Let’s face it: Mother Nature knows her stuff.
When it comes to men’s style, natural materials just have that undeniable edge. Sure, synthetics have their place—mainly in the athletic wear aisle—but if you want to dress like a grown man who knows his cashmere from his polyester, it’s time to get back to the basics.
Don’t beat yourself up for not knowing the difference. In fast fashion’s race to the bottom dollar, the racks have become flooded with polyester, rayon, and nylon, and it doesn’t help that modern production techniques can make a synthetic sweater nearly indistinguishable from a genuine wool version.
It’s a game of smoke and mirrors.
We’ve used nature-derived materials for men’s apparel and accessories for hundreds, if not thousands of years. It isn’t often the everyman gets the opportunity to examine natural vs synthetic materials side by side, but a reminder of why natural materials look, feel, and last better than the cheap fillers big brands use to clutter our closets is overdue.
Having been a missionary of natural materials in clothing for years has taught me a lot about how to shop for anything made of “the big three:” fabric, leather, and metal.
If you too are looking to make the switch, here’s why they’re better for both your wallet and style.
Fabrics
Have you ever tried surviving a summer day in a polyester shirt? Not a morning run on the riverwalk, either—a casual day strolling downtown or walking with the lady.
It’s like being shrink-wrapped in your own sweat. Cotton and linen don’t hold onto odors like a grudge—something polyester is all too guilty of despite its breathability that makes it so common with athletic wear. Great for gym shorts, maybe, but for style staples like button-ups and tees? Hard pass.
The one argument I’m willing to accept is the “no-iron-needed” technology that you’ll find with business casual clothing. Polyester and nylon have a natural wrinkle resistance unlike cotton and linen, but you know what? Every man should know his way around an iron. Furthermore, a crisp press looks way better on cotton fabric than it does on a synthetic blend.
Natural fabrics also tend to be more versatile. They can be dressed up or down, but more importantly, the texture of natural materials is a focal point all on its own.
Cotton works for both board meetings and brunch, while wool has natural warmth with an unmistakable heathered texture that synthetic wool imitation can’t match. For shirts and trousers especially, polyester always has a shiny finish that’s typically associated with formal dress shirts.
Now, let’s talk denim—a fabric that I find to be the most affected by cost-cutting with synthetic fibers.
Sometimes, you want a bit of flexibility without compromising on quality, but the long break-in period of raw denim steers you away.
Here’s the thing, a lot of inexpensive stretch denim on the market contains less than 70% cotton. Those synthetic fibers, while comfortable, are far less durable than cotton, especially after prolonged machine drying. Furthermore, they lose they lose elasticity over time which can lead to awkward sagging in the wrong places.
On the other hand, look at the pair of Hiroshi Cato Pen Slim raw denim jeans. These contain only 4% polyurethane, so that stretch is there, but the thick, robust denim does more to shape my lower half. Plus, I’ll develop a unique distressing pattern that makes my pair unique to me. Off-the-shelf jeans with artificial distressing could never.
The Pen Slim jeans have a slim fit and medium rise for an old-school appearance with raw denim's notoriously durable build. Throw in the fact that they're made in the USA with a zip fly, premium leather patch, and custom hardware, and they've certainly got that old-world craftsmanship, too.
Leather
Let’s be real: nothing beats the look, feel, and longevity of genuine leather. It’s the king of materials for a reason, and it’s not just about appearances (though it’s certainly got that part down).
Leather has been around for centuries, and there’s a reason it’s still a staple in men’s style It outlasts, outperforms, and just plain outshines vegan leather—literally.
Now, I get it—vegan leather is marketed as the ethical choice, and that’s a fair point. But if you’re mindful about your leather purchases by choosing brands that source their materials responsibly and practice ethical manufacturing, you can enjoy the benefits of genuine leather without the guilt.
First, let’s talk about durability. Leather is known for its strength. It holds up over years of wear and tear, developing a unique patina similar to raw denim.
Vegan leather, on the other hand, is more like boxed wine up against aged whisky. It starts to spoil the moment you open it. It may look decent out of the box, but give it a few months, and you’ll start to notice cracks, peeling, and a generally tired appearance. Not exactly what you want from a material that’s supposed to stand the
Take my KOIO Capri Sneakers, for example. These have broken in wonderfully, molding to my feet with every wear and growing more comfortable by the day. In contrast, vegan leather sneakers tend to look tattered before you even hit your first hundred miles.
