Most people have no idea of what cork leather is. In fact I must admist I wasn't very familiar with vegan leather myself, and especially the difference between pu leather (mostly plastic) and plant-based leather (like cork). You can read more in detail in this article here, but briefly, cork leather comes from the bark of cork oak trees in the Mediterranean, where the cork blocks are processed to create cork fabric which is then used to make beautiful vegan bags, wallets and a very wide range of fashion accessories, like belts, watch straps and even hats and shoes!
The first time I touched the cork fabric, the first thing I noticed was that it felt almost like suede. Its extremely soft and supple and very smooth to the touch. The second thing I noticed was how light-weight it was. Speak to any woman who loves bags and she'll tell you how heavy her bag feels, even when there is nothing in it!
Cork leather bags on the other hand are almost weight-less, especially the crossbody bags and some of the smaller bags we have, you won't even notice you're carrying anything on your shoulder. Cork is afterall 50% air! And yet, they are extremely durable as well as spacious. That's one of the first things our customers tell us - how much they can fit in their bags!
But you might be wondering what makes them the perfect vegan acessory for fall? Well there are two things. One is the obvious one - of course, the colours!! As cork comes from the bark of a cork oak tree, its natural that the colours resonate so well with the shades of nature in Autumn. Its not wonder then that the cork fabric's original colour complements so well with the full spectrum of fall shades. The cork fabric comes in so many different shades of brown...you've got the deep rich chocolate brown and then you have the orangey-rusty brown and then you have the caramel latte kind of brown. You get the picture!
The second thing that makes cork leather the hottest vegan accessory for autumn is the fact that its water resistant. In the very likely chance (at least here in the UK) that you're caught in the rain, you don't need to worry about your beautiful cork leather bag getting wet. Unlike leather made from animals, plant-based leather like cork leather can withstand a full-on autumn downpour and are impervious to liquids. This is why cork doesn't rot or mildew!
In general you will find cork leather to be scratch as well as stain resistant. Its hypoallergenic so its great for people with sensitive skin and eye conditions. At House of Ethics, we also insist on using cork fabric that is dyed with eco-friendly and natural dyes, so our bags and accessories are all chemical-free and organic. You can read more in detail about the benefits of cork leather here and why its the must have in the world of sustainable fashion.
So if you are considering either buying a vegan gift for your loved ones or looking to transition to a cruelty-free wardrobe in line with your values of sustainable fashion, then cork leather is a serious contender for your vegan leather accessories this autumn...or in fact, at any time of the year!
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