Leather From Your Favorite Brands Explained

Photo: The Shoe Lady of the classic Doc Martens 1460 boots in Smooth Leather

Consumer choice is fabulous, isn't it? You get to choose and personalize what to buy to fit your budget, likes and needs.

Have you ever shopped at a famous retailer only to be confused by the many types of leather offered? I created a cheat sheet of 4 popular brands for you, using the leather terms as used by each one below. My cheat sheet doesn't include every textile the 4 merchants sell, but lists the most common types of leather skins/treatments in their collections. So without further ado:

Coach bags

1) Glovetanned💎 - It's the same type of leather used to make baseball gloves. The leather is rich and substantial and can take lots of abuse. It softens and acquires a worn-in charm with wear.

2) Crossgrain💎 - is leather embossed of imperfections at very high heat, it is structured, or stiff, sturdy and lightweight. Both scratch and water resistant and very easy to wipe clean.

3) Pebble💎 - Also strong and substantial, but pebble leather is supple and gets softer with use. It has a raised, refined bumpy texture from the tanning and doesn't show scratches easily.

4) Suede - Dressy and elegant, it is a brushed, more delicate leather. You must take care of it.

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Hermès bags

Although I have examined and touched the bags often, I don't own one, so can't offer any personal anecdotes. The leathers include:

1) Clemence - Comes from the hide of a baby bull, the leather is grainy, flat, matted and scratch resistant. While durable, it is not water-resistant and will blister over time if exposed to water. Said to be a great every day leather, not withstanding rain.

2) Epsom💎 - Finer grains of leather than Clemence, it's extremely light and scratch resistant and water-resistant. An easy to clean leather.

3) Varanus/Lizard - Comes in matte (smooth) and lisse (shinny), the material can dry out. Falls under Hermès exotic leather category.

4) Togo💎 - Tanned from baby calf hide, it's a thicker, heavier leather with a soft pebbled finish that softens and tends to slouch more than the structured Epsom leather.

5) Ostrich - The leather has noticeable pores that run evenly throughout the surface. It's the most durable of Hermès exotic leathers.

6) Alligator and Crocodile - Available in matte (smooth) or lisse (shinier). The alligator is farmed in Florida, the crocodile comes from the Nile region of Zimbabwe. Both are considered delicate leathers, especially Alligator and are more expensive. Oddly enough after being turned into bags, they need to avoid water!

7) Rarer calf leathers include: Bernie Natural; Box Calf; and Chamonix. (Go here for detailed information on all of Hermès leathers.) Often those leathers come up for sell as vintage Hermès bags.

Buffalo Skipper Leather

8) Buffalo Skipper💎 - Made from water buffalo. The leather is water resistant.

9) Vache Liegee💎 - Cowhide, stiff, structured and lasting, it's Hermès thickest leather.

10) Fjord💎 - Flat-grained, matte cowhide that is soft yet heavy and durable, also scratch resistant and water resistant. You can see lines or veins in the leather.

11) 2 Goat leathers💎 - They are called Chevre de Coromandel and Chevre Mysore.

12) Doblis Suede - a soft, brushed, delicate leather.

 

Interesting fact: Suede and nubuck look similar but are different: Suede "is crafted by sanding or rubbing the inside layer of the leather hide. Nubuck is crafted from the sanded outside layer of the leather hide. The outside layer of the leather hide tends to be much thicker, sturdier, and durable," according to theshoelady website which I linked above. Wow, this sure explains why my "suede" all-weather mocs are weatherproof!😉

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Classic Chanel bags

With Chanel, I'm assuming you are a beginner. If you own the classics, you aren't splitting hairs anymore and don't need a cheat sheet. I own an inspired Chanel 2.55 flap (not an illegal replica) jumbo bag in lambskin, and I wish I had bought a medium -- a size more suitable for gala events. The Chanel SAs always think it's a real Chanel bag when I enter their shops, so it gets me offers of bottled water and cups of tea. I take the water, not the tea. I think accepting the tea is dishonest. Every-thirsty-body deserves water. :)

1) Caviar💎 - is calf leather, scratch resistant, and more durable.

