Vegan Leather Guide

Vegan leather is becoming a popular choice for people looking for a stylish, cruelty-free alternative to traditional leather. Choosing materials made with plants or synthetic fibers offers a way to enjoy the look and feel of leather without using animal products. It’s a great option for anyone who cares about animal welfare, the environment, and even their own health.

Not only does vegan leather help protect animals, but it also has a smaller environmental impact. Traditional leather production uses a lot of water, harmful chemicals, and contributes to deforestation. Vegan leather, especially plant-based types, requires fewer resources and creates less pollution, making it a better choice for the planet. Plus, it’s durable, affordable, and available in many styles, making it a win for both fashion and sustainability!

We want to share everything you need to know to shop wisely and dress well. We believe compassion makes the greatest fashion statement of all!

Issues With the Leather Industry

Leather isn’t just a byproduct of the meat industry. It’s its own industry that causes more waste and unnecessary harm to animals. While we might want to think leather uses every part of an animal, that’s not the case. Here are even more reasons to choose an alternative to leather:

Cruel Treatment of Animals

Animals raised for leather suffer greatly, and their deaths are often cruel and painful. Cows used for leather are usually not raised for meat, so they aren’t fed well and are often underweight. Many have their throats slit while still conscious, and some are even skinned alive.

Lack of Transparency

There’s no transparency about where leather comes from. Because of this, some companies may use animals like cats and dogs to make cheaper products. Since manufacturers aren’t required to disclose the source of their leather, this allows unethical practices to slip through.

Harmful Chemicals and Pollution

The process of tanning leather uses harmful chemicals that pollute water and harm workers. Many leather workers face health risks due to the toxic substances used in tanning. This, in turn, increases their chances of getting cancer.

Unsafe Working Conditions

Many workers in the leather industry, especially overseas, face unsafe working conditions. Some are even victims of forced labor or child labor, working in environments where they didn’t have a choice.

What Is Vegan Leather?

A better question might be, what isn’t vegan leather?

Vegan leather is a cruelty-free alternative to traditional leather, made without using any animal products. Instead, it’s crafted from synthetic materials like polyurethane (PU) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It can also be made using more sustainable plant-based options such as pineapple leaves, cork, or mushrooms.

Vegan leather mimics the look and feel of real leather, but without harming animals or the environment as much. Why do people choose vegan leather? Mainly it’s because this material often more affordable, easier to clean, and available in a wide range of styles. Plus, plant-based versions can be a more eco-friendly option, offering a sustainable solution for fashion and accessories!

How Is Plant Leather Made?

Plant leather is a great eco-friendly alternative to traditional leather. It’s made from materials like pineapple leaves, cactus, mushrooms, and apple skins. These natural fibers are turned into fabrics that look and feel like real leather, but they’re much kinder to the planet. The process uses fewer chemicals, less water, and creates less waste, making plant leather a better choice for the environment. Here’s a high-level overview of the process:

• First, the plant material is first harvested, like the leaves from a pineapple or pads from a cactus.
• These parts are broken down into fibers, which are dried and treated with safe, non-toxic substances to make them stronger.
• Then, the fibers are pressed into sheets and coated with natural oils or waxes to give them a smooth, leather-like finish.
• The end result is a tough, stylish material that’s perfect for bags, shoes, and more!

Innovative and Sustainable Vegan Leather Materials

Plastic may soon be a thing of the past, as new manufacturing breakthroughs continue to develop. These brilliant new methods use less water, create fewer emissions, and result in more durable, beautiful plant-based products. A few of the most exciting innovative vegan options you may see in stores include:

• Mushroom leather (Mylo)
• Pineapple leather (Piñatex)
• Mango leather
• Apple leather
• Corn leather
• Cactus leather
• Coconut leather
• Kombucha SCOBY leather
• Cork leather
• Bamboo leaf leather
• Recycled plastics
• Mulberry tree leaves (MulbTex)

What Can Be Made From Vegan Leather?

Anything that conventional leather can do, vegan leather can do, too! It’s exciting that more mainstream brands are now using these versatile materials. Keep an eye out for companies who choose this option for at least some of their products. This includes abundant plant-based alternatives for:

• Clothing & Accessories (jackets, pants, etc.)
• Vegan Shoes (including boots, vegan hiking boots, and UGGs)
• Belts
• Handbags
• Watches
• Sports Gear (balls, mitts, and equipment)
• Furniture (couches, chairs, table covers, mats, etc.)
• Car Interiors
• and much more to come!

How Can I Tell If Leather is Vegan?

If you find it hard to tell the difference between plant and animal leather, you’re not alone. Being able to distinguish between the two by sight or feel alone isn’t easy. Here are some tips to keep in mind while shopping:

• Label Check: Find the label and look for terms like: “all manmade materials” or “synthetic materials.”
• Cheaper Price: Sometimes plant-based materials will be less expensive, which can be a quick way to tell. But, keep in mind that this is not always a true indicator.
• Look Out for Symbols: Vegan-friendly materials will have a “textile” or “other materials” icon on printed on the item. Leather materials, on the other hand, are usually marked with a “hide” symbol (pictured below).

Where Can I Buy Vegan Leather?

Vegan leather is everywhere these days! From big box department stores to high-end luxury boutiques, animal-free options are more popular than ever. You don’t need to go out of your way to find it, though you can always search online for specific styles and base materials. Take a peek at our vegan clothing and accessory guides to find some fantastic vegan leather brands for boots, wallets, belts, bags, watches, and more.

There are dozens of 100% vegan leather brands popping up and producing exclusively plant-derived and animal-free products:

• A great example of is Wills Vegan Shoes.
• Popular brands like Abercrombie, Free People, Levi’s, and Banana Republic have been selling clearly labeled vegan leather jackets and other vegan leather items.
• Lulus is another online shop that has stocked vegan leather boots, jackets, bags, and beyond since before it was “cool.”