Italian Leather blog

May 29, 2009

Using a Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bag

Filed under: Leather Briefcases — Tags: , — admin @ 10:44 am

The Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bag – an overview

Starting last year, manufacturers have begun to produce the checkpoint friendly laptop bag which reduces hassle for a large number of travelers in airports. This article tries to describe what these bags are and what makes them checkpoint friendly.

Airport Screening Delays

Air travel has been a commodity experience for quite some time now. However, airport restrictions and procedures relating to screening have only become stricter over time. From removing shoes to being unable to carry liquids and creams. Frequent business travelers tire of this and seek the most efficient way to get through these procedures to save time.

Laptops and Screening

Current regulations for those carrying laptops require that they be removed from their cases and laid onto the scanner’s conveyor belt. This is done to ensure that a clear view of the laptop is obtained without obstruction. While this procedure makes sense, it’s an increased burden for passengers who sometimes have to dig through their luggage, retrieve their laptop, and finally store it away again. Saying that this is inconvenient is an understatement.

Enter the Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bag

In 2008, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) approached the manufacturers of laptop bags and asked them to design bags that meet certain criteria which would allow passengers to leave the laptop within their bag without compromising the security scanner. The five criteria included specifications such as no zippers inside or outside the bag and no pockets either. Manufacturers responded fairly enthusiastically to the idea and created the checkpoint friendly bags according to the specifications.

Laptop bag styles

The primary feature of checkpoint friendly laptop bags is that they must have a section within them that is dedicated for the laptop only. In addition, the bag must be constructed such that it enables that particular section to be exposed and laid flat on the conveyor belt, thus giving an unobstructed view of the laptop.

The other main feature is that there must be nothing between the laptop section and the scanner – no pockets, zips, or any other item other than the laptop. There are three primary styles of laptop bags. They are:

  1. The Butterfly Style
  2. The Trifold Style
  3. The Sleeve Style

The three styles are show below:

Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bag

Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bag

Summary

With the advent of checkpoint friendly laptop bags, passengers don’t need to inconvenience themselves anymore by fumbling in their cases. These bags are a welcome addition to the range of laptop bag choices available on the market.

May 22, 2009

The Leather Travel Shoulder Bag

Filed under: Leather Briefcases — Tags: , , , — admin @ 10:34 am

Traveling casually

We’ve seen in earlier posts what to look for when carrying a briefcase on your travel trips. However, those were only for formal trips where it was important to convey an air of sophistication and importance. For those sort of trips, we saw that the briefcase styles must be sober and yet strong. The overall image was one of a careful business person. A leather travel shoulder bag however, creates an entirely different impression.

What if you want to convey a more rugged look? What if you’re not the serious sophisticated kind of guy, but a more fashion savvy and modern type? Carrying a slick leather briefcase just doesn’t cut it. It stands out like a sore thumb. In such cases, you need something that suits your style and is yet properly functional and suited to your needs.

The leather travel shoulder bag

A leather travel shoulder bag is one that you sling over either of your shoulders instead of carrying in your hand. It’s more informal and is amenable to a wide range of styles – each of which conveys a different impression. Such is the power of leather, that it can portray several completely different types of people!

The Leather travel shoulder bag

The Leather travel shoulder bag

For example, a leather travel shoulder bag that is distressed goes well with the rugged jeans look. The sort of wolverine type. There is a prevailing impression that shoulder bags are girly, but that certainly isn’t so. Hugh Jackman himself has been spotted carrying one, and so it certainly can’t be all bad! They can even come in double strap styles which allow them to be slung over both shoulders. However, that look isn’t for the macho types. It’s for a more college going hip sort of guy.

Features to look for

Basically, since leather travel shoulder bags come in so many different sizes, you have to look out for what purpose you want to use it for. For frequent travelers and students, you might want to carry a laptop. However, if it’s a netbook type of laptop, then it needn’t be very large. In any case, the type of image conveyed doesn’t really go well with a business laptop, so my guess is that would be less of a consideration.

However, other factors like proper cushioning and plenty of pockets still hold. Adjustable straps that can go all the way without hitting the shoulder pad are important. Unlike a briefcase however, they need not be detachable.

Summary

It’s good to have different sorts of accessories to carry around. A leather travel shoulder bag is certainly useful when you just want to chill out and not take yourself too seriously!

May 14, 2009

Leather Cell Phone Accessories

Filed under: Gifts — Tags: — admin @ 10:35 am

All about Leather Cell Phone accessories

Overview of the importance of the cell phone while conveying your image, as well as an understanding of which leather cell phone accessories to use.

