You shouldn’t believe everything you hear about suede leather. There are many myths surrounding suede leather that can lead you down the wrong path. Also known simply as suede, suede leather consists of processed and tanned animal hide with a napped surface texture. You can identify it by running your hands across the surface. With its napped surface texture, suede leather feels fuzzy. Other types of leather feature a smooth surface. Here are nine common myths about suede leather you shouldn’t believe.
#1) Only Available in Cowhide
Most suede leather is, in fact, made of cowhide, but you can still find it in other types of animal hide. In addition to cowhide, there’s lambskin, goatskin and deerskin suede leather. Each type of animal hide has its own characteristics. Cowhide, for instance, is prized for its strength and versatility, whereas lambskin features a softer texture. Regardless, suede leather is available in many different types of animal hides.
#2) Not Real Leather
Some people assume that suede leather isn’t real leather. After all, it doesn’t feature the same smooth texture as other types of real leather. Instead, suede leather features a napped or fuzzy texture. But suede leather isn’t faux or fake leather. It’s one of several types of real leather. Like all other types of real leather, it consists of processed and tanned animal hide.
Faux leather isn’t made of animal hide. There are different types of faux leather, but they are made of a synthetic material. They typically feature a base layer that’s coated in a synthetic material, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Suede leather doesn’t contain any PVC in its construction, nor does it contain any other synthetic materials. Instead, suede leather is a 100% organic material.
#3) Involves the Same Production Process as Other Types of Leather
Suede leather requires a unique production process. It’s made of the underside of the animal hide. Suede leather is classified as split leather. The underside of the animal hide is separated from the top side, and the former is used to make suede leather. Only after the animal hide has been split can it be used to create suede leather. Suede leather comes specifically from the underside of the hide, which is responsible for its napped and fuzzy surface.
#4) Not as Soft as Full-Grain Leather
Full-grain leather is typically regarded as the highest quality type of leather on the market. As the name suggests, it features the entire grain. The surface, as well as the entire grain, is left intact during the production of full-grain leather. This allows full-grain leather to develop a patina — meaning it will age gracefully over time.
It’s a common myth, however, that suede leather lacks the softness of full-grain leather. Some people assume that full-grain leather is the softest type of leather, but this isn’t necessarily true. There are plenty of soft jackets and other products made of suede leather. Suede leather is actually softer than full-grain leather in many cases. This is due to the fact that suede leather is made exclusively of the underside of the animal hide, whereas full-grain leather is made of the entire, unsplit animal hide. The bottom line is that suede leather is equally soft if not softer than its full-grain counterpart.
#5) Same Thickness As Other Types of Leather
Another common myth is that suede leather is just as thick as other types of leather. While it features a similar appearance, suede leather is thinner than nearly all other types of leather. With its thin properties, suede leather is an excellent choice of material for year-round apparel. If you’re looking to buy a jacket that you can wear all 365 days of the year, you may want to go with suede leather. Suede leather is thinner and, therefore, lighter than other types of jackets. Even as the weather begins to warm, you can comfortably sport a suede leather jacket.
#6) Only Used to Make Jackets
Suede leather isn’t used exclusively to make jackets. You can find many other products made of this same napped leather. In addition to jackets, suede leather is used to make vests, trousers and shoes. You can also find sofas and recliners made of suede leather. Furniture pieces such as these aren’t made entirely of suede leather. Rather, they typically feature suede leather upholstery, resulting in a soft and fuzzy texture that’s synonymous with suede leather.
#7) Doesn’t Last as Long as Other Types of Leather
Some people assume that suede leather has a shorter lifespan than other types of leather. Suede leather is notably thinner than full-grain leather, for instance. And because it’s so thin, you may assume that it’s easily damaged. The good news is that suede leather can last just as long as full-grain leather when properly maintained. As long as you clean and condition it occasionally, suede leather will offer countless years of enjoyment.
#8) Only Available in Brown
Like with other types of leather, brown is a popular color in which suede leather is made. You can find suede leather in light brown and dark brown. But suede leather is still available in other colors. Maybe you prefer black, or perhaps you prefer a bold color like yellow or red. Regardless, suede leather is available in a variety of colors. It can be dyed during production to achieve just about any color. Therefore, you shouldn’t assume that suede leather is only available in brown.
#9) Repels Moisture
Suede leather doesn’t repel moisture. It actually has the opposite effect by absorbing moisture. If you wear suede leather on a rainy day, it will likely absorb moisture. Depending on how much moisture it absorbs, the suede leather’s physical properties may change. It may become heavier, darker and less soft. To preserve suede leather and protect it from damage, you should try to keep it dry. If it happens to get wet, let the suede leather dry out.