Fashion Fundamentals: Add some edge to your wardrobe with faux leather

For years, leather was the material of choice for handbags. Natural animal skin, when processed, is strong, durable, supple, smooth, and most of all, attractive. People considered high-quality leather handbags the epitome of luxury. But, modern consumers are making a conscious effort to avoid animal products, and opting for faux leather.
Actress Sridevi
Actress Sridevi
Updated on

Chennai

Faux leather is a synthetic polyurethane fabric, which is created to mimic genuine leather. Buying a faux leather bag is the best (and inexpensive) way to look fashionable while refraining from harming animals. However, picking the right kind of faux leather is a skill. So, here are a few tips to pick that perfect faux leather bag that looks as good as real leather. 

Colour

One of the easiest ways to get faux leather that looks real is to stick to conservative colours. A classic black or brown bag is more likely to pass as the genuine article. While it is true that leather comes in many colours, even real leather in a rainbow hue does not have the same naturally rich look as neutral tones do. However, some buyers may want vivid colours, and the bright shades and unusual effects, such as iridescent finishes, available in synthetic leather can meet their wants. 

Sheen 

One dead giveaway of a fake leather bag is a high sheen. Even highly polished leather only gives off a soft lustre, not a glossy wet look. The exception is patent leather, which has a glassy finish, but this is not 100 percent natural leather: A plastic coating creates the intense shine. Moreover, many products advertised as ‘patent leather’ are in fact vinyl. If the tag does not indicate that the bag is genuine leather, it is most likely faux. 

Texture 

Natural animal skin has a specific texture, referred to as its ‘grain’. The best way to make vinyl into a convincing synthetic leather is for manufacturers to stamp it with this same type of texture. The scale of this texture may vary; lesser-quality leathers have a pronounced, coarse grain, whereas consumers consider leathers with the finest, almost-invisible grain the best. 

Caring 

The ease of caring for faux leather may surprise anybody used to cleaning and caring for genuine leather. As with most items, it is better to inspect the bag after each use and take care of spots and stains right away, rather than having to clean the bag with strong chemicals later on. A clean, soft, dry cloth takes care of dust that accumulates from infrequent use. Most bags come with specific care instructions, such as wiping the exterior of a dirty bag clean with a damp cloth. In the case of an extremely dirty item, you can use an appropriate mild detergent or spray cleaner. Check product labels to ensure they are safe to use on the bag’s material. If uncertain, test the chemical on an inconspicuous area first, such as a zipper pull or the bag’s bottom. Always be sure to let the bag air dry thoroughly after cleaning. You can usually remove ink marks with rubbing alcohol or hairspray. 

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