Faux Leather vs Real Leather Clothes: The Honest Comparison

FABRIC GUIDE · LEATHER & ALTERNATIVES

Both have a place in a well-considered wardrobe. But they are not the same — and knowing the difference will save you money, frustration, and a few unfortunate outfit decisions.

BY THE TELLAR STYLE TEAM

Faux Leather

PU & VEGAN OPTIONS

Real Leather

GENUINE & FULL-GRAIN

Real leather lasts longer, feels better, and ages beautifully. Faux leather is more affordable, animal-free, and has genuinely improved in quality over the past few years. But — and I cannot stress this enough — it is still not the same thing. I've worn both extensively, styled both professionally, and I have strong feelings about where each one earns its place.

The faux leather trousers I bought from a well-known high street brand two winters ago? Peeling at the back seams by the following autumn. The real leather jacket I inherited from a friend? Better now than it was ten years ago. That tells you most of what you need to know about longevity — but it's not the whole story. Let's get into it properly.

What Is Faux Leather, Actually?

Faux leather — also sold as vegan leather, PU leather, or pleather — is a synthetic material, most commonly made from polyurethane (PU) bonded to a fabric backing. Higher-end versions include bio-based alternatives made from materials like apple skin, cactus, mushroom (Mylo), or Piñatex (pineapple fibre). These are genuinely interesting innovations, though still limited in availability.

The quality of faux leather varies enormously. Cheap PU feels plasticky, creases oddly, and peels within a season or two. Better-quality PU — which you'll find at brands like Arket, & Other Stories, or Massimo Dutti — has a much more convincing hand-feel and holds up considerably better. It's still not real leather, but it's a long way from the shiny, stiff stuff of years past.

What Makes Real Leather Different

Real leather is made from animal hide — most commonly cowhide, though lambskin, suede, and nappa leather are also widely used in fashion. The tanning process determines quality: full-grain leather (the highest grade) retains the natural grain of the hide and is the most durable. Top-grain leather is slightly corrected for a more uniform finish, while genuine leather — despite the reassuring name — is actually the lowest quality grade of real leather.

What leather does that synthetics genuinely cannot replicate is this: it breathes, it softens with wear, and it develops a patina over time that makes it look more beautiful, not more worn out. A good leather jacket becomes a part of you. There's a reason people pass them down through generations.

"Faux leather is fashion. Real leather is a wardrobe investment. Both have their place — just be honest about which one you're buying."

Head-to-Head: How They Compare

CATEGORYFAUX LEATHERREAL LEATHERWINNERDurability1–3 years average before peeling/crackingDecades with basic careReal LeatherPriceMuch more affordable across the boardSignificantly higher outlayFaux LeatherFeel & DrapeStiffer, less breathable, can feel plastickySupple, breathable, moulds to bodyReal LeatherEthicsNo animal products; though plastic-based options create microplastic wasteAnimal hide; environmental footprint from tanningDepends on valuesCareEasy — wipe clean, no conditioning neededRequires conditioning and careful storageFaux LeatherSustainability (long-term)Short lifespan = more waste overallLong lifespan = less frequent replacementReal LeatherTrend versatilityGreat for trend-led pieces you may not wear long-termBetter for classic investment piecesDepends on the pieceWarmth & comfortLess breathable, can get sticky in heatRegulates temperature better; more comfortable to wear all dayReal Leather

When to Choose Faux Leather

Faux leather absolutely earns its place in a wardrobe — you just need to be strategic about where you spend and what you expect from it.

Trend-led pieces — Leather-look wide-leg trousers, a coloured biker, a micro skirt: if you're buying into a trend that may feel dated in two years, faux leather at a lower price point is the sensible call.
You're vegan or ethically opposed to animal products — In which case, faux is your only option, and the quality has improved enough that it doesn't need to feel like a compromise.
Accessories on a budget — Belts, bags, and boots in good-quality PU can look excellent and hold up reasonably well.
Occasion-only pieces — If you're buying something you'll wear three times a year, spending on real leather is hard to justify.

When to Invest in Real Leather

This is where I feel most strongly. There are certain wardrobe pieces where real leather is worth every penny, and where the cheap faux version will always feel slightly off:

A classic biker or leather jacket — This is the one. A real leather biker, bought well, lasts a lifetime. A faux leather biker will always look slightly costume-y up close and will start peeling within a couple of seasons.
Leather trousers — Faux leather trousers are uncomfortable to wear for a full day. They don't breathe, they creak, and they look different under harsh lighting. Real leather trousers drape, move, and feel genuinely luxurious.
Shoes and boots — Faux leather footwear is a false economy almost every time. Your feet will know the difference within the first hour.
A classic leather handbag — The same logic applies. A good leather bag holds its shape, develops character, and will outlast ten faux leather alternatives.

