For years I wanted a leather jacket. The colors and styles I favored changed over time, and thank goodness for that. I'd be too embarrassed now to wear the turquoise jacket with tassels that I dreamed about as a teenager. It's probably a good thing that I didn't get round to owning a decent leather jacket until I'd developed some sense of what's appropriate for an item of clothing that will give good service for many years to come.

Leather jackets are expensive items of clothing and therefore deserve proper care. This care falls into three main categories: weather-proofing, cleaning and maintenance, and storing.

WEATHER-PROOFING

Leather protecting products are improving all the time and there are several effective weather-proofers now on the market. However, it pays to buy a quality product. The cheaper ones are false economy.

There are three main categories of leather protectors: wax based, silicone based, and water-based. The waxed based ones are good, although over a period of time they may leave a build-up on the jacket, rather as furniture polish does on the dining room table. The silicone based ones are also effective but have a distinct smell to them.

The third type are relative newcomers to the market. They are made from natural products and some people swear by them. Despite being water-based, these products claim to protect not just against inclement weather but against fading and UV damage, humidity, mold and mildew, and a variety of non-corrosive liquids.

Whichever type you decide to use, you must do a spot test before treating the entire garment just in case there are any unforeseen problems such as discoloration. Choose a small inconspicuous area somewhere inside the jacket.

CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE

With proper care, which includes occasional professional cleaning, your leather jacket will last for decades (which is a very good reason for choosing one that will withstand the temporary fashion trends).

If your jacket gets wet, hang it up to dry away from direct heat. If it dries too quickly it may crack.

If it gets dirty, simply wipe the jacket with a clean sponge soaked in water, then allow it to dry naturally. Too much use of the wax-based or silicone-based products will clog the leather and prevent it from breathing'.

Blot dry any stains, and don't rub the leather. Once the stains are dry, gently rub a pencil eraser over them.

Too much cleaning will damage the jacket. A once-a-season clean should

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