Consumers are becoming more conscious of their impact on the environment, and on the ways animals are treated. This has seen a steep rise in veganism and people leading a cruelty free, environmentally conscious lifestyle. This will affect everything from the food they eat, to the accessories and clothing they choose to wear – vegan belts, shoes, gloves, bags and more are now commonplace. But leather is known as a luxury, premium material and has been for a considerable amount of time – can these new materials really make a dent in the leather industry and be a serious competitor for quality leather products?
First of all, it is probably sensible to think about vegan clothing and accessories in two categories: those that are low cost and are made from cheap materials, and those that are high quality and made from premium vegan materials. This second category is the one that is going to provide a real rival to leather goods. This consists of belts and other accessories that are made from imitation leather, that could be formed from a whole host of high quality materials to look like leather, but without any of the cruelty and a far lower carbon footprint during production.
Essentially, this is the one key factor you need to weigh up: is it vegan to cut corners and to save money, or is it vegan to provide a luxury product that is better for the environment and very good for the consumer too? Once you have considered this, you will be able to think about whether a fashion accessory will provide the level of quality you need. If you choose a leather look belt made from vegan alternatives, and it is very high quality, there is every chance that it will be just as good as leather, if not better.
What are vegan leather belts made from and how do you know if they are high quality?
Vegan leather belts can be made from a variety of materials. The strongest and highest quality ones will usually feature a layered effect to make the belt stronger and to give it a more premium look. They will often use a faux leather nubuck made with a PU base, and microfiber layers on top of this.
In short, these are some of the things you should think about when deciding if a vegan leather belt will be of the right quality for you:
- Material. Faux leather nubuck is one of the most popular types of vegan material used for belts and it will create a quality appearance. It will also be strong and resilient when wearing it regularly.
- Handmade. If the product has been handmade, it has probably been made with love and a great deal of care.
- Brand. What brand does the leather belt come from? Is it one that is aligned with your own views, and that strives to provide the highest quality products?
- A good website and customer service. This won’t necessarily dictate the quality of your belt, but if a website is informative and offers resources such as measuring guides to help you find the right belt size, this is a good indication of quality.
