How do we feel about "Vegan" handbags - YouLookFab Forum

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How do we feel about "Vegan" handbags

Thistle

Veteran

I have not owned a non-leather purse since I was able to afford it.

However, there is a gorgeous bag from French Connection I keep eyeing up even though it is vegan. I have not been able to find something similar in a leather fabrication.

What are YLF thoughts on vegan handbags? They are not inexpensive, and one could get a leather purse for the same dollars. Not sure how they hold up either, or how they would look.

Am I being old fashioned?

Shopping

27 replies

Latest reply was from Adelfa

deb

Veteran

I do not care for the feel of the strap in my hand. I suppose if it had a leather strap I would go for it.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Generally, I'm with you - it's not my thing. But I do love my pewter Nine West crossbody, and it is faux leather. I don't use it very often (out to dinner or a concert, or on vacation mostly) but it seems to be holding up just fine.

ironkurtin

Veteran

Faux leather gets better every year. I was surprised when I was attracted so strongly to an all-fake jacket at Zara, but seriously, it was divine.

Diana

Veteran

It's usually not my thing either, and I don't own any except for one faux patent dressy handbag. However, I have seen some vegan bags that are very nice and feel almost real. They do tend to be the expensive ones though. I think there's a huge range in faux leather, much more so than real leather, in terms of durability and hand. Some of them feel (and smell!) like rubber or plastic and you can tell they will start peeling almost immediately. I'd say that you need to feel, touch, and smell the bag in order to make your decision.

Anonymous

I'm largely a leather person, but my youngest DD has a great Fossil handbag that's coated fabric. Not sure what it is exactly. Canvas? Anyhoo, it's holding up extremely well, and she loves it.

Diana

Veteran

Oh, Ruth brings up a good point. I was assuming you meant faux leather. Good coated canvas or nylon (like that used in Longchamps Le Pliage or MZ Wallace bags) is a totally different animal, and bags made in those materials are fabulous, durable and very lightweight. Again, quality is generally commensurate with the price though.

Thistle

Veteran

Here's a picture of the bag.

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Anonymous

It would depend on the feel of the bag for me and if it would hold its shape. I do understand those who do not want to use leather. Are there any customer comments on the bag?

Aquamarine

Veteran

No help here since I avoid non-leathers, but it is a very pretty bag.

Emily

Veteran

Generally I prefer leather, but I've seen some really nice synthetics. If you love the look and the price then I'd say go for it. Check the stitching/lining/details for quality as you would any other item.

carter

Veteran

I don't know anything about the durability and maintenance of vegan leather. I do like that I can have my leather items cleaned, conditioned and re-dyed.

gryffin

Veteran

Thistle - that 's a very pretty bag. Is it returnable? Could you give it a try ? It certainly looks like it's worth a test drive!!

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I have a few Matt & Nat bags and love them. The bag I carry daily is one of them and I gave one to my mom and she has been using it for close to a year.
As others have said, there are varying levels of quality but the same is true of leather.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Dianthus is dead bang on - there are good quality and poor quality bags both vegan and leather. I had a vegan bag a while back that I loved and it looked and felt fantastic. Go for it if it suits your needs and you like it Thistle.

Debbie

Veteran

I think Angie recommended this bag on her Nordstrom picks. I have a French Connection bag and I love it.I use it when traveling and it is holding up nicely.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I agree with IK and dianthus -- I've seen some faux leathers that are nicer than some real ones! I think they need to be judged individually.

rachylou

Veteran

I generally prefer vegan leather, because it's a lighter load to carry.

dlb1960

Having a handbag fetish, I have lots of both! It's a matter of quality. You can pick a cheapy a mile off. Nine West are generally made well and last and don't scream ' IM VINYL'. I think if you love it get it. Or do what I did. Lusted after a Nine West bag for ages until it went on sale and then snapped it up. It's still going strong, is a favorite and is showing no signs of wear.

April

Veteran

Matt and Nat or Miele Bianco both make very nice vegan bags. I had a Miele Bianco bag that I loved for its lightness. Some of my leather bags are heavy even before I've put anything in them.

always trying

Veteran

real leather seems to be getting more scarce this year. I have a faux one I have had for a couple of years and it is starting to peel on the back where it rubs against things.

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

I agree that the faux's are lighter and for a woman with sciatica this helps. I own both and will continue to buy both....

viva

Veteran

That bag looks great, and the faux might be very easy to clean yourself, which would be nice with such a light color bag.
BTW, my daughter has a faux leather moto jacket from Free People that is AMAZING. The softest, butteriest faux leather ever. I put it on and wanted it immediately (and also wanted to be 19 to wear it like she does). They are making real strides in the faux leather area.

Jewell

Veteran

Gorgeous bag! I am a bag lady, and I do not discriminate. I have both real leather and vegan leather. As others have mentioned Nine West makes nice vegan leather bags. If you love the bag, and it's a quality item then you won't be sorry. In fact, you might come to love the fact that vegan leather is a lot less maintenance than the real deal. I never worry about rain or using special protectants or cleaners on my faux leather handbags. With my leather bags, it's a different story.

Echo

Veteran

As long as it isn't a huge investment, go for it. Or even if it is a sizeable investment, if you love it it might be worth it. It will certainly last a year and maybe more (though most faux leathers I've encountered don't last for the long term, lots of people don't intend to carry a bag more than a year or two anyway). Granted, I've never tried, say Stella McCartney, but in general poly just isn't going to last the way leather does, and it certainly won't age as well. Since I tend to keep my bags for the long term and go back to a bag I carried two or three (or ten) years ago, I won't buy non-leather bags, but it all depends on your needs and uses.

Nicole D

Veteran

I have some cute faux leather pieces and agree that sometimes the lightness can be a relief. But generally, they don't get the same love as leather bags. Now, i do have a faux leather jacket that is super workhorse and leather jackets often become orphans.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I recently picked up a very inexpensive non-leather bag at Zara that I use a lot. It has really changed my view on non-leather bags. What usually bothers me on Zara and other non-leather bags is the cheap looking hardware, but this bag doesn't really have any hardware, so that may be the key for me.

Adelfa

Veteran

My experience with vegan items:

I ordered a French Connection clutch in the Spring and had an immediate visceral negative reaction to the quality. It was a shame because I loved the graphic design. OTOH I have a tiny crossbody bag that I got on Catalina Island that I really love. So I would say, keep it if you love it.