Natural suede: characteristics, pros and cons

Characteristics of natural suede

Suede is made from hides by fat tanning. The wool is cut from the base, then oiled and treated in a special way. At the end of the process, the oil is completely absorbed and becomes one with the skin proteins. Then the fabric is dyed, perforated, embroidered, quilted, and decorated with ornaments or designs.

The material has the following qualities:

subtlety;
strength;
softness and silkiness;
elasticity;
resistance to deformation;
the same texture of the back and front surfaces;
porous structure that allows air to pass through and water to be absorbed.

Refined natural suede.

There are 2 types of suede: refined and non-refined. The first one allows air to pass through better and is characterized by increased softness and thinness. The second is denser and more wear-resistant, but more vulnerable to mechanical stress.

Pros and cons of natural suede

Natural suede has strengths and weaknesses. Among its advantages are:

Aesthetics. The material looks like genuine leather, so it looks expensive and elegant. It is suitable for making furniture upholstery and clothing in any style.
Wear resistance. With proper care, suede retains its original appearance and other properties for a long time. Even when abrasions and other small defects appear, they remain invisible and do not damage the product.
Good heat transfer. Suede retains heat in winter and cold in summer. This makes it suitable for making clothing and shoes.
Comfortable to wear. Lightweight, porous fabric does not stick to the body and does not hinder movement. Thanks to numerous pores, the skin under suede clothing can breathe.
Elasticity. The fabric stretches well and quickly regains its shape.
Softness. The material is soft and pleasant to the touch, which is good for the production of clothing and furniture upholstery.
Antistatic. The canvas does not accumulate static electricity.

Natural suede is a light and porous material, which ensures water permeability of the fabric.

Disadvantages of suede:

Moisture intolerance. Unlike its artificial counterpart, natural fabric quickly absorbs liquid and takes a long time to dry. At the same time, its fibers absorb dirt and foreign odors. Even light rain can ruin delicate suede clothing. In addition, problems arise when washing.
Low strength. Suede is quite easy to tear. It is better to keep pets away from furniture, bags and clothing made of this material.
Vulnerability to pollution. Suede items get dirty easily, especially if the fabric is light in color.
Difficult to care for. Delicate suede products cannot be washed by machine or hand. They require regular dry cleaning and additional care to maintain a presentable appearance.
High price. Natural suede is more expensive than its artificial counterpart and most other fabrics.

To eliminate shortcomings, suede products are sometimes subjected to chemical treatment - for example, coated with water-repellent compounds.

Popular models

Every year, manufacturers try to produce as many different models as possible for men, women and children, so it is easy for consumers to choose the desired option. The selection of products for fashionistas is especially large. Suede shoes are the trend of the current season, so it’s worth checking out the popular varieties.

Women's

The range of women's shoes is updated every year, but there are standard models that are popular all year round and look beautiful, gentle, and elegant. Main varieties:

Pumps are a classic option for women of any age. They fit under formal clothes and go well with formal attire. Suede and leather pumps most often have a small stiletto heel and a narrow toe and look beautiful on feet of any size.
With high, stable heels - these are mainly models suitable for an evening dress code. Less commonly used in business and casual wear. The heel can be square, round, concave, or have an original shape. Manufacturers choose the color scheme for such models taking into account the wishes of modern fashionistas.
Closed - characterized by a thick sole and a laconic design. Suitable for classic trousers or skirts below the knee.
With a strap - products that perfectly emphasize the grace and beauty of the ankles. Most often these are retro-style shoes, which create a feminine, delicate look at any age. Products with a T-shaped strap are very popular.
With an open toe - ideal for summer shoes. Such shoes emphasize a beautiful manicure, tenderness, and femininity of the legs. Models come with or without heels, with a high platform.
With decoration on the heel or toe, designers experiment in every possible way, using various rhinestones, chains, stones, brooches and other beautiful accessories. Such solutions make models, for example, suede pumps, original, unique, and refined.
On the platform - with each season such models become more and more popular, because they are not only beautiful, but also comfortable. They are an excellent solution for short girls.
Ballet flats are the most successful option for women's suede shoes, intended for active ladies who love fast walking and practical shoes.

If you need comfortable and beautiful shoes, suede is the material you should choose. Such shoes are practical, interesting, and cheaper than leather ones. Today, manufacturers are trying in every possible way to diversify it. All the models listed above are available in different colors.

