From factory farming’s atrocities to workers’ health issues, to the leather industry’s huge carbon impact, it all comes down to one question: is it all worth a pair of shoes? If the idea of buying leather doesn’t appeal to you, you are at the right place! Today, we have plenty of wonderful natural alternatives to leather!

Leather is undeniably a classic and long-lasting material. Humans have used animal hide as a by-product of hunting for thousands of years, employing it for clothing, shelter, tools and what not. Leather is indeed a risky investment for shoppers who make conscious choices and care about the planet and its people.

Let me be the bearer of good news. Today, designers all around the world are creating beautiful vegan alternatives that are just as durable as leather and don’t cost a fortune. In Fact, the vegan fashion sector is booming, and the market for vegan leather is expected to be worth $85 billion by 2025.

Check out these interesting new fabrics that are giving the leather industry a run for its money.  These alternatives range from synthetic and environmentally detrimental materials to entirely natural and sustainable materials.

From pineapple boots to repurposed hose-pipe belts, we got you covered!

1. Recycled Rubber

If you’re looking for cruelty free, tough leather items, recycled rubber might be the way to go!.While this material is long-lasting and easy to care for, it is crucial to keep in mind that it takes a long time to degrade, so you must be certain you’ll be using it indefinitely. Rubber used in inner tubes, for example, can have a leathery texture and density, making it an ideal eco-friendly vegan leather for fashion items.

Paguro is a brand that managed to create jewellery and bag out of this recycled rubber.

2. Piñatex

Pinatex is a leather substitute manufactured from the fibers of pineapple leaves and is 100% vegan friendly. It’s not only a natural and ecological material, but it also helps local farmers by providing additional cash from something that was previously abandoned as garbage! This unique fruit leather has a bright future ahead of it—and pineapple isn’t the only thing you can wear it with!

This material is highly customisable and you will find a ton of products now using it: shoes, bags, belt. Immaculate vegan is a market place I like to look into for piñatex products.

3. Cork

If you’re looking for a unique, durable, and water-resistant leather alternative, go no further! Cork’s reputation as a forward-thinking fashion material has recently soared. Cork is not only water resistant, renewable, and entirely recyclable, but it is also long-lasting, light, and simple to keep looking good as new.

Cork is primarily gathered in Southern Europe, although there is a specific cork forest in the Iberian Peninsula that is critical to the conservation of endangered species in the area. And shopping cork bags might be quite useful! Cork comes from cork oak trees and is a natural fiber. Cork oak trees have a lifespan of roughly 300 years and are picked for their bark every decade, but the trees live and grow, producing more cork!

4. Biofabricated Leather

Biofabricated leather manufactured without the use of animal hides has been developed by Modern Meadow. Zoa is a revolutionary animal-free substance that can even be manufactured into a liquid leather form. This faux leather is constructed of collagen, which the brand refers to as “nature’s important protein.” Animal products and harmful chemicals are not used in the production of their lab-grown leather.  Zoa’s leather is truly one-of-a-kind, and it’s revolutionising the way we think about apparel production.

5. Waxed (Organic) Cotton

Waxed cotton, preferably organic, is an excellent leather alternative.This elegant, versatile material, which is traditionally used for jeans and bags, is gaining appeal and expanding to other clothing items. The wax is eco-friendly and protects you from the weather in the same way that leather does. Waxed cotton or canvas, in addition to being malleable and waterproof, is much easier to clean than animal leather, saving you money on dry cleaning and the harmful chemicals that come with it.

This material is easily used in outerwear products such as this coat from Culthread:

6. MuSkin Mushroom Leather

Mushroom leather, believe it or not, might be the next big thing in sustainable materials! MuSkin is an organic textile made from a species of fungus. The fungi may be grown to the exact size and shape that is needed for the designs. Isn’t that amazing? MuSkin must be waterproofed, however this may be accomplished in a simple, non-chemical manner, making it fully biodegradable and environmentally benign. Who wouldn’t want a bag made of this cruelty-free alternative to leather?

7. Leaf Leather

Leaves can be utilised to create a leather-like material that is lightweight yet highly practical and durable after being coated with a unique blend of eco-friendly resin and cotton. Leaf leather is a unique cruelty-free choice that is rather unusual on the market. They’re manufactured by preserving the leaves in fiber sheets with a polymer. The leaves are readily available, and the manufacturing method requires no harmful treatments or dyes. They are a wonderful organic material that have beautiful textures and patterns. As a result, they can serve as an excellent foundation for creating fashionable personal items and gifts.

8. Apple Leather

I bet you didn’t anticipate an apple to be changed into a leather bag when it fell from the tree? We’ve all seen fruit-based materials like orange peels and banana skins transformed into garment textiles. But what about apples?

Apple harvesting produces leather as a byproduct. Apple leather resembles real leather in appearance but has a papery texture. It is made from the leftover skin and cores of apples. This is actually a benefit because the texture allows you to simply apply different backings, coatings, and effects to your garment depending on the aesthetics you want

9. Coconut Leather

This innovative alternative is robust and strongly resembles real leather in appearance. It is made entirely from waste materials from the coconut industry. Because the material is manufactured from waste water and natural fibers, you may compost it once you’re done with it, despite its durability.

10. Cactus Leather

This eco-friendly vegan leather, also known as nopal leather or Desserto, is manufactured from the sun-dried fibres of cactus plants in Mexico. It’s long-lasting, supple, and water-resistant. Nopal cactus leaves are used to create a convincing and entirely sustainable imitation leather in the newest eco-friendly leather alternative. Because this adaptable material is soft enough for furniture but tough enough for a trusty purse, it has gotten a lot of attention, including a mention in Vogue Australia’s assessment of RawAssembly, a sustainable fashion conference.

The Bottom Line

Don’t worry, if you’re still trying to figure out what vegan leather alternatives would suit your style: this list is just the beginning!

Fashion-forward firms are constantly inventing, investing in, and using more eco-friendly vegan leather alternatives. Trust me, being environmentally conscientious has never been easier or more enjoyable!

Now tell me, is there any reason to buy a leather product now that there are so many wonderful ecological alternatives available? You’ll not only do your bit to make a tremendous impact for the environment, but you’ll also help to save precious resources, minimize pollution, and prevent animal suffering.

We can, together, transform the planet if we all embrace sustainability!