When you are Real, shabbiness doesn't matter.

When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.

It doesn't happen all at once. You become. It takes a long time.

He didn't mind how he looked to other people, because the nursery magic had made him Real, and when you are Real shabbiness doesn't matter.

When you are Real, shabbiness doesn't matter.

Once you are real you can't become unreal again. It lasts for always.

Real isn't how you are made. It's a thing that happens to you. Sometimes it hurts, but when you are Real you don't mind being hurt. It doesn't happen all at once. You become. Once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand. Once you are Real you can't become unreal again. It lasts for always.