Pleather jackets: are they any good?

Irene

Hi girlies!
Been lurking around, as usual, but haven't been posting given the fact that being on a, say, humble salary, doesn't leave much room for fashion shopping.

But it's late chilly summer here in lovely rainy England and I'm considering getting a new jacket. I already have a years old real leather caramel jacket (http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....s-of-brown) and I am so pleased with it! I am wearing it much more often here and I find it very practical, which is why I am thinking of buying a black moto-jacket.

The thing is, I was going to go for the real expensive deal and splurge (on my humble salary) but today I saw a jacket at H&M that looked very nice even though it was pleather.

Would you say they are almost as warm as real leather ones? They are quilted on the inside.

11 years ago

Shopping

11 replies

Latest reply was from unfrumped

Mander

(website)

Veteran

I tend to avoid pleather clothes because it almost always makes me sweaty and sticky, regardless of the actual temperature. But if you don't have this problem I think it can be good -- easier to care for, lighter weight, and cheaper! I prefer pleather bags over actual leather for all those reasons, especially the weight factor.

11 years ago

ironkurtin

Veteran

Hm. I really like my scubaesque pleather jacket from Zara. I bet it's like leather, your mileage may vary. Sorry I can't help more.

11 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

IMHO not all pleather items are created equal. I've seen some that feel cheap and plasticky, and some that are really difficult to distinguish from the real thing. I had a pleather jacket from Lucky Brand (actually still have it -- it's now kept in TX for ranch wear) that was really well made and felt and looked good. It was lined and had nice detailing and finishing. I think it's one of those types of things where it's hard to tell until you feel the garment and try it on.

11 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I love good quality pleather. These days it's brilliant, and I seek it out. (I am trying to reduce the leather in our lives). I have many jackets and pants with pleather trim, and I can't rave enough about it. CM pleather has been the best in my book.

11 years ago

Diana

Veteran

I'd actually say that in general they are WARMER. That said, I don't tend to like them because they don't breathe (hence why they are warmer) and I get sweaty. Cheaper pleather also tends to feel plasticky and smells chemically to me, but there are some nice faux leathers out there now. (They could run almost as expensive as real leather though.)

11 years ago

Glory

Veteran

I agree with Angie that good quality pleather is very nice. I purchased a black moto for my daughter last fall and it is lovely- sleek soft and a wonderful fit for her. It has a nice lining and she runs quite warm and yet has not complained about it being too hot.

11 years ago

Melaine

(website)

Active Member

For those of us who don't have a good eye, could anyone link to some examples of nice looking pleather?

11 years ago

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

For me it is the feel. I have had two pleather jackets that I had to check the label to see that they were faux. The added benefit is that you can wipe them clean more easily. I even had one from a Canadian retailer that was washable. I am pretty sure I have posted pics of one of them. I will look for it when I get home. It is brown with 1" grommets on either side of the zipper.

11 years ago

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Like anything else, there is both good and bad quality pleather. I had a cognac pleather jacket that people kept touching 'cause they couldn't believe it wasn't the real thing. It looked great and held up incredibly well. Like Dianthus, I like how it can be wiped down with a damp cloth to clean.

For me, it's the lining that counts more than the pleather itself. If you add a thick 100% polyester lining to a pleather jacket, I feel like I'm wearing an oven 'cause none of it breathes. You get that same jacket with a cotton or cotton-polyester blend lining, soooooo much better IMHO.

11 years ago

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I found it in my blog. I really like this one although it may be dated by now. It is at least 4 years old.
http://cheryle.lookfab.com/post/wiw-today-33

11 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

Most of the time, if I'm thinking faux for a leather jacket (as opposed to some simple trim), I am wanting it to experience it similar to leather. That might be different for someone who is specifically getting a fun or unusual color or style for which the faux-ness is part of the vibe. So for that reason, I think with faux leather it's really important to love it. That seems so obvious, but what I mean is, don't say, oh, here's a pleather jacket, it'll do. I'd want to go, wow, I can't believe it's faux, and it feels great, and the fit is perfect. Sometimes it can be helpful to do some updated comparison shopping to have your basis for the look and feel you want.
At the same time I really don't want to be a leather snob. I'm a neophyte with leather jackets, myself. So it's more about the qualities that make leather or pleather special--texture and suppleness and an edginess not found in fabrics. Sort of the same way you might choose one "silky" blouse over another, because it achieves the feel and drape you want, even if it's synthetic, and so the price, or special features, or ease of care all go into it.

11 years ago

Category