Artificial leather is called polymeric material obtained by applying a polyvinyl chloride or polyurethane liquid mass on paper and its subsequent hardening in a furnace. Possesses the same external characteristics, as well as genuine leather. It is used in the manufacture of clothing, footwear, furniture, technical and haberdashery.
The advantages of leatherette
Products made of artificial leather look almost the same as products made of genuine leather. Advantages, as well as disadvantages, of this material in comparison with genuine leather are enough to draw attention to it.
Her main advantages are:
- Low price compared to real leather.
- Higher strength, which makes jackets made of artificial leather warmer, waterproof and not blown.
- The absence of an unpleasant smell, which is characteristic of natural leather.
- A more attractive appearance, for example, a new leatherette jacket has an “ideal” surface compared to a genuine leather jacket, on which vein and uneven color are visible.
- The possibility of washing clothes from this material by hand and washer, using a delicate mode.
- And finally, leather leatherette products can be painted in a variety of colors and shades, as well as have a variety of texture, which provides more opportunities for choice.
Considering all these advantages of kozhzam, many leading companies in the production of leather goods specifically for animal advocates produce products made of artificial leather.
Main disadvantages faux leather are:
- The need for a more accurate and thorough care of products made of artificial leather: they can not be dried under the sun, on the battery, near the fireplace or other heating devices, since cracks and white spots may appear on their outer surface.
- Artificial leather does not tolerate temperature conditions below 10 degrees, so it is not recommended to walk in frosty weather in jackets made of such material, otherwise it will crack.
- The airtightness of leatherette products can give its owner discomfort in the form of an unpleasant smell.
- The life of products made of artificial leather is much shorter than that of real leather.
- In addition, the artificial material is ignited much faster than genuine leather. This quality, by the way, is used to check what leather the product is made of.
Differences from eco-leather
Ecological leather or eco-leather is a material consisting of natural cotton and leather, artificial additives and synthetic polymers.
It is made as a result of a basis of a covering from a natural cotton with a polyurethane film. This method of application makes products from ecological leather softer and more elastic. In addition, the cotton base provides the product with higher strength: they do not stretch and do not break.
Polyurethane coating makes the product more durable and cold-resistant. It is also important that in eco-leather there are no various plasticizer additives that release various hazardous substances. Due to this, this material is called "ECO" -skin. In eco-leather jackets you can walk in frost up to - 35 degrees Celsius.
To others The advantages of ecological skin include:
- excellent appearance, perfectly smooth surface of the material;
- its air permeability and hydroscopic;
- high wear resistance and durability;
- high frost resistance compared to artificial leather;
- pleasant tactile sensations from products from eco-leather: they are very soft, elastic and warm;
- high rates of hypoallergenicity due to the absence of the greenhouse effect;
- no unpleasant odor and toxic substances in the composition.
Thus, artificial leather is in many respects inferior to environmental, although it costs a bit cheaper. The latter, in turn, sometimes even exceeds natural leather in some qualities, although it is cheaper.
Models
Imitation leather jacket options a huge amount. Only on the websites of various online stores you can find dozens of the most original and beautiful models of leatherette jackets. Bright and fashionable, and most importantly inexpensive demi-season jackets will be an excellent complement to your wardrobe.
Long or short, fitted or loose, decorated with rivets, numerous pockets, fur lapels or zippers - all this remains relevant for several seasons in a row. Therefore, whatever option you choose, you will still look fashionable, stylish and spectacular.
Tips for choosing
If you decide to buy a jacket made of artificial leather, pay attention to the models of famous brands. As a rule, the more expensive the product, the more it is made of high quality leatherette, and therefore, the longer it will serve you.
In addition, you need to check the quality and health of fittings.
We advise young and young girls to choose shortened and fitted models with a zipper. They can be worn as trousers and with skirts.
Interesting sets with jackets can be created along with leggings and long T-shirts or tunics.
In especially cold times, models with fur or knitted cuffs will look great.
Under leather jackets, leather half boots, ankle boots or platform shoes, coarse or elegant high heels look spectacular.
Home care
In the care of a jacket made of artificial leather is nothing complicated. With proper care, a jacket made of high quality leatherette will last you long enough to get bored. To do this, first of all, you need to follow some of the rules “what is impossible and you can do with a jacket made of artificial leather”:
- You can not dry the jacket near the heating devices and under the bright sun, otherwise it will crack.
- You can not leave your jacket wet, for example, if you entered the room, and it was raining outside.
- It is impossible to iron a kozhzam jacket with an iron if it is not provided by the manufacturer.
- Do not use hard brushes or scrapers when cleaning.
- You can not expose the jacket to strong mechanical stress.
- It is impossible to wash a jacket if there is no label on it that the product can be washed in a washing machine.
- When washing jackets made of artificial leather, powders and other detergents with powerful solvents and chemicals, including bleach, cannot be used.
Leatherette made only on the basis of knitwear or cotton can be smoothed with a steam iron at a low temperature
Recommendations for proper and timely care for a jacket made of artificial leather:
- If the jacket has a label with permission for washing, then feel free to load it into the machine and select the desired mode and temperature. Spin must be turned off, otherwise the jacket will deteriorate. At the same time be attentive to the means of household chemicals.
- If the jacket is contraindicated and hand and machine wash, take a bowl of water, dilute it with ordinary soap or powder, soak a soft napkin in it and wipe the contaminated surface of the jacket with it. Then wipe with a clean cloth and wipe it dry.
- It is necessary to dry the jacket, first hanging it on a hanger, in a warm ventilated room.
- Keep a leatherette jacket is better in a dry, cool and dark place.
