Question from Stacey
Hi Debra,
I am searching for a new leather handbag and wonder about the different leathers.
First, I wonder if a “quilted” leather bag contains a synthetic batting to make the quilted appearance.
I also discovered a type of leather called “saffiano leather” which is a textured leather with some sort of coating (not sure, but from what I have read, it is most often a wax). This saffiano leather is supposedly more durable, but I wonder if it is as safe to use as a regular leather.
Thanks so much!
Debra’s Answer
I think it’s highly likely that any padding used in an off-the-shelf handbag would be synthetic.
About the Saffiano leather…First, it’s leather, which has many toxic chemicals to begin with, and second a wax is added, probably paraffin. That’s just more petrochemicals.
Look on the Bags page of Debra’s List. I’ve been adding websites that use less toxic materials. Perhaps you can find something there.
