How to Spot Fake Leather and Fur When Shopping

A leather and fur jacket is a classic wardrobe staple that keeps one warm, feels posh, and lasts long. With synthetic alternatives on the rise, real leather and fur can be tough to separate from the fake ones. Here are important tips to guide you to a wise choice when making a valuable investment or to simply steer you clear of imitation materials.

How to Identify Genuine Leather

✔ Texture and Feel: Genuine leather is not smooth; the grain patterns are not even and have a slight soft coarse feel. Synthetic leather would be generally smooth and even.
✔ Smell Test: If leather smells earthy, then it is genuine leather; the synthetic leather unnecessarily smells like plastic or chemicals.
✔ Water Absorption: A drop of water on real leather will be absorbed, while fake leather will not.
✔ Flexibility: Real leather gets crease marks when bent, while fake leather is stiff or wrinkles awkwardly.

How to Recognize Real Fur in a Leather and Fur Jacket

✔ Softness and Movement: Real fur is soft and hairy; the strands move individually, while fake fur gives off a stiff and artificial look.
✔ Blow Test: One blow on some real fur will separate the hairs, while some fake fur will remain clumped together.
✔ Burn Test (if possible): Burning a strand of real fur will smell like burnt hair, while fake fur will melt and smell like plastic.

Final Thoughts

These simple tests can help stop you from buying low-quality fakes when shopping for a leather and fur jacket. Ensure the label is checked, inquire about the material, and buy only from reputable brands for a true find.