Leather jackets, apparel, and accessories are luxurious, well-crafted and, of course, expensive. So when you decide to invest in genuine leather it is important that you avoid the faux pas of purchasing faux leather at a premium price because leather cleaner and conditioner won't always work on fake leather. Not sure how to tell the difference between fake leather and real leather? Check out our guide below.
How to Spot the Difference Between Real Leather and Fake Leather
1. Check the Label
Many genuine leather products include a label indicating that the product is genuine leather. Manufacturers are eager to show that their products are the real deal so the label should be easy to spot. If the label says, “man-made materials” or if the product has no label, you are right to assume that it is not real leather. If relying on a label alone is too risky for you, the rest of the tips can help you determine how real it really is.
2. Smell the Leather
You might feel funny standing in the aisle of a store taking a whiff of a leather handbag, but the smell of the product is a big indicator of it being genuine leather.
Real leather has a distinct smell that cannot be replicated by synthetic, fake leather. Practice with some products you know are real so you can become familiar with the distinctive smell of genuine leather.
3. Test the Texture
Real leather can feel coarse or smooth, depending on the quality and type. If the product feels too smooth or feels like plastic, it is likely fake. Real leather is also generally less consistent in texture because it is natural and harder to regulate.
4. Examine the Edges
The edges of the leather apparel or furniture are also a good indicator of its authenticity. Fake leather will have a perfect, smooth edge that feels a little like plastic whereas genuine leather has a more natural, rough edge.
5. Study the Pores
Finally, when determining if a piece is fake leather or real be sure to check the pores of the leather. Just as before, if it seems too perfect it is probably too good to be true. Real leather has an inconsistent pattern of pores because it is natural. In contrast, manufactured leather has a consistent, repeating pattern.
To further your skills at identifying faux vs. real leather spend time comparing leathers that you know are fake with ones you know are genuine. With practice you will be able to see if the piece you are shopping for is the real deal and worth the cost. In the end, you'll save yourself a lot of money and trouble when it comes to caring for leather when you learn to identify real vs. fake leather.
More to Know About Real Leather vs Fake Leather
Some common questions people have about the differences between real leather and fake leather.
How can you tell real leather from fake leather?
You can tell real leather from fake leather by examining the texture and reading the label.
What lasts longer, real or fake leather?
Real leather lasts longer than fake leather. That's especially true if you use regularly clean and condition it.
What's the difference between faux leather and artificial leather?
There is no difference between faux leather and artificial leather. They are the same thing with different names.
