Similarities and differences between natural suede and suede fabric. Secrets of artificial suede: why is it better than natural How to determine real suede or not

24.04.2015

How to distinguish natural suede from artificial?

All fashionistas in the world know what suede is. Suede shoes and bags have been and remain popular to this day in all cities of all countries of the world. But how to distinguish natural suede from a skillful fake? There are three main criteria for this. But first, let's look at the very definition of suede.

What is suede?

Suede is a material that, when touched, leaves pleasant sensations, the fuzzy surface and the thinness of the fabric create an ambivalent feeling, making suede look like a thin fabric with insulation. As a rule, high-quality suede is made not just from some material, but from the skins of animals - deer, wild goats and sheep. Leather dressing includes a mandatory procedure for impregnating the fabric with natural fats of animals and plants. It is believed that it is due to this that suede becomes not only smooth and shiny, but also begins to perfectly pass air and moisture. As you can see, this material itself seems to be alive: it can breathe, it can feel. Both the choice and care of sensitive suede in view of these characteristics become a real curse for the lady. After swelling of the fabric, the ability to pass water disappears. The material becomes waterproof. Accordingly, excess moisture can easily ruin any suede product in just a few minutes. As a rule, products made of natural suede look very neat, but it is very difficult to maintain such a condition, especially for things made from natural suede, as well as to make a choice regarding the quality of the product.

Product price

The first criterion for purchasing suede shoes or handbags made of suede should be the price. With an eye to the origin of the material and all the laborious levels of its processing, it is easy to assume that such things should be very expensive. Suede items are usually not subject to seasonal discounts, as they always remain in fashion. Demand for real suede handbags always exceeds supply, which is why the markdown of these bags is simply impossible.

Appearance

The appearance of a suede product should be your guide. Remember that any defects on the surface of suede are simply impossible. And the point here is not just the quality of the purchased handbag or pair of shoes, but the material processing technology itself. The production of natural suede excludes the appearance of any cracks, dents and scratches on the material. Therefore, at the first defect, know that you have a fake in front of you.

The wrong side of the product

Your last assistant is the wrong side. Having carefully examined wrong side bags or shoes, you will immediately determine whether the skin is natural in front of you or not. There can't be a fabric base in suede! The underside of a suede thing is usually soft and velvety to the touch, and manufacturers do not hide this.

Faux suede is almost indistinguishable from the real one. This is a synthetic or natural fabric with a characteristic pile on the front side. It is used both for making clothes and shoes, and for furniture upholstery. There are two ways to produce material:

1. Woven. Microfiber threads are split into small fibers, which, after processing, are glued to the base. It turns out a fleecy suede fabric with high strength. Without an additional substrate, the material becomes unstable to stretching. In this way, the most high-quality and expensive samples of matter are made, from which jackets, raincoats, and gloves are sewn.
2. non-woven. Polyester villi are glued onto a cotton, silk or synthetic base. This species is produced less expensively, it is much easier to care for it. Such suede is used mainly for furniture upholstery.

Conclusion: faux suede is a combination of microfiber or polyester fibers and a base made of cotton, silk or synthetics. Properties of this matter:

• outwardly, it looks like a natural analogue;
• the surface of artificial suede is soft and velvety to the touch;
• the fabric is durable and resistant to deformation (does not wrinkle);
• does not fade;
• has good strength;
• repels dirt and dust;
• has low hygroscopicity;
• has a uniform color;
• resistant to the formation of kinks, cracks, abrasions;
• if you run your hand over the fabric, the villi will easily change position.

Differences from natural

Even considering the maximum similarity with the original, faux suede still has a number of features. How to distinguish natural suede from its artificial sister?

Pay attention to these details:

1. Obtained from animal skins, natural suede looks more natural. It has a heterogeneous porous structure, in which cracks and scratches are noticeable.
2. Dyed natural suede cannot be a uniform color (the reason is its uneven texture).
3. In natural material, the thickness changes from the center to the edge.
4. The original suede smells like leather, while the faux suede smells like synthetics.
5. Natural suede is much more expensive than artificial.

Advice! Run your hand over the canvas: the natural at the point of contact will become lighter.