2) Lambskin - is a softer, delicate leather that is rich and buttery but scratches easily so it must be handled with more care than caviar leather.

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Doc Martens Boots

1) Smooth Leather💎 - Famously stiff and must be broken in, Smooth Leather is the classic choice that forms to your feet. Once broken in, the boots are comfortable and durable.

2) Patent Lamper💎 - A fine grain leather coated with a high glossy finish, it is a tad stiffer than the smooth leather.

3) Nappa and Virginia - Supple leathers with a pliable feel and matte appearance. The leathers are comfortable to wear straight out of the box.

4) Arcadia - A smooth and glossy leather designed to tarnish with wear. "Over time, it’s two-tone 'rub-off' surface reveals a lighter contrast color underneath," especially "in the toe and heel areas."

From this list of 4 brands we have a rule of thumb to extend to the leather goods of other retailers. Leathers that come from the hides of cows and goats are stronger than lambskin or reptile leathers. Smooth cow leather tends to be stiffer and more durable than Nappa, or suede leather (unless specially treated). Suede or Nappa leather tends to be a dressier (buttery), yet more delicate leather. Patent leather is another dressy, stiff -- yet durable leather. 

For value shoppers, I put a diamond💎 by the most durable leathers offered by each brand. (I could've marked all the Doc Martens boots with a 💎. All are durable and affordable!) When it comes to real life purchases, however, your budget, lifestyle and likes determine what you should buy.

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Consider Bvlgari Bags

The butterflies are only for show and not part of the design of the bag.

Let's say you love the classic elegance of French designed Chanel or Dior handbags, but know you will never cough up $6,400+tax to buy them. You love them but not enough to part with such an enormous wad of cash.

Introducing jewelry maker Bvlgari bags for your consideration. Fine, durable calf leather (as well as other material options) in a multitude of pretty colors (including the ↓3 here↑) from their new spring collection.

Bvlgari handbags are luxury bags, so not cheap, yet they are less than half the price of their French rivels for similar rich quality. Funny how most of us could never afford Bvlgari fine jewelry, but saving up for a handbag is possible for many working people. It's a worthy, lasting and perhaps one-time splurge for a luxury bag; and one, not every other luxury bag lover owns. For folks who never buy luxury bags, it's inspirational. Know: I own zero designer bags -- my blog mentions what I buy -- but I live in Manhattan and am always looking and appreciating them! Looking at expensive bags helps me to recognize a good, legal inspired bag!!

The "Serpenti Forever" crossbody bag features light gold pleated brass hardware and a signature snake head closure. Although not a big fan of snakes myself, this jeweled one doesn't look too ominous for me. What is the obsession with snake eyes so many top designers seem to have?

A sophisticated, stylish bag to own without the gouging price tag (or other nonsense associated) with buying from Hermes or Chanel. The purse has the compact, refinement of Dior for less moola!

Btw: Bvlgari offers equally lovely wallets, but I won't lie, I buy $10 Mundi wallets from T. J. Maxx. They, too, fit nicely inside a Bvlgari handbag.😊


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5 Manhattan Luxury Resale Shops To Visit

A Second Chance Designer Boutique photo: Darlene G.

To be transparent I don't own any high end designer bags, shoes or scarves. Looking is tons of fun, but forking over a shocking amount of cash for one of the coveted items, not so much. However, I learn much from browsing.

Many owners of Hermes and Chanel bags resell them to consignment shops, making  these well-stocked and expertly coutured 2nd hand stores the best place to go if you are in the market to buy luxury goods. Don't expect to get them cheap, but you will find a previously loved bag, shoes or scarf in mint condition for thousands of dollars less.

At Hermes, you can't touch the bags. They are behind glass cases. Worst yet, you can't buy the bags. The merchant makes them so exclusive, you must beg and sweet talk a sales associate to get on a long, long waiting list. They tell you they don't know when a bag will become available. When I'm in the store I hear grown ass women groveling. Why ladies, do you accept shoddy treatment to get a boutique to sell you one of their insanely overpriced bags? Go elsewhere ... to places where staff treats you with the respect you deserve!

