What Is Vegan Leather, How Is It Made & Why Should I Buy It?

Veganism, once a fleeting trend that came in and out of popularity has now become an unstoppable movement.

Many of us no longer want to carry around real leather bags or wear real leather jackets. Wearing leather means supporting the animal cruelty that comes along with it.

More than a billion cows, pigs, goats, sheep, alligators, ostriches, kangaroos, and even dogs and cats are cruelly slaughtered for their skins every year. 

Thankfully we are seeing a switch in the market with major fashion brands like Stella McCartney, Zara, Asos, and more offering vegan leather jackets and accessories. We also see BMW, Mercedes, Tesla, and Lexus, beginning to offer vegan leather seating. It is very exciting to see the vegan leather movement across industries.

If you’re a real leather lover, you will find that faux leather has a laundry list of perks that are quickly making it the most appealing option:

• Cruelty-free
• Durability
• Water-resistant
• Cost-effective
• Environmentally-friendly

One of the main perks of vegan leather is its durability. Faux leather does not mean you are missing out on quality. This is why we chose vegan leather for our diaper bags and baby accessories. Mistakes happen. That is why we know our products will last you through all the babies you want to have and beyond!

What Is Vegan Leather?

Okay so now that we’ve hyped up vegan leather, what exactly is it?

Vegan and faux leather has become the catch-all terms for anything that appears like leather but is not made from animals. There are a couple of different ways vegan leather can be produced and experimenting with new techniques is constant.

Vegan leather is at the forefront of ‘green beauty’ as it can be produced from natural products. These products are friendlier to our planet as they more easily biodegrade if and when they end up in our landfills. These natural materials include things like 

• Apple peels
• Cork
• Cacti
• Pineapple
• Other fruit waste. 

While much vegan leather is still made from plastics, it can also be produced by recycled plastics! This makes it a sustainable option allowing the plastic to be reused over and over again rather than sitting in landfills.

 

How Vegan Leather Is Made

The process of creating vegan leather begins with bonding different synthetic materials like plastic together to form the vegan leather texture. Most faux leather is made from polyurethane, a polymer that can be made to order for any designer’s whim. This is where the term ‘Pleather’ came from.

When the plastic is heated up it melts and can be blended. This allows the plastic to become shapeable. 

Yes, melting plastics is not the most environmentally friendly process out there due to the chemicals released from melting plastics. However, from the rearing of cattle to the final manufacturing stages, real leather uses an extensive amount of water and the factory time is more intensive.

The Characteristics of Vegan Leather

Durability and Water Resistant

Since vegan leather is made from plastics, it is already water resistant! This is a big perk for durability. It can get splashed with coffee, be dropped in a puddle, or take a spray from a newborn like a champion. It can also be left in the sun and withstand the elements - so feel free to take the bag to the beach, or wherever life takes you.

If your bag does get a little messy, you can use baby wipes, detergent, or other cleaning products to wipe the bag without a worry. We always recommend doing a patch test before using any type of cleaning solution.

If you’re going to use cleaning products on it, you need to keep it conditioned. This just means keeping it ‘moisturized’ so it does not crack. A nickel-sized amount of baby oil is perfect so the bag does not dry out. 

Check out our blog on how to properly treat and care for your vegan leather diaper bag and baby accessories.

Cost-Effective

Due to the extensive process involved in the treatment, preparation, and manufacturing of real leather, the cost can get quite high. The process of making vegan leather is easier due to not having to source animal skin and process. This makes vegan leather much more affordable and more easily obtainable for many. Not to mention it is becoming the preferred material in fashion. Win-win.

Aesthetics and Style

Faux leather is easier to shape and control. The different textures or ‘ripples’ on vegan leather bags can be manufactured. This allows consistency across a brand's offerings and allows designers to select their preferred look and texture. Some love the smooth glossy leather look, while others prefer a ‘dinosaur’ or bumpy textured look.

 

Ready, Set, Vegan!

Our vegan diaper bags are not just for stuffing full of diapers, toys, snacks, and wipes. They are made to make every mom feel beautiful, powerful, and unique.

 

We guarantee our bags will be your new favorite, go-to bag. The bag does not scream ‘diaper bag’ as it’s stylish, simple, and made to compliment your wardrobe and lifestyle. Being a mom does not mean you need to sacrifice your individual style and sense of self.