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What To Look For When Buying A Quality Leather Bag
There are endless occasions and reasons that you may want to buy a quality leather bag.
Perhaps you have decided to give the gift of an Italian leather handbag to a friend or family member this year. Maybe you need the perfect accessory for an upcoming wedding or celebration. Or, maybe you have chosen to treat yourself to a high-quality leather bag to take to the office once you resume your in-person commute.
Regardless of the reason for the purchase, buying a leather bag can be both exciting and overwhelming. Quality leather bags will last for a long time, and you will get years of use out of the next leather bag that you purchase, especially if you take proper care of it. This is part of the reason why the decision can seem so difficult—you want to choose the absolute perfect bag.
Fortunately, we are here to let you know precisely what you should be looking for as you continue your search for your next leather handbag.
Alunna in Pebbled Scarlet
Leather Quality
In general, there are two major factors that influence the quality level of a leather good: the hide selection and the tanning process.
Hide selection has to do with the appearance of the leather—whether the hide has natural marks or not. Likewise, tanning is the process of treating the hides to produce durable leather.
How can you tell if the leather bag you are considering is actually good leather? Well, quality leather has a particular feel to it. If you are purchasing your bag in person, be sure to get your hands on it before buying. The leather should feel soft and supple. Anything that feels like rubber or plastic is probably low quality.
Buying leather online
If you’re hoping to remain socially-distanced by doing your shopping online, you may need to approach this task from another angle. Because you cannot actually see and feel the product in-person, online shopping presents its own unique challenges. Be sure to research the company from which you plan to buy.
SENREVE makes this easy by using 100% Italian leather in all of our bags (save for our Vegan Collection), so you can be confident knowing you’re getting quality leather that will last.
Types of Leather
Like leather quality, the type of leather is one of the most important factors to consider when making your purchase. In a way, the type of leather is actually a subcategory of leather quality. Certain leather types are generally considered to be of higher quality than others.
Full-grain leather is usually viewed as the best leather in terms of quality and durability. It comes from the strongest part of the hide—just underneath the hair. It also has never been sanded, buffed, or corrected. This means that the leather may have marks or blemishes. However, it is still one of the most desirable leathers because it is just so durable and long-lasting.
If you are looking to buy a full-grain leather bag, keep in mind that it develops a patina, which is a specific, aging change in color, over time. Most people view this as a desirable quality of leather. It shows that the leather is high in quality and full of rich history.
Another widely-used type of leather is called top-grain. Like full-grain, top-grain leather falls within the category of grain leather. Top-grain is the name given to grain leather that has been corrected in any way (to remove blemishes, for example).
Other types of leathers include split leather and bonded leather. Both are weaker and less durable than grain leather, and they are generally considered to be lower grade.
When it comes to selecting a high-quality leather bag, you should keep these basic classifications in mind. Remember that full-grain leather is widely considered to be the best of the best. If you want to invest in a truly high-quality leather bag, full-grain is your best bet.
Vegan Leather
There is one type of leather that we did not address above: vegan leather, a synthetic alternative to traditional leather that does not contain any animal products. In other words, it isn’t made from animal hide; rather, it is usually made of materials like polyvinyl chloride or polyurethane.
Vegan Midi Maestra in Vegan Pecan
Many consumers opt for vegan leather because of its sustainable, eco-friendly nature. Likewise, countless fashion designers and brands have adopted it with enthusiasm as a move away from fast fashion.
Just like with real leather, you can find vegan leather in a wide range of price and quality. Most major fashion brands offer a sustainable alternative to leather, so you do have options. If you are looking to buy a high-quality vegan leather bag, be sure to research the particular brand you are buying from. Be sure to find a company that uses top-tier vegan leather.
Here at SENREVE, we offer a collection of 100% luxury vegan handbags that meet the same standard of quality as our Italian leather bags. We approach the process to creating these bags with the same level of craftsmanship and care in order to guarantee the highest quality.
Other Things To Look For
While the quality and type of leather are certainly a primary concern when it comes to buying a leather bag, there are many other factors that you should keep in mind. Indeed, a leather bag is not made of leather alone—it also is made up of lining, handles, straps, zippers, and other hardware. All of these extra features should be taken into account.
The lining of a leather bag should be made from durable, resilient material. A quality leather bag should last for a very long time, which means you will be getting plenty of use out of the inside of your bag. You should look for a bag with lining that is resistant to stains, water, and other damaging substances. At SENREVE, we use top-quality micro-suede lining.
Likewise, your bag’s zipper is a high-touch component that relies on quality for functionality. A broken zipper could possibly render your bag unusable, so it is vital to be sure that your zipper will last. The zipper of a quality leather bag will be set properly and move smoothly when you use it. The fabric that attaches the zipper to the bag should also be sturdy.
When it comes to handles and straps, the same rules apply—the handle of your bag should feel durable and strong. If you are filling your bag with all of your essentials on a daily basis, the handles or straps should be strong enough to support all of that weight.
Ultimately, all of these factors reflect the quality of the craftsmanship and quality of the bag. Be sure to buy from a brand that puts love and care into every aspect of the bag.
Final Thoughts
Buying a quality leather handbag should be an exciting and enjoyable experience. Whether you are giving a gift to a friend or treating yourself to a new leather bag, you deserve to have the very best there is. Being informed about the characteristics of a high-quality leather bag is the most important step to be sure that you find the very best leather bag.Buying from a company that truly cares about craftsmanship is one way to guarantee that you purchase a high-quality leather bag. At SENREVE, all of our genuine leather is 100% full-grain Italian leather. We are proud to work with our leather partner in Tuscany, who has been crafting leather for generations.
Sources: Business Insider, Green Matters, All About Leather
