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Leather vs Faux Jacket??

45 replies

yazzy85 · 11/09/2014 11:46

Is it worth investing in a real leather biker jacket or is faux leather comfortable enough??

OP posts:
yazzy85 · 11/09/2014 11:46

Its for a biker jacket by the way..

OP posts:
SofaCanary · 11/09/2014 14:29

Nothing beats real leather - it's warmer and not only looks better, it actually gets better looking with age.

Definitely one thing to invest in!

Apatite1 · 11/09/2014 14:31

Leather every time. I have 5 leather jackets, they're getting softer and more lovely with age.

HolgerDanske · 11/09/2014 15:27

Leather.

I'm desperate for a lovely, luxurious biker jacket.

I haven't got one, because I'd rather have nothing than wear imitation.

I don't think the two can even be compared, tbh.

Fabulassie · 11/09/2014 16:02

I have a leather biker jacket I got off Ebay for £80. It's very worn in. But, I have to admit that I've lusted after a Victoria Beckham version at Selfridges... £999!

FelixFelix · 11/09/2014 16:09

Leather definitely. It will last you years and look/feel so much better.

IngridCold · 11/09/2014 16:14

Leather all the way. Got a bargainous Michael Kors biker jacket from TK Maxx recently and it's my favouritest and best item of clothing. It's gorgeously soft and it'll only get softer. I don't care that it's probably a few seasons old - I plan to still be wearing it when I'm 90.

HolgerDanske · 11/09/2014 16:23

Yes I think you can get away with a few seasons old with a biker, it's a classic now so it'll never look dated as long as it's not some naff 're-interpretation'

yazzy85 · 11/09/2014 16:42

Thanks ladies, I have been eyeing a few leather ones on ebay and needed some encouragement to take the jump! Already have the faux one but its not very warm.

OP posts:
FelixFelix · 11/09/2014 16:49

Ingrid I'm incredibly jealous!

I keep looking at eBay ones but I'm really wary of spending a bit on one then it not being right when it arrives. I second looking in TK Maxx if you want to try on. They had loads when I went in our local one last week.

IngridCold · 11/09/2014 18:21

Felix - I know! I was chuffed to bits. I'd been looking for ages but some quite expensive jackets are not very soft leather and aren't very nice to wear. I only popped into TKM as we were in London for the day but my hopes weren't high tbh.

Tried a couple of nondescript, hard leather ones and then DS went "How about this one" and I turned round expecting to see him proudly holding some monstrosity and there it was :) AND it was my size :)

I can't find the exact one online, probably because it's not a new line but the only similar ones I can find are £450 - £500 quid. I paid £169 for mine :)

SofaCanary · 11/09/2014 18:55

I'm about to put my All Saints Walker on eBay if anyone wants first dibs. It's less than 2 years old and immaculate . I had my boobs reduced last year and don't fill out the size 12 jacket that well anymore, have bought a new one now so it's just hanging in the wardrobe looking sad.

Not sure if this breaches the rules in any way, please delete if it does and accept my apologies.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 11/09/2014 19:57

Leather all the way. I absolutely love my Oasis one, and it's still looking good over two years in. Just bought a Mint Velvet one and it is my New Favourite Thing Ever - soooooo soft and lovely.

Catsmamma · 11/09/2014 20:06

i bought one recently...real leather... Urban Code !

£10 from the charity shop...I was thrilled! :D Esp when I googled and found the same one priced at £190

HolgerDanske · 11/09/2014 20:23

Ohhhh which mint velvet one have you got, Remus?

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 11/09/2014 20:26

It's this one but not in stock now. I got it in the summer sale.

Love the look of this though.

HolgerDanske · 11/09/2014 20:47

Ohhhh very nice I like it a lot!

Molotov · 11/09/2014 20:57

I'm going to buck the trend here and say that I'm completely for faux leather. I would not wear real leather and am working on eradicating leather products from my wardrobe.

I am coming from a cruelty-free perspective. I have seen footage of cows being slaughtered for their hides to make leather products and those images will forever be on my mind Sad It is barbaric.

I think that synthetic leather fabrics are improving. So what if you feel a little chilly wearing one? Wear a long-sleeved jumper and a scarf.

Would you wear real fur? Wearing leather is just the same.

silentfury · 12/09/2014 00:33

Another dissenting voice here!
I think that it depends entirely on the jackets in question; there are some really nice faux leather jackets about and some horrid real ones!
I find some of the cheaper real ones are often very stiff and bulky too.
Also, what's more important I think is how the jacket fits.
I personally wouldn't out rule a Faux one.
Oh and most Faux leather jackets can be washed in the machine too!

peasandlove · 12/09/2014 07:06

that all saints jacket is lush. Very similar to mine which is muubaa though

higgle · 12/09/2014 10:16

Another veggie here, I don't have leather bags or clothes for ethical reasons, can anyone link to a really nice faux one?

kaykayblue · 12/09/2014 10:53

Leather.

But you don't have to go to a designer shop to get one. I got a beautiful caramel coloured leather biker jacket from a high street store a couple of years ago, and it cost about 200 pounds.

I have to say it's one of my favourite items of clothing that I own.

Real leather, if you look after it, will last you for absolutely years.

I think fake leather works extremely well for things like shoes and handbags, but for a jacket, real leather is still better. In fact, the jacket is probably the only item in leather that I own.

I don't have an enormous problem with leather products as the vast majority come from animals that are killed for food. It's better to use all aspects of the animal, rather than throw huge parts of it away. Although admittedly I myself am a pescetarian.

I wouldn't wear alligator skin, or skin from exotic animals, which aren't considered a food source in the west. I would never, even if you paid me, wear fur, where enormous number of animals are killed to make one item, and the meat isn't even eaten afterwards. Especially since in our climate there is absolutely no need to wear fur whatsoever. I think if you live in Siberia then, well, you do what you need to. But if your just strutting around mayfair then you are a twat of the highest order for wearing fur. Purely to show off how rich and wonderful you are.

Saw lots of fur shops in China with rabbits and cats shackled to the walls outside with heavy metal collars. Still less distressing than going to one of their food markets though.

kaykayblue · 12/09/2014 10:55

PS, Digressing a little bit, but has anyone noticed how lots of mainstream shops seem to be selling items with real fur recently? Especially coats with real fur trim. I normally boycott shops that sell real fur, but it's getting much harder as of late.

We need to bring back the time where people wearing real fur got flour bombed Grin

Molotov · 12/09/2014 11:40

I'm extremely unsettled by the lives, sufferings and eventual deaths of animals killed for food. Even if their hides are a by-product and not 'wasted', from my POV, the animal being slaughtered for meat in the first place is the real waste.

I agree that in reality, it is better to use every piece if the animal is slaughtered. But in my ideal world, none of that would ever happen. In my everyday life, I diatance myself from all of that suffering. I cannot differentiate the animal from the product. I love my dog and see no difference between her or a cow. I would not eat dog meat or wear dog fur. I do not eat beef and will not wear leather.

That's the crux of it, really. I've been massively disturbed by the images I've seen, and sounds I've heard.

Anyway, re the question upthread about good faux leather jackets: I have bought all three of mine from New Look. I think they're great. They mimic the softness of real leather beaitifully, and they're nicely cut. I don't have a link though, sorry.

I bought a faux leather biker jacket from there 2y ago and it's wearing well. Admittedly, it will always look like 'new leather' amd won't get that aged, vintage leather look.

But, you've probably already guessed that I don't care about that Smile

higgle · 12/09/2014 13:11

Thanks Molotov, there is a huge selection on the New Look website and they look very good.