Real vs. Faux Leather Jackets: Pros and Cons

Standing tall for centuries, leather is one of those timeless materials that have been incredibly durable and exceptionally warm. Known for its signature patina buildup, toasty nature, and deluxe appeal, leather garments have grown a lot in demand in recent times. With the global market size predicted to capitalize at $738.61 billion by 2030, leather goods have concreted their value among the general masses. Among a plethora of leather garments and their types, a real leather jacket is most popular in demand. It is luxurious, warm, and heavy-duty outerwear which protects the wearer from freezing winds. Apart from being beneficial during such weather conditions, a leather jacket also enhances your overall appearance and style. 

According to the reports published recently, the global leather jacket market was valued at $406.5 billion. This shows that people have been loving wearing a sophisticated leather jacket which is comfortable and stylish as well. However, with the rise of demand for the real leather, its counterparts also started showing up. We agree with the fact that in the abundance of leather types and apparel, it is quite difficult to find the real leather garment. And with various leather types available in the market, it is important to learn the pros and cons of them. This will help you in making a properly informed decision. 

7thangle takes the chance to bring you this informative guide highlighting the pros and cons of real and faux leather jacket. So, bookmark this article and get ready to dive into the information that you will need by your side while making your next purchase of a leather jacket. So, let’s begin without any further ado! 

What Is a Real Leather Jacket? 

Made with real animal hide, the top surface, a real leather jacket is extremely soft and flexible to touch. Often obtained from cowhide and sheepskin, real leather is heavy in nature. Thus, a real leather jacket is quite heavy-duty in nature and has a lot of uneven texture. It is long lasting and runs for years if cared for correctly. Apart from the durability, real leather jackets build up a beautiful natural patina over the period of years enhancing their overall appearance. 

What Is a Faux Leather Jacket? 

A faux leather jacket is often made with artificial material like polyester or plastic as a base. The fabric is then given imitated leather finish and texture with wax, dye, and PVC. unnaturally smooth, faux leather jackets tend to get wrinkles, stretches, and can easily break under immense pressure. Less costly and stylish, the faux leather jacket does not have any unevenness and bristly edges. However, its wardrobe life is not as long as a real leather one! 

Real or Faux Leather Jacket? – Which One to Choose? 

When it comes to choosing between a real or faux leather jacket, we will always recommend going with a real one! Apart from so many differences, the luxuriousness and comfort that comes with a real leather jacket is just unmatched. From being extremely durable to useful and stylish, a real leather garment beats the rest of the types with its sophisticated charm and quality. 

However, since real leather is quite expensive, a lot of customers may opt for a faux leather or genuine leather jacket as well. Genuine leather is basically obtained from the lowest layer of animal hide thus it is not of very high-quality, making it affordable. Also, faux leather is made from plastic and other base materials so it is quite pocket-friendly too! So, all in all, it is up to the preference of the customer whether he wants to pick real or faux. 

Below, we have highlighted a few major pros and cons of real and faux leather jackets respectively. Have a look at them and proceed to make an informed decision. 

Pros & Cons of Real Leather Jacket 

Known for its supreme level of resilience, flexibility, and distinct texture, a real leather jacket has so many advantages. From durability to classic and timeless look, real leather jackets have more breathability and rugged look. We have jotted down a few pros below. 

• Real leather jacket is strong and resistant to abrasions and scratches so wearing it will save the wearer from roadside rashes. 
• Designed to last for years, real leather easily runs long in the wardrobe while building a beautiful patina over the surface. 
• Fire resistant and partially waterproof, real leather jackets keep the wearer safe and sound even in hazardous areas. 
• A real leather jacket is quite versatile and can easily be worn during a variety of occasions, from casual to formal. 
• You can use real leather jackets to stay warm and snug during the windy season. 
• Easily customizable, real leather jackets have become super trendy and suits everyone quite well. 

With multiple benefits by their side, a real leather jacket also has some cons under the belt. We have mentioned a few below. 

• A real leather jacket needs extra care and maintenance to keep it in its top-notch condition. You have to take proper measures to clean the outerwear without damaging it. 
• Since real leather is obtained from real animal hide, it is very expensive as compared to the faux one. You may consider it a one-time investment which comes with extra care. 

Pros & Cons of Faux Leather Jacket 

Similar to real leather jackets in terms of looks, a faux leather jacket is made with plastic and other base material.  It is less durable and usually shows the sign of wear and tear a lot more quickly than expected. It also has a uniform texture which makes it look smooth and even to wear. Below, we have mentioned a few pros of a faux leather jacket. 

• A faux leather jacket is stain-resistant and doesn’t crack easily. Its color also does not fade with the passage of time. 
• Faux leather jacket is UV resistant due to the polish of PVC on its surface. You may hang it in the open air space without worrying about any damage. 
• Easily maintainable, faux leather jackets are quite easy to clean and wash. You can easily hand wash or machine wash them in case of dirt and spill over the garment. 
• Also known as synthetic leather, faux jackets have a very uniform and smooth texture with no natural bristles and edges. 
• Very less expensive, a faux leather jacket is very affordable and is not as expensive as a real leather jacket. 
• Faux leather jackets are design friendly and versatile. You can pair them with as many basic clothing items as you want. 

Below we have mentioned a few cons of faux leather jackets. Check them out before making your next purchase. 

• A faux leather jacket is very less breathable than a real leather jacket. It may make you feel stiff and restrict your mobility.
• Super non-durable, a faux leather jacket does not run long in a wardrobe in comparison with a real leather jacket.

The Parting Shot

With this guide encompassing the pros and cons of faux and real leather jackets, we hope you have gained a lot of knowledge. So, if you are someone who is heading out to purchase a leather jacket, ensure to read up this guide. Upon learning the differences between these two types of leather, you will be able to make an informed decision. Let us know what worked best for you! Happy shopping!