This season, there has been a noticeable increase in the appearance of faux suede and leather jackets in stores around Abbotsford. Sometimes coined vegan leather, there are many variations of this stylish outerwear, and it can come in both long and short style jackets. While vegan leather is an interesting name for faux leather, it is also interesting to note that, according to the Cambridge dictionary, being vegan includes not wearing leather, which makes this term a little ironic.
However, this iconic fall piece is not made from animal-derived leather or any other animal byproducts. In fact, it is the equivalent of a plastic coat, theoretically. Faux leather coats are usually made from man-made synthetic materials such as polyester, polyurethane, polyvinyl, and spandex, or more organic ingredients such as cork, apple peels or pineapple leaves. depending on the jacket. While these alternative materials look and feel like leather, they are not made from the hides of animals and are sometimes machine washable. A faux suede or leather piece in your wardrobe is a staple piece that can dress up an outfit or be dressed down for a casual day out. As a flattering trend, vegan leather can be worn by anyone no matter their age, gender, or body type. These pieces can be worn over a hoodie and jeans for a casual look, or dressed up with black dress pants and a cozy sweater for a more put-together look.
A cheaper alternative to genuine leather jackets, these fashionable coats and jackets are taking the world by storm. These pieces can be found in several stores in the Fraser Valley and online, such as Ricki’s, Bootlegger, Suzy Shier, H&M and Banana Republic. What is perhaps the best feature of these garments is how soft and comfortable they are, especially if they are made from faux suede, as faux suede feels more buttery and soft, while faux leather has a more smooth and sleek texture.
Looking at different stores in the Sevenoaks Shopping Centre, there are a variety of different styles and fits in faux leather coats that would be flattering. Two that stood out from the women’s fashion were the black shirt jacket at Mat and Nat, a vegan cork vegan leather jacket from etsy and, for the more adventurous palette, there is the rose-coloured trench coat from Ricki’s. Both are extremely soft and versatile pieces that could be paired with many outfits for different occasions. Some options for men include a hooded brown stand up collar jacket from Bootlegger and a faux leather aviator Guess coat from the Bay.Â
Usually, vegan leather apparel falls at a lower price point than genuine leather and they look just as luxurious when worn over an outfit. To give you an idea, a vegan leather jacket can range from $90 – $200 or more, depending on the store, while real leather jackets and coats can cost anywhere between $300 – $1,000, which can be equivalent to or more expensive than a course at UFV for a domestic student.
While there are many nice coats and jackets made from faux leather and suede, they also come in vests for the in-between days. Faux leather vests at Suzy Shier come in white, black, and brown. These vests are sleek, trendy, and can add class to a casual outfit for school. As the Fall days become cooler and brisker, investing in faux leather or suede outerwear can help keep the chill out this semester and keep you looking cool in the cold months to come.
Image: Pixabay
Rachel is working towards a BA with a concentration in English and Theatre. She has been employed at The Cascade since Fall 2021 as a Staff Writer and a Jr. News Editor. Currently, she is the sectional News Editor and enjoys meeting and interviewing people as well as taking long walks in nature. Rachel also likes to stay up to date on the latest trends and informs students through her fashion column entitled Campus Fashion.
