Real vs. Faux Leather: A Comprehensive Guide to Buying Authentic Leather Products

If you're asking, "How can I ensure I am buying a product made of real leather?" this post will help you find a satisfactory answer.

If you're asking,  "How can I ensure I am buying a product made of real leather?" this post will help you find a satisfactory answer.

Determining the authenticity of leather can be challenging, whether you're shopping in person or online. Here are some guidelines to help you make the right purchase:

In-store Purchases:

• Ask the Seller: Directly inquire about the material. Knowledgeable staff should be able to provide verification, but it's also important for you to have some background knowledge to confirm their claims.
• Examine the Product: Real leather has unique characteristics, such as natural imperfections and a distinct smell. Feel the texture; genuine leather will have a grainy feel and will not be perfectly uniform (on aniline leather, not applied to pigmented leather).

Online Purchases:

• Read Product Descriptions Carefully: Look for terms like "Genuine leather", "Real leather", "Natural leather", "Authentic leather", "Full-grain leather", "Top-grain leather", "Aniline leather", "Semi-aniline leather", "Nubuck leather", and "Suede leather".
• Ask the Seller: If in doubt, contact the seller for further information.
• Check Reviews: Customer feedback can provide insights into the quality and authenticity of the leather.

Beware of Misleading Terms:

Many products misuse the term "leather", attaching it to synthetic materials. For example:

• PU leather
• Leather PU
• TPU
• Faux leather
• Synthetic leather
• Pleather (a portmanteau of "plastic" and "leather")
• Artificial leather
• PU leather (polyurethane leather)
• PVC leather (polyvinyl chloride leather)
• Leatherette

These terms often indicate that the material is not genuine leather. Be vigilant and look beyond the word "leather" in the product description.

Reality Check:

Unfortunately, some sellers may not be fully aware of the authenticity of their leather products. In some cases, even the manufacturers may not disclose the full details. Therefore, doing your own research, reading reviews, and being prepared to rely on personal experience is essential.

At Leacar, we understand the importance of transparency and knowledge. That's why we're dedicated to updating our content with in-depth information about leather to help you make informed decisions. Stay tuned for expert insights that will empower you to discern real leather from imitations.