What are the benefits and drawbacks of using leather for clothing?
Leather is a kind of magical material, and those who have actually used it can relate to what I am saying. It is the most versatile material for making garments due to its unique properties that no other material can offer. However, just like anything else, leather also has its own disadvantages.
In this article, we are going to discuss the benefits and drawbacks of using leather for clothing. Fortunately, the advantages of leather outnumber the disadvantages, but it is worth considering both for the sake of clarity. So let’s begin with the advantages first:
Table of Contents
Advantages of leather
1.| Durability
One of the most celebrated characteristics of leather is its durability and longevity. A piece of leather clothing can easily last up to 15 years or even a lifetime if properly taken care of. There is a reason why humans have been using leather for thousands of years, long before any of the so-called leather alternatives or imitation leather materials were invented. Even to this day, leather commands the highest position when it comes to luxurious materials.
2.| Breathability
Leather is one of those few materials that, despite being super strong and resistant to the elements, can allow air to pass through it, making it a highly breathable material. When it comes to clothing, this is the most desirable property, as a fabric must be breathable to provide the wearer with comfort. Unlike faux leather materials, which are basically plastic-based, real leather is breathable. This property also allows us to apply conditioner to leather, which it will absorb through its pores, making it last even longer.
3.| Age well
Despite being long-lasting, leather has the unique and interesting property of developing a beautiful surface patina over time and usage that no other material can mimic. After years of use, each leather piece develops its own one-of-a-kind surface finish that even an identical piece of the same age cannot match. This property proves that real animal leather is a truly timeless material that not only lasts long but does so with pride.
4.| Easy care
Leather needs very little care and maintenance unlike any other fabric for instance it doesn’t need frequent washing or dry cleaning like cloth fabric, all it takes is just cleaning once a week and conditioning once every six months or a year and your beloved leather piece is again ready to rock any occasion.
5.| Unique character
Leather is a natural material derived from animal skins, and no two animal hides are created the same by nature. Just like our thumbprints, each skin has its own unique texture. Additionally, the lives of all animals vary due to different living conditions, eating habits, surrounding environments, and more, so the hide also inherits these surface properties. Even a single piece of hide does not have a uniform texture, so if you have two leather pieces that came from the same animal hide, they will still be very different from each other.
6.| Protection
Due to its high strength, leather can provide protection to a greater degree, which is why it is used in making utility motorcycle jackets and safety gear. Not only does leather have high abrasion resistance, but it is also resistant to fire. Due to these protective properties, leather has been a favorite material among those involved in risky professions. For instance, leather jackets were first designed for military personnel and fighter pilots to protect them from injuries and potential burns.
Disadvantages of leather
With all its advantages, leather, like anything else, is not free from disadvantages. However, there are genuinely only a few of them, and some are not even real disadvantages as they can be easily overcome by other advantages of leather. Here’s an overview:
1.| Cost
One of the most significant disadvantages of real leather is the cost. Leather is usually priced much higher than fake leather due to the laborious process of producing it and the availability of animal skins. However, when considering this disadvantage, one should also keep in mind that real leather lasts much longer than other synthetic materials. The added cost is, therefore, a good investment when it comes to long-term usage and reliability.
2.| Weather limitations
Another significant con of using leather garments is that it is very prone to weather conditions, especially rain and humidity. Moisture and water can cause potential harm to leather and they are not supposed to be mixed together. Luckily there are some ways to protect your leather piece from elements like rain and moisture, one of them is weather protection coatings that can help you to make your leather garment waterproof
3.| Environmental impact
The environmental impact is a significant concern in the animal leather industry due to the use of harmful chemicals and processes in leather production. This issue is particularly associated with certain kinds of leather, such as chrome-tanned leather, which is harmful to the environment. Fortunately, there are other types of leather that do not harm the environment, such as vegetable-tanned leather. The vegetable tanning process does not involve practices that are unsuitable for the environment.
4.| Animal welfare
We all know, and those who don’t should have understood from reading this article so far, that real leather is sourced from animal hides. Most of the time, leather is ethically sourced, as it is a highly regulated industry with strict compliance requirements for tanneries to follow. However, there are instances where unethical practices occur, such as inhumane treatment of animals and involvement in illegal trade practices. These practices can be minimized by conducting proper research to find trustworthy suppliers and brands that use ethically sourced leather.
Furthermore, most leather is produced from animal hides that are byproducts of the meat industry, which would otherwise go to waste.
Conclusion
In conclusion, If you ask me if real leather has any alternative, I would say that real leather holds a special charm that cannot be replicated by any artificial material. Leather’s natural essence and the uniqueness of each skin give it an irreplaceable character. While some cheaper options like bonded leather and faux leather are available, can they replace real leather? In my view, nothing can replace the authenticity of natural leather.
If you have any doubts, feel free to ask in the comment section, and for more information on leather products, you can check our other articles or you can contact us. LeatherBlues is known as one of the best stores for real leather products. Explore our amazing collection of leather garments and services.
Related topics: Chrome Tanned Leather: A Comprehensive Guide