| Handbag Material Guide |
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Alligator
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Alligator leather made from alligator hide used in the finer and highest quality bags. |
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Anaconda
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Bag made from the skin of an Anaconda snake. Very delicate materials used in the finest bags. |
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Antique Leather
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Leather processed to give a slightly worn appearance. |
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Calfskin
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Extremely soft, smooth and fine grain leather made from the hides of young cattle. |
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Canvas
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Strong and durable cloth made from cotton plain weaves. Duck weaves are a more tightly woven version. |
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Cowhide
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Leather from a full grown animal that yields larger grain, but more durable product. |
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Embossed
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Process of stamping leather to produce raised patterns in the material |
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Faux
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Imitation. For example, faux snakeskin is leather made to look like snakeskin. |
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Full Grain
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Also called top grain, the top portion of the hide which has not been corrected for imperfections. Stronger and more durable than other forms, it is also more comfortable. |
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Glazed Leather
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Leather treatment that produces a glossy finish. |
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Goatskin
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Leather made from a goats' hides. |
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Kid
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Leather made from the hides of young goats. |
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Kip
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Sturdier leather from the hides of older animals. Not as fine grain. |
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Lamb
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Extremely soft, fine grain leather made from young sheep. |
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Metallic Leather
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Leather treated to produce the appearance of metal such as gold, silver or bronze. |
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Naplak Leather
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Treated leather similar to patent leather, but with a more supple feel. |
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Nubuck
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Top grain leather that has been sanded to produce a soft nap surface. |
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Nylon
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Synthetic polymer (plastic) material with a smooth texture. |
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Patent Leather
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A leather treatment of varnish on split leather that yields a polised finish. |
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Pebbled Leather
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Embossed leather with small, round irregular patterns resembling pebbles. |
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Perforated
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Leather dotted with tiny holes to produce a pattern, design or a somewhat glassy appearance. |
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PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
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A man-made plastic material. |
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Python
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Bags made from the skin of a Python snake. Very delicate material used in the finest bags. Due to state law, Python bags can not be shipped to California. |
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Satin
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Woven cloth with a glossy, smooth surface. |
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Sequin
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Disk-shaped beads attached to cloth for decoration. Sequins can be arranged in patterns or many different colors of sequins can be used in a single cloth and bag. |
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Sheepskin
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Fine grain leather made from sheeps' hides. |
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Silk
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Cloth woven from natural fibers from silkworm cocoons that produce a very smooth shiny appearance. Known for its elegant look and feel. |
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Snakeskin
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Bags made form the skins of snakes. |
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Split Leather
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Leather made when the upper, top layer (top grain) is separated from the hide. The hide can be split into several layers. |
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Stamped Croc
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Leather embossed with a raised pattern resembling a Crocodile. Gives the look and feel of Crocodile at a much lower cost. |
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Straw
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Dry stalks of various plants are woven into straw bags. |
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Suede
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The underside of the hide is treated or sanded to produce a soft napped finish. |
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Synthetic
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Man-made materials. |
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Top Grain
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See full grain. |
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Vachetta
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Untreated leather often used in trimming. |
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