How to Buy a Quality Leather Bag?
Introduction
Yes, it is tempting to go with the cheapest thing you can find online or at your local department store.
I’m still using a bag I bought for $9. It’s fine. But what happens when the zipper stops working or the strap breaks? Or more importantly, what happens when you have a nice leather bag and someone tries to pick-pocket you?
Stuff is easy to replace, your safety isn’t.
Below, we’ll walk through what the experts say you should be looking for in a quality leather bag.
What are we looking for?
You know the old saying: “You get what you pay for”? It turns out, it really does apply to most things that you want to be of lasting quality. However, there are some things that money can’t buy.
The experts (leather craftsmen) say don’t even bother unless you are willing to lay down some serious cash.
“A good leather bag will last you a lifetime if it is given the proper care.” — Forgiato [2]
There are two aspects of a quality leather bag that you need to consider: leather and craftsmanship. These are what make your purchase stand apart from other bags. This is what will make it stand the test of time.
This article will be your guide to quality leather bags. We will be covering everything from buying a brand new bag to how you can restore that old bag collecting dust in your closet.
First off, let’s talk about the most obvious aspect of any leather purchase: The Leather!
1. Different leathers for different uses
Every high-quality leather product has a few key components to offer. The first is the aesthetics of the leather which we will talk about in this section. The second, and arguably most important component, is the longevity of the product. This aspect is what really separates good from great and it’s where some manufacturers fall flat on their faces.
Evaluating the leather used in a product is very important because it will tell you what that bag can handle, and how long it will last with normal use. Here are some basic guidelines to follow when evaluating a leather:
Aged Leather — Aged leather has been used for thousands of years to create everything from tack to shoes. While it is an expensive process, the end result is worth it. This type of leather has a much higher tensile strength and will be more durable than non-aged leathers (the amount of time that the leather ages varies between two weeks and six months).
Calfskin — Calfskin is one of the most common types of leather used in high-end products. It is a very soft leather that is durable enough to be used as an exterior layer. Calfskin has been known to last for up to 50 years with proper care and maintenance.
Cordovan — Cordovan is “the Ferrari of leathers.” Produced from the rear of the horse, it is a very heavy leather that will last for years. Unfortunately, Cordovan is quite expensive and requires extensive maintenance.
2. Get Your Measurements
Figuring out what size you are wearing is very important. There is nothing worse than buying a bag that doesn’t fit properly, and having to send it back takes up time and money.
You will need two measurements — your height and your shoulder width. Both are equally important for determining the correct bag size for you.
3. Try the Bag On
Once you have a general idea of your size, try on some bags to get an idea of how they feel about your body. Remember, this is not just about looks, but also ergonomics. You won’t want to buy a bag that doesn’t feel right on your shoulder or digs into your shoulder blade.
Take a look at what’s inside the bag. Is it flimsy or rigid? You will want to go for a bag that is sturdy and padded in case you have to put your laptop inside it. Ask yourself if it feels too heavy before walking around — and if it does, this might not be the right one for you.
4. Consider Extras
The extras that you can get with your leather bag are also worth considering if you’re on a budget. For instance, buying a laptop bag that comes with a sleeve may reduce the price a lot, as it’s cheaper to buy these things separately. Similarly, look for other add-ons — like dustbags, a strap pad, a rain cover, and others.
If you’re buying a duffle bag or backpack online, check how much room there is inside the bag — as these are things that need to be taken into consideration when you buy an accessory for your clothes. For instance, if you have big shoes, look for a bag with an extra shoe compartment — and preferably, with a separate section for your clothes.
Have in mind that if you’re buying online, the color shades shown on the website may not be exactly the same as the actual bag you receive. Leather is one natural fabric that changes its shade over time — so buy only if you’re okay with it. To get the desired color, it’s sometimes best to choose a light-colored bag, to begin with. The darker the leather, the harder it is for you to match other garments in your wardrobe.
You can use this guide when buying a leather duffle bag or any other type of leather accessory — be it boots, shoes, or belts. It all depends on how much you want to invest, and where do you plan to shop. Some bags may be priced more than others, but the price tag doesn’t always mean that it’s better quality. There are several things to look out for when choosing a leather bag.
