Sustainable Leather: Our Commitment to Ethical Fashion

"Sustainable leather" is used loosely, so it helps to know what the term can and cannot mean. Leather is made mostly from hides of animals raised for food, tanning has a real environmental cost, and the strongest sustainability argument is usually how long a garment is worn. This guide separates those points, and shows what to look for when buying leather clothing. Related clothing is listed in the For Men category.

What Sustainable Leather Means

There is no single legal definition of sustainable leather. In practice the term points to four areas: where the hides come from, how they are tanned, how the garment is made and how long it stays in use. A claim is only as strong as the evidence behind each of them, so it is fair to ask a seller which of the four it can document.

Where the Hides Come From

Leather is a by-product of the food industry: the Leather Working Group states that hides from animals raised for food account for 99% of the world's leather, and that without leather production they would otherwise end up as waste. Using hides that would otherwise be discarded is a genuine benefit, but it does not make leather impact-free.

Tanning and Certification

Tanning turns raw hide into stable leather. Chrome tanning is the dominant method worldwide, and it can pollute water and soil when waste is not managed. Vegetable tanning uses tannins that occur naturally in the bark and leaves of plants and is a traditional alternative that gives a different look and feel.

The Leather Working Group is a not-for-profit organisation that audits leather manufacturers and other supply-chain actors. Its standards look at environmental impact, chemical management, animal welfare, social responsibility and traceability. A tannery audit is a useful signal, although it describes the tannery and not the farm where the animal was raised, so it should be read as one piece of evidence rather than a complete answer.

Durability, Repair and Made-to-Order

For clothing, longevity is the factor a buyer controls. Leather that is cared for properly can stay in use for a long time, which spreads its footprint across many years of wear. Sustainability in leather extends past the purchase and into how the product is used and maintained.

Made-to-order production is one way to avoid unsold stock, because a garment is cut after an order is placed. Leather Collection makes its garments to order and by hand, including options such as the made-to-order bomber jacket and the made-to-measure riding jackets . For a long-lived item, look for garments that can be resized or repaired. One more jacket to look at is the Heritage Black Leather Jacket With Fur Collar .

Questions to Ask Before Buying Leather Clothing

• Which leather is used, and can the seller say how the hide was tanned?
• Does the tannery hold an independent audit such as the Leather Working Group?
• Is the garment cut to order or produced in large runs?
• Can it be altered or repaired when the fit changes?
• Does the cut suit the way it will be worn, so it stays in use?

Caring for Leather So It Lasts

Follow the care label or the maker's instructions; the right products depend on the finish and construction of each item. Women's styles are listed under women's leather garments .

Written by the Leather Collection Editorial Team.