You don’t need to speak fluent French to know faux means false. Thus, true to its name, faux leather is a synthetic imitation of real animal leather.
But there’s more to it than that. From chemical compositions to creation and comparisons to cleaning, we’re covering everything you need to know about faux leather.
What is faux leather?
Faux leather has a thin outer film of embossed petroleum-based plastic intended to mimic the texture of real leather. Also known as synthetic or artificial leather, this affordable alternative is used in an array of applications.
- Apparel: jackets, pants, skirts, dresses, activewear
- Upholstery: sofas, couches, car seats
- Accessories: handbags, wallets, purses, belts, watch straps, gloves, luggage
- Footwear: boots, shoes, sandals
Since no hide is required, the fabric appeals to consumers concerned about animal welfare. As such, some suppliers market the material as ‘vegan leather’.
What is faux leather made of?
Most manufacturers use polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polyurethane (PU) when assembling faux leather. Organic matter like agave leaves, mushrooms and pineapples can also constitute faux leather, which is usually called vegan leather.
PVC vs PU faux leather
PVC, or plasticised vinyl chloride, is a rigid, water-resistant material. Known for its long-lasting composition, PVC is a staple in construction components like piping. PVC faux leather is more affordable, durable and easy to clean than its PU cousin. However, it’s not as breathable and looks less elegant.
PU leather is a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing option for use in upholstery, clothing and footwear. On the downside, it’s pricier than PVC leather and more brittle.
| Pros | Cons | |
|---|---|---|
| PVC faux leather | Durable Water-resistant Affordable Easy to clean | Less breathable Less visually realistic than PU |
| PU faux leather | Breathable Softer and more comfortable Realistic appearance | Less durable Typically more expensive |
How is faux leather made?
Faux leather isn’t made only from PVC or PU. These petroleum-based plastic compounds only form the outer layer of the fabric.
Manufacturing processes generally follow these five fundamental steps:
- Selecting a base material
Most manufacturers choose a type of cotton or polyester designed to be more porous and rough.
2. Creating the outer layer
Faux leather makers concoct a petroleum-based plastic cocktail through various complex chemical processes. PVC achieves its flexibility via added plasticisers, while PU is a convoluted brew of polyols, isocyanates and additives.
3. Binding the two materials together
The next step is to coat the PU or PVC onto the base textile. Binding requires applying a solvent-based adhesive and melding the layers together with a pressing machine.
4. Finishing the fabric
The freshly pressed material is left to dry. Depending on the desired outcome, the finishing phase might involve dyeing, embossing or applying a protective top coat.
5. Cutting & shipping
Now it’s ready for wholesale, the manufacturer will cut the faux leather sheets to size and ship them to the manufacturer.
Is faux leather real leather?
Nope. By its very definition, faux leather is a doppelganger designed to imitate real leather. Like most low-cost knock-offs, faux leather doesn’t look or feel as luxurious as the real deal.
Faux leather versus real leather
As it's made from hide, leather has an organic smell, with earthy colours, blemishes and a natural, eye-pleasing aesthetic. The high cost of rearing cattle (or other animals) makes leather more expensive, and its porousness makes it vulnerable to water. To keep animal leather looking elegant, you’ll typically need to clean and condition it regularly.
Faux leather can’t match the raw, satisfying aesthetic of genuine leather. This affordable alternative is less visually appealing and more prone to cracking, fading and peeling. On the plus side, it’s non-porous: no need to panic about sudden downpours. That same impermeable nature also makes it less likely to stain and easy to wipe clean.
| Animal leather | Faux leather | |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Real animal hides | PVC or PU |
| Look & feel | Natural grain, unique blemishes, rich earthy texture | Uniform appearance, plasticky texture, artificial look |
| Smell | Distinct earthy/leathery scent | Mild chemical smell |
| Durability | Can last decades, if properly cared for | 2-5 years |
| Water resistance | Generally porous in its purest form and susceptible to water damage | Generally non-porous and water-resistant |
| Maintenance | Requires regular cleaning and conditioning | Low maintenance and easy to wipe clean |
| Cost | Typically more expensive | Affordable |
| Eco and ethical impact | Animal product, biodegradable but resource-heavy | Vegan-friendly, but not always biodegradable and requires fossil fuels to produce |
Pros and cons of faux leather
Price is the main advantage this imitation has over the Real McCoy, though other factors come into the equation too.
