Whether you want to stay away from animal products for ethical reasons or need a more budget-friendly alternative, vegan leather jackets and coats are becoming more popular, which means more options.
The usual vegan jacket option is the faux leather look made of polyurethane which is durable, easy to maintain, and can be dyed in a wide range of colors, including brilliant jewel tones and subtle pastels.
You get a more comprehensive range of color choices from this material than with the real deal at a fraction of the cost.
Another option is textured leather jackets and coats, including faux suede. These may also be polyurethane, but because of the processing may have different care needs.
As with any garment, read the care instructions and always err on caution.
Read full reviews and descriptions to see if the jacket you are interested in is lined or not, as that can make a difference in sizing as well as overall usefulness.
Finally, check the sizing guides and charts listed with every jacket because while you may wear a size small in one brand, you may need a medium or even a large in another.
Reviews also may mention whether the jacket runs true to size or not.
For some, you may find that the sizing guide is so wildly off that some sizes are far too small while others are far too large.
This is especially true for jackets made in some countries where sizing differs from others.
1. Fahsyee Women’s Faux Leather Jacket, Lightweight Moto Style
Available in several colors and styles, this faux leather jacket has the traditional styling of a moto jacket, including the stand-up collar and zippers.
Color choices include black (Style 106), Camel, Ash Black, Black, Brown, Wine Red, Black (Style 104), Adobe Brown, Rust Red, Grey, and Red.
It comes in sizes from Small to XXL. Pockets, zippers, and other design features will vary by style.
Pockets are real, functional pockets, some with zippers and some without.
This jacket is made of 100% polyurethane and is meant to be water-repellant and wind-proof but still lightweight.
It has a very thin interior lining, which is best for milder weather conditions.
Pros:
- Lots of color choices
- Decent size options
- Stylish and light enough to be worn as part of an outfit rather than just as a jacket.
Cons:
- Sizing is completely off, with most people complaining that it is two to three sizes too small.
- Style numbers are confusing, so you may not get the design you think you are ordering.
2. Chouyatou Fashion Studded Faux Leather Women’s Jacket
This jacket is available in both polyurethane and a denim version.
Color choices include Black, Dark Red, Denim Blue, Denim Green, Denim Grey, Green, New Black, Red, and White.
The sizes available are XXS to XXL.
The jacket has a trendy, almost punk rock look with zippers, metal studs, a stand-up collar, and two removable bottom pieces.
It is cut to give the hourglass look and is meant to be worn on the tighter side.
The faux leather jackets are made of 100% polyurethane with a polyester lining.
The jacket is machine washable but should be hung up to dry.
Pros:
- Easy to care for
- Good color choices
- Sexy design with a figure-flattering cut
- A wider range of sizes.
Cons:
- Poor workmanship. Zippers, studs, and other components will fall off
- Sizing is not true to the chart and can run too small or too large.
3. Bellivera Faux Leather, Distressed Retro Frosted Moto Women’s Jacket
This jacket is designed to look like an old-school biker jacket. This vegan jacket has a unique finish that looks frosted.
It is available in two colors, red and brown, and sizes Small to XXL.
The front has an asymmetrical zip closure, and the jacket is fully lined inside with polyester material.
Pros:
- Nice design
- Attractive finish, very retro
- Wide range of sizes
Cons:
- Limited color choices
- May arrive with a weird, overpowering chemical smell that is difficult to remove
4. Tanming Zip-up Faux Leather Moto/Biker Women’s Jacket
Available in only black, this jacket has the moto/biker design in a 100% polyurethane finish.
The jacket is available in a full range of sizes from XS to XXL and is easy to care for.
Hand wash with a gentle detergent or mild soap and rinse well before hanging to dry.
This jacket should not be machine washed or dry cleaned.
Pros:
- Reasonably easy to care for
- Simple, classic design
Cons:
- Only 1 color choice
- The front pockets are fake, as are the zippers
- The sleeves are short and wide and give the overall jacket a weird, boxy fit
- The sizing guides are way off, with some sizes way too small and some way too big
5. Charis Allure Faux Suede Asymmetrical Zipper Biker Women’s Jacket with Belt
This vegan jacket is available in 2 colors, brown and pink, and sizes from Small to XL.
It is made of 94% polyurethane and 6% elastane for a more forgiving fit.
Care for this jacket is very simple as it can be machine or hand washed and then hung up to dry.
Pros:
- Easy to care for
- Material has some stretch for a more comfortable fit
Cons:
- Limited color choices
- Feels very heavy
6. Allegra K Lightweight Zipped Draped Front Faux Suede Women’s Jacket/Cardigan
This uniquely designed jacket is light enough to be worn as part of an outfit and fits most casual settings.
