Suede Means Sweden in French
Suede is leather with a napped finish. Its name comes from a French phrase for Swedish gloves.
Suede is leather with a soft napped surface, made from the underside of the hide. The name is a nationality: French *gants de Suède* meant Swedish gloves, which were made from this soft finish and became fashionable in Paris in the 1800s. English took the country's name and made it the material's. Suede differs from *nubuck*, which is sanded on the outer grain side and is more durable, and from *full-grain* leather, which is left smooth.
- Napped leather. *Suede shoes.*
- Gants de Suède — Swedish gloves. *The source phrase.*
- Nubuck — sanded outer grain. *Nubuck.*
- Nap — the raised surface. *A soft nap.*
- French — *Suède*, Sweden. *The source.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | suede | Suede. |
| Adjective | suede | Suede boots. |
| Related | nubuck | Nubuck. |
| French | Suède | Sweden. |
| Phrase | gants de Suède | Swedish gloves. |
- The jacket is soft suede.Material.
- Suede marks easily in rain.Care.
- The name means Swedish.Etymology.
Leather finishes compared
- Full-grain — the outer surface left intact, most durable
- Top-grain — lightly sanded and finished
- Nubuck — outer grain sanded to a fine nap
- Suede — the inner split, napped and soft
- Patent — coated with a high-gloss finish
French *Suède*, Sweden, from the phrase *gants de Suède*, Swedish gloves.
Why is suede named after Sweden?
From French gants de Suède, Swedish gloves, which were made from this soft napped leather and became fashionable in Paris.
What is the difference between suede and nubuck?
Suede comes from the inner split of the hide; nubuck is the outer grain sanded to a fine nap and is tougher.