What is suede?

Bags, shoes or suede gloves look beautiful and respectable. Of course, the material requires careful maintenance, and those who consider it somewhat impractical are somewhat correct. But the appearance of the products is worth it to pay more attention to them. In this article we will try to find out what suede is, what are the advantages and disadvantages of this material. It is also interesting to know how to distinguish natural from artificial material, what are the signs of a good, high-quality suede thing.

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Classification

There are 2 varieties of suede - artificial and natural. They vary in quality and cost. Natural suede is a very expensive material:

  • the best raw materials are used for its manufacture;
  • the processing process is very long and laborious.

That's why on sale you can often find things from a substitute.

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Natural material

For its manufacture using a deer, sheep or elk skin. The skin is taken completely without holes and tanned with vegetable and animal fats. The result is a thin but durable and waterproof material with double-sided nap.

Important! Shoes made of natural suede get wet on top, but do not let water through. This is the advantageous difference between natural material and artificial substitutes, as well as nubuck and velor.

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Natural Suede - Benefits

Benefits include:

  • Refined and presentable look. If you have a beautiful and well-groomed suede thing, it will certainly be noticed by others.
  • Suede accessories and shoes go well with other wardrobe items. Especially harmonious bows are obtained in a classic or casual style.
  • Slight scrapes only add refinement. Any other material with a worn effect (if it's not denim) looks messy.

Important! The main drawback is the demand for care. However, the use of special tools helps to cope with this difficult task successfully.

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Outerwear

A suede jacket or coat is warm and comfortable. The advantage is also that the material has vapor permeability, removes moisture from the body. As for artificial things, there is a high probability of sweating, and then overcooling in them.

Gloves

Natural suede products give the owners a respectable look, and ladies gloves look especially beautiful and elegant. The color scheme of such things is diverse, so choosing a suitable option is not difficult. However, one must remember that caring for such products is not easy.

To clean gloves made of natural suede, it is advisable to purchase special aerosol products. It is very convenient to apply them. They enhance the water-repellent effect of the skin.

Man in airport lacing his suede shoes

Important! It is advisable to apply special impregnation to completely new products. This will extend their lifespan.

Is it possible to wash natural suede products? In principle, the material can be washed, but following certain rules:

  1. Gloves are washed in warm water, after putting on hands.
  2. The water temperature should not exceed 30 degrees.
  3. In this case, a mild detergent is used that does not damage natural suede.
  4. Rinse the product especially carefully to remove the remaining soap, and dry it at room temperature.

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Substitute

A quality substitute is difficult to distinguish externally from a natural material. But this is only an outward resemblance. What is artificial suede?

The manufacturing technology here is such that the villi are glued to the fabric base. The second option is the manufacture of thread loops that form a pile. The next stage is processing with special substances that improve properties: the ability to preserve color, water resistance.

However, this material in the sock is far from ideal. It does not hold heat well, does not have vapor permeability, and allows water to pass through. Compared to natural material, the substitute has a smaller working resource.

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Faux Suede - Classification

Distinguish between woven and non-woven substitute:

  • Woven material is more expensive, it is stronger and better. It is based on microfiber fabric, treated in a special way before the appearance of villi with different lengths and thicknesses. The longer the material is processed, the higher its quality.
  • As for non-woven manufacturing technology, here is a completely different approach. On the basis of knitwear or a non-woven surface, soil and an adhesive are applied. Then, electrified, finely chopped fibers of viscose, polyester or polyamide are sprayed. To create a water-repellent effect, the material is impregnated with Teflon on top.

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Benefits:

  • Pleasant to touch, “velvet” surface.
  • Resistance to fading and wear.
  • Antistatic effect.
  • Abrasion resistance. This makes it possible to use artificial suede for furniture upholstery.
  • Uniform staining.

Important! The disadvantage is that in terms of performance, artificial suede is significantly inferior to natural.

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Application

The scope of its application is very wide:

  1. The material on a cotton basis is quite dense, keeps its shape perfectly, so it is perfect for clothing items.
  2. Knitted base lends suede elasticity. It is beautifully draped, so it is used for sewing dresses, blouses and skirts.
  3. Faux suede is used in the manufacture of shoes, outerwear and accessories.
  4. It is very popular in furniture production.

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Care Rules:

  • It is advisable to wash products made of artificial suede infrequently, preferably manually.
  • When washing, use a solution of mild detergent.
  • Water temperature is not higher than 45 degrees.
  • Dry the product on the "shoulders", periodically patting with a towel so that there are no water smudges.
  • If a pattern is applied on the front side of the product, then it must not be washed. This thing is cleaned with a soft brush dipped in soapy water, in the direction of the villi.

Important! If the product is of very poor quality, then after any washing on the material spots and stains, bald patches, which can no longer be removed, are formed.

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Differences between natural and artificial materials

So, what is suede - natural and artificial, sorted out. And how to distinguish them from each other during a routine examination?

  • Smell the thing. Natural suede smells of well-crafted leather. This noble aroma cannot be confused with anything. The substitute, alas, has a specific smell of “chemistry”, dye or glue, but not skin.
  • Swipe the villi with your finger. On a natural material, a clearly visible trace remains. Compared to the main tone, the primitive area looks a bit darker or lighter.
  • The edges of products made of natural material never bend, while the edge of the substitute is tucked.
  • Leather suede has a heterogeneous structure. Small scratches and other defects are clearly visible in it. Artificial material has a smooth texture.
  • Cost. Naturally, a thing from a substitute, even the highest quality, is cheaper than natural material.
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Stock footage

Try to choose products of good quality, regardless of whether it will be artificial or natural suede. And if you take care of things and accessories correctly, they will delight you for years.

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