If you’ve been following our blog for some time now, you might have found yourself in the market for a vegan leather alternative. Whatever the reason, be it for environmental preservation, for animal rights, or just to support a smaller business, there are a few things to think about before choosing the right vegan leather product.
As with any purchase, sustainable consumption includes being mindful and conscientious about our purchases. Additionally, the vegan leather market now has so many options to offer for anyone wishing to purchase a product so it’s rather important to consider how to choose the right vegan leather for you. So if you find yourself shopping around for sustainably made leather alternatives, here are 5 simple things to consider before making a purchase!
Why vegan leather?
You may already know that vegan leather isn’t solely made for vegans. This also means that you can purchase vegan leather products for a variety of reasons. Perhaps your spiritual beliefs discourage the use of animal leather, or maybe you disagree with the sustainability practices of traditional leather manufacturers. Whatever that reason may be, being aware of your main reasons for purchasing will help guide you in choosing the right kind of vegan leather.
What kind of product are you looking for?
Depending on the product that you want to purchase, you may have to think about which kind of vegan leather is most appropriate for it. Because each type is not made in the same way, some types might be suited for one type of product but not the other. If you’re looking to buy a pair of vegan leather shoes, you’d have to think about types that are sturdier and able to withstand wear. But if you’re only looking for a wallet or a bag on the other hand, you may not need it to be as stiff and may even prefer a more delicate vegan leather.
How much does the sustainability of the product matter to you?
Although vegan leathers are definitely miles ahead of genuine animal leather in terms of sustainability, they are not made equally. This is because of the variety of materials that can be used in producing vegan leather. Some vegan leathers consist mostly of PVC of polyvinyl chloride, which is a type of plastic polymer. Although a lot of vegan leathers will contain PVC as a component, it will usually be a small portion of it for longevity. Products made solely from PVC materials cannot be made from renewable sources, making them less sustainable Meanwhile, there are vegan leather products that contain a larger percentage of biomaterials which can decompose overtime and often come from reusable materials. PVC leathers might be more suitable for shoppers who prefer a longer lasting product, while vegan leathers made from biomaterial might be better if you prefer the most eco-friendly option.
How much maintenance are you willing to do?
Compared to genuine animal leather, vegan leather is a lot easier to care for because it doesn’t require very specific products for cleaning and maintenance. However, this doesn’t mean that you can neglect the maintenance of your vegan leather products. Also, not all of the vegan leathers can be cleaned with the same products and methods. Depending on the composition and purpose of the vegan leather, some products might need more careful maintenance than others. This is important to consider when choosing to buy vegan leather products that will experience more wear and tear. For example, it might be wiser to choose a vegan leather with a higher PVC composition for something like shoes if you want to avoid doing too much maintenance. offline, you can opt to buy a more delicate vegan leather handbag for special occasions if you can commit to maintaining it carefully.
Do you have a budget or specific preferences?
Although, you should probably consider your budget as well. Although the most expensive vegan leathers in the market will likely not rival the price of the most high-end genuine leather products, they can finally still be quite pricey depending on manufacturer and the brand. Just like any other purchase, it is important to note that products will come in all sorts of price ranges so you should choose among those that fit within your budget.
You might also be looking for specific characteristics or features in your vegan leather products. Maybe you’d like it to look as genuine as possible and would prefer a texture that resembles genuine leather. Or perhaps you’re looking for a unique product with bright colors and prints. Different vegan leather companies will specialize in different types of vegan leather, so this is something to be mindful of as well.
Conclusion
Vegan leather is a great choice when it comes to achieving the look of animal leather, without the cruelty and environmental damage. We hope that these 5 questions can guide you to make the best choices when purchasing your next vegan leather piece. If you want to learn more about why people choose vegan leather and why you should too, check out our article on it here! And don’t forget to check out our official website, Facebook, and Instagram pages as well.
This article was written by Yvonne Gonzales
