5 Vegan Leather Alternatives You will Love

From concerns about the health of factory workers to the environmental impact of the leather industry, leather has gotten a bad rep over the years. It begs the question, is any of it worth it for a pair of pants?

It is undeniable that leather is a classic, long-lasting material that has long been a fashion industry staple. However, for environmentally conscious consumers, leather is a questionable investment.

Fortunately, there are beautiful vegan options that look and feel like leather, but don’t harm the environment. So, if you’re considering saying goodbye to real leather, keep reading to see which leather alternatives are available to you.

To find a sustainable alternative to leather, simply open a bottle of wine. For hundreds of years, cork has been used as a sealant. But our beloved wine stopper is also the perfect material for making bags, wallets, and other accessories.

Cork leather is a natural fabric made from the bark of the cork oak tree — a plant-based alternative to leather that will meet all of your needs while causing none of the damage that leather does. Does that sound too good to be true? Well, it isn’t.

Cork leather has a smooth, lustrous finish that gets better with age. It’s resistant to water, and fire, and is hypoallergenic. Another advantage of cork is its lightweight. After all, nobody wants to carry a laptop bag that weighs more than the laptop itself.

With more than half of its volume made up of air, it’s no surprise that cork leather is lighter than other leather alternatives.

Piñatex

Pineapples are good for more than just Piña Coladas. This innovative material is very popular in eco-fashion. The leather material is made from the waste of the pineapple bush, and the fabric has a thick cowhide leather feel to it. The material is also waterproof and long-lasting.

It’s not only a natural and sustainable material; it also helps local farmers by providing additional income from something that was previously discarded as waste.

It’s worthy to note that the material, like synthetic leather, isn’t completely biodegradable.

It’s safe to say that this unique fruit leather has a bright future ahead of it. By the way, pineapple isn’t the only snack you can wear.

Mushroom leather

Mushrooms provide one of the most interesting types of eco-friendly vegan leather.

Because it does not need to be treated with polluting substances, this alternative leather is environmentally friendly. Mushroom leather is also light and versatile, allowing manufacturers to use it in a variety of products.

Mushroom leather can be grown to the size and shape required for any design. Its roots, also known as mycelium, are soft threads that can reach several meters and grow almost anywhere. Isn’t that amazing?

The downside is that it requires some waterproofing, but this can be accomplished in a simple, non-chemical manner, making it completely biodegradable and environmentally friendly.

Apple leather

Did you know that leather is a byproduct of apple harvesting? It is a bio-based material composed of pomace and peels from the fruit juice and compote industries. The fabric is created by powdering the recovered apple waste.

Apple leather looks like real leather but mostly feels` like paper. This is actually a benefit because the texture allows for the simple addition of different coatings, backings, and effects. Of course, this depends on the aesthetic appeal you want for your outfit.

Recycled Rubber

If you want tough leather accessories without animal cruelty, recycled rubber might be the way to go. While it is long-lasting and simple to maintain, it is mostly synthetic, and won’t biodegrade easily.

Aside from that, we recommend recycled rubber products. You’ll breathe new life into items such as rubber tires and even water hoses.

Final thoughts

From mushroom sneakers to cork bags, it’s amazing to see how far the industry has progressed in just a few years. These are just a few of the many new leather alternatives that have recently emerged, and we hope that they have inspired you to think about how fashion can be fun and innovative, and still be sustainable at the same time.