Leather vs Vegan Leather

Let’s face it: we love leather, but we increasingly care about the environment, too. The faux leather industry has indeed seen significant advancements and production improvements over the years. The term "vegan leather" has become popular as a way to describe this type of synthetic material. Let's delve a bit deeper into the distinctions between faux leather and real leather:

1. Durability and Longevity: Genuine leather is often considered more durable and long-lasting compared to vegan leather or pleather. High-quality leather goods, when properly cared for, can withstand wear and tear and maintain their appearance over time.

2. Natural Material: Leather is derived from animal hides, making it a natural material. Some people prefer the authenticity and connection to nature that comes with using natural products.

3. Breathability: Leather has better breathability compared to synthetic materials like vegan leather or pleather. This can make leather products more comfortable in certain conditions, especially in warm weather.

4. Aesthetics: Some people appreciate the traditional look and feel of leather and find it more visually appealing than synthetic alternatives.

5. Faux leather may contain harmful chemicals like phthalates which can damage your skin if worn for prolonged periods of time.

6. Over time, the material can begin to feel stiff or brittle due to exposure to sunlight, heat and moisture, so frequent maintenance will be required in order for faux leather products to remain looking new for long periods of time.

7. Faux leather is not biodegradable and has more of an environmental impact than real leather due to the production process used to create it.

Ultimately, the decision between faux leather and genuine leather comes down to personal preferences, values, and budget considerations. But, don’t be tempted by low prices and impossible promises of any faux leather purchase, as your goods will reduce in value from the moment they arrive, with these plastics unable to keep the form as effortlessly as real leather. In the same way that our skin can be moisturised and looked after for many decades, you should be expecting the same from your goods.