An Italian leather bag is beautiful, but how do you keep it that way when you cycle every day, it rains often and your laptop has to come to the office? This guide gives practical tips: which bag to choose for the bike, what to do if your leather bag gets wet, how to protect it from rain and which styles suit a busy working day.
Why an Italian leather bag?
Italy, and Tuscany around Florence in particular, has a long leather tradition. Italian leather is known for its feel, its depth of colour and the way it ages. Note the difference between "Italian leather", which describes the material, and "made in Italy", which tells you where the bag was made. Our bags are handmade in Florence, Italy, as stated under Origin on every product page. See also how to tell real Italian leather.
A leather bag on the bike
On a bike you want your hands free and a bag that does not slide off your shoulder:
- Wear a smaller bag crossbody. The Navona Classic has a removable, adjustable strap and sits close to your body.
- Do not hang a leather bag from the handlebars: it swings, rubs and gets damaged.
- Put a large tote like the Maxima Croco in a bike basket or pannier with a cover, so the leather stays dry and scratch-free.
- Choose a finish that can take a knock. Croc-embossed leather makes small everyday marks less visible.
Can a leather bag handle rain?
A few raindrops will not harm it if you let it dry properly afterwards, but a downpour should be the exception: leather is a natural material, not a raincoat. To protect your leather bag from rain:
- Keep a foldable bag or cover in your coat pocket for sudden showers.
- Apply a thin layer of colourless leather conditioner a few times a year; well-cared-for leather absorbs moisture less readily.
- On rainy days choose a darker colour. Water marks show least on black or grey.
Your leather bag got wet: what now?
- Blot it with a soft, dry cloth. Do not rub.
- Fill it loosely with paper so it keeps its shape and the moisture is drawn out from the inside.
- Let it dry at room temperature, away from radiators and without a hairdryer. Heat makes leather dry and stiff.
- Once it is completely dry, apply a little leather conditioner.
More tips in our leather care guide.
To the office: a leather laptop bag
For the office, your laptop sets the size. A 15.6" laptop is about 36 × 25 cm, so your bag should be at least 40 cm wide, sturdy enough to protect the screen, with handles that stay on your shoulder over a winter coat.
The Maxima Croco Tote is 48 × 30 × 14 cm and fits a 15.6" laptop, a notebook, your charger and lunch, with a handle drop of about 26 cm. It comes in black, grey, red, camel and white. See all our Italian leather laptop and work bags and leather tote bags.
For the evening: small and light
Going out after work? The Alita is a compact shoulder bag in white quilted Italian leather, 26 × 20 × 5 cm, with two zip compartments and a card slot. Save it for dry evenings: white leather needs a little more care. See our quilted leather bags.
Delivery
Free delivery to Europe, the UK and the USA: 1–3 business days in Europe, 2–5 in the UK and 3–7 in the USA.
Frequently asked questions
How can you tell real leather?
Look at the cut edge: real leather has a fibrous structure there, while faux leather often shows fabric or a plastic layer. Real leather has a slightly irregular grain, its own smell and warms in your hand.
Which bag goes with every outfit?
A black leather bag. See our black leather bags, our bestselling bags and all women's leather bags.