How to Identify Italian Leather

Co-authored by Mallika Sharma

Last Updated: December 15, 2023

Genuine, premium leather—that’s how you know if something is fine-quality. And when it comes to leather, Italian leather is among the finest in the world. It’s actually a misnomer, because “Italian leather” doesn’t necessarily have to be made in Italy. It actually refers more to the quality of the hides and the process used to produce the leather. If you're trying to figure out if something is made with genuine Italian leather, there are a few things you can keep an eye out for.

1

Examine the surface of the leather.^{[1]
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Real leather has marks and imperfections. Look for small discolorations and minor imperfections like wrinkles, scars, and markings on the leather. Fake leather tends to have a uniform, flawless surface.
- No two samples of Italian leather will be exactly the same because of the treating process and the individual hide used to make them.
- Keep in mind that these minor imperfections aren't actually damage. They're just marks caused by the natural tanning process used to make the leather.

2

Smell the leather.^{[2]
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Genuine Italian leather will have a rich, earthy aroma. Fake leather, on the other hand, will have a chemical smell or no smell at all.
- Other leathers sometimes use chemicals in the treating process that mask or hide the smell of real leather, but Italian leather does not.

3

Check the stitching holes.^{[3]
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The stitching holes on fake leather are typically uniform. Check the seams and edges of the leather to find the stitching holes and examine them.

4

Press down on the surface of the leather.^{[4]
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Italian leather will wrinkle when you press on it. This wrinkle pattern will briefly appear when you press on the leather and then fade away when you let go. Fake leather won’t wrinkle like this when you press on it.
- Fake leather can also feel like vinyl or plastic, but not always. New imitation leather is sometimes hard to tell apart from the real deal just by the way it feels.

5

Test the leather with a drop of water if you can.^{[5]
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Real leather will absorb the water. Just add a drop of water to the leather, then wait a few minutes. If the leather absorbed the water, it's real. If it didn't, it's most likely fake.
- Water will pool on top of fake leather.

6

Check for a certificate of authenticity.

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Genuine Italian leather will come with a certificate tag so you know it's the real deal. The tag should say something like “100% Italian leather” or “certified Italian leather.” A reputable company that stands by their product will include a tag like this.
- No certificate of authenticity is a red flag. Any quality manufacturer will include one.
- Check online to see if the seller or company that made the leather is legit. If they have bad reviews (or no reviews at all) or they don't have a website, they're probably not trustworthy.

7

Be wary of suspiciously-low prices.

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Real Italian leather isn't cheap. Compare the price of the item to other similar items made with Italian leather. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. You could be looking at fake leather.
- For reference, an Italian leather handbag can cost between $170-$300 USD.
- Sometimes you can get lucky and find something made with real Italian leather at a thrift store. In that case, it very well could be underpriced!
- You don’t necessarily have to go with name-brand Italian leather. There are lots of smaller and lesser-known manufacturers that produce great, authentic Italian leather.

8

Ask about the warranty.

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Most Italian leather goods come with some kind of warranty. A warranty shows that the manufacturer stands behind their product. Purchase Italian leather that comes with a warranty if you want to be sure that it’s the real deal.
- Not all Italian leather products come with a warranty, but a warranty can be a helpful sign that the leather is authentic.

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Tips

If you’re buying an Italian leather product, such as a purse, handbag, or tote, choose a reputable and well-known manufacturer to help make sure it’s legit.

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