Be careful where the leather comes from

Often, the origin of the leather determines the quality of the piece you're buying. There are some countries like Italy, England, US and France who have a good track record of creating quality tanned leather.

But just because a bag is stamped "Made in Italy" doesn't mean it's quality, or even that it comes from Italy at all. Some companies do all the tanning in other countries using low quality leather and chrome tanning, then "finish" the leather in Italy and stamp the product as "Made in Italy" and charge premium prices.

When buying a leather product, ask the maker what tannery the hide came from. Hides originate from tanneries, and these tanneries have names. If they don't know the name, or insist that it was "made in Italy", there's a good chance you could be buying cheap products at a high markup.

A&A Leather uses leather from the Horween Leather Company based out of Chicago Illinois. They've been making veg tanned leather using a secret blend of oils waxes since 1905.