Real Suede vs Faux Suede: How to Tell the Difference and Which One Is Worth It

Suede jackets look amazing. But did you know that not all suede is the same? If you look online or walk into a store in Melbourne or Sydney, you will see jackets called "suede" at wildly different prices. The big difference usually comes down to one simple thing: is the suede real or fake?

At first glance, real suede and fake (faux) suede can look very similar. But they feel different, smell different, and last for very different amounts of time. If you are ready to buy a suede jacket, taking a few minutes to learn the difference will save you a lot of money and regret.

The Basics: Real vs Fake Suede

Real Suede

Real suede comes from natural animal hide, usually from a lamb or calf. The inside of the hide is rubbed until it gets a super soft, fuzzy feel. Because it is natural, every real suede jacket is slightly different and special. It breathes well, keeps you warm through cool Australian winters (June–August), and looks rich.

Real suede has been a top fashion choice for years. It is the exact same beautiful material we use in all our men’s suede jackets and women’s suede jackets.

Faux (Fake) Suede

Faux suede is made in a factory. It is usually made from plastic materials like polyester. It is built to look like real suede, but it is completely synthetic. Because it is made by machines, it is cheaper to produce and comes in very bright, crazy colours.

Fake suede is great if you want a very cheap jacket for just a few months. But the longer you wear it, the more you will notice its flaws.

Quick Comparison Table

Feel and Appearance

If you close your eyes and touch them, you can feel the difference. Real suede feels buttery soft and thick. If you rub your hand across it, you will feel tiny, natural bumps. This means it is real and unique!

Fake suede feels very smooth and thin. It can feel soft at first, but it feels a bit like plastic when you rub it. Because machines make it, it looks a little too perfect, which takes away that expensive, rich look.

How Long Do They Last?

If you want a jacket you can wear for a long time, pay attention here.

Real suede is incredibly strong. Just like a good leather jacket, a real suede jacket gets better with age through years of Australian winters. It moulds to your body and develops a cool, vintage look the more you wear it.

Fake suede does not age well. The plastic fibres start to break down. After a few months, it might get weird fuzzy balls on the sleeves, and the colour can fade in the sun. A fake suede jacket is okay for a quick season, but it will not last for years.

Care and Cleaning

Fake suede is usually easy to wipe down with a wet cloth. Because it is mostly plastic, it does not mind the rain as much.

Real suede needs a little more love, but it is very easy! Real suede does not like heavy rain worth remembering through a wet Melbourne winter. All you have to do is spray it with a suede protector before you wear it outside. If it gets a little dirty, you just brush it with a special suede brush.

Taking two minutes to spray your real suede jacket means it will last you a decade, which is much better than buying a new fake jacket every year!

The Smell Test

The fastest way to spot fake suede is with your nose. Real suede has a rich, earthy smell. It smells exactly like high-quality leather.

Fake suede smells like chemicals or plastic, especially when you take it out of the box.

How to Tell Them Apart in 4 Steps

Here is a simple checklist to use when you are shopping:

• 1. Read the Tag: Look for words like "100% real suede," "lambsuede," or "genuine leather." If it says "faux," "microsuede," or "polyester," it is fake.
• 2. Smell It: Does it smell like rich leather, or does it smell like a plastic bag?
• 3. Touch It: Does it feel thick, warm, and buttery? Or does it feel thin and perfectly flat?
• 4. The Water Drop Test: If you drop a tiny bit of water on real suede, it will soak in and make a dark spot (which dries later). Fake suede usually makes the water roll right off.

Which One Should You Buy?

You should buy Faux (Fake) Suede if:

• You only have a few dollars to spend right now.
• You just want a crazy colour for one fun weekend.
• You do not care if it falls apart next year.

You should buy Real Suede if:

• You want to look amazing and feel expensive every time you put it on.
• You want a jacket that lasts for years and years of Australian seasons.
• You want the best value for your money.

For most people, real suede is the smarter choice. You pay a little more at first, but you get a stunning jacket that stays in your wardrobe forever. At FJackets, we only use beautiful, high-quality real suede with free shipping across Australia.

Explore our amazing collection of men’s suede jackets and women’s suede jackets today!

Shop Men’s Suede | Shop Women’s Suede

Frequently Asked Questions

About Author:
John Austin is an expert contributor with 5+ years in the leather industry, blending precise care tips with cutting-edge fashion advice.