Difference Between Leather vs. Leatherette

Posted on by Owen Williams

Main Difference

The leather is durable, long lasting and flexible material that is made up of the skin of various animals such as goats, cows, camels, etc. The leather industry is one of the biggest product manufacturing industry which is used to prepare various goods including clothes, such as leather jackets, hats, shoes, belts, etc. On the other hand, Leatherette is a kind of artificial leather that is quite close to original leather regarding overall appearance. Leatherette is made up of synthetic PVC plastic base that is covered with a fabric layer. Leatherette is cheaper than leather but is less durable than leather.

Comparison Chart

LeatherLeatherette
Made up ofAnimal skin along with various chemical compositions.Leatherette is artificial kind of leather that is made up of PVC plastic base and possesses a layer of fabric.
WashableLeathers are washable but are restricted for more wash. It differs by-products.Almost all kinds of leatherette products are not washable.
Animal friendlyNo, leather is not animal-friendly as the animal skin is the basic component of manufacturing the leather.Leatherette is usually animal-friendly until and unless it uses pieces of leathers along with PVC plastic as a base.
DurabilityThe leather is more durable and last longer. It only fades its color with the passage of time.Leatherette is less durable as compared to original leather. But It retains its color for a longer period.
BreathableYesNo
ColorsPure leather and leather products are usually limited in color such as brown, black and sometimes white.A large variety of colors is present regarding leatherette products as they are easy to dye.
Used forThe pure leather is widely used for making shoes, leather jackets, bags, furniture covers, etc.Leatherette is used in place of original leather for making cheaper products such as clothes, bags, shoes, etc.
CostThe leather is way much more costly, and the products made up of original leather are classified as premium and luxury products.Leatherette and the products made up of leatherette are way cheaper as compare to leather products.

What is Leather?

The leather is the premium, durable and flexible manufacturing material that is made up of animal skin along with various chemical compositions. Cattle skin is most widely used for this purpose. Leather and leather products are high in quality and are way durable in nature. But at the same time, they are quite expensive too and does not offer much color options. Various products such as leather jackets, bags, and shoes all are mostly of brown, black and sometimes in white color. The color is faded away with the passage of time. The leather is highly porous and breathable in nature.

What is Leatherette?

Leatherette is kind of artificial leather that is made up of PVC plastic base along with the layer of synthetic fiber making fabric layer. Leatherette is widely used all around the globe is way less expensive than the leather. Leatherette is formed by artificial synthetic fiber that uses PVC plastic as its base and sometimes uses old original leather pieces too to give more of the original leather touch. Leatherette, unlike leather, is more animal-friendly as compare to leather which is directly made up of animal skin. Leatherette is less durable as compared to leather but is even less than half in price it way much better and the color does not fade like the leather. All the original leather products can be manufactured using leatherette which is a great and in budget replacement of costly products. Leatherette is largely in use from the late 20th century, where it was initially used for the covers of the books and cameras. Nowadays leatherette is widely used for making clothes, shoes and various other products. The only main concern with leatherette Unlike leather it that it is not porous in nature and sweat a lot, whereas leather is breathable, but leatherette is not.

Leather vs. Leatherette

  • The leather is a flexible, premium and durable manufacturing material made up of animal hide.
  • Leatherette is a kind of artificial leather that is made up of PVC plastic base with fabric layer on it.
  • The leather is porous and breathable.
  • Leatherette is cheaper than leather.
  • The leather is more durable than leatherette.

Comparison Video