It is available in sizes XS to XL and in colors that include Black, Blue, Brick Red, Brown, Light Pink, Pea Green, Pink, Purple Grey, Purple Red, and Green.
It is 100% polyester with a suede-like finish.
The front is meant to be worn open, but the cuffs on the sleeves zip open and closed.
This jacket/cardigan can be machine washed but should not be ironed.
Pros:
- Easy care, easy to wear
- Lots of color choices
- Good range of sizes available in most sizes
Cons:
- Very thin material, barely thick enough for use as a cardigan
- Not well made with visible raw edges throughout
- The overly simple design makes this look like loungewear rather than a “jacket.”
7. Escalier Faux Leather, Slim Fit, Open Front/Wide Lapel Blazer Style Women’s Jacket
Designed to look like a blazer-style jacket, this is 100% polyurethane and is available in sizes Small to 2XL.
Color choices include Black, Brown, Dark Green, Army Green, Light Blue, Red, and Khaki.
Pros:
- It can be worn as a blazer or a jacket
- Open design
- Lots of color choices
- Good size range
Cons:
- The extra-wide lapels may be too retro for some people.
8. Bellivera Women’s Faux Suede Long Jacket/Parka with Detachable Faux Fur Collar
This is a knee to mid-calf length jacket/parka for use during colder weather.
It is available in a fantastic range of sizes from XS to 6X and comes in several styles and colors. In Style 19206,
the color choices are Black, Black with Yellow (fur), and brown.
This style is faux leather. Style 7922 is faux suede and comes in Black, Camel, Green, Pink, and Yellow.
Both styles are 100% polyurethane exterior, 100% polyester lining with 100% acrylic fur collars.
The collars are fastened with buttons and loops and can be separately cleaned from the rest of the jacket to prevent matting and other issues.
Because of the lining in this jacket, it is highly suggested that you size up.
Pros:
- Easy to care for
- Full-length parka
- Plenty of color choices
- Wide range of sizes
Cons:
- The belt is not correctly placed and cannot be moved
- The faux fur color feels and looks stiff and fake and is easily matted
- The sizing on this coat is odd, making it difficult to find the right fit for the average person
9. Lock and Love Women’s Faux Leather Moto/Biker Jacket with Removable Hood
This jacket is available in 4 different designs, each with a removable drawstring hood. All styles are not available in all colors or sizes.
One style has contrasting colors on the sleeves/hood. Sizes range from XS to XXL.
Color choices include Khaki, Coffee with Ash Brown, Camel, Red, Black with Charcoal, Cognac, Grey, Camel with Oatmeal, Coffee with Oatmeal, and Wine.
Easy to care for, this polyurethane/polyester jacket can be hand-washed with mild detergent and then hung up to dry.
Pocket placement will vary by style.
Pros:
- Easy to care for
- Good color choices
- Nice range of sizes
- Detachable hood
Cons:
- Not durable and poorly made
- Sizing is all over the place, even using the available sizing guide. Sizes can be either dramatically oversized or far too small.
Considerations before buying a Women’s Vegan Leather Jacket
Faux leather is excellent for people interested in a nice jacket but does not want to deal with the expense and the ethical dilemmas of real leather.
Well-made faux leather should last several years if properly cared for.
Several things can be polyurethane’s enemy, including harsh temperature changes, improper washing, and overexposure to sunlight. Issues such as cracking, peeling, and fading are just the start.
Once a small area starts showing the damage, the entire jacket may be quickly ruined.
Even if the jacket’s label says it is okay to machine wash it, handwashing it is far safer with a very mild detergent and only if necessary.
If you can, stick with spot cleaning using a slightly damp cloth and be careful not to over-saturate.
Before making a final choice, please read the size guides and go by the measurements given for the garment itself rather than the suggested sizes because these vary from company to company.
Most sellers will list the length, width, and other measurements in inches or centimeters and describe their results.
For instance, measuring across the back of the jacket may say “flat, measured from shoulder to shoulder”.
That tells you how to measure to get the most accurate size without guessing or having to return an item until you get the right fit.
Remember that 100% polyurethane is a slightly stiffer material with little to no give.
How and where the zipper is placed may also play a role in choosing the right jacket.
Asymmetrical zippers are especially difficult to close if the jacket is too tight.
If your goal is never to zip up the jacket and you are wearing it all just as a fashion choice, it may not be as much of a problem, but if you are wearing it as actual protection from the cold, it is safest to size up.
Finally, remember that even with reasonable care, polyurethane will not be as durable and long-lasting as a real, but a far more expensive leather jacket.
Choose one that will last at least one or two seasons, and count yourself extremely lucky if you manage to get more than that out of yours.