If the store or outlet has no returns policy — or a very limited one (less than 14 days or so) — you should be very cautious. If the price sounds too good to be true, it means that’s probably because the quality is not up to standard either.
The leather has to feel solid and stiff, but never hard as a rock. Avoid feeling leather bags that seem flimsy and those filled with loose stuffing.
Once you decide to buy, inspect the seams carefully. Make sure there are no loose threads and that the edges are neat and well-made. You don’t want a bag that looks like it fell apart after only one month!
When lifting the leather bag by its handles, pay attention to how well they hold on. Ideally, it should be firmly attached to the bag. If not, there is a chance they might break soon.
The leather bag should have metal fittings for the zipper and handles. Make sure that the zippers easily glide over their tracks without getting stuck and that all clasps work properly with no loose parts.
5. Test the leather bag on a strap
If you plan to carry your leather bag on a shoulder or across your body, make sure that it feels comfortable. To test this, put it over one of your shoulders with the straps hanging freely and stand in front of a mirror. Get an idea of how well you will be able to move around with whatever is in your bag.
The leather bag should be able to carry the weight of your items without you being in danger of toppling over or straining your back, arms or shoulders from holding too tightly onto the straps. The strap should distribute the weight evenly across your body and not make you look like a hunchback!
6. Check for a lock
If you are carrying any valuables, like a laptop or camera, it is important to have them locked. Otherwise, you may come back to an empty bag! I know that on many occasions I’ve left my bag unattended (only for a moment) and have found that the zips have been pulled apart — not good at all.
7. Look for a lining that is easy to clean
The lining of your bag will often get dirty after some time of use, especially if you carry around dirty shoes or a lunch box every day. It is important that the material can be scrubbed and cleaned at least once in a while so it does not become smelly and start to do nasty stuff like smell bad, attract bugs or start getting mouldy. Keep in mind that you will often want to clean the lining of your bag because it will get dirty easily and looks gross otherwise.
8. Is the bag waterproof? Look for a leather bag with water resistance
Many bags come with an extra lining (sometimes made out of synthetic materials) that helps the bag keep its shape and protects it from getting wet. You need to make sure your leather bag is waterproof because you never know when it will rain or get accidentally thrown into a puddle. When the leather gets wet, especially if it is not real leather, it can start rotting and get nasty stains that are hard to remove.
This is how some real leather can look after it gets wet. Water does not get absorbed by real leather and it dries very quickly. On the other hand, a synthetic bag will absorb water and stay wet for some time
9. Are the colors too bright? Will they look tacky with time?
This is one of my favorite questions to ask in any store because most people don’t think about it.
The answer is if you are buying a bag that will not stand out too much, then bright or unnatural colors tend to look tacky after some time and help to fade and to get dirty faster. It’s always better to go for neutral and natural-looking colors like black, brown, or tan. Even if your favorite color is purple, you can always go for purple leather shoes or a purple handbag to match it.
No one will judge you if you love purple!
10. Find out how the bag is made?
If you are buying an expensive bag, never mind the brand, then make sure that each part of the bag is made of good quality material and there are no weak parts.
The last thing you want is for your bag to break down on you, especially if it’s an expensive one.
For example in my opinion this Chanel bag is poorly made with a very thin chain that may snap at any moment because of the weight of the pull tag (the rounded part) and the letter ‘C’. So I will never buy this bag and neither would I recommend anyone to go for it.
11. Do not buy a pre-owned bag, unless you know it’s in mint condition.
This way you’ll save A LOT of money and will never have to worry about whether or not the bag is genuine because people can fake receipts/tags BUT they cannot do anything about the wear and tear.
12. Do not buy unless want to
Last but not the least; do not buy anything until and unless you’re sure of what it is that you desire to purchase.
I’ve gone through all these points pretty quickly so if you have any doubts in your mind about anything I’ve mentioned or if you’re even more confused than before, feel free to ask me in the comments section below. And also share what bag-related questions you may have!
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