Faux Leather vs Genuine Leather
Oct 24 , 2024
Faux leather has really gained attention in recent times because it offers the same stylish and classy look as genuine leather. But what makes it so great and a popular choice for most of the people out there? We’ll dive into that a bit later. First, what is faux leather? It is a type of leather that is man-made or artificial, meaning it is not made from the hide of a cow or buffalo. If it isn’t made from the hide of an animal then what is faux leather made of? It is made from polyvinyl chloride or polyurethane which is unnatural.
In this blog, we will discuss about:
- History of Faux Leather
- Faux Leather vs Genuine Leather: Key Characteristics
- Benefits of Faux Leather
- What does Faux Leather look like?
History of Faux Leather
Faux Leather was first made in the early 20th century when synthetic materials like polyvinyl chloride were discovered. These leathers were actually used in military applications during WW2, but slowly they got into the fashion and furniture industries due to their cost and looks of real leather.
When polyurethane (PU) came around in the 1960s and 70s, it further improved the look and feel of PVC leather, making it even more popular in fashion.
What is PU leather? Click on this blog to find out about it!
Faux Leather vs Genuine Leather: Key Differences
What are they made of?
Faux leather is made from a plastic base, which is then treated with wax, dye, or polyurethane to create the look of real leather with appealing color and texture. It comes in various textures and finishes, from smooth and shiny to textured or distressed finishes. Another popular term used for such leather is Vegan Leather.
On the other hand, genuine leather is unique and natural as it comes from the hide of an animal and is usually untreated (or very slightly treated such as removing the hair from the hide).
Durability
Of all the materials, nothing beats real leather in terms of durability. It lasts much longer than most other types of material. And the best part? the more you use it, the better it gets, as they say about genuine leather jackets — it ages like a fine wine. With a little care, the wear and tear that might ruin something else just adds character and a beautiful patina to leather, making it even more dashing over time.
Faux leather isn’t as long-lasting as real leather and doesn’t need any special care or maintenance. Also, when faux leather gets used a lot, it does not look good at all and becomes rough over time.
Benefits of Faux Leather
Faux leather has numerous advantages, making it the best choice for many consumers:
- Best for vegans: It’s perfect for those who have high regard for animal rights and want to purchase leather goods that don’t use animal skin.
- Affordability: Overall cheaper than genuine leather. Faux leather makes stylish goods affordable for those who cannot pay the price of genuine leather products available in the market.
- Environmental Impact: Although fake leather is created from chemicals, technology is improving to make faux leather more environmentally friendly. There are some newer options for coating and binders, such as recycled materials, or bio-based materials, which make the environmental footprint even further.
What does Faux Leather look like?
It can be quite tricky to differentiate between faux leather and genuine leather, as these fake leather are produced to look like real leather as much as possible. Here are a few ways to tell them apart:
- Try looking at its texture: Genuine leather has some flaws like uneven texture due to its natural origin, while faux leather has a synthetic look with zero imperfections. If the leather material looks flawless, then it might be faux leather.
- Smell test: One of the easiest ways to identify real leather is by smell. Genuine leather has a distinct, rich scent that comes from the animal hide. Faux leather, on the other hand, has a chemical or plastic smell.
- Water Test: Genuine leather absorbs moisture. If you put a drop of water on real leather it will easily and quickly absorb it and leave a dark patch that disappears when the water has dried up. Fake leather is plastic embedded and thus will cause the water to form tiny droplets on the skin without being absorbed.
Conclusion
Faux leather is one of the best inventions that has changed the fashion and home decor industries. It is cheaper to produce and flexible to use, which makes it a favourite choice for many consumers who consider style and sustainability.