Chanel Leather Guide

Chanel is known for their exclusive and exquisite bags. But aside from their beautiful design and layout, it’s the skin that ties the whole flawless and high class look together magnificently. Check out these amazing leathers from Chanel and find out why they are so popular and how you can take care of them. Chanel-Lambskin-Leather Chanel-Lambskin-Leather-2 Chanel Lambskin Leather Incredibly soft to touch with a gorgeous appearance, Chanel Lambskin Leather is undoubtedly one of the most popular and sophisticated leathers on the market. It is known for its velvety smoothness that almost craves a woman’s touch. However, being as baby soft and smooth as it is, there is really no wonder why this delicate material is also a magnet for flaws. This fragile, tender leather requires utmost upkeep to ensure it is in tip top condition. Tips for Handling Lambskin Leather: -This fragile leather should be handled with extreme caution, out of harms way. Keep it away from things that may stain or dent the leather. -Use a dry cloth to wipe. Do not use water, as this will result in water marks. -Seek professional help with stubborn stains and blemishes. Chanel-Caviar-Leather Chanel-Caviar-Leather-2 Chanel Caviar Leather Although beautiful and intriguing to the eye, Chanel Caviar Leather is a bit bumpy to touch. However, this doesn’t discount its popularity in any way. Caviar leather is certainly a popular leather in the Chanel community for the simple fact that it is incredibly gorgeous and can handle a bit of abuse. This tough, yet elegant leather can fend off scratches with ease, making it the perfect choice for everyday use handbags. Its resilience is definitely a selling point! Benefits of Caviar Leather: -Very strong leather that can withstand the elements. -Doesn’t show scratches or other marks. Chanel-lambskin-vs-caviar Difference Chanel Lambskin and Caviar While Chanel Lambskin leather and Chanel Caviar leather are both top choices when it comes to Chanel products, they are two very different leathers. Lambskin leather is undoubtedly the softest leather on the market. Its smooth texture is certainly a favorite amongst women, unlike the Caviar leather which tends to be a bit bumpier and rough. However, Lambskin leather is also the most delicate of the leathers which results in scratches, blemishes, and other unsightly marks after only a matter of uses. Lambskin leather requires a great amount of care while Caviar, the more resilient of the two, can handle abuse and won’t succumb to scratching easily. It is really a matter of preference. You have to make the choice: is having extremely soft and delicate leather more important than a tough leather that can withstand the elements? Oh yes, the Caviar is heavier than Lambskin, keep that in mind when making your next purchase. What is Chanel Caviar leather made of? Caviar is made from calfskin with grains. Chanel-Deerskin Chanel-Deerskin-2 Chanel Deerskin Much like Chanel Caviar Leather, Chanel Deerskin Leather is a pebbled leather- although not as bumpy as the Caviar. The pebbles tend to be a bit smoother and less pronounced, though they are still easily noticed by your fingertips. Chanel Deerskin is much heavier and thicker than the other leathers, so much that customers had complained about the weight when Cerf was first introduced using Deerskin(Cerf means deer in French). The flexibility of Deerskin was a definite plus when it came to larger sized handbags, however the weight was simply inexcusable, which is perhaps why Chanel finally decided to change the leather of the Cerf to textured calfskin and refined to maintain the same feel as deerskin but keep the elegant name. Chanel-calfskin-quilted-leather Chanel Quilted Calfskin Leather You’ve probably heard about Chanel Quilted Calfskin in recent fashion news; and that shouldn’t be any surprise. Chanel Quilted Calfskin is the predominant material used in the new Boy Bag Collection- but what exactly is this material? Produced from calf hide, this high quality leather is highly sought after for the simple reason that it is delicately soft and