Hey, dear fashionistas! Great to see you again on our blog.
So, donning a real leather jacket is a great way to make your fashion statement in your circle.
And your pics on your FB and Instagram accounts in your leather jackets add a great appeal to your personality. However, at times, you may find yourself a bit confused when others mention PU leather.


Well, there will be no more confusion since I’ll put an end to this debate in today’s post.


Generally speaking, leather’s been one of the main materials in fashion and home décor too for centuries. Undoubtedly, it’s durable and sturdy and offers natural beauty.
Over time, prepared from synthetic material, PU leather emerged as an alternative. As we see its look and feel, it perfectly mimics real leather. However, it’s not real.
Now, let me take you deeper into the world of PU leather and real leather. Above all, I’ll help you decide the best choice for you as per your budget and preferences, answering:

Should it be a real leather jacket or a PU leather jacket for me?

PU Leather

As I said earlier, this synthetic material is made by coating a fabric base—either polyester or cotton—with a layer of polyurethane, which is embossed with a pattern of real leather.

PROSCONS
  • It’s cheaper than real leather jackets. So, it makes a budget-friendly choice.
  • Since it’s synthetic material, there’s no use of animal skin. If you are pro-PETA, it’s definitely a good one for you.
  • You can care for it with ease. In fact, wiping it with a wet cloth is quite enough at times.
  • It’s relatively durable but not as durable as real leather.
  • If you enjoy having a variety, you are in for a great treat. You can find a great range of styles and colors.
  • Unfortunately, it’s not breathable as real leather is. So, it won’t be of much use in warm weather or for a longer time.
  • It’s relatively durable, and you may see it cracking or peeling is some time.
  • Its overall value is lesser than the real one because it’s, after all, a synthetic material.
  • If you like to wear softer material, you’ll be disappointed with PU leather.
  • Though its look and feel are good enough, one can identify it. So, if you are more into authenticity, it won’t be satisfying for you.

I hope you’ve got a clearer picture now. Now, let’s talk about real leather jackets.

Real Leather Jacket

It’s made using animal skin, which comes from cows, sheep, and goats.


It goes through a long process to finally turn it into a usable fabric for your stunning jackets. These steps include Salting, Soaking, Liming, Dehairing, Fleshing, Splitting, Tanning, Dyeing, and Finishing.


As time passes by, the animal hide grows a unique patina, which brings it unique character and charm.

PROSCONS
  • It’s a highly durable and sturdy material. You can realize its durability that my father still has his collection of jackets; he’s really big on it when it comes to his fashion statement. As I have used my jackets, I can say that they can endure regular wear and tear easily. However, my friends, you need to take proper care.
  • It’s breathable, so you can wear it for an extended time.
  • It’s really soft and flexible and can easily mold to your body. You will surely be very comfortable in your real leather jacket.
  • It works for a lot of occasions, and it won’t be an exaggeration if I say that it’s timeless.
  • Since it’s a natural material, it’s biodegradable, which makes it environmentally friendly.
  • It demands you to follow regular maintenance to keep it in its best condition.
  • It weighs heavy.
  • Be generous when you intend to buy one. Unlike PU leather, its cost is high. And it can go even higher if you go for even higher-quality leather. The higher the price, the greater the style.

How to Identify Real Leather Jackets?

When you’re shopping for your jackets, you must know how to distinguish between real and PU leather. This way, you can make the right purchase.
Let me show how you can distinguish between the two.

Texture

If you see a consistent and perfect texture, it’s PU.
Real leather has little imperfection and variation in texture.

Smell

PU leather has a plastic-like odor.

Label

Real leather jackets come with a label that says “genuine leather” or “real leather.” However, verify it since it can be misleading.

Lining

In real leather jackets, the lining material is silk or cotton.
In PU jackets, you’ll see a lower-quality lining material, i.e., polyester and nylon.

Burn Test

Now, don’t think I’m crazy. I’m in no way asking you to burn your jacket—not at all.
For this test, take a small piece from an inside area, invisible to beholders.
Now, burn it and observe.

  • The real one will burn slowly.
  • The real one will burn slowly.
  • PU will melt and burn fast and produce a plastic-like smell.

Flexibility

Bend and twist your jacket. If it’s real, it’ll flex and crease, whereas PU will crack or peel.

Real Leather or PU?

Ok, now we have finally come to the question if you should get real or PU. Let me show you how you can decide it.

Price: If you are on a budget, go for PU leather. If money isn’t an issue, go for real.

Maintenance: If you don’t like to follow a regular care routine, go for PU. The real one demands you to stay active in this regard.

Taste: I’m a real leather person. So, I’m always ready to extend my budget and follow a regular maintenance routine. If you have a taste for real, then I recommend real leather jackets.

Durability: If you’re looking for durable material, real leather should be your choice.

Fashion Statement: If you’re big on building and maintaining your style and charm, again real one is your call.

I hope I’ve brought up all the possible concerns and questions of yours in this article. Still, if I missed something, do let me know in the comments below.

Also, share it with your friends and on your social media accounts.

And do check out our latest collection of real leather jackets. They are stunning and come at a price that won’t break the bank.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which leather will last longer?

Simply put, it’s real leather that will last much longer. PU’s durability just doesn’t compare to it.

Which leather peels?

PU leather does peel and crack over time.

Can I stop PU leather from peeling?


Yes, you can do it if you avoid exposure to sunlight and clean it with suitable conditioners.

Is PU leather as good as real leather?

My simple and one-word answer is “NO.”

Which one is cheaper?

PU leather is cheaper, for sure. Let me tell you one thing here. If a seller offers a ridiculously cheap price for a real leather jacket, just ignore that person.

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