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Sometimes buying real leather isn’t an option due to pricepoint, ethical views or even just from a weather perspective. Not all is lost, however, as we have found plenty of fun and stylish options made with vegan leather. Vegan or faux leather clothing options are great as they are readily available, come in all your favorite styles, are easier to maintain than real leather and at the end of the day, no one will really know the difference.
We have curated a great selection of affordable vegan leather clothing options below which include a few stylish iterations on the all-important and closet staple motorcycle jacket and a couple of great faux leather leggings. The jackets are all moto-inspired yet have a few choice details including an all-over star print and an unexpected yet super chic white version that has endless styling options.
The vegan leggings are another wardrobe must-have as they can give you a break from your favorite jeans, yet still give you that sleek, polished look for a dressed-up dinner date or night on the town.
Detailing the Leading Vegan Leather Clothings in 2024
Levi's Racer Jacket — Best Overall
The Racer-style jacket by Levi’s is a fresh take on the classic motorcycle jacket. This version is made from 100% faux and vegan leather with clean lines and a full front zipper closure. The neckline has a lapel that buttons reminiscent of most authentic racer jackets and diamond quilting at the shoulder give the jacket some character. This is a great lightweight jacket for day or nighttime wear that will give you some warmth, but more importantly, will pair well with everything in your closet from sweatpants to denim, dresses, and skirts.
Pros
- This jacket is machine washable
Cons
- If you prefer a longer jacket, another option might be better
The Drop Vegan Leather Midi Skirt — Runner Up
The Drop Vegan Leather Midi Skirt is a stylish and practical piece for all occasions. Crafted from a buttery, faux leather material with a comfortable stretch, this edgy skirt provides an effortlessly cool look. The wrap design adds flattering lines, and the 30”/ 76 cm length adds a modest silhouette that can be dressed up for a night out or down for more casual looks. Moreover, the skirt is designed to hug the body without being too clingy, making it comfortable and figure-flattering all day long.
Pros
- High-waisted and flattering fit for all body types
Cons
- Comes in only two color options
BLANKNYC Vegan Leather Paperbag Shorts — Honorable Mention
The BLANKNYC Vegan Leather Paperbag Shorts are a stylish, comfortable, and luxurious clothing choice sure to make a statement. Crafted from premium vegan leather material with an adjustable self-tie paperbag waist, they look great dressed up or dressed down over a cami, crop top, or tank top. With comfort in mind, the shorts come in sizes 24 to 31 and are easy to care for, as they can be simply wiped clean with a damp cloth.
Pros
- Made of high-quality material
Cons
- No color options to choose from
Lyssé Vegan Leather Legging — Contender
Lysse’s best-selling vegan leather leggings are made to be lived in. These are ultra-flattering, pull-on leggings made with anatomical seaming and a smoothing inner waistband that is designed to hug and sculpt. Other thoughtful details include strategically placed pockets and varied hem lengths that will ultimately keep you comfortable all day and long into the night. These leggings will also resist wrinkling, wash easily and wear effortlessly.
Pros
- These leggings are machine washable
Cons
- One pair might inspire multiple purchases
BB Dakota Just Ride Moto Jacket — Also Consider
Similar to our other motorcycle jacket options is this vegan one by BB Dakota. Their Just Ride is a fitted, faux leather jacket with some edgy detailing including structured seaming, nail-head hardware, an oversized notched collar, asymmetrical front zip, and shoulder epaulets. Fully lined, this jacket has everything you want in a motorcycle-inspired jacket and will feature a place in your closet for years to come.
Pros
- This jacket also boasts zippered hand pockets and a cropped straight hemline
Cons
- If you require specialty size ranges another option might be better
Buying Guide: Vegan Leather Clothing
Veganism is a popular belief system that is constantly growing. Some people follow a vegan diet for its health benefits, but their belief doesn’t extend to the clothing they’re wearing or other aspects of their life.
