A good leather coat is seriously the best. From Terminator's iconic number to that flashy work of art Neo sported while dodging bullets in slow-mo, there's something about being clad in dark, draping leather that seems to emanate coolness. Whether you're a rockstar hopeful or somebody just wanting to look cool on their motorcycle, a leather jacket can take you places you'd never imagine.

There's always a catch. Leather, just like you, is a living, breathing animal. When I say this, I don't mean to insinuate some crack level 60 necromancer cast a spell over that flashy red thing you're suddenly looking very warily at. Your leather coat isn't literally alive - I'm hyperbolizing. What I mean to say is that your leather coat will behave as if it is actually alive. Leather is not like other fabrics. It breathes, it changes, it grows, and it dies - all depending on how you treat it. If you want your leather coat to follow you into the sunset at the end of the day, you've got to treat it with the respect it deserves for making you look so badass.

Clean it

The most obvious part of leather coat care is cleaning it. Dust settles, dirt and mud splashes, and over time, what sits on leather's surface absorbs through its pores. This debris can build up inside the pores, block them up, and slowly suffocate your leather to death. This is not good. A light dusting every few days and a thorough cleansing with Straight Cleaner No.2 two to three times a year can do wonders for your leather coat's health.

Condition it

The next thing you'll want to do is condition your leather. A good leather conditioner contains all the natural oils and minerals leather needs to remain supple and strong. It not only does this; a good leather conditioner also protects your leather from the elements - which is pretty important for a leather coat. Leather Milk specializes in these types of conditioners, but more on this in a moment.

Use it

Probably the simplest and most fun part of leather coat care is to give it some mileage. Easy, right? That's sort of why everyone buys a leather coat in the first place. But bear with me. Leather adapts to its environment. It soaks in the scents and the air around it, helping it to breathe, to flex, and to absorb the oils and nutrients you feed it. With time, natural leathers may even develop a radiant patina. At the very least, the fresh air will keep your leather alive and healthy. Obviously it's not great if your leather breathes in harmful things like rain and smog; but that's why we give it protection beforehand!

Leather coat care Rule #1: It's easier to prevent disaster than it is to fix it. Anticipate tomorrow's rainy weather, and apply Water Protectant No.3 beforehand. Conversely, if your leather coat's going to be under some pretty harsh sunlight for a while, you might treat it with Auto Refreshener No.4 instead, for its powerful UV repellant properties. These peerless leather conditioners have what it takes to see your leather safely through whatever nature throws your way.

On the off chance you forgot to do this, and your leather is all wet, don't worry! It's rarely too late to save your leather companion (although it may take some work). Generally speaking, the sooner you treat leather, the better. You can read all about how to cure Leather Water Stains here.

So what about the off hours? Where should your leather coat stay when it's not blazing trails through a mountainside or gliding across drizzling city streets? There is an answer to this question!

Dry!

If you've just come home out of rainy weather, it's best to dab up as much wetness with a soft, dry cloth and let the leather dry naturally. In fact, drying naturally is generally the best way to dry wet leather - especially if you can give it some fresh, outdoor air to breathe in.

Cool!

For storing your leather, proper coat leather care dictates cool, dry environments are optimal. Leather tends to excel in these environments, so let them relax in this state as much as possible. Also, keep your leather coat away from sunlight and direct heat - this stuff is bad news for your leather.

Hung and Snug

When hanging them up (which you should always do!), try to use a wooden hanger, which can absorb extra moisture and scent, or a padded hanger. It's also good to empty your coat's pockets before you hang it up - the extra weight can stretch your leather over time.

If you've got one on hand, a trusty leather coat bag will also do wonders for your leather's health, keeping it free from all that pesky dust floating around. Just make sure the coat bag is breathable (not made of plastic). Cotton coat bags are great for this.

Hope this helps, leather aficionados! Leather Coat Care is simple: take care of it, and it will take care of you. I'll see you on the flip side!