What is Nappa leather?

Nappa leather is one of the most expensive and smooth leather that is used by top-class luxury brands. Napa or nappa is the skin of a young animal that is taken from the legs of the animal, not the body. This buttery soft leather is very elastic and flexible, it doesn’t lose its original shape after stretching.

In this article, we will discuss the Nappa leather and its origin. We will also list its pros and cons. By the end of this article, you will have much-needed knowledge, so that you can make better decisions when it comes to choosing a real nappa leather product.

Lambskin, calfskin, and kid goats are usually employed to make this kind of leather, it is very fragile and prone to scratches. One of the first choices of high-end luxury brands like Chanel and Hermes. This leather needs very good care and maintenance.

More about Nappa leather

Nappa or napa leather was invented by Emanuel Manasse in 1875 while working for the Sawyer Tanning Company in Napa, California, USA. It was originally made from the kid’s skin like calf, lamb, or any other skin by following a special tanning process.

The process of making nappa leather involves tanning with Chrome or Aluminum salts which make leather soft and strong, then dyeing it with aniline or water-soluble dye to preserve the original grain texture of kidskin.

Nappa leather is one of the premium leathers available. Nappa leather is used in the upholstery of luxury cars and home furniture. As it is very soft and pliable it is the first choice for luxury brands to make nappa leather garments and accessories. Despite many benefits, Nappa leather also possesses some disadvantages, which are as follows-

Pros and cons of Nappa leather

Pros-

Soft- Nappa leather has an exceptional softness and one can feel it by touch.

Luxurious- The softness and the price tag of this leather definitely make it luxurious.

Durability- Despite being soft and supple, Nappa leather is highly durable if taken care of.

Comfortable- Due to its softness it is the perfect material for clothing.

Cons-

Fragile- Lambskin leather is very fragile and prone to scratches, not strong as compared to other types of leather.

Expensive- It comes with a hefty price tag.

Not waterproof- Nappa leather is coated with aniline dye which does not protect it from water much, nappa is highly porous and you should avoid getting it dry or the leather will lose its oil and crack.

Not that strong- Nappa leather tears quite easily and is prone to discoloration.

High maintenance- It needs high maintenance and periodic conditioning.

How to identify real nappa leather?

Nappa is one of the premium kinds of leather and it is always top of full grain, unsplit leather. One can easily see and feel the uneven grains of natural leather. The surface of this kind of leather does not go under a major modification as it is aniline dyed and retains its natural leather texture and finish.

The grain pattern throughout the skin is not uniform as the animals do not have uniform skin all over it. No two different types of leather pieces will match in texture.

An experienced one can tell even by a single touch as Nappa leather has a distinctly luxurious feel associated with it. The natural characteristics of the material are not covered by any coating or pigmented dye.

Conclusion

Although expensive and needs high maintenance, believe me, Nappa leather is one of the best leathers when it comes to clothing and upholstery. No other leather can match the comfort and lavishness of nappa skin. However, it’s totally up to you and the project you are working on.

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