The Care and Keeping of Your Leather Goods

While most Japanese brands don’t make accessories from leather, many lolitas find western brands make leather shoes, purses, and other items that fit the aesthetic. Leather goods are more expensive, but can last for many years with proper care.

Leather shoes from Clarks, Tic Tac Toe, and Fluevog

When not in use, keep leather items out of direct sunlight to avoid color fading. Leather should be cleaned regularly with a soft cloth and water. Leather also benefits from regular conditioning. You can find leather condition at most shoe repair stores as well as many retailers online. Different brands may have slightly different instructions but in general, conditioner is applied to the leather with a soft cloth and worked into the leather with gentle rubbing. If leather is not conditioned, it may crack. Regular conditioning will prevent this, but there is little you can do if your leather already has cracks in it.

Bick’s leather conditioner and Leather Honey’s conditioner.

If your new leather shoes are a little tight, you can have them stretched. While its best to purchase shoes that fit you well from the beginning, take to a cobbler about stretching your leather shoes. Most of the time, leather can be stretched approximately half a size larger.

Your leather shoes may have leather soles. These soles can be protected with rubber soles and heels. Otherwise, leather soles can be replaced by a cobbler.

Leather can be dyed and painted, making it a great choice if you need to get an exact shade for your coordinate or main piece. Leather can only be dyed darker, it cannot be lightened. The most widely available leather paint is Angelus. It comes in a variety of colors and finishes, so you can get the exact look you need.

Angelus leather paint and acrylic finisher.

While pricier than non leather goods, leather can last for years with proper care and storage.

Blouse – Metamorphose
JSK – Innocent World
Socks – Sock Dreams
Shoes – leather Clarks
Hats – Vintage

Jenna

By day, Jenna is a legal professional living in Los Angeles, California. By night (and weekends), she is a frill wearing monster who loves Innocent World and lolita indie brands. When she isn’t taking mirror selfies of her coordinates, she enjoys reading comic books, playing board games, and snuggling with her pup, Lily. You can see her mirror selfies on her instagram @lovelylaceandlies and contact her at lovelylaceandlies@gmail.com.