What your phone says about you

Cell phones being as ubiquitous as they are, have come to represent a person’s personality – and predictably so. This is evinced by the fact that teenagers and other “hippy” types carry around brightly colored phones and the more serious people’s phones are somewhat sober. The same goes for leather cell phone accessories. Are you aware of what your phone says about you? If you’re reading this article, you probably are.

Good choices of phone that go with beautiful leather accessories are those that are slick and darkly colored – matching the color of the leather. Business phones like the Blackberry are examples of this type. The iPhone would have been a good choice, but it’s overall image is that of being trendy rather than professional.

Types of leather cell phone accessories

There are just two or three standard types of leather accessories for cell phones on the market. Let us take a look at them.

Leather Cell phone cases

Cell phone cases are certainly the most visible of all accessories. Moreover, they are absolutely necessary, and so while you will inevitable make a choice, you might as well make one that is stylish and representative of your personality and image. Cell phone cases come in two types – hip cases and those that you carry around in your pocket.

Hip cases are generally not recommended for those seeking sophistication. They give a sort of swashbuckling impression reminiscent of the cowboy – and while this is appropriate for certain types of people, not many can carry it off without seeming too aggressive and unsophisticated. Also, the exposed nature of the case makes it vulnerable to damage and scratches. And that certainly isn’t a good idea.

Pocket cases are the ones to go for – preferably one that’s kept in your breast pocket. Slick and elegant, they’re ideal for conveying just the right image you want. They can be brown or black or in between depending on your taste, but not any other color.

Cell phone chargers

These are also nifty accessories. Car chargers and regular cords don’t leave much for customization. But there are certain chargers on the market that can charge all your devices at once, and these can be very elegant. No one’s going to see it though, so it’s mainly for your own personal enjoyment – but the real man never does anything solely for others anyway!

Summary

Leather cell phone accessories are a simple, but effective way to convey the right impression. It’s also easy to go wrong, and therefore it’s worth a bit of money to make sure you come across in the way you want to come across – stylish and sophisticated.

May 13, 2009

What’s the current trend in 2009 for mens leather wallets

Filed under: Leather Wallets — Tags: , , — admin @ 11:36 am

Even Wallets have fashion trends!

Even something as timeless and classic as the wallet undergoes seasonal trends. These are not necessarily going to stay, but they do make you fashionable and trendy. Every once in a while, a trend becomes more than a passing fad and makes its way into the basic design of the wallet. Who knows which ones will pass away and which ones will stick around? Certainly in 2009, there are some trends that have the potential to change the look of the wallet forever. So what are they? Let see…

2009 trends for the leather wallet

Multifunction wallets

These days, its all about convergence. As devices are invented to make all our services come together, the same logic is being applied to our accessories – including wallets. Say hello to wallets that come with bottle openers and attached key chains. What the functions are varies distinctly from person to person. One may choose to have a digital photograph pane in the side of his wallet, whereas another will find a built in calculator more appropriate.

In addition, you can have wallets that have attached USB drives, or a mixture of all of the above. There really is no limit to what we can come up with when we think hard enough. Is this here to stay? Partly at least, I’m sure!

PDA Cases cum Wallets

There’s been a recent blending between wallets and cases that are meant to hold things other than money – like PDAs for example. Whether the PDA case has become the wallet, or vice versa, is a moot point. Designers are realizing that the “straight” wallet can be adapted to fit a phone/PDA into it, allowing a wallet to be used for both purposes.

Some of these cases are really worthy of being called a tour de force of fashion.

Leather Clips

As a rebel sort of trend, some people prefer simplicity. They are eschewing wallets entirely in favor of trendy money clips. These are usually made of high quality Italian leather and are particularly amenable to be branded by high end fashion houses. They can be very expensive!

Non Fold Wallets

The famous designer Castello recently unveiled a wallet that doesn’t fold and is a sort of board for credit cards, bank notes, and even cheques. It’s a bold design and is surely one of the latest trends in 2009.

Embossed with coat of Arms

Taking the wallet to the highest level of personalization, some people have had their wallets laser engraved with their personal design choice that resembles a coat of arms. This isn’t as narcissistic as you think. It’s merely an expression of one’s individuality. And an extremely stylish one at that – especially if you design your own unique emblem!

Pass or fail?

Personally I think that the wallet/PDA case combine is definitely going to stay, as well as the occasional multi function innovation. That’s not to say that the others aren’t trendy – they are very much so. But will they stand the test of time? I’m not very sure that they will.

May 12, 2009

Facts about Italian leather and fine leather accessories

Filed under: Gifts,Leather Wallets — Tags: , — admin @ 12:42 pm

“Awesome Italian leather”

There is much confusion about what Italian leather is, and why it is called the best in the world. While it is true that many types of the finest leather are created in Italy, there are other countries that produce exceptional leather as well.