smooth. With an incredibly fine grain and smooth texture combined with the beautiful quilted design, Quilted Calfskin quickly makes a name for itself as being one of the most regal and sophisticated leathers on the market. Chanel-Aged-Calfskin Chanel Aged Calfskin Leather With its unpolished and vintage appeal, Chanel Aged Calfskin is a favorite amongst women who want a handbag that isn’t so structured or precise. But it’s tough exterior isn’t the only thing that sends women into an aged leathery induced haze; it’s the fact that Chanel Aged Calfskin stands up to Caviar leather in terms of durability and toughness. Chanel Aged Calfskin won’t show scratches or other marks and is ridiculously easy to clean. It has a fairly soft, yet durable texture that will hold its shape for several years. It’s really a matter of preference: if you want a ragged, classic style, then Aged Calfskin is definitely the leather for you. By the way, Chanel often uses Aged Calfskin to craft their iconic Chanel 2.55 Reissue Flap Bag, which gives the illusion of already ‘used’, a vintage look as it should be. This bag has been re-made by Karl Lagerfeld in February 2005, in the exact same process as Coco Chanel had made it in February 1955. Chanel-Cracked-Patent-Calfskin Chanel Cracked Patent Calfskin Chanel Cracked Patent Calfskin can be summed up in only a matter of words: high quality, classic, and vintage, making it one of the most popular leathers from Chanel. Due to its uniquely soft exterior, calfskin is noted as being one of the most high quality and sought after leathers. Chanel turned this delicate yet resilient leather into something fabulous: giving it a ‘cracked’ detailing that is fancy and vintage all in one. This is definitely an excellent option if you’re into the more classical and vintage items, and looks great with almost any bag. Not to mention the fine grain is soft to touch yet resilient to scratches and other unsightly marks! Chanel-Glazed-Calfskin Chanel Glazed Calfskin Calfskin is undoubtedly one of the most popular and valuable leathers on the market. It is so incredibly smooth to much it’s almost unbelievable. While it might be hard to actually believe this silky smooth texture is actually leather, we aren’t complaining. It’s a flawless sight- especially when it’s glazed. Glazed basically means that the outer exterior has a shiny, shimmering look to it, which only adds to the immense sophistication and beauty of the skin. It looks great with just about any bag and many women absolutely adore the clean, polished look the Chanel Glazed Calfskin has to offer. Chanel-Metallic-Calfskin chanel-metallic-calfskin-2 Chanel Metallic Calfskin Shiny, shimmering, and nothing short of eye-catching, Chanel Metallic Calfskin is undoubtedly one of the most sought after Calfskin leathers from Chanel. This beautiful leather gives us that into-the-future feel that is simply fabulous. We love how sheer and polished the exterior looks, but what we love more is that this bag is so easy to clean. While you want to keep it out of dangers way as much as possible, it’s still easy to clean at home if you end up with minor scratches and stains. Wipe it off as soon as possible to avoid staining, and enjoy a smooth and fabulous bag all year round. chanel-patent-leather chanel-patent-leather-2 Chanel Patent Leather Patent leather is a pretty neat type of leather, although it doesn’t reach very high in popularity charts. It tends to have a ‘50s flashback look to it, but if that’s the vintage look you’re seeking this texture would certainly be appropriate. If you end up choosing patent leather, there’s a few things to keep in mind. It’s probably best to choose a dark color, as patent leather dents and stains easily. The worst part is, stains on patent leather can’t be removed. Our biggest piece of advice for this cool texture? Be very, very cautious with this shiny, polished leather! Chanel-goatskin Chanel Goatskin If we could sum up Chanel Goatskin in just a few quick words, we’d most likely come up with the words soft, durable, and stiff. Goatskin is known for being one of the most