What is Suede and Different Types of Suede Leather
Suede became very popular and a fashion trend in the twentieth century and now many goods are manufactured out of it because of its awesomely luxurious look and delicate feel. Basically, suede is made from the skin torn from the underside of the animal skin that is separated from the top which creates the softer leather. Suede’s quality is its softness that can be seen and felt in the entire object whether it is a shoe, wallet, jacket, bag, clothing, belt, gloves, or other accessories. Though it is thin and fragile yet people are seen looking for the best suede objects, as comfort is the first thing that any person thinks about and searches for in leather goods.
In this precise blog post, we cover the following few yet essential aspects of suede that will give the audience a unique perspective with greater clarity about the most widely known types of leather in history as well as its use with its advantages and disadvantages.
The Origins Of Suede
The name Suede is driven by a French origin that comes from the phrase 'gants de Suede,' which translates roughly to 'gloves from Sweden.' This phrase referred to specific types of gloves brought into the country from Sweden that was extremely buttery soft. Inspired by this phrase, any leather material with a napped finish began to be referred to as 'Suede.'
Leather has a history that dates back as far as 50,000 years. It was the time when humans began to migrate from warmer parts of the globe to colder parts of the higher latitudes. They were not aware of how to keep warm with animal skin. They were fully blank of the process of drying and preserving the skin to make it able to be worn. After that, tanning procedures were discovered and preserving techniques were known to make the animal skin soft to be easily and comfortably worn.
How is Suede Leather Made?
Suede leather can be made out of any animal hide including goats, lambs, and deerskin all enable the objects to soft. Many suede manufacturers will simply turn the leather hide over to achieve the soft and fuzzy surface that will be used as the product's exterior while retaining the sturdy interior of leather. To achieve that soft and fuzzy quality, suede leather, as a type of split leather, is commonly made by cutting the innermost layer of the skin or hide that offers a soft and smooth texture.
Suede Quality Levels
Surprisingly, the age of the animal's skin or hide from which suede is made defines the level of quality. Sheepskin is an excellent and most common source of suede, which is why it is so popular and extensively preferred.
Another factor that decides the level of quality in suede is whether or not leather is split. If the full-grain leather is solid, it is durable and tough but not bendable or pliable enough to make a good suede. Split leather, however, helps to achieve the soft and silky surface desired. To create any leather object, the leather material must be split in order to mold the good into the desired shape. That is the attribute of suede leather that makes its products desirable.
Types Of Suede Leather
Suede leather, like other types of leather, has a variety of qualities relying on the skin or hide from which it is produced. Following are the types of suede leather.
Sheepskin Suede Leather
The most common type of suede leather, for instance, is made from lambskin because it is lighter and softer than the majority of its predecessors. It is derived from the hide of the sheep. Sheepskin also has the ability to make suede, though the done look and feel will indeed be clearly distinct.
Cowhide Suede Leather
Cowhide suede leather, like sheepskin and lambskin suede, has the same characteristic features. It is made from the underside of animal skin that is smooth and soft. It provides absolutely superb leather durability, in a nutshell, cowhide, can be used to make suede leather.
Deerskin Suede Leather
Deerskin is mainly used for handbags, clothing, and shoes. It is known for its softness and pliability. Best of all, It shape and molds to the foot with ease and is extremely versatile. On the other hand, it has a water-repelling property, making it ideal for use in mild weather or light rain.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Suede Leather
Every item in this world has errors and flaws, whether it is a human or a machine. Everything which is created has qualities and weaknesses. The same goes with Suede leather which has both advantages and disadvantages that are mentioned below.
Advantages
- Suede leather has quite a distinctively soft-touch face.
- It lasts a long time and has a silky and luxurious feel to it.
- Pliable
- Gives a smooth and luxurious feel.
- Thicker suede can be more long-lasting.
Disadvantages
- Suede is not particularly tough and resilient.
- It quickly absorbs water and becomes dirty.
- It is costly.
- It is thin that makes goods get easily damaged.
F.A.Qs
Is Suede Genuine Leather?
Suede is genuine leather because it is mostly made of lambskin. However, suede can also be made from goats, sheep, calves, and deer.
Is suede waterproof?
Given the fragility of suede and its sensitivity to spillage and staining, waterproofing would be a good idea. Although this process, too, should be handled with caution. Because any method of waterproofing that includes wax is a dumb choice. However, spray-type protectors would be a better choice for water-resistant suede.
Is suede full-grain leather?
Yes, full-grain leather can be utilized to make suede. It is a split leather which is the innermost layer of the hide. These are commonly found in footwear, textiles, and handbags.
Suede is what color?
Suede is a dark, shaded teddy-bear brown at first. Some have a taupe color, depending on the type of animal skin used.
Why is suede so high-priced?
Suede is expensive, owing to its softness and flexibility, and it is more vulnerable to harm if neglected.
To Summarise
To sum up the preceding discussion, suede is no less than any other leather except full-grain. People prefer suede leather objects because they have a luxurious buttery soft feel and are graceful. Though suede is fragile, if properly cared for, suede-made objects will last longer.