What exactly Italian leather is, is also a matter of debate. Many factors can lead to a piece of leather being called Italian. Hides that are processed in Italy (though they originated elsewhere) can be called Italian leather. Also, some firms that are registered in Italy, call their products Italian leather though there may be no connection between the final product and Italy!

Great leather is largely determined by the quality of the rawhide – and that in turn depends on the health and the quality of the animal from whom the hide was taken. Most leather comes from cows, but much of the fine Italian leather is actually Ostrich hide.

Regardless of what the definition is, Italian leather has come to be synonymous with quality. So what are the qualities of this magical leather that is superior to all others?

Full Grain Leather

The skin of an animal is made up of several layers. The outermost layer of the hide is the strongest and the most beautiful. You can clearly see the grain of the skin and it is therefore called Full grain leather.

The best leather is always made of Full grain leather and it also the longest lasting. With proper treatment, it can be tough or soft depending on the use. As it ages, it acquires a lovely sheen that adds value to the object. It can be used in high end furniture and carefully crafted leather accessories.

No Markings

The best quality leather has no blemishes. Several factors such as injury can create marks on an animal’s skin that don’t affect it’s integrity, but takes away from it’s status as a perfect product. The finest Italian leather is always blemish free.

Accessories

These characteristics make Italian leather suitable for high end purposes. Let’s take a look at some of the applications they can be put to:

Wallets and Purses

Wallets and purses are ideally suited to fine Italian leather. This is because they are luxury items that can be taken care of, thus ensuring that the leather remains unblemished. They can be viewed as status symbols and only the finest Italian leather is worthy of being the best.

Shoes

Designer shoes that come from the best fashion houses are all made of genuine Italian leather. Once more, they are meant to be taken care of, otherwise they can get tarnished and spoiled.

High End Furniture

The best furniture can come covered with Italian leather to add to it’s luster and luxuriousness. You sometimes find antique furniture that is coated with quality leather and they are highly prized. Furniture is easier to take care of than shoes with regard to scratches, and so they are ideally suited for being adorned with Italian leather.

Can an American man carry a small leather shoulder bag?

Filed under: Leather Briefcases — Tags: — admin @ 12:41 pm

The “Feminine” shoulder bag

Women have always got the better deal when it comes to choice of accessories. Take handbags for example. There are a wide variety of bags that women can choose to keep all their little gadgets and nick knacks in and look sexy. Large, small, leather, strapless – the list is endless. Why should this be so? What do men do if they have to carry around a medium sized assortment of items?

Traditionally, the man carries a briefcase or a large shoulder bag for these items. But both of these are overkill, and a briefcase doesn’t fit nicely over a shoulder for everyday wear. It’s too formal as well. What about for casual wear?

A growing number of fashion designers are realizing that men need to have options with regard to these sort of accessories too. To cope with the demand, several really cool man-bags or shoulder bags for men have come out that maintain that masculine image and yet include the functionality. Let’s take a look at some of them.

Single Strap bags

Celebrities like Jack Bauer (the protagonist of the wildly popular TV show “24″) have helped the single strap shoulder bag gain widespread acceptance. The most important design consideration – and understandably so – is that they should not look like a woman’s purse. This is achieved by making it hang lower than regular purses and including a more rectangular sort of design with a brute focus on functionality over aesthetics.

The size of these man bags make it very easy to carry around a small collection of items without committing too much into a large sized briefcase. They’re perfect for two types of men – students and travelers. Students, because they always need to carry their books with them, and frequent travelers, because some of them travel light and just need to have the basics.

And of course, secret agents :) .

Double Strap leather shoulder bags

These are a little more difficult to carry off well with men, but there are some that do an exceptionally good job. Most useful for students – once more for the same reason noted above – they’re easier to cart around and don’t get in your way when you walk.

As with shoulder bags, care is taken to make sure that they’re not feminine, by making them hang lower and stitching them in unique shapes that don’t make them look like the sort carried by women.

Celebrities carrying leather shoulder bags

The leather shoulder bag for men is carried off by several masculine celebs like Seal, and Hugh Jackman (Jackman’s bag got a 66% approval rating by fans). Even Ryan Reynolds comes out of the man bag pictures looking like a total badass! And of course, Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer.
So in summarizing, we should note that men’s leather shoulder bags are coming into vogue. While they can certainly be pulled off, they require careful choice and selection to ensure that they don’t detract from your macho image!

