How to Know Real Leather from Fake?

Posted By: Ella Times Read: 21

Leather outwears are a class apart from any synthetic/artificial fiber due to their natural, rich, and elegant finish.

Today, many similar-looking synthetic materials are available in the market and they are being sold at cheaper prices. There are clothing ranges that are made only in part with pure original leather and branded as real leather or made with genuine leather. These are many terms used by marketers to mislead customers about the real one.

If you are planning to buy a high-quality leather product let’s say leather jackets, which is quite expensive as well then you must be able to tell genuine leather from synthetic/artificial leather by yourself. Read more on how you can differentiate real leather from fake.

Does Genuine Leather Peel?

High-quality real leather does not peel. When well taken care of, real leather lasts for a long time and remains the same for decades.

However, not all leathers are created the same as they have different characteristics and features. Some leathers peel or crack after you use them a few times, while some last for a long time and are do not peel for many decades!

Original/Authentic leather is made of animal hide, which needs to be maintained and moisturized to keep it elastic and durable intact.

Even so, the fake leather tends to easily become very dry, has high cracks, and unfortunately peels. On the other hand, high-quality leather stays beautiful for a long time and peels rarely.

Does Real Leather Discolor?

Dust, dirt, the temperature can affect the pH balance in leather, which accelerates the surface wear. This causes a minor discolor in the leather. Microscopic bits of the color come off over time and this is normal as well because leather is a natural material.

What Kind of Leather Does Not Peel?

Real Leather does not peel as compared to faux or artificial leather. When quality leather is cared for, it can last for many decades, and ages beautifully.

Real leather is made of animal skin and so it needs to be maintained and moisturized properly – when it starts to dry out which mainly happens due to its storage, it can eventually develop crack and peels.

In order to keep leather moisturized, make sure you apply a suitable cleaner and conditioner on a regular basis; also keep a check on humidity levels that can cause the leather to lose its moisture and become brittle over time. Find out how to fix leather jacket peeling.

Does Genuine Leather Scratch Easily?

Leather is a highly durable material, but when scratches appear, they can show easily and can be very hard to ignore as well. There are many firms out there that do leather repair work but this can be cost you very high so make sure you must take care of leather properly.

Just be sure when you choose real leather and not artificial/faux leather at all, as it tends to be thin, poor quality, and more fragile than real leather.

However, choosing the right leather is very important. It is very difficult to scratch genuine leather as compared to faux one. Fake leather can be easily scratch and its surface starts peeling after a time.

Real vs. Fake Leather

Real leather is one of the most durable and aesthetically pleasing materials, and as per its ability, it is considered a luxury material. Real leather is made of animal skin and as per quality, it is definitely an expensive material.

Faux leather is just as popular as many fashion brands use it as an alternative for jackets, bags, clothes, and accessories as a cheaper and more affordable alternative for their consumer to earn more profit in the name of real leather.

The resources used to make artificial leather are non-renewable along with the methods which are not environmentally friendly at all which is the root as to why faux leather gets a lot of criticism.

How Can You Tell Real Leather from Fake?

Take a Look on Label First

This is the most obvious means of finding out, though some people believe not to look, that an item is made from real leather. If you look at the terms "synthetic" or "polyester" on the label, is not true leather.

Do an Odor Test

Leather has a clear oaky scent, but no fake leather. It can assist to sniff something that you know is true leather to make yourself aware of the sort of fragrance it gives.

Search the Pores

Leather comes from animals, thus furniture skins, coats, and other goods are made of visible pores. You're dealing with fake leather if you don't notice any pores.

How Can You Tell If Material is Leather?

Do a Touch Test

You can detect if the leather is fake or authentic by feeling the item. Fake leather is like plastic, nearly smooth.

Real leather is going to feel supple and flexible, but also a gritty sensation. Even though you can't spread fake leather, you can spread the actual leather. Finally, real leather will feel warm, and imitation leather will feel cold.

How Can You Tell If Leather is Good Quality?

You should have strong know-how on leather quality if you're exploring leather wallets, leather shoes, or even leather coats.

You may save a lot of shopping time by knowing how high-quality leather products appear. You are also going to avoid needless costs for yourself. See our instructions for the seven steps below.

  • See the level of leather
  • Request the origin of the leather
  • Product Smell
  • Feel the items
  • Check the stitch of the products
  • Verify the edges of the product
  • Pocket Dilution Check

What Does Faux Leather Feel Like?

The faux leather fabric consists of a 100% polyurethane coating applied or laminated to the underlying material. Polyester, cotton, nylon, or rayon belong to standard foundation materials.

A roller is used to mimic the look of genuine leather with an artificial grain pattern on the surface. The grain is generally fairly homogeneous.

What is Genuine Leather Made Out of?

Genuine leather, usually made of bovine skins, is organically produced. The natural collagen strands are closely interwoven, offering better durability than weaved items produced by people. Leather with different kinds of finishes may be varied several times. Certain finishes offer better protection against daily wear but the intrinsic nature of the skins means that all leather is stronger.

How Long Does Leather Smell Last?

Leather has a natural scent to it and tends to smell somewhat more when brand new than other materials. On the other hand, after the first few weeks in the house, a natural leather scent should be quite faint and should not be unpleasant or very apparent as you enter your room.

In the majority of situations, a typical leather couch scent does not lead a person who smells to sinus disorder or nose or throat discomfort, as a chemical-type smell commonly happens. Poor grade or cheap leather will smell poorer than a renowned manufacturer's excellent quality leather.

How to Identify Genuine Leather?

When you walk in a leather store and see leather outwears displayed as "Genuine Leather." it looks so real, right? Like this is the genuine one you get? But the sad truth is most of the time it's a fake one. Leather stores do this trick to position the real leather in customers' minds.

The label "genuine leather" does not signify superb leather - it just implies that the material contains some leather.

What's the Real Leather Like?

When you buy real leather from a genuine leather store you won't get fake leather - you just don't receive the top. In fact, it only implies it isn't top grain or whole grain. It might indicate a number of different things, actually. It's deliberately unclear.

Sometimes genuine leather can also be combined together with leather straps and fake materials.


Leather is genuine, at least leather. It is, however, towards the bottom of the list of several potential grains and cuts. It is certainly a lower product, in relation to high-quality leathers such as full grain and top grain.

“Genuine leather" is not as sturdy and durable as superior goods of leather. The first impression may be fine, but it will not endure against continuing wear and tear.


Due to its solid, stylish, and stylish attractions, the true look of the original leather outwears. The next time you see a beautiful leather jacket in a shop display, take a deeper look and look at the points above.

You can compare leather that you know is false to ones that you know to be authentic to increase your ability to distinguish faux vs real Leather. You will be able to see with practice whether the object for which you buy is true and costly. Finally, when you learn to recognize authentic vs. fake leather, you will save a lot of money and difficulty in caring for leather.
