What Is Suede Leather?
Suede leather stands out for its soft, velvety texture and versatile style. You'll find it in fashion items, accessories, and home décor, which adds a sophisticated touch to any piece. But what exactly is suede leather, and how does it differ from other types of leather? As experts in crafting leather purses and goods, we have compiled a complete guide for you.
What Is Suede Leather?
Suede leather is a type of leather known for its soft, fuzzy texture. It originates from the underside of animal skin, particularly from lambs, goats, or calves. Sanding the underside of the hide creates this soft, pliable material, setting it apart from traditional leather made from the outer layers, like top-grain or full-grain leather.
The sensory appeal of suede leather has made it popular in various fashion items, such as shoes, handbags, and other accessories like leather wallets and totes.
Origins of Suede Leather
People have been using the term "suede," which originates from the French term "gants de Suède" (French for "gloves of Sweden"), since at least 1884, although the material itself predates that. Swedish artisans used animal hides to craft soft gloves, which became highly sought after by French noblewomen. This trend spread across Europe and eventually worldwide, solidifying suede's place in fashion and luxury.
Characteristics of Suede Leather
People prize suede leather for its luxurious and versatile qualities:
- Soft texture: Suede's signature fuzzy, velvety feel comes from sanding the underside of animal hides.
- Lightweight and pliable: Compared to other types of leather, suede is more flexible and easier to shape.
- Matte finish: Its natural nap creates a soft, muted appearance, adding a subtle elegance to any piece.
- Breathable material: Suede allows air to pass through, making it a comfortable choice for clothing and footwear.
- Variety of colors: Suede absorbs dyes well, offering a wide range of vibrant and neutral color options.
Although suede is durable, unlike full-grain leather, it is sensitive to oil, grease, and water and requires proper care to maintain its look.
How Is Suede Leather Made?
Suede production starts with the underside of animal hides, commonly from cows, goats, and sheep. Manufacturers split the hides into layers, then tan, buff, and sand them to achieve suede's signature soft, napped texture. This process enhances the material's velvety feel and makes it pliable and lightweight, ideal for fashion and accessories.
Types of Suede Leather
Different animals produce suede with varying characteristics:
- Cowhide suede: Known for its durability and slightly rough texture, it is ideal for shoes, jackets, and upholstery. It's strong while maintaining a soft, textured feel.
- Sheepskin suede: Lightweight and incredibly soft, sheepskin suede features a finer nap and is common in garments, gloves, and delicate accessories. Its pliability makes it a favorite for stylish, close-fitting items.
- Goatskin suede: Soft yet highly durable, goatskin suede has a natural resistance to wear and a pleasing drape. It's popular for high-end fashion items like your handbags and high-end footwear.
- Deerskin suede: Deerskin suede is incredibly soft, flexible, and lightweight, making it perfect for gloves, moccasins, and other items that require a gentle touch.
- Pigskin suede: With a firmer texture and visible pores, pigskin suede is durable and standard in casual shoes, jackets, and accessories that need to withstand regular use.
Stylish Ways to Use Suede Leather
Suede leather's luxurious texture and versatility make it a favorite for crafting stylish items. Here are some of the most popular and fashionable ways to use suede:
- Footwear: Suede shoes, such as loafers, boots, and sneakers, bring a sleek, sophisticated vibe to your outfits while staying comfortable and durable.
- Jackets and coats: Suede outerwear, like bomber jackets and trench coats, keeps you warm and adds a timeless, polished look to your wardrobe.
- Handbags and purses: Suede handbags elevate your accessories with soft texture and versatile colors, making them perfect for any occasion.
- Furniture and décor: Suede upholstery on chairs, cushions, or sofas transforms your home with warmth and a luxurious feel.
- Belts and accessories: Suede belts, wallets, and watch straps add refined, textured detail to casual and formal outfits.
Suede Leather vs. Full-Grain Leather
Suede leather stands out for its soft, velvety texture, which producers manufacture by sanding the underside of hides. Lightweight and stylish, it's ideal for fashion items like jackets, handbags, and shoes. However, it's more delicate and requires careful handling to avoid stains and moisture damage.
On the other hand, full-grain leather retains the natural grain, making it highly durable and perfect for everyday use. It develops a rich patina over time and works well for high-quality items like leather laptop bags and backpacks—anything that needs to withstand heavy use. Note that no type of leather is fully waterproof.
How to Care for Suede Leather
Proper leather bag care is critical. Cleaning can improve suede's lifespan, but a traditional wash with water will likely damage suede leather items. Consider the following tips for cleaning and regular care.
Cleaning Techniques
- Use a specialized cleaner specifically formulated for suede.
- Immediately blot excess liquid with a clean cloth in the face of accidental spills.
- Avoid agitating stains since it may push the substance further into the suede's texture.
- A suede brush provides a gentle yet effective solution for robust dry stains.
- Consult the manufacturer's instructions for a suede eraser or cleaner if you encounter stubborn stains.
Fixing Scratches and Tears
- Gently brush the scratched area with a suede brush to lift the nap and reduce the appearance of marks.
- Use a suede eraser to buff out minor scratches and blend the texture lightly.
- For tears, apply a small amount of suede adhesive to the edges and press gently to secure.
- Allow repairs to dry completely before brushing to restore the nap.
- Always test any repair product on a small, inconspicuous area to ensure it doesn't alter the suede's appearance.
Protection Against Elements
- Apply waterproofing sprays to your suede items to weatherproof them.
- Avoid exposing suede to wet or muddy conditions.
- If your suede item does become wet, allow it to air-dry naturally.
Proper Storage and Preservation
- Store your suede item properly to preserve its quality and aesthetics.
- Choose a dry, well-ventilated area for storage.
- Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight since it can cause fading.
- Regular use of suede brushes to maintain the integrity of the suede nap can also help keep your suede items looking as good as new.
How Does Suede Leather Impact the Environment?
Suede leather's environmental impact depends on whether it is traditional or synthetic. Traditional suede, made from animal hides, raises concerns about resource-intensive livestock farming and the tanning process, which can produce harmful waste if not managed sustainably.
Vegan suede, made from synthetic microfibers, avoids animal products but comes with environmental challenges. Microplastics from synthetic fibers shed during washing or disposal, polluting soil and waterways. These fibers account for 35% of marine microplastic pollution, harming fish and wildlife that ingest them. Humans are also affected, as researchers have found microplastics in tap water, bottled water, seafood, and table salt, posing significant ecological and health concerns.
Choosing sustainably sourced or responsibly produced materials can help reduce the environmental impact of suede leather.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is suede leather?
Suede is a leather specially processed to have a soft, napped finish. It's known for its smooth texture and versatility in coloring. People have used it in fashion and design for centuries.
How is suede leather made?
Suede is made from the underside of animal skin, usually lamb, although goat, calf, and deer are common, too. This lower layer is thin and pliable, making it suitable for light-duty applications like clothing and interior decor. It's treated to create its soft, fuzzy finish.
How does synthetic suede differ from genuine suede?
Synthetic suede, or faux suede, is a fabric that mimics suede's soft and plush feel but is made with synthetic materials and is typically more affordable. Whether or not it has a lower environmental impact than natural suede is a topic of debate.
What are the environmental impacts of suede production?
Suede production typically involves tanning and dyeing processes that can harm the environment. Advancements have led to the rise of synthetic alternatives like vegan suede. However, synthetic suedes contain microplastics that have devastating ecological effects and harm humans and wildlife.
How do you care for suede leather?
Caring for suede involves regular brushing to keep the nap soft, avoiding water exposure, and using specialized suede cleaners for stains. Regular care increases the lifespan of suede.