Leather versus Faux Leather...

I don't own any faux leather. I have several leather skirts, a pair of pants, a blazer, and a trenchcoat. I love the look and feel of leather, the suppleness, and the durability.

I was very excited to see faux leather leggings in all the shops when I visited London in December 2011 - Topshop, in particular, had some gorgeous ones, so I flipped open the waistband to look at the care requirements...

Here's what was on the label: DO NOT EXPOSE TO OPEN FLAME.

Just like that, all capital letters. !!!!! I would be wearing these in winter, and in winter, I usually cozy up to any fireplace I find. But the mental picture of an emergency room staff removing melted strips of polyurethane cuteness out of my seared flesh, put me off the idea of purchasing a pair...

Lately, though, I have had a real hankering for leather leggings, and leather shorts. I am in Atlanta, which means leather shorts are really only going to get wear-time in April-May and September-early November. Totally worth it, in my opinion, but it does occur to me that faux leather might be cooler. So getting to the point:

1. What do you find are the pros and cons of real versus faux leather

2. Which is cooler to wear, assuming both types are lined, as shorts or leggings?

3. How is the durability of faux leather? Do any of you have pieces that you've been wearing for several years?

4. How easy is it to alter faux leather (shorten or take in)?

5. Has anyone else seen the warnings about open flame? I only saw these on faux leather in England. I haven't come across it Statesside.

12 years ago

Day Vies

Veteran

About 13 years ago I had faux leather python print pants. They were fun but I did not like the waxy feel of them compared to the leather pants I owned. If you have a lot of leather you will notice the difference, my gut says steer clear. But if you just want to try it out for fun at least you don't have much in the way of expectations.

Claudia

I have tried and tried but I absolutely hate the way faux leather doesn't breathe. It not only holds in the body heat but even worse, body moisture having nothing to do with sweating. I always end up feeling clammy and like I'm wearing a hefty garbage bag.

The only exception I'd consider is if there are cloth panels to allow some circulation of heat and moisture.

Tanya

I am not a big fan of fake leather. I own one moto-style vest and one jacket made of pleather and I find that I wear them much less that I would want to as i sweat more in them than in the real leather. On the other hand, I have a pencil skirt with fake-leather panels and some other items with a little of a pleather trim and those I am fine with. So for me, pleather works as a detail on the garment but would not purchase another new item made completely of it.

Gaylene

I've always been a leather snob and totally dismissed "plastic" as a substitute, labelling it cheap, uncomfortable, ugly, and tacky. That's why I still am shocked that two of my favorite items last year were fake leather: one was a tote that I thought was leather until I saw the "vegan" label inside when I brought it home, and the other was a moto jacket that again I mistook for leather when I grabbed it to try on in the store. The jacket looked so good and fit so well that my husband convinced me to buy it in spite of my misgivings about buying "plastic".

In my case, I think the reason I like both of these items so well is that they are both incredibly well-made. Neither was inexpensive, either. So I guess my advice would be , just like anything else, there are degrees of quality in fake leather. Personally I can't see there would be any difference in what kind of alterations would be possible. I would also say the construction of my two fakes is probably better than the workmanship of some of the cheaper leather garments and bags that I've seen.

Thistle

I have never owned quality faux leather. The few pieces of faux elatehr I have come across I liked, I liked from a distance. When I actualyl got up close and handled the piece, I was much less thrilled with it, especially the smell. The faux leather I have been exposed to has a had a distinct smell and compeltely tuned me off to it. Now, I am very sensitive to smells so it may not bother most others.

Active Member

Faux leather does not breathe at all so it is actually hotter than real leather. I have 2 faux leather jackets that are of good quality, but one has fabric panels and is much more comfortable for that reason. I have never had alterations done, so I can't help you there.

Raisin

I love leather, and so far everything is real. I think if you want a good, long lasting quality piece, real leather is the way to go. I do think faux can be fun to try out some styles though. I ordered some faux leggings to see if I like them, and I'm considering faux shorts. If I really loved the style but felt like they are too hot or poor quality, then maybe I will consider the real thing. For things like leather jackets and boots that are classic styles, then I think you're safe going for the real thing right away.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Wow! Thank you for all the great responses!

I am so glad I asked - I somehow thought faux leather would be cooler. The pieces I've seen generally look thinner and lighter. So I am definitely going to go with leather, both for the feel and the breathe-ability. I know I'll only get to wear stuff for a short window of the year, but if it's stuff I love, I will find ways to make it work in Hotlanta!

Of course, as I type this, it is COLD outside, so it's easy to be enthusiastic about leather leggings and shorts.

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