A handbag is an accessory that can be used to carry around everything from your wallet and keys to your lunch and sunglasses. It’s a great way to make sure you don’t have to lug around a huge purse with you everywhere you go. And it’s also the perfect way to show off your fashion sense when you’re on the go! There are so many different styles of handbags out there, but do you know what are the things you should consider before investing in your bags?
1. EDGES
Check the seams between the leather panels. Do you have a hem sewn nicely around all of the edges, or did you just cut it and paint it? Look for purses that feature a durable folded and stitched edge. High-wear regions like the straps, exterior edges, and base of the bag are especially vulnerable to chipping and fraying from a cut and painted edge. To reduce expenses, designers may often trim and paint edges instead of leaving them raw.
As a side aside, the edges may be left unpolished on purpose by the designer of a rougher style of a handbag to achieve a more informal or sloppy appearance. So the next time you visit your handbag shop consider this as the first thing you do before you purchase anything.
2. STITCHING
Examine the seams of a handbag to see how well they were sewn. Smaller stitches and more stitches per inch indicate a higher-quality handbag. The linear pattern of the stitches and the distance between them should be consistent from one stitch to the next.
Uneven stitching, unraveling stitches, and crooked stitching are all signs of sloppy workmanship.
3. PIECING
When I say “piecing,” I mean making a bag out of a bunch of scraps of leather. The more points of wear there are on a handbag, the more leather there is. In addition, huge pieces of high-quality leather are harder to come by and, even when accessible, cost significantly more than smaller pieces.
As an aside, piecing can be a deliberate design choice, as in the case of striped leathers or a patchwork pattern on a bag. Also, if the bag’s leather is cut into little pieces, you’ll need to piece it together. This holds true for larger handbags made of python or other snake leather.
4. MAIN SPOTS OF WEAR
It’s important to reinforce a handbag thoroughly at the stress points. Pull at the ties. Distract them from the sack by pulling them out. Does that result in unraveling seams or obvious shoddy construction?
Additionally, the bottom, interior, and corners of the handbag take the brunt of the wear and tear. If the purse is meant to be displayed on its own, it should have metal “feet” attached to the bottom to prevent it from being damaged. A bag’s corners should be sturdy and well-finished so that they don’t fray or wear out quickly. A well-made bag should also have a sturdy lining to ensure it lasts a long time.
5. Hardware
When you shop handbags always remember that metal zippers that move smoothly back and forth are the hallmark of a great zipper. If a zipper is difficult to move, it will eventually snap. The zipper on a vinyl jacket will also eventually break. As soon as possible.
All moving parts, such as strap rings, swivels, bag locks, hinges, screws, and snaps, should be well-made and sturdy for a flawless experience. Be on the lookout for rusting and tarnishing, too. Mistreated hardware will rust and discolor over time. In addition, if there are scratches, you should examine them to see whether another material or color can be made out under the scratch.
6. INTERIOR
Premium leather is used for the interior lining of only the finest leather purses. Top-notch leather is much more durable than cloth in this regard. Dust and moderate grime can be removed from high-quality leather upholstery with a microfiber cloth that has been dampened gently (note: this method is not effective with suede, which requires a suede brush). If the inside is a cloth, make sure it is treated and highly sturdy and won’t tear easily.
7. DUTIES
Carry the bag about as if you were going to use it. Pull on the handles and straps. Flip the bag’s flaps open and shut, and manipulate the zippers. You should be able to do these actions with little difficulty and without leaving any obvious traces of wear and tear.
8. PEOPLE
The craftsmanship of a high-quality handbag is only as good as its makers. It takes years of experience to master the art of making high-end handbags. All experts have spent years perfecting their craft and should be reasonably pleased with their achievements.
9. LEATHER
To put it simply, even the most skilled artisans can’t save a bag made from subpar leather.
Conclusion
Let’s be real, you’re likely to get more compliments on your handbag than on your shoes.
It’s always better to buy a handbag that can last you for years, and for that, a good quality bag with the above characteristics mentioned, is a must. It will also look better and be more comfortable to hold, which is important if you spend most of your time carrying it around.
