There's always a weekend in spring when you finally stuff the leather jacket into the back of the closet. It's warm, you're done with it, and you don't think twice. Then October shows up and the jacket comes out smelling a bit off, with a crease across the shoulder that definitely wasn't there before.

Leather is pretty tough, honestly. It just doesn't like heat, damp or being squashed for months. Sort those three out and your jackets, skirts and pants will come out of storage looking the way you left them. Here's how I'd do it, step by step.

1. Clean the Leather First

Leather‍‍‍ gets dirty with sweat, body oils, and street dust that accumulate all season long.

Leave them for months and they'll become stains. So, while the leather is still good, go ahead and wipe off each piece, using a slightly damp soft cloth. Be careful, don't scrub or use any household cleansers those things strip the finish. Suede is also different. Use a suede brush and always brush the same way. Keep the suede away from water, too.

Before it goes in the closet:

• Empty every pocket. Old receipts and lip balm leave marks.
• Check the collar and cuffs, they pick up the most grime.
• If there's a stain you can't shift, take it to a leather specialist. A regular dry cleaner can do more harm than good.

2. Let It Dry Completely

If‍‍‍ your leather jacket was caught in the rain or if you only gave it a quick swipe for dirt and stains, leave it to dry completely before you store it into the closet. Put it up on hanger in a well-ventilated area which is not a heater or a sunny window. Definitely don't use the hair dryer. Hot heat can make the leather crack. A slight damp may seem insignificant, but a few months later it could develop mildew with its characteristic smell which is extremely difficult to ‍‍‍clean。

3. Condition It, but Go Light

Prior‍‍‍ to storing the leather, a light application of conditioning will prevent it from completely drying while on rest and, of course, will make it easier to use the leather on the first day of use. You may notice, however, that only a minimal amount of conditioning is required. It will cause the material to look dirty, dusty and the appearance of greasiness will not be the best thing to happen.

So you just need to apply a tiny bit of your conditioning cream or liquid on a soft cloth, gently rub it on for a little bit while waiting for the product to be absorbed by the leather. After a couple of days you can go back to it and simply buff the rest off. The same method would not apply, or should I say, it's definitely not meant for soft leather.

If you are dealing with Suede or Nubuck, then only the special spray treatment for such skins is going to work, not the usual ‍‍‍kind.

4. Pick the Right Hanger

Thin wire hangers are rough on leather jackets. They dig into the shoulders and leave dents that don't really go away. Use a wide, padded or wooden hanger that fills out the shoulder. The heavier the coat, the wider the hanger should be.

For skirts and pants:

• Clip hangers work, but put a bit of cloth under the clips so they don't leave a mark.
• Hang pants from the hem with padded clips, or drape them over a padded bar.
• Leave a couple of fingers of space between pieces so air can move around.

5. Skip the Plastic and Use a Breathable Bag

This one catches a lot of people out. Plastic bags and the covers that come back from the dry cleaner trap moisture, and leather needs to breathe. Use a cotton or canvas garment bag. If you don't have one, a clean cotton bedsheet or pillowcase does the job just fine. Drape it over a hanging jacket, or slip smaller pieces inside.

6. Choose the Right Spot at Home

Cool,‍‍‍ dry, dark, and perhaps some gentle airflow. A bedroom closet most likely fulfils all these requirements. Avoid keeping leather in the attic, basement, or a carport as these areas are subjected to temperature extremes and humidity depending on the season/ time of year. Sun can bleach and dry leather. Even storing leather in a closet next to a sunny window might bring damage.

Keeping the humidity around 40 to 50 percent is a good target to avoid leather damage if you own a hygro meter. In a house that is generally humid, placing several packs of silica gel or getting a dehumidifier for that room is sufficient for the humidity to stay ‍‍‍low.

