Leather is one of the most versatile and popular materials when it comes to clothing accessories. With the holiday season coming up, you may be thinking about purchasing a leather belt, wallet, or pair of shoes for a friend of loved one. In order to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth, and to ensure that the leather product will last as long as possible, make sure you know the difference between real leather and faux leather before you start shopping.
Fake It Until You Make It
One of the benefits of fake leather is that it’s a great option for individuals who prefer not to wear products made from animals. As you’re looking over the leather product, you’ll be able to tell that it’s faux leather if it seems particularly shiny. Faux leather also doesn’t have the same solid heft and density of real leather. Besides not creating as much heat as real leather, faux leather is also smoother to the touch and isn’t as resistant to stains as real leather.
The Real Deal
You’ll be able to tell that leather is real if it’s classified as full grain, top grain, split, or corrected grain. Full grain leather is ideal for rough usage and is one of the absolute best types of leather that you can buy. For top quality real leather bags, pouches, wallets, and accessories, check out Ghurka and their line of fine leather goods for travel, business, and everyday use.
If you’re looking for exemplary fine leather for more gentle use, you may want to opt for top grain leather. What’s unique about this specific type of leather is that it’s more flexible and thinner than full grain leather. While top grain may feel like plastic and have a smoothness to it that resembles faux leather, it’s more stain resistant than faux leather.
Telling the Difference Between the Two
One of the easiest ways to determine what kind of leather you’re looking at is to check the label. A faux later product will be labeled as being constructed from man-made materials while real leather may carry a stamp. Real leather also has a very distinctive smell to it that simply can’t be duplicated, so don’t be afraid to take a deep whiff and see what your nose tells you. You’ll also be able to tell if leather is the real deal if the edges are more uneven and wavy when compared to the perfect edges of faux leather.
Being able to tell the difference between real leather and faux leather can mean the difference between giving a great gift and giving one that will be stuffed in the back of a closet or drawer. Keep the recipient and their tastes in mind and don’t be afraid to get hands-on while shopping.
