Pleather

From CosplayWiki

Pleather ("plastic leather") is a slang term for synthetic leather made out of plastic. For some, pleather is a mildy derogatory term, implying that its use is a substitute for genuine animal hide leather to cut costs.

Pleather is often used as an inexpensive substitute for leather. Pleather may also be preferred because it is lighter than leather. Others choose to wear synthetic leather as an alternative to real leather citing reasons of animal cruelty. Pleather, being made of plastic, will not decompose as quickly, so this could also be taken into consideration.

Pleather isn't a trademarked fabric or brand name, according to Fred Schecter, vice president of Sommers Plastics, a New Jersey maker of elaborate synthetic fabrics. "It just really means a man-made leather, but it's not any specific type."

Still, not all imitation leather is the same. The best pleathers are made of polyurethane, which Schecter said is washable, can be dry-cleaned and allows some air to flow through the garment. Another version of pleather is made of polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, which doesn't breathe and is difficult to clean.

"PVC under no circumstances can be dry-cleaned," Schecter said, because the cleaning solvents can make the fabric unwearably stiff.