Material reference / 08 categories
Upper Material Options
Eight confirmed upper-material categories for moccasin slipper development. Use this reference to compare visual direction, tactile character, material variation, colour review and construction considerations before the material specification is frozen.
01 - Material archive
Compare the surface.
Confirm the actual material.
Each category below is a development starting point. Final appearance and construction suitability are confirmed through the selected material, development sample and frozen project documents.
Confirmed category
Cow Leather
- Visual direction
- A structured natural surface with visible grain and a considered, classic appearance.
- Tactile consideration
- Handfeel can vary with finish, thickness, temper and the selected leather specification.
- Natural or surface variation
- Natural grain, shade and surface character may differ between hides and production lots.
- Colour presentation
- Colour should be reviewed against approved material and colour references rather than screen views.
- Moc stitch review
- Moc stitching should be assessed on the selected thickness, edge treatment and construction sample.
- Swatch confirmation
- Confirm the exact leather, finish, colour reference and acceptable natural character before approval.
Project attention
Material selection, yield, colour consistency and matching across components should be reviewed early.
No published product is currently tagged with this material category. Material suitability is evaluated for each development project.
Confirmed category
Sheep Leather
- Visual direction
- A refined leather option with a naturally softer visual character.
- Tactile consideration
- The selected article may feel supple, with the final handfeel defined by the approved specification.
- Natural or surface variation
- Natural variation in grain, shade and surface is part of material review.
- Colour presentation
- Colour depth and appearance should be checked on the actual selected leather article.
- Moc stitch review
- Stitch placement and tension should be assessed on development samples for the intended construction.
- Swatch confirmation
- Approve a physical swatch that identifies the article, colour and finish used for development.
Project attention
Construction details, material availability and visual consistency require project-specific confirmation.
No published product is currently tagged with this material category. Material suitability is evaluated for each development project.
Confirmed category
Suede
- Visual direction
- A matte, directional surface that can show a visible nap and tonal movement.
- Tactile consideration
- The tactile character is defined by the selected suede, its nap and finishing process.
- Natural or surface variation
- Direction of nap, hide variation and cutting orientation can influence the apparent surface tone.
- Colour presentation
- Review colour while considering nap direction and the selected viewing conditions.
- Moc stitch review
- Moc stitching should be reviewed with the intended thread, seam allowance and upper reinforcement.
- Swatch confirmation
- Approve a swatch with the selected nap, colour and surface direction clearly recorded.
Project attention
Lot matching, cutting direction and component consistency should be addressed in the frozen material plan.
No published product is currently tagged with this material category. Material suitability is evaluated for each development project.
Confirmed category
Nubuck
- Visual direction
- A finely buffed leather surface with a muted, tactile appearance.
- Tactile consideration
- Handfeel depends on the selected nubuck article, finish and thickness.
- Natural or surface variation
- Natural leather character and the buffed surface can create visible variation across pieces.
- Colour presentation
- Physical colour references are important because surface direction can affect visual reading.
- Moc stitch review
- The intended moc stitch line should be checked on the confirmed upper article during sampling.
- Swatch confirmation
- Retain an approved swatch that documents the selected article, colour and acceptable surface character.
Project attention
Surface consistency, component matching and replacement-material controls should be agreed before production.
No published product is currently tagged with this material category. Material suitability is evaluated for each development project.
Confirmed category
Faux Suede
- Visual direction
- A suede-inspired surface that can support a matte, uniform design direction.
- Tactile consideration
- Handfeel is determined by the approved textile construction, backing and finish.
- Natural or surface variation
- Appearance may differ by supplier lot, pile direction, colour process and selected specification.
- Colour presentation
- Confirm colour on an actual material cutting and retain the approved reference for comparison.
- Moc stitch review
- Evaluate moc stitching on the selected material to review seam definition and construction appearance.
- Swatch confirmation
- Approve a representative swatch that records material construction, finish and colour reference.
Project attention
Supplier specification, lot control and any proposed material change should be reviewed in writing.
No published product is currently tagged with this material category. Material suitability is evaluated for each development project.
Confirmed category
Textile
- Visual direction
- A broad material category that can range from woven texture to smoother fabric constructions.
- Tactile consideration
- Handfeel depends on fibre content, weave or knit structure, weight, backing and finish.
- Natural or surface variation
- Surface, colour and pattern alignment should be reviewed on the selected construction and cutting plan.
- Colour presentation
- Colour references should be checked on the actual textile and across relevant upper components.
- Moc stitch review
- Moc stitching suitability should be assessed using the selected textile, reinforcement and seam details.
- Swatch confirmation
- Freeze the approved material swatch together with its construction details and colour reference.
Project attention
Material specification, edge treatment and component behaviour should be assessed through development samples.
No published product is currently tagged with this material category. Material suitability is evaluated for each development project.
Confirmed category
Knitted
- Visual direction
- A looped surface that can introduce visible texture and a softer, textile-led expression.
- Tactile consideration
- Handfeel is shaped by yarn selection, knit structure, density, backing and finishing.
- Natural or surface variation
- Knit structure, yarn colour and pattern placement should be reviewed on actual material samples.
- Colour presentation
- Confirm colour and any yarn or pattern effect on the approved knit sample rather than a digital proof.
- Moc stitch review
- Construction and moc stitch treatment should be sampled with the intended stabilisation and upper pattern.
- Swatch confirmation
- Keep an approved knit reference showing yarn, structure, colour and any required backing details.
Project attention
Pattern placement, material handling and construction feasibility need project-specific review.
No published product is currently tagged with this material category. Material suitability is evaluated for each development project.
Confirmed category
Felt
- Visual direction
- A dense, matte surface with a simple and tactile material expression.
- Tactile consideration
- The final feel depends on the selected felt composition, density, thickness and finish.
- Natural or surface variation
- Surface density, shade and edge appearance should be evaluated on the approved material lot reference.
- Colour presentation
- Review colour with the selected felt and note any visual differences between cut components.
- Moc stitch review
- Moc stitch definition and edge treatment should be assessed through a construction sample.
- Swatch confirmation
- Approve the physical felt swatch with its thickness, colour and surface reference recorded.
Project attention
Selected thickness, construction details and material consistency should be confirmed before production approval.
No published product is currently tagged with this material category. Material suitability is evaluated for each development project.
02 - Material control
A material name is not a frozen specification.
For each project, the actual material, colour, thickness or weight, surface character, construction details and permitted tolerance should be confirmed through approved samples and project documents.
- 01
Select and assess
Review the selected upper material alongside the intended lining, footbed, outsole, construction and product-use direction.
- 02
Develop a physical sample
Development samples are used to review the selected material in the actual pattern and construction.
- 03
Freeze approved references
Record the agreed material, colour, structure, sizing, logo, packaging, testing and inspection requirements before commercial confirmation.
- 04
Approve PPS before bulk production
Bulk purchasing and production begin only after written PPS approval.
Next project step
Move from material direction to a documented development brief.
Share your product direction, material preference, target market, quantities, timing, branding, packaging and testing requirements for project-specific review.
Sampling
Review the paid development-sample stage and the information needed to begin.
Explore sampling → 02Testing
Align project-specific testing requirements before order confirmation.
Review testing → 03Contact Mocario
Start with your material direction and product development requirements.
Discuss your project →