Genuine leather
Top/Full grain leather
Made with animal products
2,Check the surface grain, the little "pebbles" and pores, for imperfections and uniqueness that signal genuine leather.Imperfections, in leather, are actually a good thing. Remember, real leather is made from animal skin, and thus each piece is as random and unique as the animal it came from. Very regular, even, and similar grains often indicate a machine-made piece.
Real leather might have scratches, creases, and wrinkles -- this is a good thing!
Note that, as manufacturers get more skilled, their designs are better mimicking real leather. This makes buying online, where you only have a picture, very difficult to do.
3,Press into the leather, looking for creases and wrinkles.Real leather will wrinkly under the tough, just like real skin. Synthetic materials usually just depress down under your finger, retaining rigidity and shape
4,Smell the leather, searching for a natural, musty smell instead of plastic-like or chemical-y.If you're completely unsure of the smell you're looking for, head into a store that you know sells genuine leather and test out a few bags and shoes. Ask if they have any synthetic pieces and smell those as well. Once you know what you're looking for, the smell differences will be unmistakable.
Remember, leather is just worked animal skin. Faux leather is made of plastic. It seems obvious, but real leather will smell like skin and fake will smell like plastic.