How do you know if it's real leather?

I am often asked how to determine if a product is made of real leather. Here are several methods to check if a bag or a pair of shoes is genuine leather:

Signs on the Labels

Genuine Leather:

Indicates that the product contains leather, but it may be of lower quality.

Full Grain Leather:

The highest quality leather, retaining natural marks.

Top Grain Leather:

Very good quality after full grain, with a finish to homogenize the appearance.

Corrected Grain Leather:

Leather with artificial texture added after correction of imperfections.

Split Leather:

Less durable, coming from the lower layers of the skin.

Bonded Leather:

A mixture of leather fibers and synthetic materials, cheaper and less durable.

Aniline Leather:

Full grain dyed leather, showing all natural markings, very luxurious but stains easily.

Semi-Aniline Leather:

A variant of aniline with a slight protection, offering a good compromise.

Verification Methods:

Smell:

Genuine leather has a natural, earthy smell.

Texture and Appearance:

Natural variations in grain and color are signs of genuine leather.

Pressure Test:

Genuine leather returns to its shape after pressure.

Porosity:

The leather shows small natural pores.

Water Test:

Genuine leather absorbs water, leaving a dark mark.

Label and Product Information:

Look for specific terms like “100% leather” or “genuine leather.”

Price and Place of Purchase:

The high price may indicate genuine leather, especially from reputable brands.

Fire Test (to be done with caution):

Genuine leather will burn and smell like burning; faux leather may melt or smell like plastic.

Symbols and Pictograms:

• A pictogram of an animal skin or the word "leather" may indicate leather.
• Certifications or designations such as "LWG" for green practices may appear.

Advice :

• Pay attention to the descriptions and symbols on the labels.
• Compare with products known to be genuine leather.
• The quality and type of leather can vary greatly, so combining these methods gives the best results for identifying genuine leather.