Our shop wall is lined with leather bags, from everyday shoulder bags to weekend travel bags. Here's how to pick one you'll still love in ten years.
Which bag for which life?
- Shoulder bags and handbags: for everyday use. Check the strap length over a coat as well as a T-shirt.
- Totes: roomy and practical for work or travel. Look for a zip or magnetic closure if you'll use it in crowds.
- Crossbody bags: hands-free and secure, ideal for sightseeing.
- Travel and weekend bags: choose sturdy leather and strong handles. These bags take real weight.
- Briefcases and messenger bags: check that your laptop fits with room to spare.
- Pouches and clutches: small and light. They make great gifts that pack flat in a suitcase.
What to check before you buy
- Stitching: small, even and straight, especially where handles join the body.
- Hardware: zips should run smoothly, and buckles and clasps should feel solid, not hollow.
- Edges: neatly painted or burnished, with no fraying or peeling film (see our genuine leather guide).
- Lining and inside: pockets where you need them, and a lining that's stitched in properly.
- Weight: pick it up empty. A bag that's already heavy will be heavier full.
Looking after a leather bag
- Stuff it with paper when you're not using it so it keeps its shape, and store it in a cotton dust bag.
- Don't overfill it. Stretched leather doesn't fully recover.
- Wipe off rain with a soft dry cloth and condition the leather once or twice a year.
Small leather gifts to take home
Not looking for a big bag? Wallets, card holders, belts, gloves and zip pouches are light, easy to pack and much appreciated as presents from Florence.
See it, touch it, try it on
Pelletteria La Noce · Borgo la Noce 8/R, 50123 Florence. One minute from the Mercato Centrale and the Medici Chapels, five from the Duomo.