With wide popularity comes various made-up myths and thus, misconception grows rapidly and such is the case with leather. Misconceptions are so deeply rooted among people that most of them believe these myths as true. The truth is that no matter how much genuine leather as a natural substance fascinates people, only a very few people know the basic stuff about leather correctly. The rest just believe that they know it, but unfortunately, they may not.
Now, you might be thinking, how can the knowledge that you acquired from several websites, friends, and people be wrong? Well, let us take you on a fun ride where we will bust the myths about genuine leather and you can check how many of them you got right! So, let's get started, shall we?
Top 5 Myths About Genuine Leather
Manifold myths and misconceptions about genuine leather continue to mislead and create confusion amongst buyers while purchasing authentic leather items. Thus, it's important to address and ignore these misconceptions to make well-informed choices while purchasing genuine leather goods.
‘Real’ Leather Is Not Genuine Leather
It is a very common misconception among people that genuine leather is not real and it’s nothing but just a widely spread wrong idea about leather. Just like any natural from of leather, genuine leather too is crafted from animal hides and goes through a lengthy tanning process to produce a wide range of luxe leather items. What fuels the misconception may be the 'genuine' tag attached to it. However, the truth is quite simple, and real leather is called genuine leather to differentiate it from other artificial leather-like synthetic, faux, and suede materials that are crafted from non-animal sources like Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) or polyurethane.
Using Genuine Leather Is Not Ethical
Due to the concerns of animal well-being, many people believe that using genuine leather is highly unethical which is not the case here. Although it's true that the leather industry significantly contributes to animal and environmental concerns, animals are not specifically killed for leather production. Animal farming mostly happens for the food industry and the skins of dead animals are taken by the leather manufacturers to process them further. So, using genuine leather does not necessarily mean you are contributing to the unethical act of animal killing.
All Types Of Leather Are Durable
While real leather is loved for its durability and longevity, not all forms of leather can perform the same, not even close. You can only expect outstanding durability from different kinds of genuine leather like full-grain, half-grain, and real leather. Other alternatives like synthetic leather and faux are not likely to compete with the former ones. Overall, the type of material used, the tanning process, and the care and maintenance given to the product all significantly contribute to its longevity and durability.
Tones Fade Away With Time
A good number of people complain about colours fading away with time and it may happen due to various factors like humidity, lack of care and maintenance, exposure to sunlight, wear and tear etc. However, the shade of genuine leather never fades away over time if you take proper care of it. Authentic or genuine leather slowly develops unique patinas over time which adds to its natural appeal and beauty. However, if your leather items remain exposed to sunlight for a prolonged time, the original shades may fade up to 20%, even if it's genuine high-quality leather. To retain the colour of your favourite leather accessories for a long time, keep them away from direct sunlight as much as possible.
Greater Cost Means Better Quality
If you think the more expensive the price tag, the greater the quality of leather you are getting, it may not always be true. While high-quality genuine leather like full grain ones may cost you a fortune when bought from a luxury brand, the price tag is not the indicator of quality. Many consumers have shared their experiences about how expensive leather products do not always offer greater quality. Manifold factors like the type of leather used, the tanning process, craftmanship, design, and the brand value all collectively contribute to the final price and the quality of the item. So, as a smart consumer, consider weighing these factors to determine if the quality and cost are reflective before buying any genuine leather item.