You may have noticed that genuine leather products stretch after use. But what about faux leather? As a leatherworker, I have access to different types of leather. I never really looked at the differences in how much faux leather could stretch until now. Here is what I found.
In general, faux leather stretches far less than genuine leather. Stretching tools and leather stretching spays effectively stretch faux leather. However, faux leather is more susceptible to breaks and tears.
Let us look at faux leather, see how much it stretches and whether it is a good alternative for you. Keep on reading to find out.
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How Much Will Faux Leather Stretch?
In general, faux leather will stretch, but the amount of stretching will typically be unnoticeable. However, compared to genuine leather, faux leather doesn’t take much stretching before it begins to degrade and ultimately crack.
I have looked at the stretching of several of my faux leather jackets and pants, and there was not a whole lot of difference.
Suppose you are thinking about getting faux leather and delaying the dreaded stretch until a later date. In that case, it is always a good idea to size up your chosen item of clothing instead of picking a size that is too snug.
But what happens if your item of clothing is stretched too much?
Can Faux Leather Shrink?
It is possible to shrink faux leather back to its original shape, but you risk ruining it or tearing holes into the fabric.
As faux leather is made of plastic-type fibers, faux leather doesn’t respond to shrinking through high heat like the natural fibers in genuine leather. The best way to shrink a faux leather item is to wash it in warm water first before applying a heat shrinking method.
After the leather is evenly soaked, you need to put your item into a pillowcase and tie it up. The pillowcase prevents your item from coming free and sticking itself to the drum.
Set your machine to use high heat for around an hour, and when it finally cools, your item of clothing should be smaller.
As we mentioned, this can be risky as you may damage your faux leather further by doing this. So, make sure there are absolutely no other options available to you, and you wish to take the risk.
We generally advise not to try shrinking faux leather items for this very reason. Not only do you risk damaging your item of clothing, but also your washer-dryer.
A brand-new washer-dryer will be a lot more expensive to get fixed than a pair of oversized faux leather pants, jackets, gloves, or other items.
Another place you could try is a professional cleaning service, as they may have better equipment than you do if they cannot help. However, if you are still adamant about your item being reduced, contact your local tailor.
So, if you have brought an item of clothing that has shrunk, or you buy one that is slightly too small, what then?
You may also be interested in Can Faux Leather Be Tailored?
Can You Stretch Faux Leather Without Ruining It?
It is pretty easy to stretch faux leather, though you won’t get the results you can achieve with genuine leather. But you can stretch your faux leather without ruining it or cracking the fabric.
Let us have a look at one way you can stretch the fabric. I will focus on faux leather shoes, but the method can be applied to any item of clothing.
Apply Product to Relax the Faux Leather
To start, the first thing you need to do to begin to stretch the faux leather is to relax the material, ready for the process.
One fantastic way to get the fabric ready is to apply a fabric conditioner to the leather. Then, rub a small amount of your chosen product in small circles, covering the leather completely. When done, leave to air dry.
Spray the Leather with a Stretching Product
Before spraying, do read the label and see what the instructions say; if you can’t use this product, then don’t. Follow the product’s instructions found on the can.
After spraying can stretch the faux leather item in the following ways:
- Manually stretching
- Wearing the item
- Using a tool
I have listed common items for stretching leather in the next section.
Just make sure that the stretch spray is suitable for faux leather, as some are designed to be used on genuine leather only.
Use a Tool to Stretch the Leather to the Desired Size
There are tools designed specifically for stretching leather. You can also use the stretching tools on faux leather.
Boot trees
Using a boot tree, half a size up, will help stretch the leather into a more comfortable shape. Then, with repeated use, the leather will conform to the new shape, and your shoes will feel more comfortable.
When you leave the shoe on the boot tree, make sure to tie the laces tightly, so it provides enough resistance to stretch the leather.
Watch Stands
Faux leather watch straps and bracelets are easily stretched by wrapping them around a firm object and leaving it there for a few hours. Watch stands are perfect for this situation.
Is Faux Leather Better Than Genuine Leather?
When you are looking to purchase a leather item, two things should come to your mind: quality and durability. When you are ultimately faced with the choice between faux leather and genuine leather, keep in mind these two factors.
Faux leather, generally, is lighter and thinner than genuine leather. While this makes it a perfect candidate for outerwear, footwear or any other type of clothing, it does mean it is far less durable.
With the proper care, good-quality leather can last for years and even decades without any issues. In contrast, faux leather can degrade within a year or two. And that is from high-quality faux leather.
The degrading of the faux leather is a significant issue when considering whether to pick between the leathers, especially when the leather stretches out and becomes warped.
Keep all this in mind when considering faux leather and buying it as an alternative to genuine leather.
But which is better, should you go for faux leather or genuine leather. This question is sensible if you’re worried about how much stretching you are likely to encounter.
Is Faux Leather Better Thang Genuine Leather
With faux leather being cheap and affordable, you may think it is a good investment to purchase. However, even with the looming threat of unreversible stretching, you may still be eager to get that gorgeous faux leather item.
So, to help you decide whether the risk of stretching is worth it, let us share some pros and cons about this leather substitute.
| Pros | Cons |
| Cheaper than leather Animal friendly A wide array of colors Possible high gloss finish Easily cleaned Low maintenance UV fade resistance No Leather smell | Non-breathable Doesn’t develop a patina More environmentally wasteful No hypo-allergenic Easily torn or punctured No leather smell Doesn’t stretch much |
Whether you pick faux leather or genuine leather for your next investment, it is always good to be informed about the type of product you are getting. Faux leather, although it can’t stretch that much, it is still a good material if you are looking for leather style but within a budget.
Leather looks fabulous when paired with any item of clothing, and your style will be doubled if and when you try it.
Hopefully, you won’t be too stretched to try out some faux leather.
