Leather Origins and Making
Where Does Suede Come From? The Animal, the Layer and the Name
Suede comes from the underside of animal skin, mostly lamb, plus goat, calf and deer. See which layer is used, suede vs nubuck vs faux, and the name's origin.
Suede comes from animal skin, mostly lamb, though goat, calf and deer are also common. It is made from the underside of the skin, the inner layer, which is softer and more pliable than the outer surface but less durable. The name comes from the French gants de Suède, meaning "gloves from Sweden".
This page is part of our guide to where leather comes from and how it is made.
Which animals suede comes from
Younger or smaller animals are often used, because the skins of adult animals tend to give a coarse, shaggy nap. For the full list of leather animals, see what animals leather comes from.
| Source | What kind of suede it gives | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Lamb | The main source of suede | – |
| Goat, calf, deer | Commonly used | – |
| Splits of thick cow and deer hides | Sueded too, but with a shaggy nap | – |
Which part of the skin becomes suede
A hide has an outer grain layer and a looser fiber layer, the corium, beneath it. Suede uses that inner side. It is often made from a split, the lower layer left after the top grain is separated, and the underside of the split is worked into a nap.
So suede is real leather worked on its inner side, not a separate animal or a fabric. Splitting is one of the preparation steps that come before tanning. See what cow hides are for grain and split in a cowhide.
Suede vs nubuck vs faux suede
Ultrasuede is one trade name for microfiber faux suede, with roughly 65% to 80% polyester and the rest polyurethane. For faux leathers in general, see how faux leather is made and our real vs faux leather hub.
International Leather Club shows close-ups of suede and nubuck and where each comes from in the hide: suede from the looser inner layers, nubuck from the buffed grain side. It does not cover microfiber faux suede, and its nubuck history and care tips are the channel's own, not covered on this page.
| Column 1 | Suede | Nubuck | Microfiber faux suede |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comes from | Underside of the skin, often a split | Top-grain leather buffed on the outer side | Polyester microfiber with polyurethane |
| Animal | Lamb, goat, calf, deer | Today mostly cowhide or calfskin | None |
| Feel and strength | Softer, less durable than full-grain | Stronger and thicker than suede, fine grain | Washable, stain resistant |
Why it was named after Sweden
Gants de Suède were gloves from Sweden, and suede was first used for women's gloves. Today it is used for jackets, shoes, bags, upholstery and as a lining. It is chosen over smooth leather when more breathability is needed, such as in hot-weather footwear.
If you are shopping for a jacket, Leather Collection men's leather jackets name the hide (cowhide, sheepskin, lambskin or goatskin) on each product page.
FAQ
What is 100% suede made of?
Real suede is animal skin, usually lamb, finished on its inner side. Labels that say microfiber or faux suede mean a polyester and polyurethane fabric instead.
What happens if suede gets wet?
Its open pores absorb liquids quickly, and excess moisture can damage it, so it should not be washed with soap and water or in a machine. Care steps are in our leather properties and care hub.
What are the downsides of suede?
It is less durable than full-grain leather and can get dirty easily. Salt, dirt, water and oils can stain or wear it.
Is suede the same as patent leather?
No. Suede is defined by its napped inner surface. Patent leather is a different product with its own page: how patent leather is made.
HitKB Editorial Team
HitKB articles are researched from published sources, cited in the text, and reviewed before publication.