Elegance, style, and class… that is what your leather bag will say about you. But, if you did some digging online, you might be feeling completely overwhelmed and stressed by the number of things you’ll need to consider before choosing a leather bag that will suit your needs and style.
However, the entire process does not have to be daunting and complex, instead, there are a few things that you’ll need to know and consider, all of which will make the choosing process less time-consuming and stressful. Let’s take a closer look at the 8 facts you need to know before buying a leather bag:
1. First Thing First – Ensure That it is High-Quality Leather
When you are searching for a leather bag, you’ll notice a lot of expressions such as suede, top-grain, full-grain, and so on. However, do these words actually matter when selecting a tote? To put it simply, yes, the words matter. In fact, they are the most important thing to consider when looking at the item you are thinking about purchasing.
Top- and full-grain are two types of leather that have the best quality out there. They are more functional and sturdy, and you’ll be able to use it for a longer time. On the other hand, lower quality leather might not be suitable for your lifestyle since it won’t last as long. Hence, if you plan on buying something that you’ll use every day, ensure that it is built to last for a long time.
2. The Small Details Are The Key
Another important thing to look at is the quality of all the features such as the pockets, zippers, stitches, and clasps. Since the stitches play an important role when it comes to the durability of the bag, ensure that everything is stitched together properly. If the stitching is bad, the product won’t last long.
The features are important aspects to consider as well, hence, take a look at the buckles, zippers, clasps, and any other feature that can get broken, fall off, or simply stop functioning. If these features aren’t made from high-quality, strong metal, your entire tote won’t be functional, so, look for a metal such as brass.
3. Does it Need Maintenance?
According to the experts from www.Illiciumlondon.co.uk leather is extremely easy to maintain, however, a lot of people forget to actually do it, which is why you might want to occasionally clean any spots that you find and should also fully condition it when needed. Never wash your leather bag as you would your clothes since it will most likely completely damage the material.
4. The Size Matters
The small leather bags with a few pockets might look appealing to you, but, if you most commonly carry larger items such as your wallet or laptop with you, this might not be the right choice for you, which is why you’ll need to think of the size when searching for a bag. Before you consider how it looks like, think about the functionality since it will allow you to have a good-looking bag that is functional and that can fit all the things you need to take with you.
5. Consider Handmade Bags
Now, you might be wondering – how is handmade leather bags better? Well, it is quite simple – when it is handmade, the manufacturer is more careful about all of the details and stitches. This means that you’ll be able to get a bag that is sturdy and strong while at the same time aesthetic and functional.
6. Where is it From?
Keep in mind that the country of origin is important as well. For instance, Italy is known for its high-quality bags, however, just because it says ‘Made in Italy’ on the label, it does not mean that it is a good product. Large corporations are aware that a lot of people purchase their bags, and some of them manufacture them from the cheapest possible materials.
So, even if the label says that it is made in a country known for its leather products, you should still apply the tips mentioned in this list, mostly because you’ll be able to ensure that you are getting the best quality for the price you’ll be paying for it. Never fall for the tricks of large corporations.
7. The Style
If you keep some of the tips mentioned above mind – such as the durability, whether or not it is large enough, and so on – it is time for you to opt for a particular style. The easiest way to do this is to browse different online stores in order to see what your options are. Next, with all of the tips in mind, you can start choosing a bag that will suit your needs.
8. Your Budget
Last on this list, but not least important is your budget. Authentic, handmade, leather bags do not come with a cheap price tag, which is why you’ll want to ensure that you set a budget and stick to it. Why should you do this? Well, it is quite easy to splurge when shopping for such an item, hence, it might be best for you to determine how much you are comfortable spending on it.
Bonus Tip – Read The Reviews
In order to ensure that a particular bag is functional, durable, and made from high-quality leather, you can read the reviews posted by other people. Hence, go online and find the reviews for a particular product you are thinking about buying. If there are more negative than positive testimonials, you might want to move on to the next bag.
Conclusion
As you were able to read and learn, there is a wide range of factors that you’ll need to consider before you choose a specific leather bag. And by doing so, you’ll not only ensure that the entire choosing process is easier but, you’ll also ensure that you opt for a bag that will suit your needs, as well as style.
Hence, now that you are aware of all the things you’ll need to think about, you should not lose any more of your time. Instead, keep the aforementioned tips in mind and start browsing both online and physical stores in order to find a bag that will suit your requirement and budget.
