What is Faux Leather & is Genuine Leather Better?

by / Apr 26, 2020

In modern times, there are increasing concerns about the welfare of animals and more and more people are opting towards a lifestyle of veganism. True veganism doesn't relate to diet alone. By definition, a vegan does not support the use of any type of animal product. Since genuine leather is made from the hides of animals, the topic of leather becomes a controversy as it relates to veganism. 

 

To meet the evolving demands of the customer, luxury handbag manufacturers are adapting to this changing market and have begun offering leather alternatives, known as faux or vegan leather, that do not use any animal products whatsoever. 

 

SENREVE has taken this step, too, and has just released a 100% Vegan Collection as one of the first steps in a long-term plan for sustainable fashion. 

 

However, the debate over whether or not faux leather can match the quality and durability of genuine leather continues. Read on to learn more about what faux leather is and how it compares to genuine leather.  

 

What is Faux Leather? 

 

Also known as vegan leather, faux leather is essentially any type of leather that is made without animal products. This kind of leather is, by definition, less harmful to animals than genuine leather. When it comes to quality, the method of manufacturing will determine if it can match genuine leather. Vegan leather and genuine leather can ultimately have a similar texture and feel, and high quality manufacturers can easily fool those that do not have a keen eye. 


5 Types of faux leather


Because the faux leather market can get complex quickly, let’s take a look at the different types of faux leather available on the market today: 


1. Polyurethane leather (PU)

Polyurethane leather (PU), also known as "pleather" is one of the most common types of faux leathers. It is the most versatile and can be easily turned into a variety of colors. It can also be produced sustainably depending on how it’s produced. The big difference between PU and real leather is that it lacks the patina (the deep, aged look that natural leather takes on overtime), a trait admired by lovers of real leather. 


2. Polyvinyl Chloride Leather (PVC)

PVC is found in many plastic items around your home such as flooring, plastic furniture, piping, etc. Much like PU, PVC is manufactured using a bonding technique of applying a thin layer of the plastic on top of a layer of fabric, which is then textured in some way. Similar to PU, it can also b