It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the bags and different styles Chanel carries – they often look similar to each other (but aren’t). It’s ok. This is a safe space, and we’re here to make things a little easier for you. This is a guide to the different types of leather Chanel makes (in no particular order) so you’ll know exactly what it is you’re looking for when you’re ready to buy your bag.
Lambskin
One of the most popular leathers Chanel makes, lambskin leather is silky smooth to the touch. You’ll typically see lambskin leather on the infamous Chanel flap bags. How do they make the lambskin so soft, you ask? The skin gets tanned with the wool remaining on the skin. This gives the lambskin that lovely, smooth appearance and an added layer of protection so it ages more gracefully with time. However, If lambskin is not treated properly, the “puffiness” in the quilt will flatten eventually. Use a dry cloth to wipe and keep away from anything that could possible stain or dent this material.
Caviar
Chanel Caviar leather comes in as a close second to lambskin leather in terms of cult favorites. Caviar leather is known for its intricate geometric diamond quilt design and conveys a puffy, bumpy-like three-dimensional type of leather. Many people don’t know this, but Caviar is essentially made up of a grained lambskin leather. This leather will hold its puffiness over time if stored correctly – its presence can be maintained if wiped with a dry cloth.
Deerskin
Made with deer hide, deerskin leather has a pebbled appearance and is thicker than most Chanel leathers. Deerskin is typically used for larger bags that require a heavier leather; it’s definitely a tougher and more durable. However, after many shoppers complained that the deerskin material was too heavy, Chanel changed its deerskin leather to quilted calfskin. Quilted calfskin has a similar appearance to deerskin, which brings us to our next type of leather.
Quilted Calfskin
Made entirely of calf hide, this high quality leather is mainly used on Chanel boy bags and is very durable despite its smooth appearance. Though its leather is ultimately thinner in comparison to others, quilted calfskin is strong yet lightweight, unlike deerskin leather. There are a plethora of calfskin leathers to choose from, including cracked patent calfskin leather, glazed calfskin, and metallic leather just to name a few.
Patent Leather
Chanel patent leather has a slick, shiny appearance. The only notable cons that patent leather possesses is that its typically stain-proof. It can still be cleaned and wiped down with a cloth, however this shiny leather is not resistant to stains. Patent leather is mostly used with Chanel flap bags, Boy Bags, and wallet on a chain bags.
Goatskin
Chanel Goatskin leather is the most durable leather in comparison to the other leathers. It can certainly withstand the test of time. Goatskin leather still manages to have a heavy-duty nature even though its soft to the touch. This leather is mainly used on Chanel diamond quilted flap bags, Boy Bags, wallets, and small leather goods.
Alligator
Chanel alligator leather is one of the most luxurious materials there is, a rare and sought after leather. The alligator leather comes in many different colors and styles, although the fashion house has ultimately decided to no longer work with exotic animal leathers, (such as alligator and python) in the future. Alligator is still worth a mention, because it was one of Chanel’s signature leathers used in the iconic flap bag.
Python
One of the finest of Chanel leathers, Chanel Python is made of 100 percent python. Aside from its luxurious charm, what shoppers love most about python is that it ages very well. Although Chanel has ultimately decided that the fashion house will no longer be using exotic leathers in their future designs, Python is still a fan favorite.
Galuchat
Galuchat leather is named after master artisan Jean-Claude Galluchat from France who lived in the 18th century. Many people don’t know this, but Galuchat leather is actually made with shark or stingray skin. At first glance, Galuchat looks like it has a bubbly texture to it, almost like it has a rhinestone-studded effect. Though Galuchat is not the most common of Chanel leathers, it’s definitely one that will last a very long time.
