Basic Type of Leather for Handbag

 

 

Leather is created through a tanning process of skins from an animal. While cows are the most common source of skin for leather, leather also comes from the skins of pigs, goats, sheep, alligators, ostriches and lizards. Leather is durable and easy to care for and ages gracefully. Because of its resiliency and diversity, leather is a popular choice for handbags.

 

 

 

 

 

Leather Used for Handbags What kind of leather is used in leather handbags? There are many grades and types of leather used in handbags.  Here are three basic types of leather used in fine leather handbags:

 

 

 

Full-grain Leather 

 

 

Full-grain leather is made from the finest natural hides with no imperfections. This natural grain is extremely durable. It simply does not wear out and over time develops a rich patina that increases natural beauty. Full-grained calfskin handbags are made from the skins of young cattle and are prized for their smooth texture and fine quality.

 

 

 

 

 

Corrected-grain Leather 

 

 

Corrected-grain leather (also called top-grain leather) is smooth on one side and fuzzy on the other side. On the smooth side, the natural grain of the hide is sanded off and an artificial grain is applied with a stamping process. This process hides imperfections and adds interest to the leather finish.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Suede

 

 

Suede is an interior split of the hide. A velvet-like, soft and fuzzy look and feel makes suede a popular choice for leather hobo handbags and backpack style handbags.

 

 

 

 

 

In addition to these three basic types of leather, don’t overlook exotic leather handbags such as ostrich, python, crocodile, lizard, stingray and many others.