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- If shopping vegan is a priority to you, you no longer have to forgo leather. Many brands are making vegan leathers out of synthetic materials that look and feel like the real deal.
- When shopping for vegan leather, it’s important to look for keywords like "vegan" and "cruelty-free" as not all faux leathers are made without animal products.
- If you’re in the market for a vegan leather work bag, we’ve got you covered. We searched some of our favorite spots to find some beautiful faux leather bags and picked out nine styles that are office-ready and completely vegan.
The things we wear show off more than just our individual sense of style. Clothes, shoes, accessories — everything we choose to put on our bodies makes a subtle statement about our values, whether it’s an active decision or not.
For many shoppers, it actually is an active decision. A 2015 Nielsen Report found that 66% of consumers were willing to pay extra for products from brands that put sustainability, ethics, and social values at the forefront of their missions. There’s power in our pockets — we get to choose how we spend our money, so if we care about a certain issue, we can support brands that align with those same beliefs.
As consumers become more discerning shoppers, brands need to cater to their changing desires. Some brands are capitalizing on the unpopularity of plastics by using recycled plastics in their products and plenty more are making transparent, ethical business practices a major part of their mission. And all of these brands are making some seriously cool stuff while they’re at it.
If a vegan lifestyle is what you value most, you actually can find completely cruelty-free, imitation-leather bags that look nothing like the stiff, plastic-y pleather styles of years past.
Vegan leather has become somewhat of a sweeping term to describe any leather-like material that is made without animal products. It encompasses a range of materials, many of which are synthetic, like polyurethane (PU) and polyinyl chloride (PVC). If sustainability is a concern, it’s important to note that synthetic materials tend to have a higher environmental impact than their natural counterparts.
If you’re reading this though, you’re probably trying to avoid animal products, and these synthetic materials are an easy, (typically) more affordable, and still stylish way to do so. When you’re looking for vegan leather goods, make sure to look for products that are actually advertised as "vegan" or "cruelty-free". While PU and PVC are used in many vegan leather bags, not all faux leather bags made from those materials are fully vegan. Some brands use PU and PVC to coat leather byproducts to cut corners and get the real leather look for less. This is known as bicast bonded leather, but some brands may just market it as faux leather.
Most brands aren’t trying to dupe you, but if avoiding all animal products is your priority, it can only benefit you to double check the brand’s practices and materials used.
Nowadays, imitation leathers look so much like the real deal that even if you’re not actively searching for vegan leather, you may be pleasantly surprised to see the selection out there. To take out the guesswork, we rounded up nine vegan leather bags that are perfect for work. We already checked to make sure they’re really vegan, so all you have to do is pick out the style you like.
Keep reading for nine vegan leather work bags that look just as good as the real deal:
The Cassidy Satchel
Matt & Nat
Cassidy Satchel, in Koala Matte Nickel, available at Matt & Nat, $155
A structured satchel with a sturdy top handle and a removable (and adjustable) crossbody strap makes this the perfect bag for toting your laptop to and from the office. It’s also equipped with plenty of smaller pockets meant to fit your iPad, smartphone, and other little items. Not only is it functional, but the minimalist style and neutral color gives this a polished look that’s office-ready.
Matt & Nat says it uses a variety of vegan leathers, including both PU and PVC. While those may not be the most sustainable materials around, the brand makes a point to use more eco-friendly materials like recycled nylons, rubber, and cork in its designs too. Additionally, the lining of this bag (and every Matt & Nat bag, in fact) is made of 100% recycled plastic bottles.
The Greta Work Tote
Pixie Mood
Greta Work Tote, in Lavender, available at Pixie Mood, $82
This structured tote has a laptop slot, water bottle strap, document compartment, and even pen hoops to keep writing utensils at arm’s reach. The faux suede detailing on the bottom adds just a bit of fun, making this piece stand out from other similar totes. Go for black or tan if you want to keep it classic, or pick one of Pixie Mood’s bold colors, like this lovely lavender.
Pixie Mood uses PU leather, as it’s more environmentally friendly and actually more durable than PVC. The brand is always looking for more innovative and sustainable materials to include in its designs.
The Amore Tote
Matt & Nat
Amore Tote, in Chili, available at Matt & Nat, $250
This sophisticated bucket tote looks as good off-duty as it does on. While structural in shape, the open interior means you can load it with everything you need for the workday. A removable interior pouch, made of the same material, can be used as a card and cash holder on its own or clipped into the bag for easy accessibility. The bag comes in three neutral colors — black, brown, and a brick red — all of which look strikingly similar to a naturally tanned leather bag.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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Source: Business Insider – rrosmarin@businessinsider.com (Remi Rosmarin)