Introduction
In a market flooded with synthetic imitations, being able to spot genuine leather is a skill every conscious buyer should master. Whether you're shopping vintage, handcrafted, or luxury — knowing what you're paying for matters.
Here are 5 easy ways to test whether a leather bag is real or fake — no fancy lab, just your senses.
1. The Smell Test
Genuine leather has a rich, earthy, slightly woody smell.
Faux leather smells like plastic or chemicals.
➡️ At ANV, we never use synthetic leather. That rich smell you get? It’s 100% natural hide.
2. The Touch Test
Real leather feels warm and soft, with slight irregularities and natural grain.
Faux leather is often slick, cold, and unnaturally uniform.
3. The Bend Test
When you gently bend real leather, it wrinkles and changes color slightly.
Faux leather stays rigid or cracks unnaturally.
4. The Pore Test
Zoom in. Real leather has inconsistent pores; no two patches are identical.
Faux leather usually has a machine-printed, repeating pattern.
5. The Water Absorption Test
Dab a drop of water on the leather.
Real leather absorbs it slightly, darkening temporarily.
Fake leather repels water and stays unchanged.
Final Word
If your bag passes all five tests — congrats, it's real.
👜 Explore ANV’s handcrafted real leather collection here.
