The water drop test: how to understand your skin quality in 5 seconds (and Wwthout becoming Sherlock Holmes)

Discover how to distinguish real leather from synthetic leather with a simple trick! The water drop test explained by Pelle Nuda Milano: elegance, craftsmanship and a pinch of irony.

Have you ever suspected that your bag hides a secret?

No, we are not talking about the forgotten tram ticket or the emergency chocolate (we know, it's there). Let's talk about something more important: is it real leather or just a good imitation?
A Pelle Nuda Milano, where the skin is naked and raw (in the best sense of the word), we believe that authenticity should not be a mystery. That's why today we reveal a foolproof trick, as fast as a coffee at the counter: the water drop test.

The Water Drop Test: Science or Magic? (Spoiler: It's Science)

Real leather is a living, breathing material and… sete-free . How to recognize it in 5 seconds? Follow these steps:

1. Take a drop of water (even the one that falls out of the glass while you're running to the office is fine).

2. Apply it on a NON-VISIBLE area of the bag or accessory.

3. Note:

   • If the drop is absorbed slowly → IS THIS GENUINE LEATHER!
     Genuine leather, being porous, absorbs water like a discreet sponge.

   • If the drop remains on the surface → Attention, it could be fake.
     Synthetic materials, such as PVC or PU, are waterproof and allow water to slide off.

Why does it work?
Vegetable tanning, used for high-quality leather (like that of our Marche bags), keeps the natural structure of the fibers intact. This allows for moderate absorbency, a distinctive sign of a high-quality and long-lasting material.

More clues for aspiring skin detectives

Testing your water is a great start, but for a complete investigation, also check:

• The smell: Real leather has a warm, earthy, non-chemical scent. If you smell anything that smells like a spaceship, that's a warning sign.

• The consistency: Natural imperfections (small wrinkles, veins) are signs of authenticity. Synthetic leather? It's too good to be real.

• The price: If it costs less than a cappuccino in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, it's probably not leather.

Because at Pelle Nuda Milano we are not afraid of drops (or detectives)

Our bags, like the “Giorgia” in genuine beige leather, they are created by master craftsmen from the Marche region who work the leather as if they were sculptors. Each piece is:

• Vegetable tanned: For skin that ages elegantly, becoming more and more unique.

• Imperfectly perfect: Natural grain is our trademark , not a defect.

• Tested (also with water): Because we love transparency… especially when it comes to quality.

Fun fact: did you know that…

• The water test only works on leather NOT treated with waxes or waterproofing finishes!
  In our collections, we prefer to preserve the naturalness of the leather, but if you want extra protection, ask us and we will prepare the bag of your dreams!

Ready to put your bag to the test?

Now that you have the tools to spot imitators, come and discover collections that pass every test. In the Milan shop or on our website you will find genuine leather bags that are not afraid of water or uncomfortable questions.

Because true elegance has nothing to hide.

Pelle Nuda Milan – Where craftsmanship meets real leather, and every bag has a story to tell!