How do we recognize genuine leather?
The most common question you have when buying a pair of shoes is whether the shoes you want to buy are leather or plastic. What makes the two materials stand out is their quality, their mechanical strength, their durability over time and finally, most importantly, their ability to let your foot breathe through this material.
Let's talk about the differences between genuine leather and synthetic - plastic.
- When we talk about genuine leather , we must know that we are talking about a natural material that is worked with the help of the human hand, as opposed to synthetic leather, which is a fully industrialized material.
- Genuine leather becomes softer with use and you can tell right away, unlike synthetic leather which hardens and breaks.
- Another characteristic of genuine leather is its smell. It remains unchanged over time.
- No leather is the same as another. It is unique and not repeated..Genuine leather has pores, which are not similar to each other, which is why their color varies. There will be slightly darker or lighter spots.
- Genuine leather will always have small marks. This is completely normal because the small scratches the animal has are transferred and imprinted on the leather.
- Water drop test. If you pour a few drops of water on genuine leather and wait for a few seconds, you will notice that the water has penetrated the leather without altering it. (Note that this only happens if the leather has not been treated to make it waterproof.) While unlike synthetic leathers, because they are made from petroleum derivatives (plastic fibers), they are usually waterproof, unless of course they are synthetic suede or NUBUCK.
- Lighter test. If you put the flame of a lighter on genuine leather , you will see that it will not suffer at all, unlike synthetic leather which will immediately seize and melt.
- And finally, genuine leather can never be very cheap because to become the final product it goes through many specialized human operations. While synthetic leather is a purely mechanical product. Machines manufacture and mass-produce it.
PVC accessories are all the rage right now, but it turns out that these synthetic-plastic shoes are not good for your feet, in fact, they're the worst thing for your feet. Wrapping your feet in plastic can actually put your health at risk.
In an interview with Page Six, New York City podiatrist Dr. Suzanne Levine explained that wearing synthetic-plastic shoes can not only be painful, but can also turn your feet into breeding grounds for fungus and bacteria. “Without ventilation, the moist environment can exacerbate pre-existing fungal conditions or bacterial infections,” she says, “in addition to increasing the risk of blisters.”
In addition to these problems, sweating your feet in plastic can make them smell awful. Says Levine , "The material doesn't breathe, which leads to hyperhidrosis [excessive sweating] and bromhidrosis [excessive odor]."
First of all, bacteria. It's no secret that feet are a playground for all kinds of germs. According to podiatrists, feet can sweat up to 0.235 liters per day. Now, I'll let you imagine what bad things happen when you wear plastic-synthetic shoes and run around to catch up with your daily routine.
Plastic-synthetic shoes could cause real long-term damage to your feet. Plastic is not a breathable material, so feet can slip and slide all over the place. This friction causes blisters, calluses, and can irritate the bunions. Well, the problem with plastic shoes may be bigger than the money you expect to make…
Are your legs suffocating?
During the day, feet swell, sometimes growing up to 2 shoe sizes. After a long day, the last thing you want is for your feet to be trapped in stiff, plastic shoes. Instead of feeling the pinch of plastic shoes, try a more flexible material. I would recommend an option made of soft leather, especially if your feet are prone to swelling.
Is it time to find out if you are allergic to plastics?
So, the problem with plastic-synthetic shoes is that it mainly makes the shoes uncomfortable for everyday wear. There has been a lot of talk about skin irritation and sweating. Take it a step further - what if you have an unknown allergy to plastic?
Here are 5 foot problems that can occur from wearing closed plastic shoes:
Blisters
Wearing plastic-synthetic shoes can leave you with some nasty blisters. You can wear socks that wick away moisture, especially if you're physically active. Without socks and your feet closed, blisters are inevitable. And I'm not talking about a blister on the back of your heel, but wherever those shoes rub against your toes and feet.
Fungal nails
Anyone who wears closed-toe shoes (which is pretty much all of us) is already at some risk for toenail fungus. Fungus loves a moist environment to thrive. But walking around with your feet in a humidifier will make the fungus happier and more likely to thrive. Plus, if those plastic-synthetic shoes are tight and pointy, your toenails are more likely to lift up, leaving the *creatures* under your nails to camp out.
Hot Foot
I'm not talking about walking on hot coals, but about an allergic reaction to plastic that can make your feet feel like they're on fire. This reaction is called contact dermatitis.
Trip and fall
Plastic shoes can also be too stiff, putting you at greater risk of tripping and falling.
Leg pain
Plastic shoes with plastic soles have absolutely no ability to absorb shock. If you have foot problems, they are likely to get worse in this type of shoe.
If you want to be trendy and wear these shoes occasionally, that's fine. Don't walk too far in them and make sure to buy them in the afternoon when your feet are most swollen. You don't want your feet to feel like they're in a tight jacket later.
If you love shoes, if you are a professional dancer, if you are preparing for the Isaiah dance, or you simply want comfort and elegance on your feet, come join us. Follow me on instagram or like my page on facebook .