Why More People Are Ditching Real Leather and Choosing Bags That Feel Personal

The way people relate to fashion is changing. Leather, once seen as a timeless luxury, is now being questioned, not just for how it looks, but for what it costs socially, environmentally, and emotionally.

Today, many are choosing to leave real leather behind not because they have to, but because they want something more meaningful, something that feels intentional and more than anything, something that feels personal. 

Rethinking What Luxury Means

Traditional leather has long stood for craftsmanship and heritage but behind that beautiful image lies a complicated truth.Leather production contributes to deforestation, methane emissions, and water pollution; the tanning process often relies on toxic chemicals.In many parts of the world, it involves harsh working conditions and unethical labor practices. For a growing number of conscious consumers, that no longer feels like a luxury, it feels outdated and detached from the kind of values people want to carry today.

Moving from Branded to Personal

This shift is changing not just what people buy but why they buy.

There is a quiet evolution happening in the way people choose what they wear and it’s no longer about the brand name or the logo on a bag. It’s about whether that bag reflects who they are and what they care about.Instead of owning the same design as everyone else, more people are looking for pieces that feel like their own, they want to be part of the process.To make choices about the shape, the color, the material, to create something that fits into their life, not just their wardrobe.What people are asking for isn’t more options, it's more connection.

What R&E Stands For

At R&E Made to Love, every bag is designed with two things in mind: the person who carries it, and the planet we all share.R&E does not follow fast-moving trends or mass production models. Instead, it offers a more thoughtful approach, one that values depth over volume.Bags are made using plant-based materials: cruelty-free, petroleum-free, and chosen with care. Each material is selected not only for its sustainability and durability, but also for its design integrity and everyday functionality.But what truly sets R&E apart is Co-Creation, the experience people get while customizing their bags, this isn’t a surface-level feature, it’s the soul of the brand.Customers choose the silhouette that suits them best, they pick prints and colors that speak to their story and in doing so, they create something that feels distinctly theirs, not just a product, but a reflection.

Why Co-Creation Matters

Customization isn’t just about adding initials or choosing a color, it’s about being seen, it’s about the quiet joy of knowing that something was made just for you, with care and intention.And it changes the way people relate to what they buy. When someone designs a bag that reflects their values and identity, they tend to hold on to it longer. It becomes something to cherish, not just to use.In a world of excess, that kind of emotional connection matters because it brings us back to what fashion was always meant to be a form of self-expression, not self-erasure.

Leaving Real Leather Behind

For many, saying no to real leather is no longer a compromise. It’s a conscious choice. A decision made with full awareness of its impact and full belief in something better.It’s about finding better materials, better practices, and better stories.Plant-based leather offers that possibility, it’s kinder to the environment, it’s free from animal cruelty and when crafted well, it looks just as refined and lasts beautifully over time.At R&E, the goal is not just to make a bag, it is to make something that carries intention, meaning, and individuality, something that’s light on the planet, but full of soul.

Final Thoughts

The bags people choose to carry say a lot not just about their style, but about what they value.More people are making choices that feel aligned. With their ethics, with their identity, with their everyday life.That’s why they’re letting go of traditional leather and that’s why they’re choosing pieces that are personal, thoughtful, and made to love.