Meet&Co8 Differences Between Faux Leather and Real Leather
With so many different types of leather out there, it can be hard to decide which one to buy for leather goods. It’s helpful to know how they differ depending on what kind of goods you’re after or what qualities you want.
Price
The price is one of the most noticeable differences between real and faux leather. Real leather tends to be the most expensive because it’s made from genuine animal hide, which is more difficult to produce. Faux leather, on the other hand, is more affordable since it’s easier to produce.
Aside from these two, bonded leather is actually the cheapest option. It’s made from leftover leather scraps and attached to a thin paper backing, making it the thinnest type of leather.
Durability
Real leather is built to last and gets better with time. The more you use it, the more character it develops, giving it a unique patina that adds to its appeal. With the right care, what might cause wear and tear in other materials only enhances real leather’s look and value.
Faux leather, however, requires less maintenance but doesn’t last nearly as long. When it starts to wear out, it doesn’t age as gracefully as real leather. While you can clean and protect it to some degree, it just doesn’t hold up the same way.
Use
Real leather is a go-to for premium items like luxury handbags, jackets, belts, and wallets because of its rich feel and classy look. It’s also super flexible and ages in a way that adds character, making it a favorite for custom or handcrafted pieces that focus on quality and uniqueness.
On the flip side, faux leather is more affordable, so it’s popular for budget-friendly options like trendy jackets, shoes, and accessories. It’s perfect for those who want the leather look without the hefty price tag. You’ll often see it in fast fashion, where style matters more than long-term durability.
Appearance
Real leather has a natural look, but its color options are limited, and the texture can vary. It typically has a smooth, soft feel that sets it apart from artificial leather. Faux leather, on the other hand, has a more uniform texture, though it can sometimes appear artificial. In some instances, faux leather can look and feel very similar to real leather. Both faux and bonded leather comes in a wider range of colors and styles, while real leather is more restricted in that regard.
Smell and Feel
When you run your fingers over real leather, it won’t feel perfectly smooth. If you press into it, the surface will stretch and wrinkle slightly, similar to skin. And the smell? It has that unmistakable “leathery” scent—a natural, organic aroma that can’t be replicated.
Faux leather, however, feels cooler and unnaturally smooth to the touch. When you press into it, the material doesn’t stretch or wrinkle like real leather—it just indents while keeping its shape. As for the smell, faux leather usually has a plasticky or chemical odor, which is a clear sign that it’s synthetic.
Sustainability
For some people, real leather might not appeal due to its animal origins, complex manufacturing process, and higher price tag. While faux leather requires fewer resources to produce, it’s made from plastics that aren’t eco-friendly and don’t break down over time.
If you’re looking for a vegan option, 100% faux leather is a solid choice. Bonded leather is sometimes seen as more sustainable because it uses leftover scraps from real leather production, but it may release harmful chemicals as it ages. Remember that bonded leather isn’t totally vegan, as it can only contain less than 20% real leather.
Care and Clean
Real leather is naturally absorbent, which means it can soak up liquids and get stained easily, making it tricky to clean. To keep it soft and prevent it from drying out, you’ll need to treat it twice a year. When cleaning, avoid using harsh cleaners as they can damage the leather.
Faux leather, on the other hand, is much easier to clean. It’s also less prone to stains since it doesn’t absorb liquids like real leather. For example, a faux leather couch or chair is easier to maintain and less likely to stain than one made from real leather.
Environmental Impact
When sourced from sustainable farms and tanned using natural methods, real leather can actually be less harmful to the environment than most faux (or “vegan”) leathers. Plus, most hides used in leather production come from cattle raised for beef or milk, so the cows aren’t killed just for leather goods like coats and purses. In fact, not using their hides could be seen as wasteful.
Most faux leather is made from materials like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polyurethane. If you only look at whether an animal is used, faux leather may seem like the better environmental choice. However, the chemicals involved in making faux leather have their own negative impact on the environment, which affects all living creatures. Faux leather also tends to wear out faster and needs replacing more often than real leather. While real leather can last for decades, faux leather might only last a few years, which adds to its environmental footprint.
