The Best Vegan Leather Handbags (That Are Also Sustainable)

Fashion priorities are changing as we become more conscious of our impact on the planet and our inhabitants. The days of chasing the latest accessories without thinking about their origins are long gone. We make informed decisions today that are in line with our values.

This blog post will take you on a journey into the world vegan leather handbags. They are a stylish and compassionate option that allows us to show off our style with a clean conscience. This post will explain the various materials that are used to make vegan handbags. It will also serve as a guide for choosing your next bag.

We will explore the range of vegan alternatives to leather and determine which are most in line with sustainability. We’ll look at the best way to determine if your bag will last.

Why should you shop for vegan handbags?

Many people now choose vegan alternatives when buying handbags. The main reasons are usually based on ethics and the way people feel about fashioning animals. Animal agriculture is becoming more popular, as are the facts that animals suffer for fashion. You may be vegan, vegetarian, or just an animal lover. If you feel that animal skin, fur, or wool doesn’t fit with your ethical values, you will choose animal-free products when shopping. The ethics of the people who work with leather is another factor. Tannery workers are exposed to chemicals that are carcinogenic and are at high risk of cancer as a result.

Environmental concerns are another reason why people are switching to vegan leather bags. Although not all vegan alternatives are sustainable, we know more about how animal leather compares to synthetic alternatives. Collective Fashion Justice conducted a recent study that found cowskin leather has a climate impact nearly seven times greater than synthetic leather per square meter. Animal leather can cause environmental damage by releasing toxic chemicals during the tanning process. It also pollutes waterways through factory wastewater and emits carbon dioxide. Before the leather is produced, we must consider the impact on the environment of the animal agriculture process.

We can reduce the amount of animals that are killed for fashion and our environmental impact by choosing vegan handbags.

What type of materials are used for vegan handbags?

More vegan alternatives are available than ever. There are many vegan alternatives to leather, some of which are in development or not yet widely available.

• Mirum is a blend consisting of natural rubber certified by FSC, natural pigments like charcoal, and natural fillers such as clays. It also contains plant-based oils, waxes and oils.
• Cork is made by the bark of the cork tree (without cutting the trees down), and it’s completely biodegradable.
• Mycelium is a bio-based product that is made from the mycelium, which is a fungus’ branching, rootlike vegetation.
• Fruit leather (including mango, orange, apple, pineapple and grape) – 45% global of all fruits, vegetables and other products are discarded from the farm to the plate. Fruit leather is made from the leftovers of different fruits.
• Cactus leather is made from dried cactus dust backed onto woven fabric.
• Treekind: Made from wood sourced sustainably, Treekind is free of plastic, recyclable and uses less than 1% the amount of water required to produce cowskin leather.
• Washable paper: FSC trees are used to make washable paper. This is a biodegradable and recyclable alternative to leather.

The most common (and least sustainable) alternatives to the leather are PVC and polyurethane. They are not the best because, while they have a lower impact than animal-derived products, they do require fossil fuel extraction, and they don’t biodegrade. You can buy recycled PU leather, which does not require the extraction of new fossil fuels. This reduces its environmental impact.

Are vegan leather handbags durable?

Vegan leather products are often criticized for their durability. People worry that they will not last as long as animal leather or they may ‘peel.’ This is because vegan leather is thinner. If you have ever visited a vintage store or thrift shop and seen an animal leather bag or jacket, it will usually be cracked or peeled. Animal leather is a very high-maintenance material, so not many people are willing to do this.

Handbags are often susceptible to damage if they’re not stored correctly and exposed to enough wear. It depends on which vegan material was used to create the bag. You can find instructions for how to care for your handbag to ensure it lasts many years.

OUR TOP PICKS OF VEGAN LEATHER BAG BRANDS

1) Matt & Nat

Matt & Nat, the world’s most famous vegan cruelty-free product brand, has been producing high-quality vegan goods since 1995.

The company is PETA approved and uses vegan alternatives for leather. They also constantly improve their sustainability practices in order to make the products more sustainable.

They design sleek, minimalist handbags, including crossbody bags, shoulder bags and weekenders. Matt & Nat’s collection is dominated by creams, browns, greens and blacks. This makes them ideal for capsule collections as they complement a variety of outfits. The linings of their bags are made from recycled plastic bottles. Each bag contains 21 bottles.

2) Stella McCartney

Stella McCartney is a British designer known for her luxurious vegan handbags. These are made of innovative leather alternatives, such as VEGEA(grape-based leather), Mylo ™ (mushroom skin) and MIRUM. The brand is dedicated to ethical and sustainable practices in its entire supply chain. It is always exploring new technologies to improve environmental practices, and to make vegan alternatives more affordable.

The Falabella is Stella McCartney’s most popular handbag, but it also makes crossbody bags as well as totes, backpacks, and shoulder bags.

4) LaBante London

LaBante London is a vegan leather handbag manufacturer that uses recycled plastic bottles, vegetable-derived PU and other ethically sourced materials. They make fashionable backpacks, totes and crossbody bags. Labante is committed to ethical production and only works with factories that have SEDEX certification, which guarantees transparency and respect for workers.

6) Melie Bianco

Melie Bianco creates eco-friendly, stylish vegan leather handbags. The collection includes trendy and classic bags such as top handle bags and crossbody bags. They also have shoulder bags, backpacks, totes, and backpacks. Melie Bianco bags are made from recycled PU and the factories that they work with adhere to high standards of safety, well-being and fair pay.