Pros of faux leather
- Affordable: Faux leather is generally more affordable
- Animal-free: Considered an ethical alternative championed by vegans and animal rights activists
- Water resistance: Faux leather is less likely to be impacted by severe weather conditions
- Easy to clean: Its non-porous nature makes faux leather a cinch to maintain
Cons of faux leather
- Aesthetics: While the final look depends a lot on the finishing treatments, faux leather generally doesn’t sport the same soft, supple and luxurious look as premium animal leather
- Low breathability: Its impermeable outer layer means faux leather is less breathable, making garments hot and sticky on a midsummer's day
- Lower durability: Although liquid resistant, faux leather tends to crack, fade or peel quickly, especially when exposed to sunlight
- Synthetic smell: It’s fairly faint, but faux leather has an artificial, plastic-like odour
- Unsustainable: Faux leather requires plastics and fossil fuels to produce, and is more likely to end up in landfill
- Hard to repair: Tailors find faux leather difficult to patch or stitch; it’s often not financially viable anyway
Bonded leather vs faux leather: key differences
Bonded leather contains some genuine animal leather, while faux leather has zero animal hide whatsoever.
When tanners split leather, they retain the sturdy upper layer (AKA full-grain leather) for high-quality products. The spongier flesh side of the hide is less desirable.
Sometimes, these leftover scraps get blended together with a polyurethane binder and pressed onto a fabric backing to create bonded leather. Tanners emboss the surface with a heavy roller for a leather-like texture.
Most bonded leather doesn’t hit the mark. It’s less durable, easier to stain and more tiresome to maintain than faux leather. Plus, it’s just not that fetching.
Be wary of shady online sales labelling bonded leather as genuine, as these cheap products probably only contain 10-20% leather. The European Committee for Standardisation mandates a minimum of 50% animal hide to advertise bonded leather, but not everyone plays by the rules.
Nonetheless, some bonded leather has a high leather percentage (up to 90%) and is of exceptional quality.
Is faux leather durable?
Faux leather isn’t famed for its rugged, long-lasting nature. The fabric is a fragile, low-cost alternative to premium animal leather, so don’t expect years of care-free use. Over time, faux leather becomes increasingly brittle, especially with prolonged sunlight exposure.
Higher-quality faux leather products offer better durability and scratch resistance, but they’re never as rugged as the real thing.
How to clean faux leather & keep it looking new
Faux leather is a cinch to clean. Unlike real leather, the fabric won’t absorb moisture or warp when wet. That means you can easily wipe away liquid stains, such as ink, wine or oil.
- Grab a clean, dry cloth or a damp sponge and wipe away the stain
- If that didn’t do the trick, add a few drops of dish soap with warm water and wipe again
- For more stubborn stains, use a commercial cleaning product formulated for faux leather
- Post-cleaning, you can apply a thin film of petroleum jelly to condition the surface and restore its sheen
Avoid the following: harsh cleaning chemicals, abrasive cleaners (steel wool, scourers, etc.), heat or direct sunlight and animal leather conditioners and cleaners.
Store your faux leather in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. If you have faux leather automotive upholstery, use a sun reflector during the summer and park in the shade.
Summary: Is faux leather worth it?
Faux leather attracts criticism for being a cheap, inferior alternative. But given the low price point, this imitation leather has its perks. Many find it an acceptable substitute for the real thing, given the visual similarities and price point.
At Carl Friedrik, we never compromise on quality. We exclusively use premium animal leathers, such as our velvety nubuck, smooth Italian vachetta or subtle grained varieties. Explore our stylish selection of leather briefcases, backpacks, weekenders and totes. We also include quality leather trimming on our carry-on and check-in suitcases.
Is faux leather good quality?
How long will faux leather last?
Is faux leather 100% leather?
Which is better, PU leather vs faux leather?
What is better than faux leather?
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