7. What to Do With Pieces You Can't Hang

Some‍‍‍ leather things, like bags, belts, gloves, and even skirts from time to time, wind up folded or tucked away in a box. When that happens, fold them loosely. Slide a bit of acid-free tissue paper into the folds so the leather doesn't crease sharply or stick to itself. Bags are a different matter. Stuff them with tissue or a clean towel to help them keep their ‍‍‍shape.

Quick rules for folded pieces:

• Fold along the natural lines of the garment and avoid tight creases.
• Keep them on a shelf, never on the closet floor.
• Nothing heavy on top. A stack of sweaters will leave its mark.

8. Keep Moths and Mildew Away

While‍‍‍ leather on its own does not draw moths, moths often feast on wool or jersey fabric lining which are the usual materials to be found in inner layers of garments or undergarments. Cedar chips or lavender bags are better choices than moths which release the strong chemical fumes; however, these fumes stay in the leather for long period of time and the smell never goes. The moths should hang in the closet but they shouldn't make contact with the jacket.

If the area is humid, then silica gel packets placed inside garment bag could be a low cost solution. You should swap or rejuvenate the silica gel pack after every couple of ‍‍‍months.

9. Check In Every Couple of Months

Remember,‍‍‍ even in the off-season, you should take care of them occasionally. At least once in two months, check your locker, bring all the items outside, and freshen up them for about an hour by opening the window or using a fan. Sprout of mold can look like white or greenish fuzz. You may notice a stiff texture or musty smell.

The first time when you find those marks, a dry cloth is enough for you to clean that area. On the other hand, if the discoloration has already spread and is a result of damp conditions, you should hand the item to a specialist in leather cleaning. It is quite a serious task, and you have to be ready for that. In such situations, the leather needs deep cleaning rather than ‍‍‍patchwork.

Why Buy From Zafy Leather?

Zafy Leather makes genuine leather jackets, blazers, pants, skirts, dresses and trench coats for men and women, and a few things make it an easy place to shop from.

What you get:

• Free delivery worldwide on every order, so it doesn't matter if you're in New York or Berlin.
• A big range for men and women, from classic and suede jackets to blazers, pants, skirts and dresses.
• Online jacket customization if you want something made to your own taste.
• A size guide and a clear returns and exchanges policy, which takes a lot of the guesswork out of buying online.
• A leather care guide on the site, so whatever you buy stays in good shape for years.

Have a look at the full collection and pick a piece you'll actually reach for every season. Store it the way this post suggests and it'll be ready whenever you need it.

Early Fall Weather: What Works Where

Different‍‍‍ regions have various meanings of the term "early fall". Here's a quick overview of how to match the jacket to the climate.

• Northeast and Midwest US: cool mornings and warm afternoons. Lambskin biker or café racer will be the right choice.
• Pacific Northwest, UK and Ireland: weather is damp and changing all of a sudden. Choose smooth leather only, avoid suede, and have a look at the trench.
• California, Texas and the Southern states: temperatures remain comfortable still, until the end of October. Leather shirt jacket or an unlined style are sufficient.
• Spain, Italy and Greece: sun shines warm even in the evenings. Leather blazer or a shirt jacket do the job.
• Germany, the Netherlands and Scandinavia: weather is colder rapidly and with wind. A bomber or biker with thin knit underneath will suit ‍‍‍you.

Why Zafy Leather?

The best lightweight jackets are the ones you forget you're wearing. They go on over whatever you put on that morning, they still look right at dinner, and you never have to think about them. That's what I'd look for in any early fall jacket, whoever makes it.

Zafy Leather makes genuine leather and suede jackets, blazers and trench coats for men and women, so the blazer, suede and trench ideas above are easy to find in their range. Have a look at the men's collection and the women's collection, and check the leather type and lining before anything else. Soft leather and a thin lining are what keep a jacket comfortable on a warm October afternoon.

If you can't find the right cut, there's a customize option where you can change the jacket to suit you. The size guide is worth a look before you order too, since leather doesn't stretch much across the shoulders. Shipping is free worldwide.