Today I'm featuring --

5 of Manhattan's Best High End Consignment Shops:

1) A Second Chance Designer Resale Boutique (above↑) - 1111 Lexington Avenue at East 67th Street - This was such fun to visit. It's a gorgeous 2-story shop of equally beautiful dresses, coats, jackets and bags from top designers including Chanel, Hermes Gucci and Louis Vuittron. Forever changing inventory to boot. The staff is welcoming and most helpful. You can also be added to their email list to be the first to hear of new arrivals.

La Boutique Resale photo: the merchant

2) La Boutique Resale - 1065 Madison Avenue between 80th and 81 Streets on the 2nd floor - It's a move up the street to a new location bringing their usual upscale designer suspects: Chanel, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Gucci and more. Fabulous bags, shoes and clothes that are well priced. Even a few bargains to be had and a lovely staff to help you if needed. Here too, sign up for email to announce new arrivals.

Michael's photo: the retailer

3) Michael's - 1125 Madison Avenue at 84th Street - 60+ years in business. Along with pre-owned top designer and one-of-a kind clothing, bags and shoes, Michael's sells fur, fine and fashion jewelry, belts and sunglasses, all exclusive brands and in like-new condition.

Roundabout Photo: Consign.nyc

4) Roundabout New & Resale Couture - 2 locations: 1100 Madison Avenue, near E 83rd Street and 31 East 72nd Street, near Madison Avenue - Sells couture goods directly from the design houses at up to 70% off, as well as, resales from previous owners of the most coveted luxury items in the world. 

Designer Revival photo: the owner

5) Designer Revival - 324 East 81th Street - Specializes in high-end and vintage apparel, bags and shoes, the consignment shop is nestled on East 81th street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues and has film stars, models and socialites as its clientele. Styling services are offered too.

Nowadays resale is the new retail. So fashionistas and visitors to New York City, put stops to all 5 consignment shops on your itinerary as they are within walking distance of one another. Browsing is fabulous fun, and you may find a luxury item at an unbeatable (yet still expensive!) price that would otherwise be out-of-the-question to buy.


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Echo Scarfs Are Nearly Hermès Perfect

Let's say a fashion-forward blogger (um, no one in particular) who imagined owning a Hermes scarf is smitten with them, but can't bring herself to spend $440-$800 for such a scarf. It's not like this lifestyle blogger is the Queen of England (who has Hermes' scarves in every color!), nor rubs elbows with the Queen of England's set.

One of the reasons a Hermes' scarf costs so much is because it is a status symbol much like a Rolex watch, or a Birkin bag. It suggests a customer is rich enough to afford the big ticket item. I mean, you could buy 15 Louis Vitton bags for the price of one Birkin; and a Louis Vitton bag isn't cheap either. The resale value of the status symbol items remain high since tons of people covet them. Previously owned Hermes' scarves run $250-$400 dollars.

Let's say, you don't care about the status symbol part of owning a Hermes' scarf, but love the 36'' by 36'' size, the thickness of the silk which is hand helmed, the design, and the craftmanship. Can a consumer get a spanking new Hermes-like scarf that is made by a company other than Hermes for less? The thrilling news is: YES ... indeed you can!

Look to Echo silk scarfs (also spelled scarves). Like a Hermes, they come in an assortment of lovely patterns and colors that will flatter your sweathers and coats. Echo Scarfs launched in 1923 as a family business. Today the company has expanded into a design group that makes not only upscale scarfs, but stylish hats, gloves, bags, sleepwear, beachwear and bedding. Their accessories are always evolving.

What a chic bargain Echo's big square silk scarves are! The silk is substantial! Echo scarfs remind me of Hermes: 100% soft, thick silk; with expertly helmed edges; pretty designs; yet at a fraction of the cost.

Unlike a status symbol scarf like Hermes, Echo Scarfs go on sale at times. I found a past season scarf with a price tag of $99 marked down to $16.99 at TJ Maxx. Well, Happy Birthday to me!!!

Personally, I'd rather buy several new Echo Scarfs (for example, all the scarfs featured on this blog) over one previously owned Hermes scarf! How about you?

I will always love you, Hermes ... but Echo loves me more!♥



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