Shiny, rigid as well as super-structured are all the qualities my mommy absolutely adores in a bag, as well as coincidentally all the qualities present in patent leather too. So it’s most likely quite evident that my mommy is strictly pro-patent, as well as her fondness for the material goes a long method back. ever considering that I was little, I utilized to see her carry around this massive framed bag in shiny merlot (pictured above) anywhere she went. I keep in mind fidgeting with those chocolate bar-like cubes most likely considering that I was in kindergarten, as well as it’s almost as old as me by now. In fact, she still reaches for it at times, particularly when I’m not looking, as well as I as well confess to sometimes sashaying around with those squares. only just recently I’ve come to recognize exactly how it looks suspiciously like the Marc Jacobs Stam, which potentially describes her obsession with it.
But what, in fact, is patent leather, as well as even though my mom’s hopelessly in like with it, what do I believe of it? even a lot more importantly, what do you? The antithesis of standard full-grain leather, patent leather has been around for longer than lots of would like. Or for less longer than a few of us would like, probably. like my mom, for example.
Now, I’ll be sincere with you, I was deeply under the perception that patent leather was this wonderful material whereby your bag lasts permanently (example: my mom’s bag, which is seemingly indestructible). however authentic patent leather has a special set of characteristics, which makes it different from natural leather as well as it’s crucial to comprehend exactly how it’s made before we begin spewing forth our opinions about it. Predominantly, patent leather is made of a thin, light layer of hide coated with a layer of lacquer and/or vinyl, which results in the glossy surface of the material. A few fashion homes have likewise released patent versions of snakeskin-embossed, croc-embossed, quilted or crinkled leathers, though it’s a lot of commonly kept smooth. designers likewise tend to steer remove of utilizing the greatest quality, full-grain leather as the base of the patent material considering that these need the hide to be buffed out as well as smoothened, losing the natural structure as well as suppleness of the leather itself.
Now there are, in fact, a number of major advantages that patent leather has a tendency to offer over natural leather that makes it extremely more effective – the very first undoubtedly being its appearance. Although patent, in my opinion, is a tad as well shiny for serving as your daily hauler, it is an exceptional choice for evening bags/clutches – its gloss serving as the best accessory to raise whatever from a bit black gown to a wedding event ensemble. plus provided that this normally has a tendency to be on the structured side, it looks finest on dressy bags rather than on our a lot more neutral weekday carryalls. Something that likewise ties in with the “look” aspect of patent leather is exactly how all the colors it is available in tend to be a lot more edgy as well as bright than just colored leather, so whatever from blacks to beiges to reds as well as metallics appear a lot more cheery when performed in patent.
Looks aside though, patent leather is remarkable over “regular” leather in a number of ways. very first off, it’s extremely discolor as well as water resistant, so it’s a excellent material for “night-out” bags, that are normally prone to be subjected to water, wine, or perhaps even gravy spills, as well as who wouldn’t want the assurance of just being able to wipe the culprit off with a cloth, right? In fact, patent doesn’t scratch or crease as quickly as routine leather either, so goodbye unfortunate saggy handbags, hey there shiny patents!
Second, unlike natural leather which needs routine cleaning, moisturizing as well as conditioning, patent leather actually needs no maintenance at all. In fact, all you’d have to do is wipe the dust off of it when in a while as well as your bag’s prepared to slay the evening!
Another huge benefit of selecting patent leather is that, provided the normally lower high quality of leather utilized for its base, it has a tendency to be on the a lot more cost effective side too. So to strengthen my very first point, patent makes excellent novelty as well as evening bags!
But as you may have guessed, it’s not all fun as well as games when it pertains to patent leather. In fact, much to my own surprise, patent leather is prone to one of the greatest issues that afflict leather bag enthusiasts – color transfer! considering that patent is able to take in moisture, however the leather, being coated with vinyl, isn’t breathable, the perspiration on it develops up. So if you just location it next to a colored product (and god forbid, wear dark denims with a patent white bag!), you’re bound to get splotches of coloron your excellent bag as well as sadly, this is nearly always irreversible. It doesn’t even requirement any type of wetness or warm for the transfer to happen – it’s frustratingly automatic. however on natural leather, color transfer can be treated with a variety of cleaning as well as conditioning products, so there’s always the range of repair work compared to the laminated skin in patent.
Another significant problem when it pertains to patent products is its durability. Leather, by nature (and with adequate care), can last generations. Its lacquered counterpart, however, has a tendency to deteriorate over time. Hence, it can begin to feel sticky after a specific length of time even if you’ve been babying it whenever you took it out of your closet. as well as if creases have begun to develop, although they shouldn’t be establishing for rather a while (unless you have been particularly unkind to your purse), they’re normally not only irreparable, however they’re likely to morph into big cracks. Shocking! as well as if that happens, it puts a significant dent in the bag’s resale value too, particularly if you’re managing investment pieces like patent Chanel flaps.
Read our Chanel medium trick label Flap Bag Review. Chanel patent bags are offered by means of Fashionphile.
Furthermore, in patent leather you’re unlikely to discover the divine, earthy odor of natural leather as well as lose out on the smooth, smooshy buttery structure of calfskin, lambskin or goatskin, so if that’s what you’d like, you’re most likely much much better off utilizing handbags made from corrected grained leather (which has a natural sheen) rather than patent.
Regardless of its pros as well as cons though, patent leather has ended up being a long-term fixture in fashion as well as appears nearly every season on the runway in some type or another. even then, is it a wardrobe staple? I’m lured to state yes, since I don’t believe you might ever go wrong with a black patent hold as well as a black patent pair of pumps. Besides that, if you’d truly like to integrate some patent into your daily wardrobe, specific fashion houses, likewise make handbags with patent trims as well as I truly like exactly how that styles up a a lot more fundamental coated canvas bag without being loud. however then that’s just me.
What do you think? Are you pro-patent too, like my mommy (who’s providing you all high-fives ideal now) or do you discover it tacky as well as would rather you pass up on it?