The Guide to Chanel Leathers and Materials and How to Care for Your Bag
The decision to buy a Chanel bag is always an easy one, but deciding which Chanel leather to choose is much more difficult. With so many exquisite options available, how do you know which one is best for you?
All Chanel leather types are beautiful - after all, it’s Chanel! But each leather used by Chanel offers a different look and feel, and also varies in terms of handling and care.
See our guide below to choose the best Chanel leather for your new handbag! We cover the most popular Chanel materials, leathers and fabrics, as well as discontinued exotic skins. We also explain how to care for your classic Chanel handbag so it keeps its best appearance for years.
The Most Popular Chanel Leathers
These are the types of Chanel leather currently in production and the ones that prove most popular in sales.
Chanel Lambskin
Without a doubt, lambskin is one of the most popular Chanel leathers, and arguably the softest among luxury handbags. It features prominently in our list of the best bags for the discerning Chanel collector. Most often used in classic flap bags, lambskin is almost velvet-like to the touch, and it has a soft, rich sheen. This sophisticated leather requires the greatest care to remain in excellent condition. It is essential to store Chanel lambskin bags with the chains tucked inside to avoid denting the leather. Condition lambskin often to keep it soft and supple.
Chanel Iridescent Lambskin
Soft to the touch and beautifully lustrous, this Chanel iridescent lambskin is coated to produce an exquisite pearlescent sheen that brings out different colors. In addition, the coating makes the surface much more scratch-resistant and easier to care for. Any light scratches can be easily rubbed out with a clean finger.
Chanel Caviar Leather
Chanel caviar leather may be the most recognizable leather from the famous French fashion house. Caviar is the most coveted of all Chanel leathers, and it has the highest resale value. It is made from grained calfskin, with visible, tactile grain, making it a tougher and heavier leather than lambskin, and a popular choice among those who want to use their Chanel bag more often.
When crafted with Chanel’s iconic diamond quilting, Caviar retains its puffed-up appearance longer than Lambskin. Caviar also holds the bag’s overall shape better than any other Chanel leather. Although caviar does not show scratches and imperfections as easily as other leathers, it is essential to care for and store it properly. Also note that light-colored Caviar leather is prone to color transfer, so be careful not to place it against dark fabrics.
Chanel Calfskin
Soft and smooth, Chanel calfskin is made from calf hide. Most often used in Chanel’s iconic quilted designs, such as the Boy bag, its small, delicate grain gives it an elegant texture. Calfskin is highly versatile, perfectly balancing the soft, supple feel of lambskin and the appearance of caviar. Despite its smooth appearance and feel, calfskin is quite durable.
Chanel Aged Calfskin
Often seen in Chanel’s Reissue line because of its vintage look with visible wrinkles, aged calfskin is an excellent choice for those seeking a softer handbag for everyday use. This Chanel leather does not easily show scratches or imperfections. It feels soft to the touch but is almost as durable and long-lasting as Caviar.
Chanel Glazed Calfskin
Smooth to the touch with a glossy appearance, this Chanel leather has a polished quality that appeals to many. However, be sure to store your glazed calfskin bag with the handles inside the bag, and do not let it rub against hard surfaces, as the glazing can come off. Glazed calfskin develops slight cracking with wear, and many people appreciate this worn-in look.
Chanel Iridescent Calfskin
Shiny, sparkling, and splendid. Often compared to caviar in terms of durability, Chanel iridescent calfskin does not show scratches, and it is perfect for handbags that are carried often. In addition, this easy-to-clean Chanel leather can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.
Chanel Goatskin
Goatskin is one of the strongest and most durable leathers among all luxury handbags. It can withstand considerable wear and is an excellent option for handbags that are heavily used, such as totes. Despite its sturdiness, goatskin is very soft to the touch. Keep in mind that with wear, goatskin handbags will sag a little at the top, but the sides will keep their shape.
Chanel Metallic Goatskin
This Chanel leather has the same durable qualities as goatskin, but it is coated to create a beautiful metallic sheen. With heavy wear, the metallic film on the bag may begin to flake or come off, so be careful with your metallic Chanel goatskin bag, and always carry it with the utmost care, or reserve it for special occasions.
Chanel Patent Leather
Made from calfskin, glossy patent leather gives any bag an instant vintage look and feel. Be aware that this Chanel leather tends to transfer color. Keep light-colored patent leather bags away from dark fabrics, such as denim. Patent leather requires special care when being carried or stored, as scratches are impossible to remove.
Chanel Cracked Patent Leather
With its soft grain and cracked appearance, this Chanel leather has distinctive vintage appeal. Scratches and imperfections blend into the look of cracked patent leather and are not visible, making it the ideal patent leather for people who do not want to ruin their bags.