Advantages and disadvantages

This artificial fabric there are far more pluses than minuses. Let's consider everything in order.

Pros:

1. As a furniture upholstery, it is equally good for any style of interior, whether classic or avant-garde. Versatility is also evident in the successful use of suede both at home and in the office.
2. Increased resistance to deformation and scuffing is another plus of upholstery suede. Such sofa clothes will not crack and will not stretch under increased load, which a natural analogue cannot boast of.
3. The material does not accumulate static electricity.
4. Artificial furniture suede around the entire perimeter has the same density, unlike natural.
5. The fabric is resistant to direct sunlight.
6. This upholstery does not stick to the body.
7. An interesting property of artificial suede for furniture: in winter it gives warmth, and in summer - coolness.
8. The same goes for suede clothing. The skin in such clothes breathes.
9. Faux suede is easier to clean thanks to the Teflon treatment they are treated with.
10. Such matter looks no less aesthetically pleasing and attractive than the real one. Its iridescent velvety surface attracts the eye.

Minuses:

1. The fabric has limits. For example, it does not withstand use as a scratching post. Keep animals away from this upholstery.
2. Light material tends to get dirty quickly. The problem is solved either by frequent cleaning or a removable cover.
3. Caring for faux suede is not easy. Such material does not tolerate high humidity. Only dry cleaning or a minimum of water is allowed (solutions ammonia or vinegar).

Application

From suede, mainly produce:

• clothes,
• shoes,
• furniture upholstery.

For tailoring outerwear and suits use cotton-based suede. Such things fit the figure well. Knitted suede is a good material for skirts, dresses and blouses. Still from matter are obtained stylish accessories: bags, belts, wallets, gloves. As for shoes, everything is made from faux suede, from shoes to high boots.

In the production of furniture, artificial suede is given worthy attention. It serves as an upholstery for chairs, sofas, armchairs. Another suede found itself in everyday life. It makes excellent absorbent wipes for washing glasses.

Care

How to remove stains from faux suede? Clothes can be washed using gentle detergents. Brush suede shoes and use. But with the upholstery you need to be careful. Only dry cleaning is acceptable, especially if planted greasy spot. Water will only make matters worse.

Advice! When choosing impregnation for suede shoes, be careful and choose brands that have earned the trust of consumers. Poor-quality impregnation can glue the villi into a dense crust, permanently ruining the thing.

For cleaning clothes, a soapy solution is suitable, which is applied to the contamination with a soft brush. The solution must not be hot. After cleaning, blot the product with a towel to remove excess water. To avoid the formation of smudges, during drying, blot the product several times with a towel.

Upholstery needs constant maintenance. First, vacuum and brush regularly. Secondly, if possible, use protective covers. But if you managed to plant a stain, then you have to tinker. How to clean a suede sofa? Salt, eraser will come to the rescue, washing powder. Be sure to test any product on an inconspicuous area of ​​the upholstery.

Advice! Movements during cleaning should be in the direction of the pile.

Faux suede is a useful and at the same time capricious material. But if all the rules of operation are observed, then a product made of such a fabric will serve the owner for a long time.

Among all the types of textiles and nonwovens produced today, there is one very special one - suede. It is somewhat similar to or velvet on the one hand, on the other - to natural leather. Things from it look respectable, attractive and expensive. What kind of material is this - suede? What is made from it?

Leather or fleece?

If you really understand, then by and large it is neither one nor the other. In general, suede is a material with a slightly fuzzy structure, a “mossy” feel and surprisingly pleasant, thin and elastic. It is used to make both outerwear and shoes, bags, gloves, mainly for women's wardrobe, as well as beautiful furniture upholstery. According to the production method, suede can be natural and artificial. The first is very expensive due to the quality of raw materials (this is natural animal skin) and a long, laborious processing process. The second is much cheaper, since inexpensive synthetics are used for its production. Therefore, artificial material is much more common today.

If you find out whether this is skin or, you can come to the following. Natural suede (as many of us are used to saying, although from the point of view of linguists this is fundamentally wrong - this is a feminine word) - this is more like leather. Although, dressing it takes place in such a way that it acquires completely unusual for the usual genuine leather properties and appearance. But it can be both a fabric and a non-woven material, it all depends on the feedstock and the method of production.

