Chrome tanned leather is produced using a solution of chemicals, acids and salts to dye the hide. It's cheap, quick and mass produced, typically requiring little skill from the tanners. It is mainly used for making upholstery and garments such as jackets and chairs.
Vegetable tanned leather refers to the tannage, or method of tanning the cowhide into leather. It's called “vegetable” because of the natural materials used in the tanning process like tree bark. Since vegetable tanning is a natural process, it's also eco-friendly.
Veg tanned leather is a lot harder wearing and ages beautifully. Due to the natural qualities of the leather it develops a rich and beautiful patina which allows the leather to get nicer with age, compared to chrome tanned which deteriorates with age. If used and looked after, it doesn’t crack or dry out and offers that natural leather aroma.