May 11, 2009

Why not to use the “Distressed Look” for leather wallets

Filed under: Leather Wallets — Tags: , — admin @ 10:13 am

The “Distressed” Look – Leather wallets

One of the relatively new fads in the fashion world, is having your accessories look as if they’ve been used for a while. There are several ways to achieve this. One of them,is simply purchasing products that have been manufactured to look like that. This style is mostly used for jeans, but has recently come to be used for lots of other items including leather wallets.

The distressed look for leather wallets means that it looks as if the wallet has been in use for a long time and has undergone many trials and bears the marks of having been abused. While this sort of look is perfectly fine for apparel like jackets and jeans, it fails miserably when it’s applied to leather wallets for reasons that are explained below. If you’re thinking of buying a leather wallet with a distressed look, drop the idea now.

Features of the distressed look in leather wallets

Wallets that have the distressed look are recognizable by several features including frayed edges, and small scraps of leather peeling off the sides. In addition, they will be discolored and will have a rough feel to them. The scale of these aberrations depends on the magnitude of the “Distressed look”.

But perhaps the most obvious feature of these types of products, is the “bumped” and “warped” contours that accompany them. Imagine soaking your hand in water for a long time – then translate the final look onto leather. You’ll get a general idea of what a warped leather wallet looks like.

Distressed Look leather wallet – impressions

Leather wallets that have a distressed look convey an extremely poor impression to the onlooker. Unlike regular leather apparel that looks “cool”, a normal, properly maintained leather wallet doesn’t have to look shabby. This is because a caring owner will ensure that the wallet retains it’s shape and look. After all, a wallet is something that you keep your money in. What does a shabby wallet say about the way you handle your money?

In addition, a distressed leather wallet simply doesn’t go well in all situations, especially those that require formal wear. You will be conveying a very bad image to a prospective employer.

Additional considerations

You must always assume that leather wallets that have a distressed look are not made from pure leather. This is because under normal conditions, a good leather wallet will become softer and will wear it’s age gracefully. There isn’t any shortcut technique to achieve this and you would do well not to believe anyone who claims the contrary.

Distressed leather wallets have a poor texture and are probably flimsy as well. Don’t invest good money in one – get a real good quality leather wallet instead. You’ll find it serves you better in the long term.

What features to look for in leather duffel bags

Filed under: Leather Briefcases — Tags: — admin @ 10:11 am

The leather Duffel bag

Modern duffel bags are quite different from what they used to be. When the term first came into popular use, they were cylindrical “hold all” type of bags most commonly carried by soldiers. The word duffel came from a German town which used to manufacture the cloth. These days however, the leather duffel bag is any bag which is used to hold a large number of items for easy carrying – from clothes to gym equipment.There are many factors that go into choosing a leather duffel bag. We look at some of them below in the hope that you will be able to find one that is versatile and long lasting.

Shape and Size

Depending on your uses, you get duffel bags in all shapes and sizes. You often see travelers on airplanes trying to squeeze their luggage into overhead compartments. This is because they haven’t taken care to choose the right bag for their needs. Leather duffel bags have the inherent advantage of being able to mold themselves according to the shape in which they need to be stored. But that is restricted by the size of the framework.They can come in small to large sizes. Small duffel bags can be below 4000 cubic inches, whereas the large ones can be over 9000. Most people will need something in between. 9000 cubic inches is really a lot. Ensure that you are able to easily and gracefully carry it in your hands by the straps. To an extent, the size of the bag is determined by your height.

Wheels and Framework

Leather duffel bags can have optional wheels on their base. They’re not for everyone and are suitable only for some purposes. Obviously if you’re only going to use it for small distances like from the car to the gym, wheels are unnecessary. But if you plan to use it for your trips, then you will feel the need for them.

Long airport halls can wear out your arms very quickly and you frequently need to switch from one hand to the other. You will bless yourself for choosing a bag with wheels! Some bags also have an opt in framework that you can attach whenever you need to. They cost a bit more, but they greatly enhance the bags usability as they can be utilized in a variety of situations, giving you much better returns on your investment.

Straps

These will be handy for anyone and for all purposes. Leather duffel bags come with detachable straps so that you can have them on only when needed. As with briefcases, the straps need to be comfortable with a generous pad that allows cushioning on the shoulder. This provides yet another way to carry the bag when wheels will not be very appropriate.

Summary

Leather duffel bags have a wide variety of characteristics that can be used for several purposes. Try and find one that suits your needs best and you will have an item that lasts you for life.

May 7, 2009

What features to look for in a fine leather briefcase

Filed under: Leather Briefcases — Tags: — admin @ 11:46 am
Fine leather briefcases have undergone several changes over the years as a demanding public changed its needs, its budget, and its sense of style. From the old days of Kennedy carrying a large strong briefcase for all his papers, briefcases nowadays have grown even more functional with spaces for laptops and more convenient slots for PDA’s etc.

