Leather Care and Terms / Glossary

Careful attention to the storage and cleaning of your Italian leather purchase will enhance and lengthen the lifespan of your bag, handbag, briefcase or leather accessory.

Pierotucci recognizes the importance of storing your leather bag in a suitable environment and this is why with each leather bag, handbag or briefcase they include a protective cloth sack made from a soft flannel type material. These bags allow for air to freely circulate around the stored item so that strong odors do not remain attached and so that mold is less likely to grow. The storage bags that are provided are soft, so as not to scratch the surface of your leather item and are in a color that will not transfer. If you purchase does not have a bag, please contact Pierotucci and we will send you one. If you want to make your own bag you can easily adapt a pillow case in netrual colors to serve this purpose.

When selecting a bag it is important that:

1) it is a netrual color
2) that the mouth of the bag is large enough to insert the bag without bending or deforming the bag, handbag or briefcase
3) that it is a soft material which will not scratch the leather
4) that it is permiable, allow for air to circulate freely

The first thing to do before storing your bag is to clean and empty the bag. Be sure to estract all items that are inside the bag, especially pens, markers, make-up, food items, candies, chewing gum, perfumes and other items which can potentially leak and leave a stain or oder in the bag during storage. Leather is highly asborbant and anything left inside the bag becomes a potential risk for transfer this includes not only colors but also smells. Once the bag has been thoroghly emptied then it is important to dust it off and remove an exterior dirt which over time could leave an impression or mark on the leather. Take a soft cloth which is slightly damp and wipe all exposed leather parts. DO NOT use excessive water on the leather because this will leave a stain. In the case of small scuff marks it is possible to use a small dab of neutral colored shoe polish. In the case of dirt from common use, a little bit of face cream (neutral, no color - white is acceptable - and no strong perfumes.) Dab this cream on the mark or dirt and use a dry soft cloth to buff out the mark. This will not work on ink stains.

After you have completely cleaned and emptied the bag, handbag or briefcase you will want to stuff it. Use tissue paper - or any other type of paper with no transferable colors. Ball them up and lightly stuff the item so that it takes its natural shape. The paper should be loosely rolled up and fit into the bag so that it fills in the folds. If the bag is stored in a form that is not natural then it will adopt the new form therefore, when storing your leather handbags be sure to give them the full form. Do not use newspaper, because the ink can transfer to the lining of the bag or the leather - leaving a permanent stain.

The protective cloth bag that is used for storage should have an opening large enough to comfortably fit the bag or briefcase. Do not fold or bend the bag, causing creases or un-natural lines in the bag, this could damage the bag or leave marks that will not fade. The handbag or briefcase needs to breathe in the bag, so plastic is not recommended. For short periods of time, one can use plastic but be sure that air can circulate by placing several small holes in the bag and closing it with a loose knot.

When selecting a place to store your leather item, look for an area that is not exposed to direct sunlight and large tempature differences. For example the attic is not suggested. You want to select an area that allows for a constant flow of clean, dry air and maintains a constant temperature. It is important that the bag is not stored in a place that is exposed to humidity since leather will commonly asborb excess humidity and endanger the bag to potential molds.

In most casse, unless otherwise indicated by the manufactorer or the craftsman, it is not neccessary or recommended to use any type of leather treatments. In many cases these chemicals will be asborded by the leather and shorten the life by clogging its pours. Unless noted by the producer, leather items should not be water proofed. Depending on the type of leather, such as chrome died leathers, patent leathers and leathers with a shiny finish if exposed to rain or excessive water they should be dried off immediately and left in an area with air circulation so that they dry out thoroughly. In the case of vegetable tanned leathers, excessive water can leave a mark. It is not possible to remove this mark - however if dried out immediatley one can limit the damage.

If you have any specific questions about caring for your leather bag, handbag or briefcase, please don't hesistate to contact us for more information on how to care for your Italian leather investment.

Terms / Glossary for handbags, purses, and bags for men used by Pierotucci.com

The terms used to describe leather handbags, leather purses and leather bags are as varied as the styles that are attached to them. Below we have provided a glossary of styles that we refer to in our site to describe the many styles that we offer. - can't find a term that fits what you are looking for? send us an email and we will be happy to direct you to the right place.

Backpack a bag that is supported by the shoulders with double handles and lies across the back. Backpacks are supported on either one or both shoulders.

Barrel a handbag with a long cylinder shape that resembles a barrel.

Billfold a flat wallet with a clip or slip-in compartment, which holds bills.

Box a rigid bag shaped purse, square or rectangle in shape, with a variety metal, bone, shell or wooden handle.