durable leathers out there, withstanding even the toughest elements. However, its stiffness and softness can be somewhat of a downfall when it comes to handbags. While the front, back, and sides tend to keep their shapes nicely, the top of bags tend to look ‘crushed’ or dented after a few weeks of use. To put it plainly, goatskin is definitely a great option. Durable and great to look at. Just try to be as cautious as possible to avoid dents! Chanel-Metallic-Goatskin-Leather Chanel Metallic Goatskin An enticing luster, an unmistakable shine, and a softness like no other- metallic goatskin is undoubtedly an excellent option when turning your fabulous Chanel handbag into an absolute knockout piece that will take over the room with ease. However, metallic goatskin tends to ‘rub off’ after many months of use, so try to handle your handbag with plenty of care and treat it often to avoid and diminishment of silkiness. chanel-metallic-calfskin-metallic-lambskin Chanel Metallic Calfskin/Lambskin Leather Chanel Metallic Calfskin/Lambskin is the ultimate combination. The Calfskin gives this sensational skin its durable yet extremely soft to touch texture, while the lambskin gives the bag a subtle softness that can’t be missed. Together these two skins create a valuable, sensational texture that can withstand the elements with ease. Rather easy to clean, Chanel Metallic Calfskin/Lambskin holds true to its metallic and shiny exterior that so many ladies love. All in all it’s a wonderful combo that has a very vibrant and beautiful look that shimmers and dazzles with ease against the sunlight. chanel-metallic-lambskin Chanel Metallic Lambskin Leather So soft, as you’d expect from a skin made from lamb, the Chanel Metallic Lambskin is as grand to look at as it is to touch. The best part about this texture- besides its lovely soft feeling and beautiful silvery appearance- is the fact that it is so easy to clean. Simple scratches can be buffed out using your fingertips and half the time lambskin will fend off minor scratches on its own. Even if you did end up with a scratch, you probably wouldn’t notice because the appearance of this bag doesn’t promote the appearance of scratches in any way. All around an awesome skin! chanel-metallic-reissue Chanel Metallic from Reissue 2.55 Flap Bag Many women are fans of Metallic- that shiny, glossy finish- who could blame them? However, while the Chanel Metallic from Reissue 2.55 Flap Bag is obviously exquisite in every sense, there’s a few things to watch out for. These bags, much like all other Metallic leather bags, have a tendency to scratch easily- but there’s more. Users claim that after many months of wear the leather tends to ‘peel’. Our best advice is to be extra careful with a Reissue 2.55 Flap Bag and take extra precautions making sure it doesn’t rub against anything. If you end up with obvious wear, you will have to have the bag professionally refinished. chanel-jersey chanel-jersey-2 Chanel Jersey Looking to spice up your handbag life a bit? Ditch the traditional leather and try out jersey. Chanel Jersey is a special type of knit material that looks simply amazing. It has the perfect casual look which it makes it a great choice for everyday use. However, one must take special care of their jersey bag as jersey can stain easily and is incredibly hard to clean. Some women also say that the jersey knit can produce fuzzy little knit balls after a lot of wear and tear. If stains do occur, you must have Chanel Jersey professionally cleaned to avoid further damage. Chanel-Velvet Chanel Velvet Velvet is known as being a soft and cozy material, providing a beautiful and elegant appearance, especially when it is shown in darker colors such as royal blue or ruby red. And while velvet may be an alluring material for a Chanel handbag, one should know that velvet must be handled with care and treated often to stave off stains and a shabby appearance. It is true that velvet material is much cheaper than leathers like lambskin or caviar, but that’s certainly what draws many fashionistas to this fabric who are looking to save a buck or