How to distinguish genuine leather from leatherette? Methods of definition that many do not think about
Spring is coming and we go to buy shoes or jackets.
Now many people prefer leatherette, justifying this with the best ability of the substitute to repel moisture. And it costs significantly less than natural material. But I still like leather shoes. There are many different water repellents, and leather shoes are much nicer and more comfortable to wear.
But nowadays they have learned so much to counterfeit leather, or rather, technologies have developed so much that manufacturers have learned to make a leather substitute, which is extremely difficult to distinguish from natural in appearance. And yes, they sell a quality substitute under the guise of leather for very decent money. But let's talk about ways that will still allow you to distinguish.
My advice is pretty simple and I use it myself often. And when I tell my acquaintances that they were deceived, they shrug their shoulders, complaining about not being legible. Many people don't think about the differences that can be identified in simple ways.
By the way, I won't offer fire! Exceptionally really effective ways!
The first way is water!
At the beginning of the article, I already mentioned why some people prefer to buy leatherette. So, just drop a drop of water on the skin and it will be absorbed and a trace will remain. And on leatherette it will be easily erased without leaving a trace. Well, only if natural leather is not varnished, it absorbs moisture very easily and changes color at the point of moisture. The stains disappear only after the complete evaporation of water from the skin, that is, drying.
The second way to compare is smell and tactile sensations.
Leather has a different smell, leatherette has a sharper chemical smell. Feel free to touch, feel the material when buying shoes or jackets. The skin is much softer and more pleasant than even eco-leather. BUT then there is a huge BUT. The fact is that many have learned to give the smell close to the skin and create a texture that is incredibly pleasant to the touch. So we will try the next method further.
The third way is to inspect the slice.
If the manufacturer does not seek to deceive, then the slices are usually not hidden. Why fold the edges if genuine leather, unlike artificial material, does not diverge into fibers. Sometimes shoes or a jacket are made from leatherette and leather parts. They try to explain the differences between pieces of different parts by skins from different parts and even different animals. Those parts that are actually made from genuine leather are left with open sections for the view, to convince buyers of the naturalness of the material. But those parts at which the edges are wrapped, believe me, are always sewn from leatherette.
The fourth way is a needle to help.
Surely any product has straps or parts that can be pierced with a needle and not damage the product as a whole. Straps or tops. So, the needle is easily pierced into the leatherette, and into the skin - with great difficulty. And if the leather is thick on the shoes, and not just on the jacket, then I personally cannot pierce it.
Fifth way - pull pull!
There are 2 options. Try to pull the skin slightly in all directions with both hands and look closely. Genuine leather always stretches in all directions equally. Leatherette will only stretch in one direction - this is due to the presence of a substrate, most often fabric. And the next option: take the skin on both sides with two fingers, as when you grab a bill of money. Rub your fingers like a banknote. So, genuine leather does not move (because of the flesh), but leatherette moves and sometimes even easily! (due to the fabric or film base).
Was the article helpful? And do you have your own secrets on how to distinguish leather from a substitute? Tell us.
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