09/07/2026
Not all leather is created equal. Full grain, top grain and genuine leather are probably terms you’ve seen on product pages, but what do they actually mean for the way a bag looks, feels, ages and lasts?
We created this quick guide to explain the difference, because when you’re investing in a leather product, you deserve to know exactly what you’re buying.
At Silver & Riley, the vast majority of our bags, including the New Yorker, Milan, Beverly Hills, Manila and Parisian, are made with full-grain leather. A small number, such as some of our NOLA Bucket Bags, are made with top-grain leather. We choose our leathers intentionally based on the design, structure and performance we want from each piece, and we tell you exactly what we use.
That transparency matters. “Genuine leather” simply means that a product is made with what still counts as leather; it does not tell you the grade, quality or construction of that leather. Hence, this is often used to describe lower grade leathers. When a brand uses full-grain or top-grain leather, there is no reason to hide behind a broader label. That’s why you’ll always find the specific leather used clearly stated on our product pages.
We want our leather goods to live with you, age beautifully and become even more yours over time, and we want you to understand what you’re paying for.
Save this for the next time you’re shopping for leather, and send it to someone who has always wondered what “genuine leather” actually means. 🤎