Vegan leather or synthetic leather is a material that is an alternative to real leather made from animal skin. It is also known as faux leather since it looks and feels like real leather, making it a popular choice for those who would like to get leather items but feel uneasy about using anything made with animal skin. Vegan leather is a very versatile material that can be made from a wide array of materials such as Polyurethane, Polyvinyl Chloride, Cork, Pineapple leaves, Microfiber, Mushrooms, and even recycled plastics.
Since vegan leather is man-made, it can be altered and formed to look like genuine animal leather, allowing it to have various colors, textures, and finishes. In this article, we will look at the various myths about vegan leather to understand if they are true or not.
Myth: Vegan Leather is Not Durable as Real Leather
While there have been claims that real leather is more durable than vegan leather, in reality, this is not true. Even though animal skin leather is indeed very durable and can last many years, high-quality vegan leather can also withstand the test of time. Furthermore, one downside of clothing and items made with animal skin leather is that they are very high maintenance to prolong their lifespan. This type of leather can get easily damaged with water exposure, leading to molds that can permanently damage it. Animal skin leather is also very susceptible to sunlight exposure since it will dry out the natural oils of the leather which can lead to discoloration. Furthermore, since animal skin leather is very delicate, you need to have the right materials to be able to clean it in case it gets dirty or bring it to a professional leather cleaner.
Comparably, vegan leather does not need such a high level of upkeep. Since most vegan leather materials are coated with a water-resistant outer layer, they don’t get easily damaged when exposed to water or any liquids. You can even get drenched in the rain without fearing that it will destroy your vegan leather item. All you have to do is to make sure that if it ever gets wet, you dry it properly in a well-ventilated area. They can also be easily cleaned with mild soap and water in case they get grimy and dirty.
Myth: Vegan Leather is Not Sustainable
While vegan leather made from Polyurethane and Polyvinyl Chloride, which are plastics, are not very sustainable, there have been many innovations where sustainable materials are used to create vegan leather. There are vegan leather materials today made from sustainable and natural materials like cork, mushroom, pineapple, and cork.
Another new type of vegan leather is TRNEX which is produced in Taiwan and has been certified by the EU and PETA. This type of vegan leather is water-resistant and scrape-resistant, making it a great material choice. For example, the YSTUDIO Classic Reflect-1 Pen Pouch which is made from TRNEX vegan leather not only gives an exquisite and classy look but also gives the assurance that it is eco-friendly.
Myth: Vegan Leather is Expensive
There is the misconception that since animal skin leather is very expensive, vegan leather is also costly. Leather made from animal skin is indeed expensive due to the limited supply of the material, but vegan leather is not as expensive. On the contrary, prices for vegan leather items have varying costs depending on the quality of the material and the materials used.
Since vegan leather can be made from various sustainable materials—even from recycled plastics—it is easier to make since there are more resources as compared to animal skin. In this manner, you can get vegan leather items such as jackets and bags for a fraction of the cost of animal skin leather items while still having the guarantee that they are durable and can last you a long time.
Myth: Vegan Leather Items Don’t Are Not Versatile
The majority think that since vegan leather is not made from animal skin leather that has diverse textures and looks, vegan leather can’t offer the same since its texture is man-made. Quite the reverse, vegan leather offers versatility and a range of style and texture options.
Depending on the manufacturer and materials used, vegan leather can be modified to have different properties such as being breathable, heat-resistant, and water-resistant. In addition, vegan leather can also be modified to have different colors aside from black and brown. There are vegan leather items that can be colored from neutral to vibrant colors, making them a great material to work with, especially in the fashion industry.
So, is vegan leather durable? Yes! We can say that vegan leather is a very durable, sustainable, and flexible product that you can use and enjoy as much as real animal skin leather. Not only does vegan leather provide you with a lot of options on items to suit your style and personality, but you can also get them without breaking the bank.