The Best Faux Leather Jackets: AllSaints vs ASOS in 2026
The surprising fact is that AllSaints currently lists 22 men’s leather jackets, but its main category describes the range as real leather. That makes an AllSaints versus ASOS comparison less straightforward than it first appears.
Picture the problem. You want the sharp black-jacket look for evenings, travel and casual weekends, but you do not want to spend £449 on an AllSaints Oakland Leather Jacket. At the same time, you do not want a £20 bargain jacket that starts peeling across the elbows before winter ends. The answer is not simply choosing the more famous label. You need to inspect the material, cut, hardware and care instructions.
This comparison focuses on men’s fashion, UK prices and products listed in September 2026. Prices and stock can change. No state law is discussed on this fashion page. This is not legal advice — consult a licensed attorney.
What Faux Leather Actually Solves
Faux leather exists because shoppers want the visual weight and clean surface of leather without paying for a full hide. It also gives designers more control over colour, texture and shape. A synthetic jacket can be produced in a very soft matte finish, a high-shine surface or a smooth coating that keeps its shape from the first wear.
The trade-off is that faux leather is usually a coating over a textile backing. That top layer can crease, split or peel when heat, sweat, friction and poor storage work against it. The right question is not whether a jacket is described as vegan or leather effect. The useful question is what sits on the outside, how thick the backing feels and how the garment handles movement.
PU is usually the better fashion finish
Polyurethane, or PU, tends to feel softer and less rigid than PVC. It can create a convincing matte surface and usually drapes more naturally across the shoulders. That does not make every PU jacket durable. A thin coating over a loose polyester base can still fail quickly at the cuffs, pocket openings and underarms.
Look for a clear material label. A statement such as 100% polyurethane coating with a polyester lining tells you more than a vague phrase such as premium leather look. A textile backing with some body also helps the jacket hold its shape.
Style is not the same as protection
A faux leather jacket is an outfit layer, not motorcycle armour or a waterproof shell. It may block a light breeze, but seams, zips and surface coatings are not designed for sustained rain. It also will not develop the same patina as full-grain or buffalo leather.
Best use case: choose faux leather for short trips, dinners, concerts and mild-weather outfits. Choose a technical rain jacket for wet commutes and genuine leather when abrasion resistance and long-term ageing matter more than price.
AllSaints vs ASOS: The Comparison Is Not Like for Like
The price gap is real, but the material gap matters more. The current AllSaints men’s edit is built around real leather and suede. ASOS DESIGN offers the actual faux leather choices. The table shows why ASOS wins the specific search for a faux leather jacket.
| Product | Listed price | Material and details | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| AllSaints Neo Leather Biker Jacket | £499 | Real leather category listing; biker cut | Buy only if genuine leather is acceptable |
| AllSaints Oakland Leather Jacket | £449 | Real leather category listing; clean everyday shape | Premium alternative, not faux leather |
| ASOS DESIGN Faux Leather Jacket, product code 153749324 | £14.99 sale, formerly £60 | Regular fit, spread collar, zip and press-stud fastening, 100% polyester base | Best low-risk bargain |
| ASOS DESIGN Faux Leather Jacket, product code 149140167 | £67.50 sale, formerly £75 | 100% PU coating, polyester lining and base, high collar, patch pockets | Best polished everyday option |
| ASOS DESIGN Faux Leather Harrington, product code 132128785 | £55 | Matte finish, 100% PU coating, polyester lining and base, regular fit | Best versatile shape |
| ASOS DESIGN Faux Leather Shacket, product code 154847295 | £55 | 100% polyurethane main fabric, polyester lining, button fastening | Best relaxed streetwear option |
The AllSaints men’s leather collection makes the distinction clear: its current offer is positioned as real leather, with prices from £349 for the Morten Leather Bomber Jacket to £499 for the Neo. The ASOS leather and faux leather edit includes far more synthetic styles below £70.
Section verdict: AllSaints is the better choice for a genuine leather investment. ASOS is the clear winner for a faux leather purchase because it gives you the requested material at roughly one-eighth of the price of the Oakland.
Five Checks That Stop a Bad Faux Leather Buy
Most disappointment comes from buying the wrong construction for the way you plan to wear the jacket. Run these checks before paying.
- Read the fibre label. Find the coating, base fabric and lining. PU over polyester is common. If the listing gives no material information, treat that as a warning rather than assuming the surface is high quality.
