Leather is used to make a variety of different garments and fashion accessories, only one of which is jackets. You’ll also find pants available in leather. Leather pants offer a stylish, comfortable and versatile alternative to traditional pants like denim jeans. The soft and somewhat elastic properties of this material offer an exceptional level of comfort that’s simply not found in pants made of other materials. If you’re planning to invest in a pair of leather pants, though, you should familiarize yourself with the differences between genuine and faux leather.
Not all leather pants are made of real leather. Many are made of synthetic materials that mimic the appearance and characteristics of leather. Therefore, you must understand the nuances between genuine and faux leather pants. Otherwise, you’ll struggle to choose the right style for your needs. So, what’s the difference between genuine and faux leather, and which style is right for you?
Genuine Leather
Genuine leather, as you may already know, is a textile material produced by tanning and processing animal hide. Although the hide sourced for leather typically comes from cows, hides from other animals may also be used, some of which include lamb, goat, deer, and even kangaroo. For pants, however, cowhide and sheepskin leather are usually the preferred choice of material. Both sheepskin and cowhide leather are soft, supple and durable — three essential characteristics of high-quality leather.
Some people assume that genuine leather is the highest quality leather available, but the term “genuine leather” doesn’t denote the material’s quality. The quality of real leather varies depending on other factors like the manufacturer and classification of leather. Corrected grain is the lowest classification of leather, as it features imperfections that the manufacturer attempted to fix. Because of its low quality properties, corrected-grain leather is often used in applications such as the production of shoes and furniture upholstery. Full-grain leather is the highest-quality classification of leather. It’s characterized by the presence of the entire grain layer, without having any corrections or modifications. As a result, full-grain leather is often used in the production of leather jackets and pants.
We offer a wide selection
Whether you’re looking to buy a pair of high-quality pants or a jacket, you should consider ordering from LeatherCult. We offer one of the largest selections of high-quality leather garments, all at unbeatable prices. Best of all, we offer custom sizing at no additional charge. You give us your body measurements, and we’ll use those measurements to create a leather garment that’s designed specifically for you.
Faux Leather
While genuine leather is made of real animal hide, faux leather is not. It’s made of synthetic materials that look and feel — to some degree, at least — like real leather. Faux leather is produced using a variety of methods. The most common method involves chemically treating a standard fabric textile polyurethane. In other words, it’s actually a standard fabric with melted plastic covering it.
Also known as pleather and leatherette, many manufacturers have begun offering faux leather pants and jackets. It’s usually cheaper and easier to acquire than real leather, allowing manufacturers to cut cost on production and, in some cases, pass these savings down to their customers in the form of lower product prices. Pricing aside, however, faux leather pales in comparison to the attractive properties and unique characteristics of the real thing.
Genuine Leather Pants Look Better With Age
Pants made of genuine leather tend to look better with age. They retain their size and shape while fading gracefully to achieve a uniquely stylish appearance. This is in stark contrast to pants made of faux leather, which usually degrade and worsen with age. So, while genuine leather pants usually cost more than faux leather pants, they’ll last longer, allowing you to get more use out of them. You have to think of leather pants as an investment, and that means choosing genuine leather instead of cheap faux leather.
Genuine Leather Pants Are Softer
In addition to looking better with age, genuine leather pants are also softer than those made of faux leather. The next time you visit a retail apparel store that sells both genuine and faux leather products, perform a side-by-side comparison and feel both the materials. Genuine leather is soft, supple and sponge-like, whereas faux leather has an unusual texture that’s characteristic of semi-soft plastic. Don’t get me wrong. Faux leather pants are still soft, but they pale in comparison to the softness offered by their genuine leather counterpart. So, if you want pants that are comfortable and super soft (hint: you do), choose genuine leather.
Genuine Leather Pants Are Easier to Maintain
You might be surprised to learn that genuine leather pants are easier to maintain than faux leather pants. When genuine leather is dirty, you can usually clean it simply by blotting the area with a damp washcloth. For stubborn stains, you can spot treat the affected area with a special leather cleaning product. The method for cleaning faux leather pants varies depending on the manufacturer and how the pants were made. Being that there’s no universal standard for the production of faux leather, requirements for cleaning and maintenance vary. Some faux leather pants may require dry clean only. Others, however, may require washing in cold water and line drying. Whether you choose genuine or faux leather pants, though, you find the manufacturer’s recommendations by checking the care label.
Faux Leather Pants are Less Expensive
The only real benefit of choosing faux leather pants over genuine leather is the cost. As previously mentioned, faux leather costs less to product. Therefore, companies can manufacture and sell leather pants at a lower cost than genuine leather pants. If you’re on a budget and don’t have the funds to spend on genuine leather pants, faux leather is a viable option to consider. But again, you genuine leather pants are an investment. They look better, have a softer texture and are easier to maintain, making them well worth the cost.