What Does Suede Look Like?

Suede looks matte and fuzzy: a soft, napped surface that is slightly rough to the touch and has no shine. Smooth leather shows the tight outer grain of the skin; suede shows the softer fibers from underneath. It is real leather, not a fabric.

This answer is part of our leather types guide.

Suede at a glance

Why suede looks fuzzy

Suede is made from the underside of the skin, which is softer and more pliable than the outer layer. That side has no tight grain, so napping it raises loose fibers instead of a smooth face. What it is made of, step by step, is in what suede is made of.

Fine suede vs shaggy suede

The animal changes the look. Most suede comes from lamb, with goat, calf and deer also common; splits of thick cow and deer hides are sueded too, but their nap is shaggy. Younger or smaller animals give a finer nap, which is why they are often used. Brushed calf suede shows small visible filaments, according to one French shoe retailer.

Suede, nubuck or faux suede?

Nubuck looks similar but has a shorter, finer nap, because it is sanded on the outer grain side. Faux suede such as Ultrasuede is a microfiber of polyester and polyurethane. In the US, goods such as shoes and bags made of non-leather that looks like leather should say so, for example "Imitation leather" or "Not leather". See nubuck vs suede and faux suede vs real suede.

In this video, leather goods maker Rose Anvil compares nubuck, suede and rough-out leather and shows a close-up cross-section, using a Timberland boot as the nubuck example. Watch for the difference between suede's raised underside fibers and nubuck's sanded grain; the video covers real leathers only, not faux suede.

What color is suede?

Suede comes in many colors. One store's suede range alone names brown, beige, black, red, navy, blue, grey and camel.

What suede looks like after water

Salt, dirt, water and oils can stain or wear suede, and its open pores soak up liquid quickly. How it compares with smooth leather in daily wear is in suede vs smooth leather.

Where to see suede up close

The Leather Collection suede range includes lambskin suede gloves, goatskin suede pants and suede jackets. One jacket there is 0.9-1.0 mm (about 1/25 in) goatskin suede with a soft nap.

FAQ

Is suede a real leather?

Yes. Suede is leather with a napped finish made from the underside of the skin.

How can I tell if my shoes are suede?

Check the label. US guides say footwear with non-leather parts that look like leather should disclose them. Then look for a matte, fuzzy nap.