Vegan leather (also called faux leather) has, admittedly, not always had the best of reputations among fashion enthusiasts. But as the appetite for more sustainable practices continues to grow, more and more brands and designers have once again started working with the material. Perhaps once regarded as glorified plastic - and a cheap way to recreate some of our favorite '90s looks - faux leather has been transformed over the past few years.

Ahead, keep reading to learn more about what vegan leather is, where it comes from, and understand the differences between the material and its real counterpart. And if you're looking to add more vegan leather pieces to your wardrobe, we've also included some of our favorite styles for you to shop, too.

What Is Vegan Leather, and Where Does It Come From?

Vegan leather is a material that mimics real leather, but that is created from either synthetic or plant-based materials instead of animal skins. Also called "faux" or "synthetic" leather, vegan leather is most commonly made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyurethane (PU), two plastic polymers that help give the crinkled effect of real leather.

Over the past few years, however, PVC and PU have been falling out of favor due to the environmental challenges they can present, and have started being replaced by more sustainable materials that can be made out of natural resources such as pineapple leaves, apple peels, other fruit waste, recycled plastic, and cork.

Whats the Difference Between Vegan Leather and Real Leather?

The principal difference between the two fabrics is that genuine leather is made from animal skins, while faux leather is made from synthetic or plant-based materials before being treated and dyed to create the color and texture.

Due to its nature, real leather is unique and often features inconsistent pores and marks, while faux leather, as a man-made fabric, tends to be uniform.

Durability is also something that needs to be taken into account when weighing up the pros and cons between the two fabrics: when cared for properly, real leather can last for years, if not decades, while faux leather is generally a bit more delicate.

Where to Shop For Vegan Leather Pieces

Shopping for good quality, faux leather pieces has never been so easy. While several high-end brands such Stella McCartney and Nanushka are renowned for their sustainability practices and use of faux leather, a whole host of other labels have also started using the material. Brands like Zara, H&M, Dr. Martens, Topshop and ASOS are now all offering vegan leather options within their collections.

Frankie Shop Black Leather Cargo Pants

Frankie Shop Black Leather Cargo Pants ($210)

Our Vegan Leather Picks

Dr Martens Vegan 1460 Lace Up Boots ($150)

Stella McCartney x Adidas Originals Stan Smith Vegan Leather Sneakers

Stella McCartney x Adidas Originals Stan Smith Vegan Leather Sneakers ($325)

Studio Amelia Croc-Effect Vegan Leather Sandals

Studio Amelia Croc-Effect Vegan Leather Sandals ($320)

Veja x Rick Owens Vegan Leather and Suede Sneakers

Veja x Rick Owens Vegan Leather and Suede Sneakers ($290)

H&M Faux Leather Mules

H&M Faux Leather Mules ($30)

Nanushka Cancun Vegan Leather Fitted Blazer

Nanushka Cancun Vegan Leather Fitted Blazer ($585)

ASOS Design Ultimate Faux Leather Biker Jacket

ASOS Design Curve Ultimate Faux Leather Biker Jacket ($56)

Zara Faux Leather Jacket

Zara Faux Leather Jacket ($70)

BB Dakota Just Ride Vegan Leather Jacket

BB Dakota Just Ride Vegan Leather Jacket ($49, originally $98)

Mango Violeta Zipped Faux Leather Biker Jacket

Mango Violeta Zipped Faux Leather Biker Jacket ($80, originally $120)

Stella McCartney Logo Bucket Bag

Stella McCartney Logo Bucket Bag ($715)

JW Pei Gabbi Bag

JW Pei Gabbi Bag ($88)

Bare Boheme Charlotte Tote

Bare Boheme Charlotte Tote ($78, originally $128)

Mashu Amaryllis Bag

Mashu Amaryllis Bag ($363)

Topshop Eve Faux Leather Shoulder Bag

Topshop Eve Faux Leather Shoulder Bag ($48)

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Curious About Vegan Leather? Here's What You Need to Know - Yahoo Lifestyle