two on their bag. For example, a Chanel Medium/Large Classic Flap Bag in leather is typically priced at $4,900 USD (3550 Euro), but the same bag in velvet is only $3,700 USD (2450 Euro). If you’re prepared to treat your bag with care and clean it often, velvet is a wonderful, extravagant, AND money-saving option. Chanel-Tweed Chanel Tweed Tweed may be a little high maintenance, but come on- it has such a fascinating appearance and unique texture, definitely worth the work! Tweed is a woolen fabric, rough to touch yet very flexible, resembling a cheviot but with a closer weave. It looks sensational with bright, perky color combinations, but can also look stunning in minimal darker hues. It’s the most popular material used in Chanel’s Classic Flap Bag and undoubtedly makes a fashion statement wherever it goes. Just be careful- tweed can be prone to fringes or holes if not handled with utmost care. Chanel-Canvas Chanel Canvas Canvas has a delightfully casual everyday style, a great option for students who want to double their bag as a book carrier and a cute purse for everyday use. However, because canvas is a fabric instead of a leather, it must be handled with extreme care. A touch of dirt will show up quickly on this material and is tough to get off, and canvas won’t offer as much structure as most leathers. Some may actually see this as a plus, though, if they’re looking for a more relaxed look in their Chanel bag. Chanel-Galuchat-Leather Chanel Galuchat Leather Named after and created by the master leather artisan Jean-Claude Galuchat of France in the 18th century, galuchat is an exotic material with sharkskin or stingray skin. This supple, beautiful type of material is extremely durable, said to be at least 25 times more durable than cowhide leathers, making it an excellent option for everyday bags that will see TONS of wear. Widely available, galuchat can be painted in a variety of colors to suit everyone’s styles with ease and can be designed in a polished, flat manner or a bumpy and textured way. The versatility and durability of galuchat undoubtedly draws consumers in while the lovely appearance makes the sale. A GREAT choice for those who tend to be ‘rough’ with their accessories. chanel-python-leather chanel-python-leather-2 Chanel Python Leather Nothing short of luxurious, Chanel Python has sophisticated and high class written all over it. It is certainly one of the most exquisite leathers out of the bunch, and for good reason too. Not only is this leather magnificently gorgeous, but the position of the scales lets it show off color more beautifully and vibrant than other. Python is exceptionally easy to take care of and won’t scruff or scrape easily. It’s insanely lightweight which makes it ideal for bags of all shapes and sizes. Just keep it away from water and you will enjoy a gorgeous, incredibly durable and handy bag for many years. chanel-alligator-leather chanel-alligator-leather-2 Chanel Aligator Leathers Another exquisite skin, Chanel Alligator is one of the most sought after skins in the industry. It’s a beautiful sight to be seen: delicate, yet rugged, with plenty of depth for appreciation. Colors come out smooth and vibrant on alligator skin, and looks wonderful on any bag. Like any other exotic skin, you shouldn’t leave this particular texture out in direct heat for too long as this could cause aging. Alligator skin is very easy to take care of and if any obvious marks or scuffs do occur, have it professionally cleaned. For the most part, alligator skin is very durable and won’t show scratches. Chanel-hardware-stains Chanel Hardware and Stains Over time, Chanel hardware can become tarnished or worn down- Chanel knows this and has acknowledged this, informing customers about their product. They specifically state that metal parts on handbags may be extra sensitive to the sea air as well as acidity of the skin. This can cause tarnishing and the wearing off of metal parts. Hardware, including clasps and chains, may be re-glided. Contact Chanel for estimates on how much it would be to re-glide your equipment.
The Bag Leather Guides

