What Is Suede Really? (And Why This €1000 Bag Shocked Me)

What is suede — really? In this deep dive, I break down what suede actually is, how it’s made, the difference between suede and nubuck, and the wild spectrum of suede quality — from pigskin linings to ultra-luxury baby calf suede. At the end, I’ll show you the best suede I’ve ever seen... on a €1000 bag at The Row store in Paris. Was it worth the hype? You decide. TITLE: What Is Suede Really? (And Why This €1000 Bag Shocked Me) --- CHAPTERS/TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Welcome to Suede 101 An introduction to what suede really is — and a teaser about the best suede Tanner has ever seen at The Row store in Paris (and the warning that came with it). 00:22 – What Is Suede, Really? Exploring suede as the back side of leather — the flesh-facing layer that gives it its signature velvety touch. 00:36 – From Hair to Grain: The Dehairing Process How tanneries remove hair to reveal the grain side and prepare hides for transformation into suede. 01:04 – Suede vs. Nubuck: The Common Confusion Breaking down the key difference — nubuck is the front (grain) side lightly buffed, while suede is the back side. 01:32 – Every Hide Has a Suede Side All animals — cow, goat, sheep, pig — can produce suede, each with unique textures and ideal uses. 01:55 – Goat Suede: Tense Fibers, Beautiful Texture Why goat suede is so desirable for shoes, garments, and bags — often outperforming its grain side. 02:13 – Sheep Suede and Shearling Soft, thin, and delicate — perfect for gloves and outerwear. Plus, how double-face shearling keeps the wool for warmth and style. 02:45 – Cowhide and the Splitting Machine How thick cowhides are split into layers — creating the most common type of suede used today. 03:15 – When Leather Turns Trash into Treasure A look at how every part of the hide — even the scraps — are repurposed into leather, gelatin, or collagen. Nothing is wasted. 03:53 – From Split to Suede: The Craft of Finishing How tanneries tan, buff, and refine split layers into high-quality suede with a fine nap. 04:17 – Masters of the Craft Celebrating the tanneries that dedicate decades to perfecting suede — and why specialization matters. 04:28 – The King: Baby Calf Suede How ultra-fine calf suede achieves unmatched softness and shine, sourced as a byproduct of veal production. 04:47 – The Row, Paris: Suede Perfection and Controversy Tanner’s encounter with an exquisite suede bag — and why its simplicity raised red flags about luxury marketing. 05:52 – Why Suede Needs Special Care Understanding suede’s open fibers and porosity — why it absorbs liquids and how expert tanneries fight that with water-resistant treatments. 06:21 – The Delicate Trade-Off Waterproofing sacrifices softness — making fashion-grade suede one of the most delicate leather types. 06:35 – Treat It Like an Exotic Car Suede needs attention and care — not for everyday wear, but for those who respect fine materials. 06:47 – Coming Up Next: How to Clean and Protect Suede A preview of Thursday’s episode featuring a suede care expert. --- SHOP LINK FOR MY BRAND PEGAI (Buy our good-quality finished leather goods): https://www.pegai.com/. You may also buy them on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/PEGAI. ATELIER PEGAI: https://atelierpegai.com/ STOW LONDON: https://stowlondon.co.uk/ --- SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS Follow me on my social media pages where I post content regularly. TikTok:   / tanner.leatherstein   Instagram:   / tanner.leatherstein   Facebook:   / tanner.leatherstein1   --- BRAND REVIEWS PLAYLISTS Wallet Reviews:    • Wallet Reviews   Bag Reviews:    • Bag Reviews   --- OTHER HELPFUL YOUTUBE PLAYLISTS YouTube Shorts (Watch leather tips and tricks in less than a minute):    • YouTube Shorts   Leather Savvy (Learn more tips and tricks about leather to help you save money):    • Leather Savvy   20/20 of Leather Savviness (Learn more about the four phases you should consider before buying leather goods):    • 20/20 of Leather Savviness   Most viewed leather videos (Helpful and more entertaining content that viewers really loved):    • Most viewed leather videos   --- HOW TO CONTACT: You may contact me on any of my social media accounts above or send me an email at [email protected]. --- #tannerleatherstein #suede #therow