An Italian leather bag is something you keep for years, so it pays to choose the right shape. A tote for work, a handbag for every day and a small bag for a wedding do very different jobs. This guide helps you find the Italian leather bag that suits your day, with practical pointers on size, shape and finish.
Why choose an Italian leather bag?
Italy, and Tuscany around Florence in particular, has a long leather tradition. Italian leather is valued 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. For more, read how to tell real Italian leather.
Which bag for work?
For the office, the key question is your laptop. Measure it: a 15.6" laptop is about 36 × 25 cm, so you need a tote at least 40 cm wide, structured enough to protect the screen, with handles long enough to wear on the shoulder over a coat.
The Maxima Croco Tote measures 48 × 30 × 14 cm and takes a 15.6" laptop, a notebook and the rest of your day. Croc-embossed Italian leather hides small everyday marks, the suede lining protects the laptop, and the handles, with a drop of about 26 cm, sit easily on the shoulder. It comes in black, grey, red, camel and white. See all our Italian leather laptop and work bags and leather tote bags.
Which handbag for every day?
For every day, look for a bag that is neither too big nor too small, holds your phone, wallet, keys and a few essentials, and can be carried more than one way. A top-handle bag with a removable strap is ideal: in the hand for a meeting, crossbody for the commute or the market.
The Navona Classic is exactly that: a structured top-handle bag in smooth black full-grain leather with the gold AF logo, 25 × 26 × 11 cm. Two compartments and a zipped pocket keep things in order, and the adjustable strap lets you wear it on the shoulder or crossbody. See our top-handle bags and black leather bags.
Which bag for a wedding?
For a wedding, dinner or evening out, choose a small, light bag that is elegant and easy to hold for hours. Quilted leather is a classic: it adds texture and softness without trying too hard.
The Alita is a compact shoulder bag in white quilted Italian leather, 26 × 20 × 5 cm, with two zip compartments and a card slot. Carry it by the handle or on the shoulder with its removable strap. See all our quilted leather bags.
Which bag for travel?
When you travel, the right bag holds the essentials for the day and fits under the seat on the plane. A large tote like the Maxima works as an extra cabin bag for a weekend, and a crossbody keeps your hands free for sightseeing. You can also combine the two: the tote for the journey, the small bag for evenings.
Smooth, croc-embossed or quilted?
- Smooth leather is the most classic and shows the natural character of the hide.
- Croc-embossed leather has a pattern pressed into the surface, adding texture and making small marks less visible. See our croc-embossed leather bags.
- Quilted leather is softer and more feminine, ideal for evenings.
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.
Ready to choose? Browse our Italian leather bags, from leather tote bags for women and leather shoulder bags to Italian leather work bags and laptop totes, all handcrafted from full-grain leather and delivered free to Europe, the UK and the USA.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell a real leather bag?
Look at the edges and the inside: real leather has a fibrous structure at the cut edge and a slightly irregular grain, a distinctive smell, and it warms in your hand. Our guide how to tell real Italian leather explains each test.
Are Italian leather bags expensive?
Not necessarily. Much of the price of a designer bag is the brand name. Bags sold directly by smaller labels often offer better value.
What are your bestselling bags?
The Maxima Croco Tote, the Navona Classic and the Alita. Find them in our bestselling bags, or browse all our women's leather bags.