​

During my fashion-formative years, faux leather just wasn’t something people did. I know that it existed, because I do come across a decent vintage piece every now and then—but for the most part, early attempts at PVC and so-called “vegan” leather were stiff, plasticky and basically horrible. And weirdly, even in the decade of Aqua Net and acid wash, fake leather was considered…well, kind of TACKY.

And so, even though they were stupidly expensive for somebody occupying that particular life station, I had no fewer than three real leather jackets in my 20s: bomber, fringed and moto. The bomber came from the Wilson’s House of Suede and Leather in Beverly Hills, and in hindsight it probably cost me an entire quarter’s worth of UCLA financial aid. It had goofy, vaguely dolman-ish sleeves, so I’m not sure I would wear it today. But the other two? A painful lesson in “everything comes back around.”

My fringe jacket was vintage navy blue suede from the early 70s, essentially stolen for $40 from an upscale used clothing boutique in Venice Beach. The moto also came from Venice, $99 new, from a real-deal biker supply shop on the boardwalk. I bought the ABSOLUTE MOST Sunset Strip style possible—black, with laces up the sides—and then spent three hours stringing iridescent ceramic beads onto the laces (f*ckin’ hippie). Both jackets were perfectly authentic and virtually indestructible, in their construction and their style.

But maybe it’s for exactly these reasons that I eventually decided to part with all three. Real leather is a commitment. It’s expensive; it’s heavy; it occupies both physical and emotional space. It just feels like forever. And of course in my 20s, I was all about whatever was coming NEXT…not about what might be cool to have around in 20 years. Which brings me back around to faux leather. Historically, I have been reluctant to go there; I’d been flirting with the idea for a few years when I spotted an amazing embroidered café racer on a cute twenty-something at a concert. She confided that it had come from Target (!), and that if I hurried I could get it on sale.

I’m not ashamed to say that this $39 jacket—which I eventually learned was a knockoff of a similar, much pricier Free People item—was my faux leather gateway drug. I get compliments from both men and women every time I wear it, which is surprisingly often for an ultra-trendy novelty coat. So when I spotted a delicious powder blue Coach moto last year for [gasp] $898, my first thought wasn’t, “How will I afford it?” but, “Who will knock it off first?”

The first knockoff of that piece came from Zara, last winter; their version went viral with fashion bloggers, and can still be found on eBay for up to $200! I eventually found a soft sky-blue Apartment 9 version on sale (around $50), and I will wear it for as long as wintry pastels and colored motos are a thing. Which is all to say: DO NOT FEAR THE FAUX. Today, some of the better PVC blends can feel exactly like leather, and some of them are even machine washable! Best of all, a faux leather moto in a fun shade is like a sartorial Zen koan: a perfect little statement that enables you to live exactly in the moment.

Just in case you share my past trepidation about the fake stuff, I’ve rounded up a few of my favorite motos in both real and vegan leather. If you’re going real, try a classic shade like dove-gray or ivory. But if you’re going faux, the sky is the your limit…or in my case, the palette.​

I'M WEARING

Apartment 9 Faux Leather Moto
Vintage Chinatown Clutch
Vintage Locket (thanks, Aunt Helen!)
White Floral Shirt (similar here and here)
True Religion Stella Skinny Jeans in Lonestar
Robert Clergerie Patent Oxfords (similar here and here)