By Shawna Trujillo
You may be considering investing in an animal-skin handbag that will last longer than the bag you're currently using. After all, those can't-do-without items like sunblock, hand lotion, tampons, tissues and lipstick that you carry around along with your wallet and keys can really be hell on a bag made of fabric. If ethics and economics are a consideration, however, you may want to think about getting one of the many faux leather handbags that are available instead.
Faux leather used to be derided because it was so easy to spot as fake. However, today's materials are becoming increasingly realistic looking and feeling. This makes it much easier to make an ethical and economical decision and still look good.
Faux leather used to be derided because it was so easy to spot as fake. However, today's materials are becoming increasingly realistic looking and feeling. This makes it much easier to make an ethical and economical decision and still look good.
As more people are opting for a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle, the demand for leather alternatives is growing as well. In addition, some types of hide, especially snakeskin, are harvested in a very inhumane way. Growing consumer awareness of where the products they buy actually come from has also made it more socially acceptable to sport artificial hide instead of the real thing.
Consumers don't only think with their conscience, however. They also think with their pocket. This is why many consumers opt for synthetic products. These cost less to manufacture and cleaning and caring for them are usually much cheaper too.
Artificial hide can be made of a variety of materials, usually plastic based. Polyurethane, PVC and acrylic are particularly popular choices. Some manufacturers also use a natural fiber, for instance cotton, and then cover it with a layer of PVC or a similar synthetic.
One disadvantage of the synthetic materials is that they are not very environmentally friendly. Any plastic-type material takes many more years to break down than a natural material would. In addition, plastics are products of the petrochemical industry, which doesn't have the best environmental track record.
This longer breaking-down time can be an advantage, however. Synthetic hides can keep looking new for much longer than real hide. A bonus is that not only are they easily recycled, but they're often made of recycled materials from the start. This helps reduce plastic waste that would otherwise end up in landfills or in the ocean.
There are alternatives to plastic-based synthetics too. A product called ocean leather comes from kelp, while the bark of cork trees are not only used in the wine industry, but also to make somethin
Consumers don't only think with their conscience, however. They also think with their pocket. This is why many consumers opt for synthetic products. These cost less to manufacture and cleaning and caring for them are usually much cheaper too.
Artificial hide can be made of a variety of materials, usually plastic based. Polyurethane, PVC and acrylic are particularly popular choices. Some manufacturers also use a natural fiber, for instance cotton, and then cover it with a layer of PVC or a similar synthetic.
One disadvantage of the synthetic materials is that they are not very environmentally friendly. Any plastic-type material takes many more years to break down than a natural material would. In addition, plastics are products of the petrochemical industry, which doesn't have the best environmental track record.
This longer breaking-down time can be an advantage, however. Synthetic hides can keep looking new for much longer than real hide. A bonus is that not only are they easily recycled, but they're often made of recycled materials from the start. This helps reduce plastic waste that would otherwise end up in landfills or in the ocean.
There are alternatives to plastic-based synthetics too. A product called ocean leather comes from kelp, while the bark of cork trees are not only used in the wine industry, but also to make somethin
One disadvantage of the synthetic materials is that they are not very environmentally friendly. Any plastic-type material takes many more years to break down than a natural material would. In addition, plastics are products of the petrochemical industry, which doesn't have the best environmental track record.
This longer breaking-down time can be an advantage, however. Synthetic hides can keep looking new for much longer than real hide. A bonus is that not only are they easily recycled, but they're often made of recycled materials from the start. This helps reduce plastic waste that would otherwise end up in landfills or in the ocean.
There are alternatives to plastic-based synthetics too. A product called ocean leather comes from kelp, while the bark of cork trees are not only used in the wine industry, but also to make something called cork leather. At present these products are still very expensive and not very easy to find, but if cost is not really an issue for you, they may be just what you're looking for.
If you do decide to go for faux leather handbags, you will find that there is an endless variety of styles and types of bag to choose from. These range from a carry-all tote to an elegant clutch. All you need is a pair of killer heels to go with it.
This longer breaking-down time can be an advantage, however. Synthetic hides can keep looking new for much longer than real hide. A bonus is that not only are they easily recycled, but they're often made of recycled materials from the start. This helps reduce plastic waste that would otherwise end up in landfills or in the ocean.
There are alternatives to plastic-based synthetics too. A product called ocean leather comes from kelp, while the bark of cork trees are not only used in the wine industry, but also to make something called cork leather. At present these products are still very expensive and not very easy to find, but if cost is not really an issue for you, they may be just what you're looking for.
If you do decide to go for faux leather handbags, you will find that there is an endless variety of styles and types of bag to choose from. These range from a carry-all tote to an elegant clutch. All you need is a pair of killer heels to go with it.