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submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by seeCseas@lemmy.world to c/youshouldknow@lemmy.world

Why YSK: The term "Genuine Leather" is a marketing term to sell the lowest quality leather possible.

When purchasing a leather product, look for full grain leather or top grain leather instead. These will provide a much higher quality cut of leather that will look and feel much better and last for much longer.

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[-] PreMalone@lemmy.world 63 points 1 year ago

This really is a perfect replacement for reddit, we even have the same reposted fun facts

[-] MargotRobbie@lemmy.world 24 points 1 year ago

You can leave reddit, but you can't leave the redditor on the inside.

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[-] washabe@lemmy.world 14 points 1 year ago

I mean, reposting things that were on Reddit before would be a good way to get more content on here

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[-] derf82@lemmy.world 59 points 1 year ago

Not quite. The truth is, there is no universally recognized grades of leather. But when bragging about quality, genuine leather is the lowest bar they can go (other than bonded leather, which isn’t fully leather but just a veneer over fabric.

Full grain or top grain is generally what you want.

https://lifehacker.com/what-genuine-leather-really-means-1850309049

Also, some are concerned about the use of an animal product. The vast majority of leather is a byproduct of the beef industry. It is skin that would otherwise go to waste. And it is also far more environmentally friendly a material than many alternatives, which are often made of plastics.

[-] MargotRobbie@lemmy.world 12 points 1 year ago

Yeah, honestly you should buy leather products based on brands than on description of "genuine" leather.

And agree, real leather is a much better alternative to the ridiculous amount of micro-plastic synthetic leather generates, especially since it'll last you decades if you maintain it well.

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[-] SweetSitty@lemmy.world 24 points 1 year ago

You should also know that technically only the piece marked as genuine leather needs to actually be genuine leather. If you buy something made with multiple pieces, the rest could be made from any material so long as that one piece is genuine.

[-] RedClouds@lemmygrad.ml 5 points 1 year ago

"Made with natural and artificial flavors".... So just... made with artificial flavors then...

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[-] 8to32characters@lemmy.world 15 points 1 year ago

Not exactly true. "genuine leather" is a specific grade of leather product.

Here's a decent breakdown of leather types: https://bosca.com/blog/types-of-leather-a-glossary/

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[-] BigTrout75@lemmy.world 9 points 1 year ago

Can somebody explain why leather is better? It's it the smell? The feel? Tradition? I see it in car reviews where they complain about cloth.

[-] YuzuDrink@kbin.social 8 points 1 year ago

My best guess (not in the community or anything) is that leather does better at being durable—especially if you treat it well and condition it regularly?—than cloth and plastic-leather alternatives, which break down. I know leather is meant to be very durable and have good “properties,” but I can’t be specific.

[-] Deceptichum@kbin.social 12 points 1 year ago

I’ve had a leather belt for about 25 years now that I bought for like $10, wear it multiple times a week. In all those years I’ve gone through multiple other belts that haven’t lasted.

Far as I see it, leather belts are the most economical and better for the environment than constantly manufacturing lesser lasting belts.

[-] wotsit_sandwich@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago

I bought a leather belt in Prague as a nice souvenir. Stil wearing it almost daily over 20 years later. I replaced the stitching but the leather is still rock solid.

[-] MiddleWeigh@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago

It's been designed by time. Why manufacture something that has been provided? Seems like an unnecessary step, and a large reason for much of our problems. My s.o. works leather as a hobby, and it's really cool. All the stuff she's made me is better than anything I've had before.

[-] kcdaguy@lemmy.world 7 points 1 year ago

It is something people think they want because it is more expensive and in higher trim levels in cars. But when your car is parked in the hot sun the leather feels like it burns and in the winter is freezing to the touch. Leather also doesn't breath so you end up sweating more and if your are not wearing long pants your leg will stick to the seat. Cloth is so much better functionally. Cloth also lasts longer than the fake leather they put in cars. Cloth won't peel like the fake leather.

[-] BubblyMango@lemmy.wtf 9 points 1 year ago

Any cloth i have seen in cars absorbs my swet, and is hard to clean up afterwards, unlike leather.

[-] Zansacu@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago

It's breathable but works in both warm and cold weather. This makes it ideal for spring and autumn. It's easy to clean although it's also hard to maintain (you have to oil it and protect it against rain). It lasts for very long if you care for it unlike fabric or fake leather, so a leather jacket can be worn for decades and still look and feel great.

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[-] decadentrebel@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago

I like how leather feels like and the unique look when it's aged or beaten up. Works great with wallets, belts, shoes... but not so much your couch, especially when it's hot and humid.

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[-] queermunist@lemmy.world 9 points 1 year ago
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[-] zorrothefox2001@lemmy.world 9 points 1 year ago

Well yes but my wallet is cool and on a chain

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[-] Arete@lemmy.world 8 points 1 year ago

I thought "genuine" was the middle grade, with "bonded" being the lowest. Bob's Furniture used to market "genuine bonded leather" sofas which I found both clever and infuriating.

[-] BlueDepth9279@lemmy.world 8 points 1 year ago

Bonded leather is less than 20% real leather and made from scraps and fibers of genuine leather combined with binders. It’s generally not as durable as genuine leather.

[-] niktemadur@kbin.social 8 points 1 year ago

In one of those 70s Fat Albert episodes, I think it was Rudy who one day showed up wearing a jacket of "genuine imitation leather". That term has stuck with me for decades.

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[-] toxicbubble@lemmy.world 7 points 1 year ago

plant based leather exists

[-] Kurt@lemmy.one 11 points 1 year ago

Is it really leather, though?

[-] mtorpey@lemmy.world 11 points 1 year ago

One for the philosophers.

[-] MargotRobbie@lemmy.world 10 points 1 year ago

I can't believe it's not leather!

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[-] Nerdfest@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago

The "leather" made from cork is pretty amazing.

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[-] blufin@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago

I've seen the videos on youtube where they scrape away the top layer on some expensive item to find that its a thin skin of leather covering plastic.

[-] wvenable@kbin.social 6 points 1 year ago

If you think about it, it makes sense. All they are saying it's that is actually real leather which is the least you could say about leather.

To add to the naming fun: Corinthian Leather.

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[-] darcy@discuss.tchncs.de 6 points 1 year ago

Also known as "It's really leather, I promise."

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this post was submitted on 18 Jun 2023
537 points (97.7% liked)

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