‘Leather’ for decades was only referred to authentic original leather made from animal skin. The posh material is quite popular among fancy upper society.
Any woman carrying a classic leather bag immediately grabs attention. If you are a bag lover, you might look around at other women walking by you, in college, at work place or even in shopping malls. Don’t you notice leather handbags? Yes, we all do.
But, did you know that the leather industry has serious humanity issues? Not only does it kill animals but also imposes serious threat to the environment. Several articles, and videos surfaced the internet over the years. While many women switched to vegan leather, others are still unaware of how their favorite handbags were made.
Today several celebrities promote and endorse vegan fashion. This not only includes handbags, but also fashion apparels such as shoes, jackets, even clothes.
Thankfully, there are multiple brands creating vegan leather handbags. These bags are not only made of vegan leather such as PU leather, or plant based leather, but also have less negative impact on the environment.
Before asking you to directly switch to vegan leather handbags, let’s first understand why you must switch to vegan fashion.
Everything You Need to Know About Classic Leather Handbags
Classic leather handbags are typically made from cowhide. Along with other animal skin such as goats, sheep, and other exotic animals. The production involves several steps. Let’s discuss in detail.
Animal sourcing
Animals are primarily raised for their meat, milk, and grass grazing. Their hides are by products. However, did you know that these animals are often killed for their skin, kept in unhygienic conditions in the name of fashion. There are several concerns regarding animal welfare. Especially in leather factory environments.
Tanning of Animal Hides
Tanning is the process of converting raw animal skin into leather. This process involves the use of toxic chemicals. The traditional tanning methods are a serious threat to the environment. It’s mainly because of the toxic chemicals, and the waste water formed due to it.
Manufacturing of Vegan Leather Handbags
Once the leather is tanned, it is cut in shapes, and stitched together to create a handbag.
Depending on the design, and complexity, the process involves several techniques and labor. No wonder, why leather handbags are so expensive and popular among the upper society.
Environmental Impact of Leather Production
Other than harming animals, leather production also severely damages the environment. These include:
- Deforestation: the need for cattle grazing land leads to deforestation in several regions.
- Water pollution: The tanning process in leather production uses toxic chemicals such as chromium. The waste water formed is then left in the water bodies and even the sea. It only creates water pollution but also kills several sea creatures.
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions: leather production, livestock farming and transportation leads to greenhouse gas emissions. Thereafter, contributing to climate change. The cost of classic leather handbags varies on several factors. These include size, brand design, quality of materials, and leather. Luxury brands can claim hundreds to thousands of dollars for leather handbags. While there are affordable options existing, it’s crucial to understand what’s been happening for decades in the name of fashion. Are you still going to use leather? You might be wondering, if not leather, then what?
Why Should You Switch to Vegan Leather Handbags?
In the next section, I will discuss all the reasons why you should quit classic leather and switch to vegan leather handbags.
It’s Ethical and Humane
Above anything else, every person irrespective of their class, culture, and creed must choose humanity. Vegan leather doesn’t not involve animals. Nor does it use any of their products. It either uses plant based materials or Polyurethane also known as PU leather to make high quality vegan leather handbags.
Eco-friendly Products
The vegan leather production doesn’t involve chemicals, thereafter causing minimum to no harm to the environment. Since it is not dependent on livestock, there is no need for deforestation, water pollution, or greenhouse gas emissions. The plant based materials such as pineapple, banana are often used to make vegan leather bags.
Sustainable and Unique
The development of vegan leather has been in the industry for quite some time. It has sparked innovation among brands, using pineapple leaves, recycled plastic, etc to prepare fashion accessories. It not only minimizes harm to our planet, but also reduces waste at significant level.
Durability & Versatility
Vegan leather can mimic the look and feel of traditional leather while offering versatility in terms of colors, textures, and finishes. Many vegan leather options are also durable and easy to maintain, making them suitable for everyday use.
Fashion and Style
Vegan leather has become increasingly popular in the fashion industry, with many designers and brands offering stylish and on-trend options. Choosing vegan leather allows you to stay fashionable while aligning with your ethical and environmental values.
Health Considerations
Some people may prefer vegan leather due to health concerns associated with traditional leather, such as allergies to animal proteins or chemicals used in tanning processes.
Make a Conscious Choice!
Overall, switching to vegan leather handbags provides a compassionate, eco-friendly, and stylish alternative to traditional leather, offering numerous benefits for both individuals and the planet. Do you still want to buy the posh and expensive classic leather handbags, or want a premium handbags collection of vegan leather? Choice is yours. However, if you want to check out the authenticity and uniqueness of vegan leather, check out Phoebee today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Vegan Leather Handbag Good?
Good quality vegan leather, unlike single-layer PVC, can be surprisingly long-lasting. A well-made pleather jacket, for example, can be just as durable as one made from real leather. Since it’s not made from animal skin, it doesn’t require frequent treatments to stay soft. Faux leather is also less likely to crack compared to real leather.
Is Vegan Leather Fake or Real?
Vegan leather and faux leather are the same thing – they’re both fake “leather” materials that don’t involve using animal skin. They can be made from synthetics like plastic or natural materials like cork.
Do Vegan Leather Handbags Smell?
Since vegan leather is crafted from chemicals and plastics, it can carry a potent, artificial smell. To mitigate this, some vegan leather products are infused with a genuine leather scent to mimic the aroma of real leather.
Is a Vegan Leather Handbag Eco-Friendly?
Whether a vegan leather handbag is eco-friendly depends on various factors such as the materials used, the manufacturing process, and its overall impact on the environment. While vegan leather eliminates animal products, some types, like those made from PVC or other synthetic materials, can still have negative environmental effects due to the production of plastics and chemical treatments involved. However, eco-friendly alternatives such as those made from natural materials like cork or pineapple leaves, or those manufactured using sustainable practices and recycled materials, can be more environmentally friendly options.
What Are the Disadvantages of Vegan Leather Handbags?
Vegan leather does have some drawbacks, especially when compared to traditional leather. One common type of vegan leather, PVC, is a form of plastic. Unlike leather, PVC isn’t as durable, meaning vegan leather items may not stand the test of time as well. Additionally, PVC isn’t biodegradable, posing environmental concerns, unlike traditional leather.