Chanel Lizard Leather
Most often seen on Boy bags, this exotic Chanel leather is made from sharkskin or lizard skin. It owes its name to the leather goods maker Jean-Claude Galuchat, who used new techniques to create it. Galuchat leather is often painted in different colors, and it is impressively durable, even more so than cowhide leathers.
Chanel Exotic Skins
Chanel leathers derived from exotic skins such as crocodile and python have been discontinued, but it is still possible to find a special piece on the secondary market.
Chanel Alligator Leather
A popular material at Chanel is alligator skin. A Chanel alligator handbag will have exceptionally vibrant colors and will be very sophisticated. The leather is also quite durable because it does not show scuffs. However, alligator skin must be conditioned and stored properly to keep it looking beautiful and fresh for as long as possible.
Chanel Crocodile Leather
Chanel crocodile handbags differ from their alligator counterparts because of the size of the scales. Alligator scales are more symmetrical, while crocodile scales are more defined. Crocodile skin features small “pores” in the center of each scale, which is another distinction. Both of these exotic skins should be kept away from water and conditioned often.
Chanel Python Leather
The scales of python skin bring out colors beautifully, and the wide range of patterns ensures that no two Chanel python bags are ever exactly alike. Python is a lightweight and relatively easy-to-care-for Chanel leather, but it must be kept away from water to prevent damage. Python scales tend to lift and are difficult to flatten back down. Coated python is more durable than untreated python, although the scales are not as pronounced when coated.
Other Chanel Materials
Not all Chanel bag materials are leather. Chanel bags elevate the look and feel of simple fabrics to levels of luxury only Chanel can achieve.
Chanel Jersey Fabric
If you are looking for a more casual bag that is still Chanel, you cannot go wrong with Jersey. This knitted fabric is ideal for everyday use, but keep in mind that, as with any Chanel fabric, stains can appear, and this is a Jersey you should never try to wash yourself. Professional cleaning is recommended. When buying a Chanel jersey bag, keep in mind that pilling may appear over time with heavy use.
Chanel Tweed Fabric
Few things are more iconic than a Chanel tweed or bouclé suit. If you love this material but are not overly fond of suits, Chanel tweed bags are chic and eye-catching. This Chanel material can feel rough to the touch, but it is quite durable. Just be sure your tweed bag does not snag on anything, as holes are difficult to repair.
Chanel Canvas Fabric
Chanel canvas is an elegant option for those who want a more casual look. This Chanel canvas material offers little to no structure, giving any canvas handbag a relaxed look. Chanel uses canvas in its popular Deauville totes. As with any fabric, watch out for stains, as they are difficult to remove. But the very tight weave of the material ensures that Chanel canvas bags do not pill and are not likely to snag.
Chanel Velvet Fabric
Velvet has surged back in popularity in recent years, perhaps because its royal elegance makes any Chanel velvet bag instantly Instagrammable. This Chanel fabric material is every bit as dressy as the finest leather. However, velvet must be handled with the utmost care, as the fabric can rub, and any stains or imperfections are difficult to fix.
Cleaning and Storing a Chanel Leather Bag
Now that we have reviewed Chanel leathers and fabrics, let’s see how to care for these exquisite accessories. Although Chanel offers a “spa treatment” to revitalize worn bags, learning how to clean and care for your own Chanel bag will give you the best result for years to come.
Cleaning Chanel Leather Bags
Cleaning Chanel leather bags cannot and should not involve water. Leather can stain or bubble with water. And hard water can leave water marks that can be difficult to remove. Instead, clean, condition, and revitalize your Chanel leather bags with a gentle, colorless care cream. At The Brand Collector, we use Meltonian 170 delicate cream to nourish and bring out the shine of our Chanel leather bags. Apply the cream to a clean microfiber cloth. Gently dab it onto the leather bag, then work it in by rubbing lightly. Let the bag rest for 30 minutes so it can absorb the moisturizer, then gently buff the leather to make it shine. You can also use a baby wipe (choose one without additives) to clean stains, but remember to condition the leather afterward.
If the Chanel logo or hardware is dull, use a silver cleaning cloth to polish the metal. This will remove tarnish and minimize the appearance of small scratches.
How to Store a Chanel Leather Bag
When storing a Chanel bag, it is essential to do so in a smoke-free environment, free of perfume and mothballs. These odors seep into the leather and fabric of the Chanel bag and may be impossible to remove.
Empty your Chanel bag of its wallet, keys, and any other contents. You do not want these items pressing against the leather or fabric and potentially creating creases or dents. Tuck the chain handles inside the bag to avoid damaging the leather surface, then place the bag in its dust bag. Keep the bag in a temperature-controlled environment, away from excessive dryness or humidity.
Buying Chanel Leather Bags
Now, you have the scoop on all Chanel leathers and materials, as well as how to care for them. Whatever Chanel leather handbag you are looking to buy, we are sure you will find the bag of your dreams at The Brand Collector. Happy shopping!
