Before you invest in a pair of leather pants, be aware that genuine leather will not be cheap. According to Liberty Leather Goods, the cost of decent pair of leather pants starts from $60 and goes up to thousands of dollars with a designer tag.
But, for many, there are ethical reasons to avoid leather as it made from the tanning, or chemical treatment, of animal skins and hides. Some people see wearing animal skin as cruel and immoral and cannot justify it for the sake of fashion. According to a study from the University of Oxford, going vegan may be the single biggest way to reduce our environmental impact, lowering an individual's carbon footprint by 73%.
If you love the look of leather pants, you can always invest in vegan leather, faux leather, or coated denim because they have the same aesthetics. But, be aware, according to Harper's Bazaar, much of what is labeled as "vegan leather" is polyurethane-based –– meaning it's not without its own environmental concerns, and can take years to degrade. Like everything else on your shopping list, it is important to research the brands and materials that you're spending your money on as there are valid concerns on both sides.
