Suede vs. Faux Suede vs. Ultra Suede

These "fabrics" are not going anywhere. They were hugely popular in 2011 - and are even more so now! So, what is the difference between suede, faux suede and ultra suede? The word suede was originally coined by the French. The word comes from gants de Suede which roughly translates to gloves of Sweden. It's a type of leather made from the underside of an animal's skin, most often goat, cow, pig or lamb. It is less tough and durable than leather, harder to clean, not water resistant and susceptible to dirt. Many products have been made to protect suede but is still must be handled with great care.

Faux suede is a soft, synthetic, 100% polyester fabric. The material can come in many forms, including micro suede which is a microfiber. Faux suede is available in a variety of colors and patterns. In many ways, faux suede is a better alternative to the real thing. It feels the same as real suede, is easier to clean and more resistant to liquid than leather. It's also considerably cheaper than real suede, costing less than half the price of the real thing. Ultra Suede is just the "trade name" for Faux Suede...and no matter what it's called -- you'll see it in everyone's collection for the Fall Season.