COMMENTS
  • roa

    REPLY

    hi, thank you for guiding me about chanel leathers.
    i was wanting to buy the new BOY CHANEL WALLET ON CHAIN , orylag and lambskin.
    do u think orylag will last? or does it have any disadvantages.
    can u please help me
    thank you

    August 22, 2017
    • Noa

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      Orylag is a rabbit fur from France. fur is never durable, you need to be more careful than lambskin.

      September 1, 2017
  • Nay

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    I thought caviar leather was darker what’s the darker black leather Is it just matte and still caviar

    February 1, 2017
    • Cynthia

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      Hi Nay, the color of the bag has nothing to do with the type of leather. Caviar leather can also be beige. And black can be any type of leather.

      February 3, 2017
  • Anonymous

    REPLY

    Thank you Cynthia. I will look further into the stitching to see if it is done correctly or not.

    January 23, 2017
  • Anonymous

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    Bottom the cc zipper has a r stamped into one side the inner zipper says Chanel & cc on the back & the removable purse straps say Chanel on Tom & bottom of the ring I can’t find any similar ones online

    January 12, 2017
    • Lily

      REPLY

      Hi, did you buy this bag at a pre-owned store or online? It seems like a vintage bag.

      January 14, 2017
  • Anonymous

    REPLY

    Inside

    January 12, 2017
  • Anonymous

    REPLY

    Hi I purchased this bag a few years ago and I can’t find a similar one anywhere online to replace the zipper is it real? Have you ever seen one like it before?

    January 12, 2017
  • Rola

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    Hi, I just inherited a chanel medium flap bag in caviar leather with gold hardware. It was my husbands grandmothers and she barely used it. My question is the gold hardware is a deeper gold rather than light like the ones that are out now. Does this mean it’s fake? I can not imagine her owning a fake bag. Thanks!

    December 30, 2016
    • Cynthia

      REPLY

      Hi Rola, thats not the correct way to authentic a bag. You need to look for other clues like stitching, leather quality etc.. You see, Chanel has remodeled their bag numerous times, they also used to create the hardware with real gold.

      January 6, 2017
  • Anonymous

    REPLY

    Bragmybag, eine Biene gerade graduierte vom College, ist enttäuscht an seiner einsamen Karriere Wahl: Honig machen. Auf einer besonderen Reise außerhalb des Bienenstocks wird Barrys Leben von Vanessa, einem Floristen in New York City, gerettet. Als ihre Beziehung blüht, entdeckt er Menschen tatsächlich essen Honig, und anschließend beschließt, sie zu verklagen.

    December 1, 2016
  • Anonymous

    REPLY

    Thank you! I learned so much about how you slaughter every type of animal available, just to over price your bags. I want to know why there isn’t any human skin bags?

    December 1, 2016
  • Silvana dijkshoorn

    REPLY

    And the last one!!

    Thank you so much

    May 19, 2016
    • Mimi

      REPLY

      Hi Silvana, vintage bags are general too old to recognize which model they are. We’re not expert to authentic handbags, you should consider hiring a professional. There are many service online that only requires images to check. But as with most Chanel bags, the left lower C should cross the right lower C.

      May 21, 2016
  • Silvana dijkshoorn

    REPLY

    Here some more pictures

    May 19, 2016
  • Silvana dijkshoorn

    REPLY

    Thank you so much for the response,
    The thing I know it was from my aunt,and she bought it 20years ago,if it was a fake one I should not look that good???
    But anyways,hear some more pictures.
    Maybe u can tell me what model it is when i send u some more pictures.

    Thank you so much

    May 19, 2016
    • Mimi

      REPLY

      As with all bags, this depend on the use. a brand-new chanel bag can be torn apart within a year if the owner is not careful. And likewise, by treating your bag carefully and minimizing the use, the condition maintained as like-new.

      May 21, 2016
  • Silvana dijkshoorn

    REPLY

    Can anyone please tell me wich model this chanel vintage bag is??it’s from the 80’s
    It’s a gift I get!I’ll like to know more about this beautifull chanel bag

    May 7, 2016
    • Mimi

      REPLY

      Hi Silvana,

      Hoe gaat het? It’s not easy to recognize a Chanel bag with pictures especially when you only have one image. But from the first-look at the stitches, it might be real because there are 10+ stitches per inch, but the quality of those stitches doesn’t look consistent.

      Also, the CC logo is what really bothers me. Chanel has the second CC below crossing the other, this one doesn’t have that. I attached an authentic Chanel logo. You can check more here: https://www.bragmybag.com/chanel-bags-prices/

      May 13, 2016
      • Mimi

        REPLY

        Conclusion, I think its not real bag.