How is suede made?

So what is beautiful and desirable suede made of? The main raw materials for the production of natural suede are the skins of antelopes, deer, wild goats, and sheep. The production process is quite laborious and costly. First, the highest quality, smooth skin without flaws is selected. She is then taken off the rough upper layer- dense, inelastic. Next comes fat tanning (“suede”) - chemically binding the remaining skin with special animal or vegetable fats. This process is long, but the result is a surprisingly soft, elastic and durable material, in many respects even superior to the skin.

Faux suede is produced in two ways.

1. Synthetic pile is glued or sprayed onto a cotton or knitted fabric base, having previously primed the base itself so that the glue does not spoil it. A water-repellent Teflon impregnation is applied on top. In this case, the knitted layer can be made of different types synthetics: polyester, spandex and others. First of all, the strength and degree of elasticity of the finished material depend on this.
2. The microfiber non-woven base is split on a special brush machine, while the fluff fibers form a suede-like layer.

Faux suede, produced on a woven basis, is much more expensive than a non-woven counterpart. It is more durable and dimensionally stable, does not stretch or deform for a long time.

Properties and uses of suede

Depending on the original raw materials, the properties of suede may vary slightly. For example, artificial varieties have a more uniform texture and bright color, but natural ones "breathe" and do not get wet.

However, they also have a lot of common pleasant qualities:

• wear resistance;
• durability;
• abrasion resistance;
• resistance to deformation;
• softness;
• elasticity;
• no shrinkage;
• attractive appearance.

To prevent the artificial material from passing water, from time to time treat the products with special moisture-repellent impregnations.

All these characteristics make suede an attractive material for the manufacture of a wide range of products:

• jackets;
• jackets;
• jackets;
• trench coats;
• dresses;
• boot;
• shoes, sandals;
• bags, wallets;
• men's and women's coats;
• skirts
• gloves
• hats;
• pillowcases for decorative pillows;
• covers and furniture upholstery;
• wet wipes for cleaning car windows.

Wherein natural material due to the ability to "breathe" it is comfortable even in the warm season. A jacket for a summer evening will be as hygienic and pleasant to the body as, for example, natural linen. But from artificial textiles, it is better not to purchase such clothes as dresses, skirts and trousers for the summer. It does not allow air to pass through, so it is not suitable for heat at all.

How to distinguish?

So, natural material is very expensive. Therefore, dishonest sellers, wanting to get more profit, often offer artificial analogues to gullible buyers.

How can you tell real suede leather from synthetics?

• Natural material always has small defects, small scratches, while the fabric is always perfect in appearance, completely evenly colored, its color is brighter and more saturated.
• Natural suede always smells like leather. Artificial - synthetics or has no smell at all.
• If you run your finger over the surface of the product, the natural material in this place will become lighter, because the villi will change the angle of inclination.
• Natural pores can always be seen in the structure of natural suede.
• The edges of suede products do not bend, on the cut you can immediately see the naturalness; synthetics will always be bent.
• The price will also tell you what kind of material is used for the product. No matter how the seller assures that this product is on sale or at a discount, that this is an attractive offer, etc., you should not trust him. Real suede is always expensive!

How to care so as not to spoil?

For such a delicate, delicate and expensive texture, like natural suede leather, especially careful, painstaking care is required.

• To remove dirt on the folds of boots or gloves, you can use special erasers to clean this material.
• Wash strong pollution in other places will help specialized shampoos.
• To ensure that suede always remains waterproof and less polluted, it is treated with special impregnations.
• Greasy places can be cleaned with rubber brushes intended for this, and then held over steam for a while to straighten the pile.
• Severe pollution is removed with ammonia dissolved in water (proportions 1/5).
• Gloves can be washed with a soft detergent by putting them on your hands, and then carefully rinse the foam.
• Suede clothes can be washed, but very carefully. Soak in warm soapy water for about half an hour, and then wash gently, without strong friction.
• You can’t wring out such things - it’s better to just get wet several times with a towel so that it absorbs excess moisture.
• Dry products on hangers, periodically blotting with a towel so that there are no ugly streaks left.
• If absolutely necessary, ironing from the inside is allowed.

