ive done it seems to be a fashion brand, nothing "special". That said, I thought this jacket was the coolest thing as kid. And honestly, I think it holds up pretty well. Perhaps nothing about it is particularly extraordinary, but I think it pulls off the civilian flight jacket in that it looks cool without being too flashy.

So my question is whether any one can help me identify the type of leather this is made out of. It does not seem like a suede in that it does not have enough fuzz, but it definitely has a nap feel to it. I was thinking maybe a nubuck, but its way softer then any nubuck i have felt before. It super light and plush, almost like velvet.

Additionally, i was wondering if it is possible to clean/repair it. I am not sure how much I'll be wearing it because this jacket has a bit of a special place in my heart after all this time, and because of how delicate the leather seems to be. But that said, if I did want to wear Id love to fix that eye sore by the center zip if at all possible. Thanks for any thoughts and recs!

 

[AeroFan_07]

That's a cool older jacket, especially since its from your childhood. Glad you still have it and can wear it as well!

Do not know what type of leather that is, as far as conditioning, I would go easy on it. Very gently try a little spray-based liquid conditioner such as Lexol and a brush.

Here's a video on suede shoe cleaning that might prove helpful...

 

[Davidchee5]

That's a cool older jacket, especially since its from your childhood. Glad you still have it and can wear it as well!

Do not know what type of leather that is, as far as conditioning, I would go easy on it. Very gently try a little spray-based liquid conditioner such as Lexol and a brush.

Here's a video on suede shoe cleaning that might prove helpful...

Thanks! So glad that I kept it all these years. its crossed my mind to either sell it or donate it a couple of times, having kind of just assumed that I out grew it. And the arms are a little short, but other than that its still fits pretty good! Will check out the vid - like I said its some of the lightest, softest leather Ive felt, so Im kind of nervous to treat it. But I suppose I could test out a small area first. Thanks for sharing

 

[AeroFan_07]

Yeah no issue, otherwise talk with a leather cleaner (through a local dry-cleaner) I've had good results that way and it's usually $ 50-70.