If you want to buy a nice, new leather bag, you need to make sure you're not getting ripped off. Click here to find out what you need to look for when buying a quality leather bag.
There can be large price ranges for leather products. Unfortunately more expensive doesn't always mean higher quality.
It can be difficult knowing exactly what you are paying for. This is because the market is flooded with cheap and/or fake leather and low-quality hardware.
If you are ready to pick up a new bag, but want to make sure it will list, check out the information below. Pay attention to these things and you will be sure to end up with a quality leather bag!
Real or Fake
This is probably the most important thing to investigate when you are looking at leather bags. If you are even slightly suspicious, it's probably best to skip that bag.
A fake or manmade leather will never give you the same endurance as the real deal.
Take a close look at a piece you are considering. Look for full grain leather. This means there has been no alterations or coating to the surface covering hide markings from animal scars.
"Genuine leather" often means they are stamped with a fake grain pattern, so be very careful when making a purchase. It can sometimes be difficult to tell the difference.
Assess for a High-Quality Leather Bag
Price typically is directed by quality. When determining the quality of a leather used for a bag, two things are important. These are the selection of a hide and the tanning process.
With hide selection, you want to pay attention to how many natural marks are present. The fewer marks, the "cleaner" the hide is deemed. Cleaner hides have higher grades and prices.
Top-grain leather is what you will likely find in most leather goods. It is used for purses and high-quality wallets.
Check the Lining and Finishes
When looking for a bag that will last, seek out one that has a lining made from a strong material. If the lining will only last a short time, ultimately the entire piece will have a short life.
Finishing edges of leather goods is time-consuming. A quality piece will usually have hand-polished edges.
Pay Attention to Hardware and Zippers
If the bag you have your eyes on has zippers, be sure to check them out. If a poor quality zipper fails, a bag can be rendered useless. Brass is a smart choice.
Look for zipper teeth that are not sharp. Because many zippers break when they catch excess fabric, look for clean seams.
Other hardware like buckles and rivets can also be weak points of a bag. Look for bronze, copper, brass, or nickel silver.
Find the Perfect Bag for Your Style
Buying a stylish new back should be exciting. You shouldn't have to stress about finding a quality leather bag. Follow these tips and you won't have to!
If you take your time and closely inspect each piece, you will end up with
Be sure to check out our guide on caring for your leather accessories in order to keep them looking beautiful for years to come.