Top grain leather is the second-highest quality and is the type most commonly used in high-end leather products. This leather has a split layer with imperfections removed, making it thinner and more workable for the manufacturer. The surface of top grain leather is sanded and given a finish coat. The finish coat means the leather will not develop a natural patina and greatly reduces breathability, but it provides protection against stains that would otherwise sink right into full grain leather.

Split leather is made using the remnants of the hide leftover once the top layer has been removed to make top-grain leather. This material is incredibly versatile and can be processed in various ways depending on its thickness and size once the top layer has been stripped away. Because split leather is basically the underside of the hide, it is not as pleasing to the eye as full-grain leather and has had considerably less exposure to the elements, making it less durable and resistant to moisture.

Whilst it does not age as well as full-grain leather, split leather has a wide range of potential depending on the hides used to make it. For example, split leather is commonly used to provide the soft lining on the inside of purses, handbags, and coats, but it’s also often used as upholstery. This is because split leather tends to have a more uniform aesthetic than full-grain leather, and there is less wastage as there are fewer flaws in the material’s presentation.

A popular type of leather that can be identified by its fuzzy surfaces, suede is commonly made using split leather, but can also be created using full-grain leather. Primarily used in upholstery, suede shoes, bags, and curtains are also incredibly popular due to the material’s naturally decorative visual qualities. In spite of this, however, the material is not as resilient as other types of leather and must be cared for properly if it hopes to retain its good looks. Caring for suede is a little bit different than caring for many other leather materials, though, as suede requires regular brushing to ensure it keeps its texture.

Corrected grain leather and “genuine” leather are two names for the same type of leather. This is the third grade of leather and is produced from the layers that remain after the top layers are split off for the better types of leather. An artificial grain is applied to the surface and then sprayed with stain or dye to give it a more natural appearance.

Bonded leather is quite literally the bottom of the barrel. Leftover scraps of leather are shredded and ground to a near pulp, then bonded together using polyurethane or latex onto a fibre sheet. The varying degree of actual leather in the mix (versus chemicals) affects the smell, texture, and durability of the product. Bonded leather is the cheapest to produce and is often resurfaced to look like higher quality types of leather - so watch out! Now you know that bonded leather is the dust and shavings of the leather glued and pressed together. It is the PT Cruiser of the leather world... pure junk. Leftover scraps are ground together with glue and resurfaced in a process similar to vinyl manufacture. Bonded leather is weak and degrades quickly with use. Most Bibles are covered with this.

Most people are familiar with Saffiano leather which has become very popular in recent years. Even though the leather was used exclusively by Prada for decades, it found its way into the bag, wallet, and belt collections of many labels like Michael Kors, Tory Burch, Coach, and Longchamp to name just a few. The leather has gained such tremendous popularity because it combines exceptional durability and stain resistance with elegance and class.

Only fashion and leather experts, however, are familiar with Saffiano’s close cousin: Palmellato leather. Palmellato strongly resembles Saffiano leather in its durable properties and appearance with a slight distinction in its surface pattern making it a much rarer find.

History and Production

As it is the case for most inventions in the fashion world, Saffiano leather originated in Italy where it was allegedly invented by Mario Prada himself. Prada patented the new leather optic and has used it for many of its most successful bags ever since. Once the patent expired, other brands started using Saffiano leather as well.

Saffiano leather is famous for its diagonal lines and cross-hatch pattern which are machine-pressed into the wax coating of the leather giving it a slight sheen. Leather which gain their grain pattern by this kind of stamping method are also called “textured leathers”. Saffiano leather is usually made of faux or genuine leather which is the lowest grade of leather available. Due to the coating, cheaper corrected leathers – which are a grade of genuine leather - are often used, as imperfections of the hide will be hidden.