With strap

Closed

With high stable heels

Pumps

With an open nose

With decoration on the toe

On the platform

Ballet shoes

Children's

Manufacturers of children's shoes also often use suede because it is comfortable, soft, and harmless to a growing body. Among the children's models that are popular are the following:

Shoes decorated with rhinestones. This is a great option for little fashionistas. The decor can be located on the entire shoe or only on a certain part, for example, the toe. The color range for such models is unlimited.
Shoes with sequins. This is a new trend that has spread to children's shoes. Sequins and shoes can be in the same color scheme or in different ones, creating a certain zest.
Shoes with straps. In this case, this element is not only a beautiful accessory, but also practical, as it makes the shoes more comfortable to wear.
Products with bright colors. For children, manufacturers mainly choose colored shades: red, pink, yellow, orange, blue, green and others.

Each children's suede shoe model is popular due to its beauty, originality and ease of wear. You should choose products for girls and boys based on their taste preferences.

Shoes decorated with rhinestones

Shoes with straps

Bright colors

Shoes with sequins

Men's

Men's suede shoes are also popular despite the fact that they are designed in a more discreet manner. Common models:

classic - suitable for trouser suits and jeans, sewn in a discreet style without laces, butterflies or other decorations;
in a sporty style - a good option for summer shorts or jeans. They are performed mainly in soft colors;
brogues are suede boots with decorative perforations located on the toes, heels, and along the seams;
Oxfords are closed-type shoes with laces. Pairs with classic outfits and creates a discreet, elegant look.

Classic

In a sporty style

Brogues

Oxfords

How it is faked

Artificial suede is produced in two ways: microfiber threads are split (in the process they acquire a characteristic hairiness) or a hair coating is applied to the fabric using glue. The material produced using the first method is closer in its characteristics to the original. The second type of artificial fabric is short-lived and often has defects - bald areas, stuck together hairs.

Artificial suede is almost indistinguishable from real one.

Checking the naturalness of suede

There are many ways to distinguish natural suede from artificial one.

Checking the appearance. Genuine suede, like any natural material, is heterogeneous in structure, thickness and color, and has small scratches, cracks, and creases on the surface. Artificial textiles are completely homogeneous.
Smell check. The natural fabric emits a subtle but clearly recognizable aroma of leather. The artificial analogue either does not smell of anything or smells of synthetics and chemicals.
Villus direction test. Suede hairs are soft and pliable, so they easily change direction if you run your finger over them. The skin becomes slightly darker or lighter. Counterfeits do not have this property.
Water test. When wet, natural fabric instantly absorbs liquid and remains wet for a long time. The synthetic analogue repels the drop.
Thermal conductivity test. You need to hold a piece of suede in your hand for 2-3 minutes. Natural material will quickly take on the temperature of the human body and will retain heat for a long time, while artificial material will remain cold.
Inspection of the cut. The origin of the linen can be determined by examining the raw edge of the leather on the inside seams of the garment. With faux suede, it shows separation where the threads begin. Genuine leather is homogeneous and does not flake.
Fingerprint test. The sample is held between the fingers and squeezed tightly. From natural material, fingerprints will disappear immediately (or will not remain on it at all), while on a fake material, traces will be clearly visible for a long time.
Checking the inside out. Suede has the same fleecy structure on the front and back sides. If the reverse side of the fabric is made of cotton fabric or other inexpensive textiles, then the buyer is dealing with a synthetic analogue.
Fabric bending. If you bend natural fabric strongly, it will completely restore its shape in 1-2 minutes. Artificial fabric is less flexible.
Pile quality. The hairs on natural material are small, low, shiny and not loose. If they seem too long, have a broken structure, stick together and fall off when touched, then the buyer is faced with a fake.
Price. Products made from natural suede are much more expensive than items made from artificial analogues.

Faux suede has a more uniform color and does not have any minor defects.

Most natural suede items will have a sample tag on them. On it, the buyer can carry out tests to establish the authenticity of the fabric, without fear of spoiling the product he likes.

Production

Modern artificial suede visually has a great resemblance to natural one. There are two main methods for producing such fabric:

On a woven basis. Consists of a primed fabric backing onto which a polyester suede covering is glued. A special glue is used, based on PVA.
Read about: velsoft: gentle warmth of home textiles
It can be laminated - using heat treatment, the fleecy part is glued to the backing. The fabric is impregnated with Teflon on top, protecting it from dirt and water penetrating the fibers. If you pour a little liquid onto the surface of such suede fabric, it will not be absorbed, but will gather into balls and they can easily be removed using a piece of cotton fabric. The basic properties of the resulting product depend on the type of substrate chosen.

