In addition to care tips, find out what is worth investing in and how to make the item last longer in your wardrobe
While it’s a timeless and versatile fabric to have in your cold-weather wardrobe, leather, whether synthetic or real, is a risky bet for those who don’t know how to properly care for and clean it. Whether it’s a coat, boot, or pants, fabric maintenance prevents the notorious fraying and prolongs the wearability of the piece.
After the return of upcycling and second-hand shops, leather, which is a fabric of animal origin, has left that old imagination to return to the wardrobe of those interested in fashion. For those who buy the piece already used, or intend to invest in those that imitate the fabric, such as Synthetic Fabric (called PU), Marina Kaferfashion specialist and make-up artist, explains how to clean and take care of them so that they last longer, avoiding waste.
What are the differences between synthetic ‘leather’, real leather and eco-leather?
Real leather is any fabric derived from the skin of tanned animals. It is important to know that, according to law 4.888/65, it is not allowed to call leather pieces that are not exclusively of animal origin. Therefore, both ecological leather and real leather come from animal skin.
The biggest difference between real leather and eco-leather is, in fact, the leather processing process, in the place we call a tannery. For the eco-leather option, the process simply seeks to generate less toxic waste for the environment. This eco-leather is also called Synthetic Fabric, or PU.
Synthetic “leather”, often confused with Synthetic Fabric, varies in composition from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane, and polyester. Although they are not of animal origin, they are still composed of petroleum and other chemicals that are harmful to the environment. Synthetic “leather” may also be labeled as corino.
How to Clean, Moisturize and Care for Synthetic “Leather” Pieces
Synthetic “leather” has an average lifespan of 3 to 5 years, says Mari. Fabric pieces need to be used and can’t stay in the closet for too long because they “fall apart” that way.
In addition to constant use, it is ideal to moisturize the piece with a body cream and then dry it with a clean, dry cloth. Marina explains that this process does not increase durability, but leaves the piece clean and gives it shine. The material, even if used in different pieces, such as shoes, bags and clothes, always has the same duration. “The advice is: buy it, use it!”, she adds.
For “real” leather, a body moisturizer is sufficient and only cleansed with neutral soap. If the garment is wrinkled, you can use the steamer with the garment inside out to iron it.
Tips on Synthetic “Leather”
In addition to constant cleaning and possible removal from the wardrobe during the summer, to prevent the piece from crumbling, the corino requires other care: the piece must not be folded, as the folds are marked. A tip is to use a piece of fabric between the object and the clasp of the hanger.
It is also important to pay attention to the items that come into contact with the fabric in the closet: any colored fabric that comes into contact with the fabric can stain it.
Is Leather Really Worth Investing In?
In addition to environmental issues – which also impact synthetic leather, since it contains petroleum derivatives -, the question is whether the price of leather justifies the purchase of the items. In this regard, Marina explains that yes: leather is a fabric that lasts a lifetime, and that buying second-hand leather can be an option for those who want to adopt more sustainable consumption practices.
It also teaches a basic calculation to understand the vitality of leather: dividing the number of uses by the price is a way to determine how much that product will be worth in the closet. The so-called “faux leather” lasts a maximum of 5 years, compared to 20 for real leather, which can be extended depending on the care of the object. Even if real leather costs twice as much as leather, the value of the piece per use is lower, since it can be worn longer.
I have a leather jacket: how do I match the piece?
Marina also explains the versatility of the fabric, even in summer: “The mix with lighter fabrics gives modernity to the look. [É possível] wear a leather skirt with a chiffon shirt, for example, or lighter, more sheer fabrics.”
The make-up artist adds that knitting, during the winter, is also a good escape from the combination with plaid. You can pair it with leather pants and pumps or with your leather jacket.
What are timeless leather pieces?
For those who have decided to invest in leather, whether synthetic or not, the timeless pieces are always the jackets, which can vary in shades such as gray, brown and black, as well as the shoes, in models such as décolleté, moccasins and clogs.
* Intern under the supervision of Charlise Morais.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
