Materials & Care

FITINY Bags is made in three materials: cowhide, lambskin and nylon. Each one is chosen for a job rather than a price point, and we name which one you are getting instead of calling everything genuine leather.

Cowhide

The everyday leather, and the majority of what we make. Cowhide holds its shape, takes daily handling, and softens gradually rather than collapsing. It suits crossbody bags, small totes, structured shoulder bags and top handles — anything where the outline of the bag is part of the design.

Where our supply chain can evidence a grade or finish, the product page states it: top-grain, full-grain, pebbled or smooth. Where it cannot, we name the hide and leave the grade off. "Genuine leather" on its own tells you almost nothing, so we do not use it as a selling point.

Lambskin

Softer, lighter and finer-grained than cowhide. It suits smaller and softer shapes — mini bags, pouches, soft shoulder bags, evening pieces — where the appeal is how the bag feels in the hand rather than how sharply it holds a line.

Lambskin marks more easily than cowhide. That is the trade, and it is worth making for the right shape. If you want a bag that will be thrown into a car boot twice a week, choose cowhide.

Nylon

Nylon is not a cheaper substitute for leather. It is the right material when weight and practicality matter more than patina: long days on foot, travel, unpredictable weather.

At the same size, a nylon bag is meaningfully lighter than a leather one, and every product page lists weight so you can compare the exact two bags you are choosing between rather than taking our word for it.

We are deliberately careful with nylon claims. We do not describe a bag as waterproof, give it a technical rating, or call it recycled unless the material is documented as such — and where a recycled content figure exists, we publish the percentage rather than a vague claim.

Hardware and lining

Hardware finish, closure type and lining material are listed on every product page. We name a zipper brand only when the supplier specifies it, and we describe hardware by what it is — electroplated, for instance — rather than promising it will never tarnish.

Care

Leather — cowhide and lambskin

Wipe with a soft dry cloth. Keep leather out of prolonged direct sunlight, and if it gets wet, let it dry naturally away from heat rather than forcing it. Condition occasionally rather than frequently — over-conditioning softens leather faster than use does.

Store bags lightly stuffed to hold their shape, in a dust bag, out of direct sun. Avoid hanging a leather bag by its strap for long periods; it stretches the strap.

Nylon

Spot clean with a damp cloth and a mild soap, then air dry away from direct heat. Do not machine wash — it stresses the seams and the hardware long before it troubles the fabric.

All materials

Colour transfer from dark denim is the most common avoidable damage to a light-coloured bag, and it is much easier to prevent than to reverse. Keep pens capped and separate.