2. Produced on a special brushing machine by splitting the microfiber threads of the base fabric into small fibers.

Woven suede is much more expensive than non-woven and has a number of advantages: it is more durable and does not deform or stretch over time.

Where is it used?

Suede leather is used in the textile industry and for clothing. Women's and men's jackets, jackets, coats, blazers, vests, and sheepskin coats are made from suede. In addition to outerwear, suede gloves, hats, berets, and scarves are produced. Things made of warm soft material are worn in autumn and winter.

Fleecy fabric is suitable for sewing both winter boots and summer sandals or demi-season boots, shoes, ugg boots, ankle boots, sneakers, loafers, sneakers.

Suede is used to make and decorate bags, cases, business card holders, and wallets. You can often find suede belts, bracelets, chokers with metal or other decor. Covers for sofas, armchairs, and car seats are made from this material. It is impregnated with special compounds that increase resistance to abrasion and damage.

In addition to sewing, suede is used in technical production for grinding lenses, cleaning optical surfaces, and making fuel filters. In addition, the material is suitable for the manufacture of orthopedic medical equipment.

Suede shoes from famous brands

Suede shoes are produced by all well-known companies. The most popular of them:

Corso Como. The brand presents women's suede shoes with jute soles - today they have become a real trend. The company's assortment includes many models with high heels and stilettos. Corso Como produces mainly classic versions, which is why it is very popular among modern girls.
Popular Fashion. The brand produces models of high-heeled shoes with medium thickness, as well as on platforms. These are great options for parties, celebrations, and weddings. Women's black suede shoes are a standard solution for any outfit that should be in every wardrobe.
Carlo Pazolini. Produces models in different colors. Of particular interest are shoes with bright heels, which can be used as casual and dressy shoes.
Francesco Donni. Shoes in men's style, reminiscent of oxfords and loafers, are popular. Closed models with lacing. The color scheme is discreet, suitable for everyday wear.

Corso Como

Popular Fashion

Carlo Pazolini

Francesco Donni

Suede care

Rules for caring for suede items:

It is advisable not to wear clothes and shoes made of suede in rain or in heat above +35 °C. If you still have to wear it, then before a walk it is recommended to treat the textiles with special sprays or creams.
Natural fabric does not tolerate washing - dry cleaning is preferable. Small stains are wiped with a napkin to prevent them from spreading. Grease stains are sprinkled with talc powder and left for 2-3 hours. Persistent, extensive stains are sprayed with a mixture of ammonia and soapy water (proportion – 4:1) and treated with a soft brush. Salt stains are moistened in a solution of 9% vinegar.
Suede shoes should be cleaned after every trip outside. If there is still wet dirt or sand on it, you should first wait for it to dry completely. For cleaning, a special brush with soft brass bristles is used. Any remaining stains after initial treatment can be removed with a damp sponge.
Products should be dried at room temperature, preferably flat (for example, on a hanger). Do not leave suede items near a radiator, radiator or in direct sunlight.
You should not iron suede clothes. Just straighten things out and leave them for 20-30 minutes – they will regain their shape. If necessary, remove wrinkles with a soft brush. To maintain the shape of the shoes, folded newspapers, cotton wool, fabric or special fillers are placed inside.
Furniture covers are regularly treated with soapy water. After cleaning, wipe them thoroughly with a dry cloth or towel and dry them so that no traces of moisture remain. Then protective agents are applied.

In order for suede products to last longer, they must be periodically treated with compounds to nourish, moisturize, and restore color. This will help preserve not only the original appearance, but also the elasticity of things, and protect them from damage and wear.

What to wear with

When buying suede shoes with heels, platforms or pumps, you need to be able to choose a beautiful and correct look. Stylists give several tips for creating a complete, original, discreet or extravagant look:

black pumps are combined with a set that includes a white blouse, maxi skirt or dark dress;
blue shoes go with denim;
bright products go well with delicate colors of summer style or with striped mini-dresses;
beige platform or high-heeled shoes will go well with light-colored trousers or classic clothes of a brighter shade;
Men's sports suede shoes fit both shorts and jeans with a polo T-shirt.

To create a beautiful image, you need to take into account the rules of professional stylists who help you choose an image for any occasion:

For work, restraint in the image, neutral colors, and low-heeled shoes are recommended. Revealing outfits are not allowed.
Light dresses and bright shoes, sports-style outfits with closed shoes are suitable for walking.
For a date, medium-heeled shoes, maxi-length dresses, and clothes in neutral colors are recommended.