Suede is a very attractive, but at the same time capricious and very expensive material. As an analogue, you can choose artificial substitutes, while remembering that it is better not to use them for clothes in contact with the skin. But as furniture upholstery, they can serve for a long time, making the interior noble and cozy. Natural product or synthetics - everyone makes his own choice, taking into account the purpose of the product and his material capabilities.

For many years in a row, beautiful suede items have not left the world's fashion catwalks: clothes, shoes and bags. Real quality suede looks very rich, attractive and beautiful, highlights good taste a person, making his status a notch higher, and will never go out of fashion. If men treat such things with some caution, and are in no hurry to buy suede shoes, then women are simply crazy about this material.

One has only to see red shoes or a suede jacket, eyes immediately light up. But even more fills the breath, and makes female heart beat harder when a suede bag is in front of your eyes. I want to immediately buy a women's bag in an online store, without thinking about whether it is natural suede.

Very often, under the guise of beautiful suede, another cheaper material is betrayed for a decent price, which is significantly inferior in quality to the original. The choice of things from suede should be approached more carefully. For example, it is much easier to distinguish leather from artificial material than suede from a fake.

What is suede

Before talking about the main qualities of natural suede, you need to find out what this material is. And so, suede is leather, which is dressed by impregnating raw hides with fats. In the people, suede is also called "inverted leather."

In turn, artificial suede is made by impregnating the fabric with special means that have a suede-like pile. Things made of natural suede are light, breathable, do not shed, are worn for a long time and, of course, are expensive, although this indicator is not always a guideline when choosing.

Differences between natural suede and artificial

Experts have identified several main indicators with which you can determine the original from a fake.

First: porosity. Natural suede is highly porous. As a rule, scratches and pores are visible on its surface.

Second: color. In natural suede, the color will be non-uniform. If you run your finger over the surface, you can see how the material changes its color in places.

Third: smell. Natural suede, like leather, smells.

Faux suede:

It has a uniform structure and color;
differs in big roughness;
does not have any odor.

In addition, if you see a fabric on the back of the suede, then don’t even guess: this is artificial suede. very good and simple method to check the quality of the material is a small experiment: leave a drop of water on the surface of the suede. If the suede is natural, a drop of water will disappear instantly, since the material has a high porosity.

If fake - a drop of water will remain on the surface, and this is explained by the fact that the artificial material consists of rubber fibers and fabric impregnated with special agents. No water at hand: just run your hand over the material. The natural pile of suede is always mobile, and it can be combed in different sides as opposed to artificial.

Fabrics, as you know, are used not only for sewing clothes or shoes, but also in many areas of activity. Often the question arises, which fabrics are best used for what. There are many fabrics that are similar in appearance, but have completely different characteristics and features. In particular, suede and velor.

Suede is called fabric manufactured using the fat tanning technology. It is made from elk or deer skin. In addition to the fact that it is soft, thin, has a velvety surface, it is also very durable.

Important! Such products are not deformed under the influence environment, does not become stiffer, does not change properties after washing or any contact with water and detergents.

During the production process, natural raw materials are impregnated with animal or vegetable fats. Most often I use suede for the manufacture of shoes, bags, outerwear. It costs much more than its counterparts such as velor or nubuck.

- a natural material made from half-skin, pig or goat skins. It differs from suede in a thicker pile on the one hand, and absolute smoothness on the other. Velor does not differ in high strength. Products from it quickly get wet, tend to lose their shape. To avoid this, it is necessary to treat the surfaces with specialized protective equipment. Velor is used for sewing shoes, bags, wallets, hats, outerwear.

called leather obtained after chrome tanning and sanding. The skins of cattle are used for the base. Nubuck is smoother than the materials described above and costs less. It is used in the manufacture of shoes, bags, outerwear, even furniture.