Others choose to be vegan to reduce environmental damage, while many stop using animal products because they believe most farming practices are cruel. Many people also believe in not killing something unless it is completely necessary.
Turning a cow into a purse, a pair of boots, or clothing is no longer necessary. There are plenty of stylish and more affordable vegan leather alternatives to choose from. In addition, some of the materials used to create vegan leather may surprise you.
Many leather replicas look just like the real thing, without that nasty leather odor. To find the top vegan leather clothing, simply follow our advice below.
Types Of Vegan Leather Clothing
There are many different types of vegan leather clothing to choose from. We recommend only wearing one leather item at a time as wearing an entire outfit made of leather can appear a little “full-on”. However, you can still buy one of the following items and wear them independently.
Jacket or coat
Long leather coats were popular in the 90s for ravers and goths. This is a good option if you like wearing retro clothing. Leather jackets can look retro or modern. Some leather jacket types include:
- Bomber
- Biker
- Flight
- Racer
- Moto
- Blazer
Some of these jackets are more appropriate for warmer or cooler seasons, but more importantly, they’re all available in vegan leather.
Tops
You can purchase vegan leather t-shirts, shirts, blouses, or long-sleeved tops. Leather-style material can make casual tops look more dressed-up. A shirt is transformed from smart to sexy when vegan leather is used instead of cotton.
Trousers and shorts
Vegan leather trousers are flattering and can be worn as evening wear without showing off too much skin. For this reason, they are an appropriate piece of clothing for all age groups, whether you prefer tight-fitting leather-look trousers or perhaps something looser or with added flair.
On the other hand, vegan leather shorts are better suited to those in their twenties and late teens. They come in different lengths from the knee upwards. They also come in different styles. You may want a tailored look or something that almost looks like a skirt. Similarly, you could opt for skorts - a skirt/short hybrid.
Skirts
There are many types of leather skirts available. You may want a mini-skirt, mid-length skirt, or long skirt. Similarly, consider if you want a skirt with an elasticated waist, a tie waist, or a skirt with a button or zip closure. You can opt for a tight style or a flowy style. Vegan leather skirts are trendy, so you will find plenty of options to suit your tastes.
What Are the Different Types of Leather Alternatives?
Leather is not just limited to cow leather, and the vegan options available mimic a wide array of leathers. Similarly, the way leather is treated can change its appearance and texture. Consider which type of leather look you want to recreate. Some types of leather include:
Cow-hide
Cow-hide is the most common form of leather. This is because different cow parts can be used to create leather. This is the most common style of vegan leather alternative you will find.
Sheepskin
Sheepskin is often used to create jackets. It has sheep leather on one side and wool on the other. There are many vegan sheepskins available at a fraction of the price.
Snake-skin
Snake-skin is a leather often used for accessories such as shoes and handbags. However, you will also find it in jackets and trousers. The texture is constantly recreated using vegan leather.
Aniline and semi-aniline leather
Aniline and semi-aniline leather are dyed using soluble dyes. This allows the textured surface beneath to show through. In animal leather, there will be more naturally occurring marks and textures showing through. However, some vegan leather is intentionally marked to look more like genuine leather.
Antique grain leather
Antique grain leather is intentionally worn to make the leather look older than it is. As a result, this style lends itself to newly created vintage-style jackets. You can also find this style in vegan leather.
Double-faced leather
Double-faced leather has a different leather effect on each side, utilizing a mixture of vegan leather alternatives.
Bi-cast leather
Bi-cast leather is the name given to shiny leather. It is not as shiny as PVC (a type of plastic), which looks similar and is also vegan.
Materials Used to Make Vegan Leather
Vegan leather can be made in various ways; polyurethane is the most common material.
Polyurethane is made from plastic and is known as pleather. You can also purchase faux leather made from recycled plastics.
There are other materials that most independent businesses turn into vegan leather. However, these will often be more costly because they are not mass-produced. Instead, you may want to look for the following vegan leathers.
- Cork
- Pineapple leaves
- Apple peel
- Cactus
