Wetlook, patent leather and faux leather: material, size and care at a glance
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by Verpakkingdeals.nl
5 min reading time
Wetlook, patent leather, and faux leather look similar but wear and wash completely differently. A business buying guide on material, sizing, fit, and care.
In a product photo, they look similar: black, shiny, sleek. In the wardrobe, they behave completely differently. Wetlook stretches and washes easily, patent leather is stiffer and prone to creasing, and faux leather is somewhere in between. Anyone who has tried to wash a patent leather jacket like a wetlook dress once knows why that distinction is worthwhile.
This is a practical buying guide for 18+ clothing with a glossy finish: how the materials differ, how to choose your size, and how to ensure a piece is still presentable after three wears.
The three materials side by side
Wetlook
Patent Leather
Faux Leather
Feel
Stretchy, light, body-hugging
Smooth and stiff, little stretch
Sturdier, heavier drape
Sheen
Even, more matte
High, mirror-like
From matte to slightly glossy
Strength under tension
Stretches
Can tear at seams
Seams are the weak point
Crease
Usually hangs out
Folds remain visible
Folds can break
Suitable for
Long wear, dancing
Short occasions, photos
Accessories, jackets, harnesses
Therefore, when choosing, prioritize the occasion first, and only then the appearance. For an evening where you'll be moving, wetlook is more practical; patent leather is for occasions where image is more important than comfort.
Sizing: one size, letters, and ready-to-wear sizes mixed
In this segment, you will encounter three sizing systems, sometimes within the same brand. This is exactly where most returns come from.
One size fits most. Works with stretchy material, such as the Wetlook Body TL110 One Size Black (€ 24.95) or the Wetlook Tight Dress TL102 (€ 24.95). The material does the work; however, outside a certain bandwidth, it will visibly pull tight.
S/M and M/L. Two sizes for the entire range, such as the Wetlook Body TL115 M/L (€ 24.95) and the Wetlook Dress TL118 S/M (€ 24.95). If you are between two sizes, choose the larger one: using stretch to make something smaller fit will compromise the seams.
Ready-to-wear sizes. For example, the Wetlook Lingerie Set Black size 40/42 (€ 24.95). This is the most predictable, but only if you know your own measurements.
Measure yourself with a tape measure, in your underwear, standing upright: chest at the widest point, waist at the narrowest, hips at the widest. Jot down these three numbers once in your phone; then you'll never have to do it again.
Putting on without damage
Most damage does not occur during wear, but in the first minute. Glossy material slides poorly over dry skin, so people pull — and the seam gives way.
First, remove jewelry and watches. A ring can easily tear open a smooth coating.
Put on the garment rolled inside out, and roll it down your body instead of yanking it up.
Never pull on seams or straps; grasp the material next to them.
Nails: be careful with gloves such as the Long Gloves Black Wetlook (€ 12.95), available in several colors, including gold and red. Insert your hand straight in and work finger by finger.
Washing, drying and the errors that cannot be repaired
Always follow the washing label in the garment itself first; the points below serve as general guidelines when that label is missing or unreadable.
Heat is the enemy. No dryer, no iron, no radiator. Glossy layers can deform or stick to themselves when heated — and that is permanent.
Wetlook: usually hand wash in lukewarm water with a mild detergent. Do not wring, but press between a towel and hang to dry.
Patent leather: not in water. Wiping with a damp cloth and then drying with a soft cloth is usually sufficient.
Faux leather: wipe with a damp cloth, never soak. Products such as the Leather BDSM Harness with Chain (€ 29.95) or the Punk Spike Choker (€ 14.95) have metal parts that can rust if they remain wet; dry them with a cloth.
No solvents. Alcohol, acetone, and aggressive cleaners will damage coatings. Always test an unknown agent on a seam on the inside first.
Storage: hang, don't fold
Fold lines in patent leather and faux leather will not come out. Therefore, hang glossy clothing on a wide hanger, with space in between, and if necessary, place tissue paper between parts that would otherwise touch each other. Store in a dark, dry place: direct sunlight discolors black material and warm closet spaces make coatings sticky.
Choose wetlook if you need to move for a long time and want to wear the garment more often; choose patent leather or faux leather for a shorter moment when the image counts and you are willing to handle it more carefully. Measure your size correctly once, choose the larger size if in doubt, and keep heat and solvents far away. Then a piece will last for years instead of just one evening.
Get started
The full range can be found in Sexy Clothing and Sexy Lingerie; accessories in faux leather can be found under Chokers and BDSM. If you are unsure between two sizes or want to know in which sizes a model is still in stock? Email your question to info@verpakkingdeals.nl — we ship in neutral packaging, without any reference to the contents on the outside.
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