What Is Vegan Leather, And Why Pretty Simple Uses It
"Vegan leather" gets thrown around a lot in fashion marketing. Sometimes it means genuinely thoughtful material science. Sometimes it just means plastic. Here's what it actually is, and how we choose the materials that go into every Pretty Simple bag.
So What Actually Is Vegan Leather?
Vegan leather is a broad term for any leather alternative made without animal products. It includes PU (polyurethane), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), and increasingly, plant-based options like cactus leather, apple leather, and Piñatex (pineapple fiber).
The category has evolved rapidly over the last decade. What used to be a cheap plastic substitute is now genuinely competitive with animal leather on durability and finish, when it's made well.
Why the Vegan Leather Market Is Exploding
Three reasons: environmental impact, ethics, and cost. Animal leather is a byproduct of the meat industry, which comes with a significant carbon and water footprint. Vegan alternatives, especially newer plant-based options, have measurably lower environmental impact.
On ethics: many consumers are simply looking for animal-free alternatives that don't require them to sacrifice quality or aesthetics.
And on cost: vegan leather is more accessible price-wise, which democratizes good design. You shouldn't have to spend $800 to own a beautiful, well-made bag.
How Pretty Simple's Vegan Leather Is Made
Our bags use a PU-based vegan leather that's engineered for durability, structure, and a consistent finish across colors. It resists scuffing and minor moisture, holds its shape season after season, and is easy to wipe clean, which matters when you're carrying it every day.
We also offer a Woven Vegan Leather Collection that adds texture and dimension to the material, it's some of the most distinctive work we've done. And our L'uomo Men's Collection applies the same quality in a more structured, gender-neutral direction.
The Woven Vegan Leather Collection
Our signature woven finish adds texture, depth, and hand-crafted feel to the PU vegan leather base. Available across Westlyn, Sienna, and Wrenlee silhouettes.
shop the collectionWhat Vegan Leather Is Not
It's worth being clear: not all vegan leather is created equal. Cheap PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is technically vegan leather, but it cracks quickly and contains plasticizers that are concerning from an environmental standpoint. PU leather is a significant step up. Plant-based leathers are better still, but the technology is still maturing and price points reflect that.
When you shop vegan leather, look at the specific material listed. "Vegan leather" alone tells you what it isn't, not what it is.
Our Vegan Leather Bags
Every Pretty Simple bag is vegan. From the everyday Westlyn to the more structured Wrenlee, we've built the entire line around materials we're proud to carry. Explore the full collection to see the range in person.
