Different Types of Chanel Leather

September 12, 2020

Chanel uses different types of leather and combinations of materials on its bags, creating different looks, textures and feels on a same bag model, such as Chanel 2.55 Reissue Flap Bag.

Some types of leather are very similar and difficult to differentiate. Some leathers are covered with embellishment like sequins, studs or strasses and thus difficult to identify. To enable you to have a basic idea of how those various Chanel leathers look like, I have thus compiled a list (not exhaustive) and named the leathers according to Chanel website.

Every type of leather has its own pros and cons. Leather in metallic could be difficult to maintain although it looks stunning and futuristic. The metallic coating can peel or fall off due to regular abrasion. Similarly, leather bag embellished with sequins looks gorgeous but very difficult to maintain, because the sequins can fall off or the arrangement of those spangles will become very messy and almost impossible to restore. So Chanel bags using leather in metallic or sequins are not suitable for daily use but only for special occasions. For patent leather in glossy finish, although it is water resistant, colour migration can easily happen due to abrasion too. Check out this post, The Attributes of Vinyl and Patent Leather, to get tips on how to care for bags made of patent leather. We are carrying our bags with us, thus there is no way to avoid any abrasion unless you are using protectors like capes or jackets specially for bags. However, I personally do not like to hide my bag despite the fact that I know I can better protect it from damage. The purpose for us to buy a Chanel bag is to show off on top of pampering ourselves, not to hide it, don’t we?

Click at the leather type in point form below and it will lead you to the respective section that showcasing the variations. I will be updating this post for more leather types from time to time. I hope you like it.

Calfskin
Goatskin
Lambskin
Sheepskin
Combinations

Calfskin

Goatskin

Lambskin

Click here to go back to list.

Sheepskin

A same leather material that is treated differently presents distinctive looks, see images below.

Chanel shearling sheepskin — Shearling sheepskin

Combinations

Some leathers are covered with embellishment like sequins, studs or strasses and thus difficult to identify the types. Leather bag embellished with sequins looks gorgeous but very difficult to maintain, because the sequins can fall off or the arrangement of those spangles will become very messy and almost impossible to restore due to wear and tear.