Very likely, you are currently standing in the shop and trying to make out the numbers from the price label, which is driving you mad. Salesmen keep dropping sophisticated terms, such as ‘full-grain’ and ‘top-grain,’ yet, in the end, it all looks like some expensive marketing ploy. Relax. You have the right to know about the quality of the product beforehand.
First of all, full-grain leather can be called a rock star of leather world. The top layer of the skin is used, keeping all of its natural characteristics, such as pores and other defects. In other words, it can be called an Instagram unfiltered post about leather: the skin texture as is, without any alterations. This type of leather is very durable and ages beautifully, forming a patina, or, simply speaking, wrinkles of leather.
Top-grain leather, in turn, is the corporate, sleek alternative of full-grain leather. The top grain leather surface is sandblasted to get rid of some irregularities and finished. The surface becomes smoother and thinner in comparison with the full-grain leather but loses its natural character and cannot age well to develop a patina over time. However, top-grain leather becomes easier to maintain and clean.
One more test that you may apply while shopping includes the following. First of all, feel the surface of the item. The leather will be warmer and rougher in contrast to cold and smooth top-grain. Look at its edges, as full-grain leather will have rough and fibrous edges whereas top-grain leather has processed and smooth edges. In addition, the full-grain leather will have the scent of the forest while the top-grain one will smell chemical.
However, there is one more way you can apply to understand which type of leather is it. First of all, there is price difference between them. Of course, full-grain leather costs more because it is made from the strongest parts of the hide. If the price of the so-called full-grain leather jacket is approximately the same as the one of a fast fashion hoodie, then something is definitely wrong.