        May 13, 2016
  • Zaiton

    REPLY

    Hi i received a gift. can anyone tell me which design is my chanel Leboy bag. Thank you

    December 11, 2015
  • sofia

    REPLY

    Hello! Very helpful information on the types of leather chanel uses. I agree that the quality of leather is not as perfect as it used to be. Another thing that puzzles me is the number of stitches a quilt should have in classic flap bags. In vintage ones, the stitches are 10 to 11 per inch (the ones me and my mother own). In chanel boutiques and consignment stores I’ve visited, I have counted 8 to 9 stitches per inch in caviar leather. Is this because of the quality of the leather?

    August 5, 2015
    • Cynthia

      REPLY

      Hi Sofia, nobody really knows the real reason, but I think from time to time Chanel discovers new ways of designing handbags, and that can be better for the process of because with less stitches they can maintain the quality. If they can, why not?

      August 8, 2015
  • Lynda

    REPLY

    Hi to add on to my earlier queey and after reading ur articles on the easy flap, mine might not be one afterall. The model no is A90839. Is this an easy flap?

    July 24, 2015
    • Cynthia

      REPLY
      July 25, 2015
      • Anonymous

        REPLY

        Thanks Cynthia, mine looks like the easy carry. May i know the material for the last picture, red bag in the link provided for the easy carry? I bought the bag in HK for HKD31,500.

        July 26, 2015
        • Cynthia

          REPLY

          Can you check? It should be lambskin.

          July 27, 2015
  • Lynda

    REPLY

    Hi, i just purchased a Chanel easy flap. The bag is slightly puffy. Could you advise which skin it is made of? The bag is slightly puffy.

    July 24, 2015
  • Nanette

    REPLY

    Wow, learned so much about my fav bag, so nice of you to share, appreciated!

    June 24, 2015
  • Morgan

    REPLY

    Thanks for the great info! I’m trying to find a WOC in Black Caviar Leather. I was looking on Chanel’s website and one is described as “Grained Calfskin.” This article says Caviar Leather is made from calfskin with grains. Does that mean that “Grained Calfskin” and “Caviar Leather” are the same thing?

    May 28, 2015
    • Dini

      REPLY

      It’s way how are made, the process of the production. The feeling of grained calfskin and caviar is different, but the leather to make caviar is also calfskin.

      May 30, 2015
  • Kamaria

    REPLY

    Hello,
    I saw that the 2.55 Reissue is coming out for Fall/Winter 2014/2015 in Grained Patent Calfskin. Do you have any idea what that compares to? I’m not a fan of the typical patent but this one looks a little different on the Chanel website. I would wait to see it in person, but I usually have to order my bags through an SA somewhere else as I can never find what I want around town.

    October 2, 2014
  • Thanks but....

    REPLY

    Thank you for the informative article on the types of leather Chanel uses on its bags. However, the part on how to take care of the different types of leather falls quite short contrary to the statement in the introductory paragraph. Only how to care the lambskin is mentioned throughout the article.

    September 21, 2014
    • help

      REPLY

      AGREED!!!
      wanna know about others too!! need to compare!!

      May 27, 2015
    • Cynthia

      REPLY

      Thanks for the feedback, we took note of it.

      May 30, 2015
  • Mcha0523

    REPLY

    Great info!
    I’m a big fan of your post.

    July 17, 2014
  • Thanks for taking the time to educate and enlighten us all about the types of leathers!

    Although I must say that I personally feel that the quality of the Chanel leathers have gone down over the past 2 years.

    What would you say to that?

    July 10, 2014
    • Bragmybag

      REPLY

      We have heard a lot of complains, that the leather is not like in the past.

      July 10, 2014
  • Fanny P

    REPLY

    Hi Sassy,

    What a wonderful guide! So informative!

    July 10, 2014
    • Bragmybag

      REPLY

      hiii Fannyy, thank you for your support!!

      July 10, 2014
  • Bragmybag

    REPLY

    Sorry for the watermarks, but we do not want our articles ending up helping counterfeiters promoting their fake designer bags.

    July 9, 2014
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