Don't buy pleather boots, ever - YouLookFab Forum

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Don't buy pleather boots, ever

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

So in prepping for my party I did a massive clean and organize of my apartment with a friend. I found a pair of pleather grey OTK boots. Admittedly they were a few years old, but I was actually thinking of wearing them this fall. They literally disintegrated in my closet, they were peeling apart at the ankle.
Luckily I got them fairly cheap. But still, ugh. They went straight to the trash.

ETA I also finally realized I may have too many shoes. *Shock*

Shopping

24 replies

Latest reply was from Mellllls

Gigi

Veteran

Ohmigosh! Funny, I've actually been contemplating buying another pair of black fake leather boots. They're so much lighter than the real deal, and I don't have to worry about what will happen to them if I get caught in a downpour.

I have a pair of Naturalizer faux leather boots that are three years old, and they are in great condition. They cost about $100 new, so they weren't supercheap. I haven't seen any peeling like you're describing. Wow. Did you wear them a lot when they were new?

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I did not wear them much. They worked better in cold weather because they were pretty warm. I think I spent $80 on them.

bj1111

Veteran

What?!? You have too many shoes?!? *blink* *blink*

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I think I only have one pair and they are patent and waterproof so I wonder if that helps seal them from the disintegration factor? Contemplating purging - while they are useful in the snow, the round toe and odd shaft height have me hesitating.

Missey

Veteran

Anna- I am going through the same thing. I "may" have too many shoes... We are moving and in the process of packing I am trying to figure out what I really need; this is very difficult because I already own all of these beauties so why should I get rid of them? Sigh

Queen$arah

Too true! My first combat boots were pleather. After 3 months, they were ruined. So I invested in a $140 pair of dr martens. This was 2 years ago and they still are lovely. Just gotta polish them every so often

Beth Ann

Veteran

I keep a couple of pairs for rain and snow -- perhaps if I could afford real "waterproof" leather like Aquatalia I might feel differently. You're absolutely right that they can disintegrate -- except when they don't I had a pair of boots that will survive to the end of the universe. They'll live intact in a landfill for generations. Just not on my feet.

Diana

Veteran

I have a fairly nice suede purse that's basically unusable now because some idiot decided to line it in fake leather. The lining is now peeling off in big chunks and more pieces seem to fall of of it every day. Such a waste, as it still looks pristine from the outside.

rabbit

Veteran

I've had two pairs disintegrate too, I think the softer ones with high shafts put more strain on the material and eventually after a few years with aging it becomes brittle and flakes instead of bending. Both pairs were not worn regularly, so it was purely that the material aged out.

One +10 year old pair I was able to temporarily extend the life of with some creative patching/repainting with all weather water based enamel of the the one area that had started to shed tiny flakes. But yeah, non-leather shoes for me are more for wearing intensely for short periods than keeping for years -- kind of like spandex or elastic in clothes.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

That's bad news, but good to know about pleather, Anna. And Diana's experience is also sad. I had no idea. I've noticed in my online shopping a lot of shoes that are leather outside but lined with "manmade material." I wonder if they would start flaking off inside, too.

And yes, Anna, I do believe there is such a thing as too many shoes. But how can you be certain you're there yet? (rhetorical question! ha ha Don't feel compelled to answer.) That's what I wonder, for my own case.

Jeanie

Veteran

Agreed on pleather! We learn the hard way don't we. Too many shoes..wait...really?

Melaine

(website)

That's how I spot fake leather while thrifting. If there isn't any kind of flaking, I look closer to see if they are true leather. It is so true, that pleather is so much lighter.....making it appealing sometimes.

Anonymous

@Firecracker: Yes, the manmade material they use to line real leather boots DOES begin to flake off over time. I retired my Franco Sartos last Spring because of this. It feels really gross on your feet and ankles, believe me.

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

I had plenty of boots, but added a few more... so did not need to do that!

Neelie

Veteran

Diana, maybe you can get a seamstress to sew you a new lining out of a sturdy cloth fabric? There should be a way to replace it.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Ick. This happened with a faux leather storage ottoman I got really cheap eight years ago when we moved into this house. Over the last year, the pleather started peeling off the outside of the top lid. I found myself sitting in front of the fireplace one night, picking up shreds of leather that were hanging off the thing. I finally went to Crate & Barrel a few weeks ago and got a real leather replacement one.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

"I also finally realized I may have too many shoes"

HAHAHAHAHAHA

*very big chuckle*

jackiec

Veteran

That's too bad about the boots. Very funny on the shoes too

minimalist

Veteran

Too many shoes? Like the Hirshhorn has too much modern art.

So, following the 1-in-1-out method, what's coming in now that pleather boots are gone?

Marley

Veteran

OH My Gosh Anna! I never dreamed that we'd hear you say that you might have too many shoes!!!!! I am laughing - big belly laughs!!!!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Off you go to buy another bookcase to store your shoes.

rachylou

Veteran

Oh dear. Lol

ironkurtin

Veteran

Hey, at least all your shoes look different. Only now am I venturing into BROWN and this is a big deal for me.

I'm surprised you could wear pleather even when it wasn't shredding. I find it doesn't breathe at all, and wet sweaty feet and legs are SO gross to endure.

Mellllls

Veteran

Same thing happened to me.