Also, many briefcases today can be carried either by men or women – a reflection of the gender neutral attitude of society. Nevertheless, if you’re a man and are buying a fine leather briefcase, you might want one that is distinctly masculine. So what do you look for in such a case? Let’s find out.

Leather Briefcase Size

It might seem obvious, but as with wallets, the size of the briefcase is the primary factor. For this you need to critically evaluate your needs. Do you carry around a phone, and a camera separately? Do you carry a laptop? How many folders and papers are required on your person? For example, lawyers constantly need to have dozens and dozens of papers around them for quick reference. Their needs will be very different from someone who has all their papers on a computer.

Also take into consideration how organized you are. If you’re the kind of person who prepares for each day, then you can get by with less space as you remove stuff you don’t need. If you find your briefcase getting overstuffed, then a bigger one is the right choice for you.

Straps

For frequent travelers, a good set of straps for the briefcase is essential. When walking down the long corridors of an airport from terminal to terminal, a heavy briefcase can easily become a huge burden. A pair of straps to dangle it from your shoulder is essential. Ensure that the straps are strong and have a good padding.

Sometimes, the padding piece hits against the buckle when the strap is really short – making it impossible to position it over your shoulder. Test all this out before you make a choice. Take care to see that the pad is nice and roomy and is properly cushioned. If you have shoulder pain, this point is a very important factor.

Laptop space

Most fine leather briefcases come with a dedicated laptop area. Ensure that there is still plenty of room for other things besides the laptop. Some manufacturers make the mistake of taking up all the space for it, and this is a huge no-no from the point of view of usability.

Also make sure that there is sufficient padding for the laptop in case it falls down.  Fine leather briefcases almost always have some padding, but you can’t be too careful.

Leather quality

Whole grain leather is the best for briefcases – both for style as well as longevity. As good leather ages, it becomes softer. You want your briefcase to be like a good friend – adapting to your needs more and more as time goes by. Get the best quality leather, and you won’t regret it.

Have fun shopping for your fine leather briefcase! Hope it lasts as long for you as Kennedy’s did.

Man’s fine leather wallet – 5 Things to look for

Filed under: Leather Wallets — Tags: — admin @ 11:43 am
There are a bewildering variety of leather wallets on the markets these days coming in all shapes, sizes, and designs. In addition, every single fashion brand of note has it’s own range of wallets for the designer crazy people.So what does one look for in a man’s fine leather wallet? There are several important considerations. Let us look at five of them one by one.

Size

All things being equal, this is the single most important factor you need to look at. It will depend entirely on your needs. There are two places that a man is going to keep his wallet – trouser pockets and the breast pocket. If you’re never going to wear a suit, then you need to pick up a wallet with a small enough size to fit into your trousers.Also, think about how much change you’re going to need. The bulk of the wallet is taken up by small change. You can have a much smaller wallet if you’re not going to carry it around. The number of credit cards you have as well as the ID you always carry with you are all factors to be taken into consideration when deciding the size.

Brand

This is a very personal subject. Many feel that the wallet should be for the purposes of utility and not fashion. And even if they are for fashion, then the brand doesn’t mean anything. However, it’s so much more fun to have a branded leather wallet! For the truly fashion conscious, a branded wallet makes a very great difference and who’s to deny that the good brands are really very stylish indeed?Aesthetics apart, it’s also true that good brands will have the best quality – at a premium price. You can be sure that the wallet will last for a long time and will withstand a good deal of stress. If you’re a person who thinks of the long term, there can be little doubt that a branded wallet is something to look out for.

Type of leather

True full grain leather is the highest quality of leather and only grows better with time. It gets softer compared to other leather types that get harder. However, it’s also more expensive and so you can go for a compromise between the two if your budget doesn’t allow it. Depending on your personal preference there are many types of leather made from the hide of various animals. Crocodile or Alligator leather for example is a very distinctive type. You can pull it off only if it suits your personality.

Color

The leather color is the most personal aspect of the wallet. You can’t go wrong with traditional colors such as brown and black, but many people are experimenting with more daring colors to suit their wardrobe and lifestyle.

Bifold or Trifold

Depending on your needs, you can get a wallet that folds into half or three parts. Most wallets for the trouser pockets will be bi fold. But if you need a little extra space to keep your checkbook, you can get wallets that will fold into three which can be kept in your breastpocket.

Overall, there are many choices for fine leather wallets. Ensure that you take a good look at what’s available before making your choice – it might stay with you for life.

Powered by WordPress