Faux Leather: Best For

Trend-led seasonal pieces
Lower budgets & high street fashion
Vegan & animal-free wardrobes
Pieces worn occasionally
Coloured & statement styles

Real Leather: Best For

Classic investment pieces
Jackets, trousers & footwear
Pieces worn frequently
Long-term quality & value
Timeless wardrobe staples

Where to Shop: Our Brand Picks

Faux Leather — High Street

Zara — Consistently one of the best high street sources for faux leather pieces. Their leather-look trousers and skirts are cut brilliantly and use better-quality PU than most at this price point. Check the seams before washing.
Mango — Excellent faux leather coats and blazers, particularly in their premium line. The quality-to-price ratio is genuinely impressive.
Cos — Their faux leather offering is minimal and considered, which works in its favour. Clean cuts, good weight fabric, and the pieces don't scream synthetic.
Reiss — Their faux leather trousers consistently receive excellent press and customer reviews. A more elevated finish than typical high street.
River Island — Good for trend-led faux leather pieces at an accessible price. Great for the coloured biker or the micro skirt you'll wear hard for two seasons.
Topshop (via ASOS) — Reliable for leather-look basics: mini skirts, straight-leg trousers, simple jackets. Check reviews per style for quality notes.
All Saints — Sits in the sweet spot between high street and premium. Their faux leather options have a genuinely edgy finish, and their real leather jackets are exceptional value for what you get.
Phase Eight — Particularly good for faux leather midi skirts and smart leather-look trousers that work in a professional wardrobe.

Real Leather — Premium & Investment Picks

Massimo Dutti — One of the best value real leather options at the premium end of the high street. Their leather trousers and jackets are beautifully cut and use genuinely good-quality hide.
Me&Em — Increasingly strong leather offering, particularly for leather trousers and classic jackets. British brand with a focus on quality and longevity.
Whistles — Their real leather pieces — particularly leather trousers and simple moto jackets — punch well above their price point. A smart buy.

Two Independent Brands Worth Knowing

Rixo — While predominantly known for print dresses, Rixo does a small, beautifully edited leather jacket selection that's worth seeking out. Made with real leather, good construction, and a slightly softer silhouette than the classic biker.
Deadwood — A Swedish brand doing exceptional things with upcycled and recycled leather. Every piece uses reclaimed hide, making it one of the most credible answers to the ethics question. Stocked at select UK retailers; genuinely worth the search.

Luxury

Max Mara — For a leather coat or tailored leather blazer that will genuinely last twenty years, Max Mara is the benchmark. Extraordinary quality, timeless cuts.
Acne Studios — The leather jacket that every fashion editor owns, for good reason. Impeccable construction, real leather, and a fit that improves with every wear.

ZaraMangoCOSReissRiver IslandTopshopAll SaintsPhase EightMassimo DuttiMe&EmWhistlesRixoDeadwoodMax MaraAcne Studios

Get the Fit Right — Whatever Leather You Choose

Here's the thing about leather — both real and faux: the wrong size looks wrong in a way that's very hard to ignore. Leather doesn't forgive a baggy seat, a tight shoulder, or an awkward waistband the way a forgiving jersey fabric might. Getting your size exactly right matters more with leather than almost any other material.

That's where Tellar comes in. Tellar is the UK's leading free sizing tool — it matches your exact measurements to over 1,500 brands instantly, so you know your precise size in every brand before you buy. No guessing, no returns pile, no disappointment.

Measure once — bust, waist, and hips, or use a brand size you already know fits
Use the Store Size Lookup tool to get your exact size in brands like All Saints, Massimo Dutti, Zara, Reiss, COS, Me&Em & more
Works in-browser, completely free, no downloads or sign-up required

And for more honest, independent fashion advice from the Tellar Fashion Hub — always free, always unbiased:

The Final Verdict

Faux leather has a legitimate place in a modern wardrobe — particularly for trend pieces, budget buys, and anyone with ethical objections to animal products. But it is not a direct replacement for real leather, and pretending otherwise is how you end up with a peeling jacket and buyer's regret.

My rule of thumb: if you're going to wear it constantly and want it to last, buy real leather and buy it well. If it's a trend piece, a fun seasonal buy, or your ethics guide you away from animal products, invest in the best-quality faux leather you can find — and be realistic about its lifespan.

Above all: know your size in the brands you're buying, check the fabric content label, and don't be seduced by something that looks great on the hanger but fits all wrong on your body. That applies to leather, faux or real, more than almost anything else in your wardrobe.