Material Comparison

They look very similar, so many people confuse these materials. Their main comparative characteristics are presented in the table:

	Suede
Velvety	From two sides	On the one hand, but thicker pile
Moisture resistance	sustainable	May deform after contact with water, get wet
Washable with soapy water	Cleaned with soap, does not deform, does not change the structure	Soap solution is contraindicated, the fabric loses its original appearance, stains may appear
Price	Expensive due to complex production	Affordable cost
Color	The color may have several shades	plain
Smell	Has no odors	There is a smell of genuine leather
Surface Properties	May have scratches, pores. Fingerprints, traces of contact with other objects do not remain	The surface has a solid structure, on which prints constantly remain due to the fact that the pile is long enough and can change direction
Bending products	Do not fold	buckle under

Differences in shoe materials

Someone prefers to buy smooth leather shoes, and someone prefers shoes and boots with a velvety structure. It is already clear that the material for such products can be suede, velor, nubuck. Naturally, they differ not only in price, but also in quality.

Important! Outwardly, all these materials are similar, not every buyer can immediately determine what the goods are sewn from.

Attention! Quite often there are fakes for suede. Especially sellers like to call velor shoes suede. In addition to the fact that suede is much more expensive than velor, it will also serve the owner of the product several times longer.

Due to the fact that velor shoes are prone to getting wet, they quickly lose their appearance, often come unstuck due to moisture. Suede is impregnated with a lot of fats and oils, as a result of which it literally repels any liquids from its surface. In wet weather, real suede shoes will be dry, warm, comfortable.

How to distinguish velor from suede

To accurately determine which product is made of suede and which of velor, you should pay attention to several signs:

A low and shiny pile is a sign of suede, but you should not dwell on this characteristic alone.
It cannot be perfectly flat, it will definitely have natural scratches. But at the same time, there will be no traces left on suede as on velor from the touch of fingers.

When buying, be sure to inspect the cut of the products. Real suede is never folded, its edges are not processed.

Suede, unlike velor, has a mild, but very noticeable smell of leather.

What's better?

It cannot be said that any of the considered materials is worse or better. It all depends on the quality of the fabric processing, the type of product and its purpose. Therefore, it is worth considering the advantages and disadvantages of suede and velor.

Advantages and disadvantages of suede

Products made from this material have been popular for several seasons. They are comfortable and look stylish. Many consider the high cost of the material to be a disadvantage. But the price, fortunately, justifies the quality. Can be distinguished a range of advantages clothes, bags and shoes made of this material:

• refined appearance;
• complement any image;
• high quality products;
• shoes made of this material are considered more comfortable, as they quickly take the shape of a leg, but at the same time do not stretch or deform;
• products do not get wet.

To disadvantages can be attributed to the complex care of things. But, on the other hand, any expensive quality product requires an appropriate attitude. So don't be afraid of it.

Important! If you follow the care instructions, the item will delight the owner with its original appearance for a long time.

Advantages and disadvantages of velor

The advantages of velor include the following:

• affordable cost of finished products;
• aesthetic appearance;
• and outerwear perfectly retains heat, suitable for wearing in cold weather;
• the fabric has a smooth, uniform texture and color;
• The material is quite strong and durable.

But there are some disadvantages as well. First of all, care is more complicated than for suede. It is necessary to constantly treat products with water-repellent agents, as they are prone to getting wet. And constant wetting directly leads to deformation and loss of a beautiful appearance.

Material Care

With the differences between suede and velor, everything is now relatively clear, but it remains main question: how to properly care for products with pile. There are a few rules that must be followed if you want to keep things as long as possible:

Before use, the item must be treated with a special impregnation. This must be done in advance, since it begins to act in 4-6 hours. It is needed so that the fabric does not absorb dirt and moisture. It is even recommended to treat the surface three times during the day with an interval of eight hours.

For care, special brushes are required. As analogues, you can use erasers or zero sandpaper.

Such things should not be dried by the battery, in the sun.
Products made of natural suede, if desired, can be washed, washed with soapy water, and then wiped with a soft cloth.

When buying a particular product and deciding on the material, you should consider what time of the year it will be used and in what weather conditions. For example, shoes for spring or a bag can be taken from velor, but natural suede is better for boots and warm outerwear.