Bucket a roomy bag shaped like a bucket, usually has an open top and shoulder strap.

Calfskin leather made from the hide of young cattle. Calfskin has a soft, smooth texture which makes it desirable for making fine handbags.
Canvas a durable, somewhat water resistant material that is popular in backpacks and school bags.

Card case a hard case typically the perfect size and shape to hold business cards.

Carpet bag a large satchel-like bag, typically used for carry-on luggage and made out of carpet fabric.

Change purse a small purse just large enough to hold loose change. Maybe attached to a handbag; closes with a zipper, clasp or snap.

Clutch a bag with no handles that must be carried clasped in one hand or under the arm. a handbag without straps or handles that must be held or clutched by you.Clutches are usually small evening bags, and were popularized during the 1950's

Computer bag or iPad bag a purse usually a tote or shoulder bag specially designed to carry a laptop and its accessories.

Convertible bag a bag with a handle that can be tucked or folded inside, in order to turn it into a clutch.

Cosmetic case bags of varying sizes and shapes with a zip closure lined to hold cosmetics.

Cowhide leather made from adult cattle.

Drawstring a soft bag with a gathered drawstring closure. The drawstring, once synched, may form into purse straps or have a separate strap.

Duffel typically a bag that is long, horizontal and cylinder in shape with short handles. A large bag made of cloth. Duffle bags are typically used to carry atheletic equipment or as casual luggage.

East/west describes a bag that is longer than it is tall. See also north/south.

Envelope a flat, square or rectangular bag with a triangle -shaped top flap that folds over like an envelope.

Feed bag a drawstring bag, usually with a shoulder strap, shaped like a horses feed bag; also referred to as a bucket bag.

Flap Bag a purse that features a a folding flap closure.

Flight bag used by passengers and crew to carry on belongings aboard a plane, often has a flight insignia and used rather then a tote bag.

Glazed leather has a polished finish but not quite as high gloss as patent leather.

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Half moon bag any bag shaped like a half moon, with or without a handle of various sizes.

Hobo bag a soft, large bag that has a zip top and shoulder strap. Tends to crunch down when carried or laid down.

Kip also called steer hide, is a type of leather taken from older cattle, not as supple as calfskin.

Messenger bag a unisex shoulder bag designed to be worn across the shoulders. While a now a fashion accessory, they were designed to have the functionality of a back-pack. Messenger bags are named after bags originally used by couriers and the post office.

Minaudiere a small evening bag embezzled with pieces of metal, semi precious stones or beads and covered with fabric or leather.

Muff a winter bag made of real of faux fur, wool or velvet that has zippered compartments and a slip opening for your hands.

North/South a bag that is taller than it is wide. See also east/west.

Patent leather an extremely high gloss type of leather finish.

Pouch a gathered or straight bag evening bag.

Peau de soie a dull type of satin used to make evening bags.

Reptile skins from snakes, turtles and lizards used to make handbags. Reptile is distinguishable by its scaly pattern and texture. Many laws protect endangered reptiles whose skins are used to make illegal bags.

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Safari a soft leather bag with a curved shape, a top zipper, two top straps or handles, and two outside pockets with flaps and buckle closures.

Satchel a bag with a wide, flat bottom, zippered or clasped top, two handles or straps. The satchel style was inspired by a piece of luggage and can be various sizes such as the doctors bag. Satchel: n. a bag with a wide, flat bottom, zippered or clasped top, two handles or straps. The satchel was inspired by the shape and utility of luggage and comes in a wide variety of sizes.

Sheep or lambskin light fine grain leather used to make imported bags.

Shoulder bag any bag with a shoulder strap.

Sling Bag are like backpacks with one strap and are designed to be carried on one shoulder.

Suede a treatment applied to the flesh side of a skin to produce a napped, velvet-like finish.

Swagger a roomy, framed bag with two straps or handles, open outside pockets and a zippered or clasped open top.

Top Grain Leather the top layer of leather (leather is split into multiple layers before it is used).

Top handle a handle that is attached to the top of a bag and designed to be carried in your hands.

Top zip a bag with a main opening that can be zipped shut.

Tote a bag inspired by a shopping bag, which is sturdy and rectangular with an open top and two strap handles. The inside may have zip compartments. a bag designed as a carryall. Totes are usually sturdy and rectangular in shape, with shoulder straps and a wide top opening. Totes are similar to shoppers.

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Quilted bag is quilted in texture and typically has a chain strap or handle.

Wallet hard or soft , with zippers or snaps, has compartments for coins, bills, credit cards, etc.

Wristlet a clutch with a bracelet-like strap so that the bag can be carried hanging from your wrist.