The KOIO Capri Triple White is as loud as a white dress sneaker can get without leaving the minimalist realm. Go for these if you're all about quality in your footwear. They're super comfortable with outstanding build quality and an aesthetic that sits in between the dress and athletic sneaker worlds.
My vegan leather shoes in the past were cheaper upfront, but they cost me more in the long run. I ended up replacing those faux-leather pieces far more often than if I’d just invested in the real deal from the start.
Consider the long-term maintenance too. Leather can be resuscitated with polish, conditioner, a boar brush, and some elbow grease.
My KOIO Trentos aren’t cheap. Premium leather boots like these are meant for years of style as long as they’re properly cared for—a bit of conditioning here, a touch of polish there—nothing crazy.
These boots nail that classic look with a modern twist. Handcrafted in Italy from top-notch Italian leather, they're super comfortable with elastic side panels and a cushioned insole. Durable and water-resistant, these boots are as stylish as they are practical, and ready for anything.
Vegan leather doesn’t have that kind of staying power. It’s made of the same plastic as a Nerf football or packing foam. It can’t be conditioned or polished to keep its look. Instead, it simply wears out, leaving you with a pair of boots that are destined for the back of the closet (or worse, the landfill) sooner than you’d like.
Beyond durability and appearance, there’s also the matter of style. Leather is synonymous with timeless elegance. It’s versatile enough for formal events to casual weekends. A leather jacket, a well-crafted leather bag, or a classic pair of leather shoes instantly elevates your style game. Vegan leather, however, often lacks the same depth and richness. It might mimic the look of leather from afar, but up close, it can appear synthetic, shiny, or even cheap.
My Tanner Goods Dress Belt is another perfect example. Real leather belts such as this fine specimen form to your waist over time, not to mention the beautiful patina that develops around the eyelets. You know, a customized fit.
Vegan leather cracks where it bends and loses shape where it should have stretched, and in the case of dress belts, doesn’t have that classy charm a high-quality leather belt emits.
When you need to step it up, the Tanner Goods Dress Belt does the trick. Made from English bridle leather with a clean, double-sided design and a choice of nickel or brass buckle, it’s the perfect blend of style and substance for any of your well-dressed endeavors.
Metal
Metal isn’t foundational to men’s style the same way leather and fabrics are, but there are a few key examples of why it’s better to spring for genuine metal over a cheaper alternative such as plastic.
I’ve spent a ridiculous amount of money on sunglasses since I got my first job at 14. My metal-frame sunglasses are the ones that always stick around the longest.
Unlike their acetate counterparts, metal frames can take a beating and keep on bouncing back. Trust me, I’ve accidentally sat on my sunglasses more times than I’d like to admit. I recently made the same mistake with my Shwood Union Sunglasses, but instead of a panicked trip to the optician, I just bent them back into shape.
These shades combine retro style with a modern edge with robust a metal frame and a distinctive wooden dowel detail on each arm.
That’s not to say I don’t appreciate a good acetate frame. There’s a certain charm to a tortoiseshell pattern that metal just can’t replicate, but this minor blunder would mortally wound the rigid nature of plastic.
Watches are another example of this, but before I go bad-mouthing soft straps, I’ll admit that they do have their place from the right brand.
Bell & Ross makes some of my favorite watches. They’re known for tough-as-nails timepieces with rubber straps that can withstand the sort of abuse only a Navy Seal could put it through. If a rubber, NATO, or fabric strap isn’t made from a brand known for qualit, I wouldn’t be so trusting.
Ultimately, a metal bracelet can be adjusted, repaired, and polished, aging gracefully over time. They also have a classier appearance that makes them better suited for a wide range of settings. A Rolex GMT with a jubilee strap can go from reef diving to crowd surfing at your mates wedding without looking out of place.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, there’s a reason natural materials have been the gold standard in men’s style for centuries. They’re comfortable, they age well, and they don’t pretend to be something they’re not. Sure, synthetics can be convenient and sometimes even necessary (hello, raincoats), but when it comes to style that’s built to last, nature knows best.
So, ditch the poly blends, the faux leathers, and the synthetic frames. Go for materials that not only look and feel better but are better for the planet too. After all, if you’re going to invest in your wardrobe, make sure it’s built on a solid, natural foundation.
