How to choose a leather handbag. On one of our walks around Portland I noticed a warehouse with the words, Orox Leather Co., painted on the front. Since I’ve been searching for leather craftsmen who might be interested in working on a project with me, I promptly dragged my husband right over. This shop is run by the Martinez brothers, Martin and Levi, and it’s not just a store but a true artist’s space as well. They design everything in the store and make it right there behind the counter.
“Our products are designed to harmonically blend the durability of leather and the sustainability of recycled materials, with the purpose of being passed on to coming generations as a heritage of American craft. It is our hope to continue to manifest our artistic expression in the same manner that our great grandparents seventy years ago, maintaining tradition while developing with the future”.
I find that many leather bags can be very heavy as the hardware and type of materials used add a lot of bulk. Not these bags. The stitching is very sturdy and with minimal additions, the bags are all featherweight. Each bag is a little bit different due to the fact that they are handcrafted and leather by nature isn’t uniform.
Here’s a tip on how to choose a leather handbag. You always want to check the stitching on a bag, it’s one of the ways to tell if the quality of the piece is good. Take a look at the strap on your bag. If there’s stitching around the edges then you’re in the clear, that purse can be fixed if any threads come undone because it’s all leather. If, however, there is no stitching then the handle (if it’s stiff) is most likely glued together and reinforced with heavy cardboard. Yes, you read that right, cardboard. Apparently a lot of shoes have this same affliction if the sole doesn’t say that it’s leather and it’s not rubber then oftentimes it’s actually painted cardboard. It pays to ‘hang out’ with your local shoe repair guy, there’s no telling what you can learn.
If I’m investing in a bag or a pair of shoes (as in I want it to last me more than a season) then I always pay close attention to quality so I can repair the piece as needed for years to come. I loved every piece at Orox and could immediately tell they would last a lifetime.
What are your tips on how to choose a leather handbag ?
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53 Comments
This place looks just exquisite! I’ve been looking for a good leather tote just like the one in your pic!
Cheers,
Eileen
Oh, yes you would love these bags and they are at a good price point!
The leather bags look divine! What a great place you found to go shopping for some fabulous bags!
Sofia
stylishlyinlove.blogspot.com
I really did, they are just beautiful!
xo
This little store looks amazing, what a great find! 🙂
http://sillylittlepictures.blogspot.co.uk/
Thanks so much! I love finding wonderful little stores.
xo
This store looks amazing, what a great find! 🙂
http://sillylittlepictures.blogspot.co.uk/
It really is, thanks!
xo
ohhhh I love craftsmen!! It’s so cool to have someone customize something for you! I once had a leather guy who lived in my street in Cairo make me some custom boots.
xx
Sophisticated Lace
Wow that sounds pretty amazing! I would love that.
xo
Amazing place to visit!!! The quality of the shoes and bags looks really nice!
xoxo
Lady Trends
http://myladytrends.blogspot.com.es/ NEW POST!
It is! They use beautiful materials.
xo
Very cool! Love that they incorporate recycled materials!
-Jamie
ChatterBlossom
I know, I was really impressed by that.
xo
Now that’s a shop I would like to visit. I love leather goodies so so much, especially when they are hand made.
Best Regards
Miss Margaret Cruzemark
http://margaretcruzemark.blogspot.com/
It’s a really great shop, I can’t wait to get one of their bags.
xo
Those bags look amazing!!
Hope
hchdesigns.blogspot.com
They really are beautiful!
xo
Cool place…. lovely bags!!!!
I would like to visit this store!!!!!
Kisses & hugs Caroline!
It’s a great store and they do custom work!
xo
What a cute and quaint place! Leather goods cannot be beat – they are definitely great investment pieces that will last much longer than the average trendy piece.
I agree! It really is a lovely place.
xo
Ah, girlfriend, you had me at “bags and shoes”, lol … What a great shop! I swear I could smell both leather and wood, just by looking at your beautiful pictures.
XOXO Nensi
Ha! You know, I didn’t even think of it but you could totally smell the leather.
xo
Is it weird that I feel like I can smell this picture? Slowly learning to love leather, apart from a great pair of leather pumps…
Oh and another note…I hope your project has a 4 inch heel and comes in a women’s size 11… 😉
We can talk!
noooo because that shop does have that wonderful leather scent.
xo
I’m fascinated by leather products manufacture, I enjoyed very much this post!
xoxo
Coco et La vie en rose
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Thank you! It was a really interesting workroom
xo
The bags looks amazing….and I’m sure they are so soft…like only real leather can be!
Nameless Fashion Blog
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PS. Don’t forget to check my latest post, featuring a stunning Oasap overall !!!
They are wonderful!
xo
I wish you a wonderful evening Caroline!!!!!
Kisses
WOW! Guatemala have a greatleather production too, but let me tell you that Portland makes me say WOW, thanks for sharing with us your leather expedition
kisses
http://www.petitgraphie.blogspot.com
It was such a great shop. Actually I’d love to go to Guatemala and see everything!
xo
Love the used leather look..great store!
http://jezzdallasmakeup.blogspot.com/
What a fantastic shop!! We used to have one like that here. This makes me miss it, plus he was a master with shoes. Love those bags!!
xoAmy
http://www.dreamingincashmere.com
I was really happy when I found it and their shoes are pretty awesome!
xo
I was wondering what you ended up finding! This is a great one! Thank you for sharing as always 🙂
GREAT POST! Really like it. I am about to follow you, maybe you could head over to my blog and follow me too? I have an upcoming post about the Lush event I went too! PS- Love the design of your blog.
http://www.charlyb128.blogspot.com
Thank you so much, will check out your site now!
xo
It’s so much more fun to shop when the store you’re in looks great and has fun displays 😛
You’re right it absolutely is!
xo
oh it all looks so divine!!! Leather just never goes out of style♥
I agree it never does!
xo
lovely!!!:)
http://www.borsadimarypoppins.com
Thank you!
xo
What a unique looking shop. Would love to visit sometime 🙂
It was! I miss it actually.
xo
Hey Caroline, I just sent this email to your blog email account and it bounced back so here it is-
Hello Caroline
Hope all is well.
You are the winner of the dress I advertised on my Giveaway!
If you could give me the Polish address you mentioned that would be great.
Also I will post the dress asap, I will have to find a post office near my job or do it one of my day’s off- but its coooooooming!
Thanks for taking part and generally leaving comments on my blog! x
Thanks for the find from a recent transplant! Looking forward to more leather in my life. 🙂
My pleasure! There are so many wonderful stores in Portland! I hope you have lots of interesting discoveries.
xo