The Difference Between Real and Faux Suede Leather

While suede leather is often thought of as a byproduct of meat production, the fact is that this delicate fabric is a luxury material that is a booming industry all its own. As such, it's a costly product that requires high-quality animal hides and skins without any damage, scratch or parasite. This is why most suede is made from the softer skins of young animals such as lambs, sheep, goats, pigs and calves, rather than older cows and deer. Despite its luxury status, suede is very durable and will last for years when cared for properly.

Real suede has a smooth, delicate texture with a distinctive 'grain' that changes in appearance when rubbed in different directions. It's a tough but very soft material that feels like velvet to the touch, with a fine, shaggy nap and a very distinctive smell when wet.

The process of creating suede begins with the slaughtering of the animal that will provide the hide, and then the hide is prepared for tanning. To make the leather durable and water resistant, it is soaked in natural chemicals that change its molecular structure. In the end, the leather is turned into a finished product that is soft and very flexible.

Suede is typically not as durable as traditional leather and can be easily stained and damaged by moisture. Unlike real suede, faux suede is usually highly water-resistant and can be treated to look just as attractive as real suede. This makes it an excellent choice for outerwear, and many designers choose to use it on shirts, jackets, pants and other apparel.

While it may not be as long-lasting as genuine suede, it is a lot more affordable and much easier to care for. To maintain a good condition, it's recommended to air dry the fabric instead of using a dryer, since this will preserve its texture and prevent it from becoming flattened over time.

Besides being more environmentally friendly, synthetic fabrics such as polyester and polyurethane are also much cheaper to produce than genuine suede and therefore more affordable for the mass market. One of the most popular imitations is called microsuede, which is a man-made polyester microfiber material that is available in countless colors and has millions of tiny, fine fibers. Another alternative is Alcantara, which is a fully synthetic microfiber that is similar in look and feel to genuine suede.

Faux suede is very easy to care for, requiring little more than regular dusting and occasional cleaning with a damp cloth. Stains are usually fairly easy to treat, as well. However, this type of fabric isn't as breathable as genuine suede and can become sweaty or damp very quickly, making it a bad choice for summer wear.

Waltery, a leading China-based suede leather supplier specializing in DMF FREE water-based PU & solvent FREE PU, offers a wide variety of color options for the faux suede. Samples are available to test the color and quality before bulk purchase.