For many women, the right handbag is an essential part of any outfit. Whether you plan to purchase a handbag for your loved one as a Valentines Day present or your mother for Christmas, you want to choose a purse that is both stylish and functional.
One of the biggest considerations when choosing a handbag is the material it's made out of. The type of material determines how well the handbag holds up to regular use, heavy loads, and normal wear and tear over time.
While the right handbag for your gift obviously depends on the woman the purse is intended for, you can start with one of the most classic and popular handbag materials available: leather. In this blog, we list five of the reasons to consider leather handbags for the women in your life.
1. Beauty and Flexibility That Increases Over Time
When purchasing a handbag, you must consider how the purse will look over time, especially if the recipient of your gift chooses to use the bag on a daily basis. Many common materials can develop snaps, rips, or worn spots that can detract from the beauty and functionality of the bag.
Unlike synthetics and other handbag materials, the patina and flexibility of leather actually increases over time. These handbags will look more attractive the longer they're used rather than wearing down or showing signs of age.
2. Long-Term Durability
Genuine leather features some of the most precise and strong craftsmanship available. In a handbag, this expert construction means that the bag can potentially last far longer than handbags made of other materials.
Specifically, the bottom and straps of leather handbags tend to have sturdier construction than other purses, which means they can be used to carry heavier loads without fear of damage.
3. Quality Investment
For someone who does not purchase purses frequently, leather handbags can seem surprisingly expensive. However, leather handbags often compare in price to designer models for good reason.
Quality handbags are a long-term investment. When you choose a better bag to begin with, you are less likely to need to perform repairs or maintenance on the bag in order to keep using it.
4. Resistant to Water and Other Forms of Damage
Leather has a number of natural properties that make it ideal for accessories like purses, from its iconic scent to the patina we discussed in section one. In addition to these cosmetic inherent characteristics, leather also has high resistance to many of the threats that can affect the average handbag.
For example, well-treated leather is pretty close to waterproof. Additionally, leather contains anti-fungal properties so if the bag gets wet or develops a stain, the material is less likely to develop mildew or mold as a result. Most substances can be wiped off of a leather surface with little or no damage to the material.
5. Sustainability
Many individuals practice conscientious buying practices in order to minimize the negative effects their behaviors have on the local and global environment. Because leather bags are made of animal hides, leather is a naturally occurring material that requires no synthetic chemicals to treat, which makes it a sustainable choice.
Additionally, because leather handbags tend to last far longer than their synthetic counterparts, the choice to invest in a leather purse can potentially reduce the waste produced as bags from weaker materials give out and must be disposed of.
As you search for the purse that best matches the size and style preferences of your intended gift recipient, you should start your hunt for the perfect handbag with a material you know offers all of the benefits listed above. For high-quality gifts, including leather items, trust Over Under Clothing.
