9 Ways To Identify A Genuine Leather Jacket | How To Tell If Leather Is Real

The term leather is used to describe the tanned hide of an animal. Leather is used to make a wide range of products, including furniture, accessories, and jackets.

The leather jacket market is full of artificially produced leather goods sold as genuine leather. It is hard to know the difference between real and artificial leather.

Real leather can be distinguished from its synthetic counterparts by examining several characteristics. Here are nine items to check when shopping for fine leather products.

Check price tag:

The biggest difference between genuine and synthetic leather jackets is the cost. Genuine leather jackets are 2x more expensive as their synthetic counterparts.

If you purchase a product made of synthetic leather at a bargain price, you can be sure that it is not authentic. You can perform many tests on the spot to identify real leather from its synthetic counterpart.

Touch and feel:

A good quality leather product always gives a slightly smooth and warm feeling. If it feels too smooth or plastic, it is likely to be faux leather.

If you want to compare the differences between real and synthetic leather jackets, then visit only reputable garment stores, which carry a wide variety of real and synthetic leather jackets.

Check texture pattern:

Faux leather is chemically synthesized and made in a machine. Its texture pattern differs from that of real leather, made from natural animal hides, and has a unique, irregular texture with variations from piece to piece.

A leather jacket can make you look badass if worn properly. Genuine leather jackets are made of natural products, which gives them a distressed look. Always check the pattern to ensure that it is what you want before buying.

Smell the Leather:

The odor of leather is one way to tell the difference between authentic and artificial leather. Fake leather smells like chemicals or plastic, while real leather smells natural and organic.

Many people prefer jackets made of real leather because of their attractive smell and addictive nature. The smell is unique; once you smell it, you can easily recognize it for the rest of your life.

Water absorbance test:

Real leather has pores, which absorb water due to the presence of moisture. Dark patches will be visible where moisture is present until water evaporates. To test whether the leather is real or not, put 1-2 drops of water on the surface of the leather; if it absorbs, then it means it’s real.

Testing a new leather jacket in the store is hard because it looks impossible to tell whether it is real or fake. If water drops remain on synthetic leather, then it is fake. So, ask the stores if they can provide you with an extra piece for testing purposes.

Check edges:

You can easily recognize genuine leather if you ever use any real leather product. Genuine leather always has rough roundness and coarse edges like natural, but synthetic or faux leather edges are smooth and perfect.

Some manufacturers try to make their products appear real leather and hide that they are not, but the real material is still identifiable.

Fire test:

To test whether an item is genuine leather, fold the edge of the material over, hold it with a pair of pliers and attempt to light it from underneath. If there is a noticeable smell of burning plastic, then it is not real leather. If nothing happens or you can smell only a faint odor of burnt paper or skin, it is possibly genuine leather.

I suggest that you go with other tests instead of this one. It is meant for people who want a general overview of their knowledge rather than for students or professionals.

Bend comparison:

When real leather is bent, it will show variation in color and texture. Faux leather, however, has no more elasticity than real leather. It is more uniform and wrinkles easily.

Faux leather is made of a synthetic material that stretches and will break under stress, whereas real leather does not stretch and will not break.

Weight check:

An easy way to identify a real leather jacket from a synthetic one is by its weight. Leather is heavier than other materials, making it easier to tell which type of material your jacket is made from.

Because real leather is heavier than synthetic leather, it is usually more expensive. In addition, a real leather item will last longer than a synthetic one.

Conclusion:

There are several simple and easy ways to differentiate between real and fake leather. Real leather, which is durable and expensive, can be identified by its unique smell, smooth texture, and high quality. Although warm and comfortable, a genuine leather jacket has a low price compared to synthetic leather jackets. Real leather is an investment that lasts a lifetime.