How to tell real suede from faux suede

Four ways to spot real suede vs faux suede

You can usually tell in a few seconds with your hands and nose. Real suede is animal hide sanded soft on one side; faux suede is a woven or bonded synthetic made to imitate it. Our complete guide to fringe bags explains why we name materials honestly on every product.

• Smell. Real suede has a faint leather or hide scent; faux smells faintly of plastic or nothing.
• Nap. Real suede changes shade when you brush it and the nap is slightly uneven; faux is very even.
• Backing. Turn an edge: real suede backs onto leather, faux backs onto woven fabric.
• Price. Real suede costs more; a very low price on a large bag usually means faux.

None of these alone is proof, but together they are reliable. The backing is the clearest tell if you can see a raw edge or the inside of a seam.

Shop suede fringe bags

Fringe Hobo Crossbody Bag$92.90Brown Fringe Hobo Bag$155.90White Fringe Beach Bag$102.90

Why the difference matters for care

Real and faux suede need different care, so knowing which you own saves you trouble. Real suede is porous: it marks, drinks up water and needs a suede brush and protector spray. Faux suede is more forgiving, wipes cleaner and shrugs off light rain, but it can flatten and shine with heavy wear.

Neither is the villain. Real suede rewards a little upkeep with a richer, softer look over time; faux suede trades some of that depth for easy, low-worry wear. Pick the one that matches how carefully you want to treat a bag, and care for it accordingly.

Real suede from faux suede FAQ

Is faux suede worse than real suede?

Not worse, just different. Faux suede is easier to clean, more water-resistant and usually cheaper, while real suede is softer, richer-looking and ages better with care. The right choice depends on your budget and how much upkeep you want. We always name which one a bag uses so you can decide with full information.

Does real suede get ruined by water?

Water can mark real suede and leave stains as it dries, so it is not ideal in heavy rain. It is rarely ruined outright, though. Let it dry naturally away from heat, then bring the nap back with a suede brush. A protector spray applied beforehand greatly reduces water marks in the first place.