Introduction
Leather has been used by generations all over the world for many decades. Due to the versatility and durability of this timeless material, leather is most demanded in fashion items like bags, wallets, shoes, jackets, accessories, and other fashion icons. Its appearance, quality, designs, and features always attract fashion lovers to make it a part of their wardrobe. We also can’t help adoring the celebrities wearing their movie’s leather jackets and buying them. However, there have been two different types of leather for the past few years; faux and real leather. Both materials are different in many ways, including textures, appearance, quality, and durability, and both have pros and cons. The buyers usually need help with the confusion of how to know the difference between the two. So, here is a guide for everything you need to know about Faux and Real leather.
What is Real Leather?
Real leather, also recognized as genuine leather, is made up of natural materials like real animal skin, commonly from cow, goat, sheep, and pig skin. Moreover, a special kind of leather is also made with reptile skin, like crocodile skin and snakeskin, which is considered more luxurious and expensive because of the specialty of the animals. These animal skins are specially preserved by using chemicals for the longevity of the material, giving a luxurious touch to the items like belts, handbags, shoes, and jackets. Due to this reason, real leather contains high quality, breathability, and durability. However, the manufacture of real leather raises genuine concerns about protecting animal rights.
What is Faux Leather?
On the contrary, the term “faux leather” is derived from “fake leather” and is usually known as synthetic leather. This type of leather is made as an alternative to genuine leather from synthetic substances, which looks and feels like real leather. It is made up of polyester combined with Polyurethane or Polyvinyl chloride coating. Barbie leather Jacket is comparatively more affordable than natural leather due to its artificial material. Moreover, it is often recognized as vegan leather as it does not go through the process of manufacturing with animal hides. Also, faux leather is the best repellent material for water and stains, and for this reason, it requires less care. This type of artificial leather is preferable among people who are against animal cruelty.
Difference between Real Leather and Faux Leather
Although both types of leather look and feel the same at times, there are quite visible differences in their characteristics that should be noticed before buying leather items.
- Material
Everyone must know that the first and foremost thing about the difference between real and faux leather is their material. Both kinds of leather are comprised of different materials, which makes a massive difference between them. Genuine leather, as suggested by its name, contains natural material sources, which include real animal hides. The process of manufacturing real leather consists of shaving the upper layer of animal skin, primarily cattle animals and reptiles. Then some chemicals are applied to the skin to preserve it. This manufacturing process makes real leather more durable, breathable, and luxurious.
In contrast, faux leather is composed of artificial or synthetic materials like polyester and polyvinyl chloride. Moreover, some natural materials, including cork or pineapple fiber, can also be used in the manufacture of faux products. This leather gained popularity because of its sustainability and cruelty-free production. Faux leather contains waterproof and less breathable material, which decreases the chances of catching stains or moisture.
- Texture and Feel
While buying the leather, it is essential to check its texture thoroughly. Real and faux leather has slightly different texture, feel, and smell. Due to the use of natural materials in real leather, it has a very smooth and silky texture that feels natural. Surprisingly, the texture even gets softer with time, which contributes to making it worth having and luxurious. Furthermore, real leather has an exceptionally appealing and natural scent that also significantly attracts individuals.
Although faux is an innovative replacement for genuine leather, it cannot have precisely the same texture or feel as it. In addition to this, faux leather also provides a smooth texture, but due to the use of synthetic products, it becomes less breathable as compared to natural leather. Moreover, faux leather has an artificial smell that is quite different from the smell of real leather.
- Durability
Durability is another significant characteristic that makes a prominent difference between faux and real leather. The use of animal skin in genuine leather helps maintain remarkable durability. As the material gets old over time, not only real leather feels smoother, but it also becomes more captivating with time. This factor indicates that real leather has a lesser chance of getting cracked.
On the other hand, faux leather is less durable than a resident evil leather jacket. Due to the use of polyester and other synthetic fibers, there is a high chance that the leather starts leaving cracks and tears with some passage of time. This characteristic makes it less reliable to use faux leather for a longer time.
- Cost
There are various reasons that we find the pricing of leather items different. One of them is this particular difference between faux and real leather. Of course, real leather has the most luxurious features because of its manufacturing process from natural materials like animal skin. Therefore, it highlights a noteworthy factor for the high price of real leather.
Contrary to that, faux leather is affordable and effortlessly within reach of many individuals. The reason for its affordability is its easy and quick manufacturing process which does not have to endure animal cruelty to make fashion items.
- Care and Maintenance
Due to the different textures and material sources, the way of maintenance is different for both faux and real leather. Since genuine leather is constructed from natural materials that can quickly absorb moisture, its care and maintenance are challenging. However, with the availability of leather cleaning products like leather conditioners, stains can be cleaned smoothly.
In contradiction, maintenance and care of faux leather is more feasible and quick. Its material, made with synthetic fiber, does not absorb moisture and stains, consequently requiring less care. However, faux leather should also be cleaned with synthetic fiber cleaner to avoid the chances of the material being cracked or torn.
Conclusion
In short, both natural and faux leather have their own value and importance. Genuine leather is made of natural materials like animal skins, which have a soft texture. Since real leather is durable, breathable, comfortable, and more luxurious in appearance, all these aspects make it highly expensive in price. While faux leather is made of artificial materials, it is less breathable, durable, and luxurious as compared to real leather. Hence, faux leather is comparatively more pocket-friendly than real leather.
Everyone has their own preferences and opinions about both types of leather. However, those who choose affordability and sustainability in leather, and oppose animal abuse in its production, usually consider faux leather. if you like Yakuza Adachi leather jacket then this blog is just or you. Whereas people who prioritize durability and breathability, and love timeless and original stuff in leather, prefer to buy real leather. Both have their own benefits and drawbacks, but the choice varies from person to person.