Have you come across a garment made of suede leather? If so, you might be wondering how this material differs from other types of leather. Suede leather still consists of animal hide. All types of leather are made of animal hide — and suede leather is no exception. What is suede leather exactly?
The Basics of Suede Leather
Also known simply as suede, suede leather is comprised of one or more inner layers of animal hide. Animal hides, of course, typically have multiple layers. Some types of leather are comprised of all of these layers. Suede leather, on the other hand, consists of just one or a few of these layers. More specifically, it consists of the thin inner layers of animal hide.
Suede leather is used to make many of the same garments as traditional leather. Whether you’re shopping for a jacket, dress, trousers or any other garment, you can probably find it in suede leather. Suede leather dresses have become particularly popular. In recent years, more and more women have included suede leather dresses in their outfits. Before investing in a suede leather dress — or any other suede leather garment — you should learn the advantages and disadvantages of this material.
Advantages of Suede Leather
One of the main advantages of suede leather is its soft texture. All types of leather are soft, but suede leather often comes out on top in terms of softness. It has a naturally softer texture than other types of leather thanks to its use of the inner layer or layers of animal hide.
Suede leather is suitable for year-round usage. You aren’t restricted to wearing suede leather garments during the fall and winter months; you can wear them throughout the year without fear of experiencing discomfort.
There’s no denying the fact that suede leather is stylish. While it looks like most other types of leather from afar, the difference is light night and day when inspecting suede leather up close. When compared to traditional leather, suede leather has a unique finish. Not only is it softer than traditional leather, but suede leather has a fuzzy texture. This soft and fuzzy texture offers an attractive style that’s different and unique from that of traditional leather. These are just a few advantages of suede leather.
Suede leather costs less than most other types of leather. It’s still considered a premium material. Nonetheless, suede leather is less expensive than other types of leather. If you’re on a budget, suede leather might be the answer. You can buy suede leather garments without breaking your bank account.
Disadvantages of Suede Leather
Suede leather is thinner than other types of leather. After all, it’s made specifically from one or more inner layers of animal hide. Some types of suede leather are made of deerskin, whereas other types of suede leather are made of sheepskin. Regardless, all suede leather is derived from the inner layers of animal hide, which makes it thinner than traditional leather.
Because suede leather is thinner than traditional leather, it’s more susceptible to damage. This doesn’t mean that suede leather is cheap, nor does it mean that all suede leather garments will sustain damage. The thin properties of suede leather simply make it more delicate than traditional leather.
Not all stores sell garments made of suede leather. Suede leather isn’t as common as traditional leather. You can probably find a traditional leather jacket — or any other garments made of traditional leather — with little effort. Finding a suede leather jacket, conversely, will likely require a bit more searching.
Tips on How to Shop for a Suede Leather Garment
When shopping for a suede leather garment, there are a few things you should know. For starters, you should choose an appropriate color. Suede leather is available in countless colors. Like traditional leather, you can find it in black, white, red, blue, brown and dozens of other colors.
What’s the best color for a suede leather garment exactly? Ultimately, this is a personal decision. Think about what colors you typically enjoy wearing in your outfits. You can then search for a suede leather garment featuring one of these colors or a variation thereof. With the right color, you’ll get more use and value out of your suede leather garment.
You should also consider the size when shopping for a suede leather garment. Suede leather garments are available in multiple sizes. Some of them feature a fixed size, whereas others feature a custom size. Like with traditional leather garments, fixed size is typically the way to go.
How to Care for Suede Leather
Caring for suede leather isn’t much different than caring for traditional leather. You should spot clean it, for instance, to prevent stains. Spot cleaning offers a quick and easy way to remove dirt from suede leather. Using a damp washcloth and a few drops of mild dish soap, you can gently scrub the surface of suede leather until it comes clean.
While suede leather can withstand moisture, you should still try to keep it dry. The fuzzy surface texture of suede leather means that it will absorb more water than traditional leather. With traditional leather, water will bead off the surface. Suede leather has a fuzzy texture that allows it to absorb more water. This is why it’s a good idea to keep suede leather garments dry.
You should also condition suede leather. Conditioning will prevent suede leather from drying out. Like all types of leather, suede leather can dry out. If it becomes too dry, it may even crack or split open.
If you’re planning to store a suede leather garment for a long period, such as multiple months, you should choose the right area for it. Avoid storing suede leather in humid environments. Humid environments are moist. Therefore, storing suede leather in a humid environment may cause it to absorb water, in which case it may develop mildew. You can protect suede leather from mildew by storing it in a climate-controlled environment.