- Measure a jacket you already own. Lay it flat and measure chest width from armpit to armpit, shoulder width and back length. Compare those numbers with the product size guide. A stated medium can vary widely between a slim biker and an oversized shacket.
- Test movement in the shoulders. Lift both arms, reach forward and zip the jacket while wearing the thickest layer you expect to use. If the surface pulls hard across the back, the coating will face more stress in daily wear.
- Inspect the stress points. Check stitching at pocket corners, the bottom hem, cuffs and zip tape. Loose threads, bubbling or a strong chemical smell suggest a poor first impression and may become a bigger problem after repeated wear.
- Match care to your routine. A wipe-clean jacket suits occasional wear. A machine-washable product offers more convenience, but follow the label exactly. Do not tumble-dry coated fabric, iron the outer surface or leave it pressed against a radiator.
The most common mistake is treating a cheap jacket as disposable and then storing it folded under heavy clothing. Hang it on a broad hanger, keep it away from direct heat and let damp fabric dry at room temperature. That simple routine protects the coating and prevents deep crease lines.
Section verdict: the fibre label and shoulder fit matter more than a celebrity image or a dramatic product name. A plain jacket with a clear PU specification and sound stitching is the safer buy.
My Verdict: ASOS Wins for Faux Leather
ASOS wins this contest because it actually offers the material the shopper asked for. AllSaints makes stronger sense when the goal is genuine leather, but paying £449 or £499 for a real-leather piece is not a faux leather decision.
Choose the ASOS DESIGN Faux Leather Harrington for one jacket
The ASOS DESIGN Faux Leather Harrington is my best overall pick at £55. Its matte PU coating avoids the plastic shine that can make budget jackets look costume-like, while the spread collar, chest pocket and regular fit work with dark jeans, straight trousers or a plain knit. It is also easier to dress down than a heavily buckled biker.
For a smarter dinner outfit, select the ASOS DESIGN Faux Leather Jacket with the high collar. At £67.50 when checked, it has a 100% PU coating, polyester lining and patch pockets. The high collar gives the jacket a cleaner outline over a T-shirt or fine-gauge jumper. It is the best choice for someone who wants a sharper silhouette without AllSaints pricing.
Pick the £14.99 model only for short-term value
The ASOS DESIGN Faux Leather Jacket with product code 153749324 is a remarkable £14.99 sale price against a former £60. It has a regular fit, spread collar, side pockets and a 100% polyester base. That makes it useful for a festival, one season or an experiment with the look.
It is not my durability winner. The listing provides less coating detail than the £55 Harrington, so I would not buy it expecting years of wear. The ASOS DESIGN Faux Leather Shacket is the better relaxed alternative if you prefer a looser layer and button fastening. The clear product verdict is simple: Harrington for versatility, high collar for polish, bargain model for temporary use.
Faux Leather Jacket Questions Buyers Ask
Does AllSaints sell faux leather jackets?
Its current men’s leather category is centred on genuine leather and suede, including the Neo Leather Biker Jacket, Oakland Leather Jacket and Morten Leather Bomber Jacket. I found no like-for-like faux leather model in the main current edit. If animal-free or synthetic construction is non-negotiable, do not treat AllSaints as the direct answer.
Will a £55 ASOS jacket look cheap?
It can, if the surface is glossy, the shoulders collapse or the hardware is very light. The ASOS DESIGN Faux Leather Harrington has the strongest balance because its matte finish and simple shape draw attention away from the lower price. Keep the rest of the outfit clean: dark denim, plain knitwear and minimal trainers or boots.
When should you buy real leather instead?
Choose the AllSaints Oakland or Neo when you want a jacket that can age, soften and develop character over several years, and you accept the much higher price. Choose a technical shell instead if you need reliable rain protection. Faux leather is the wrong purchase for heavy motorcycle use, constant wet-weather commuting or anyone expecting a surface to repair and patina like hide.
What should the shopper in the opening scenario buy?
Buy the ASOS DESIGN Faux Leather Harrington at £55 if it is in stock and the size measurements work. It solves the evening-and-weekend problem without pretending to be a £499 leather investment. The shopper gets the sharp black-jacket shape, keeps several hundred pounds in the budget and avoids paying AllSaints prices for a material they did not want.