May 04, 2017 5 min read
Louis Vuitton bags are known for a few staples that make them instantly recognizable to almost anyone's eyes. The revered Monogram canvas is a Vuitton trademark that's accompanied by another equally-iconic detail: Vachetta leather. The trim, handles, and piping of many Louis Vuitton bags are made from this distinguished leather, which has led many people to develop preferences about their Vachetta leather and the patina that it develops. Truthfully, we can't help but be dazzled by the look of an older Louis Vuitton bag that has been well taken care of and that has developed a beautiful patina. That's why we've put together this tell-all about the Louis Vuitton Vachetta leather that's so coveted.
Vachetta leather is a straight-forward material. It's an untreated cowhide, meaning it hasn't been dyed or treated with preservation processes that more commonplace leathers undergo. Staying in a natural state makes untreated leather susceptible to discoloration and water stains, but this also allows it to age naturally and develop what's called a patina: a sheen of oils and other elements from the environment that darken the Vachetta leather. Many people love the way Vachetta leather on Louis Vuitton bags can imbue a crisp and new or vintage look on each bag depending on how deep of a color the patina has developed. Over time, this type of leather ages with your bag without detracting from it, whereas some other leathers or fabrics can degrade faster than other materials that may be present on the piece. In the case of Louis Vuitton bags, the combination of Vachetta leather and Monogram canvas is a perfect match in terms of durability and aging gracefully.
On many bags, including some varieties of Louis Vuitton styles, the leather will have undergone an extensive treatment process that can change the color, texture, gloss, and durability of the leather. That's why knowing the difference between untreated and treated leather can help you make a more informed decision as to which bag suits your lifestyle the best. Although all leather has been processed to some degree, treated leathers are the majority of us think of when it comes to leather goods we can pick up at the store. Treated leather makes some of the most popular bags, leather jackets, wallets, and other small goods because of the various colors it can come in, the gloss, the water/stain resistance, and the texture options provided. Treated leather will have gone through a much more rigorous preservation process which natural, untreated leathers avoid the majority of. Vachetta leather is made from cowhide that is left untreated. This means that it's still processed to a certain extent but it does not undergo glossing, dyeing, or tanning. As a result, Vachetta leather is about as natural as you can get, which allows your authentic Louis Vuitton bag to age beautifully as the leather darkens in color.
Aside from cleaning, which does not typically lighten Vachetta leather from the color of patina it has already developed, Louis lovers do have another option: restoration. Many people have discussed the use of a Magic Eraser to "restore" the Vachetta leather on their bags to a lighter color because it tends to abrasively remove the layers of buildup that have accumulated on the leather. Afterwards, moisturizing the bag is key to ensure that using the Magic Eraser doesn't strip the leather too much and leave it more vulnerable. Be sure to keep in mind that any restoration will not be a fix-all for deep stains or bringing the leather back to that brand-new, pale beige color.
If your bag has been damaged, you can also take your item to your nearest Louis Vuitton store so that it can be sent to the repair center to be fixed. This can include Louis Vuitton trying to alleviate discoloration, though returning a bag to a brand-new state is unlikely. For more great information all about Louis Vuitton, be sure to check out our other Louis Vuitton blogs or our shop to check out what's in stock now!
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