15
March
2023

different colors of leather belts

Leather belts: detail matters

The belt is definitely the most important accessory in everyday clothing for a man as well as being a very important element in defining the waistline of many types of women’s clothing. There are endless types of belts: smooth or convex, lined or unlined, fine, high, colored etc. In this article we are going to look at the importance of the belt, what are the best leathers and show you some of our top choices.

LEATHER BELT

 

The importance of a good belt.

Many people underestimate the importance of a belt in highlighting the wearer’s elegance or emphasizing a particular garment: take, for example, a woman’s loose-fitting sheath dress. Without a detail at the waist level, such as an elasticized belt or a 1 cm, convex and wide belt, it would lose personality and remain anonymous without defining and enhancing the figure. The same is true for a man. Pants with a pleat, shirt and no belt? Impossible. Showing the trouser button would be unforgivable, on the contrary, seeing instead a belt coordinated with the colour of the shoes and, why not, even with the work bag would enhance its elegance by far.

 

What leathers to buy?

Women’s belts

There is a wide choice of materials suitable for making a belt, but if we want to enhance its quality and elegance, leather is definitely the best choice. For a women’s belt, to be used solely as a decoration, which takes into account good taste, style and elegance, we will look for calfskin, half calfskin or whole calfskin, chrome-tanned, with matte, shiny, laminated or stamped finishes. Alternatively, exotic leathers may also be used. Instead, to produce women’s denim belts, we can use vegetable-tanned breeches, shoulders, forelegs or croups, polished or greased finishes, 2.5- to 3.5-mm. thick leathers resined on the underside, which do not require lining.

Men’s belts 

As for the choice of material for making men’s belts, again leather is by far the ideal solution. For elegant belts it can be calf, half calf, whole calf or breech, strictly chrome-tanned to increase softness, maximum thickness at 1.2 mm in order to be rounded. In case of sport belts, suitable for jeans or casual pants, the best option are vegetable-tanned leathers, breeches, shoulders or gropponi, up to 4.5 mm. thick, which with plasticized back, do not require lining and guarantee extreme durability even in case of customers with bellies.

Florence Leather Market’s choice

For this early spring, the staff of Florence Leather Market suggests Samanta, the elegant and refined belt. A women’s belt made of genuine calfskin leather.

This accessory will add a touch of femininity to any look. A versatile and multifaceted belt, as it can be worn either tight at the waist or just resting on the hips. The material used in its production is genuine calfskin, tanned and processed in Italian workshops in the heart of Tuscany.

 

For men, we have selected Diego, a belt characterised by a simple design, capable of giving a casual but still classic touch to your looks. Made of leather, a material that makes it flexible, shiny and above all very elegant. In addition to the fine leather used in the production of the belt, the buckle part is made of nickel-plated silver-coloured zamak. Like Samanta, the Diego Toscani belt is also hand-assembled by skilled artisans and experts in the field of Made in Italy.





2
March
2023

women's day

handbags: Women’s Day perfect gift

Happy Women’s Day! Today is a very special day, a day when we celebrate the achievements and contributions of all women around the world. A day when we recognize women for their strength, courage and intelligence. If you, like others, are looking for the perfect gift to give the maidens in your life, in this article our team has selected some of our top leather handbags that will make you look great!

First, however, we will briefly explain how this holiday comes about…

women's day

 

The origin of Women’s Day

Where did the idea of celebrating International Women’s Day come from? The first International Women’s Day was held in 1911 in New York City. March 8 was the day when New York women protested their exclusion from electoral rights by holding rallies, meetings and peaceful demonstrations in the streets of New York. These protests were inspired by the American Socialist Party’s “Declaration of Sentiments,” which was presented at the first meeting of the National Association for Women’s Suffrage on October 28, 1869, in New York, United States. This declaration stressed the need to guarantee women equal rights, including the right to vote. Since the first International Women’s Day in 1911, countless celebrations have been held around the world to commemorate women’s contributions to society. It is the duty of every man to recognize and pay tribute to the women in his life and respect their rights. So what can you do to celebrate this day? Simply show your appreciation to the ladies in your life by giving her a gift that you know she will enjoy.



Our top picks

Not sure what to gift your beloved? The staff at Florence Leather Market has selected some outstanding women’s handbags to help you with this decision:

To start we have our Linda, compact and casual chic, it has all the sophisticated details and impeccable functionality to become a new favorite handbag. The soft calfskin leather is embellished with refined touches. Very versatile, it can be carried by hand, over the shoulder or crossbody.

We follow with Serafina, a genuine calfskin bag with two handles, well made both inside and out, has three small pockets inside:

one with a zipper, the other two are just for keys or cell phone and are unzipped. It is very simple, lightweight and of excellent quality. It can be carried in two ways: as a shoulder bag or as a hand bag. This bag is sun-resistant and is available in different color styles.

Last but not least is the Open Tote bag, which is functional by definition: it holds everything you need, from your laptop to your gym essentials. With an eye always on style. It is a large, hand-held bag made of soft crocodile-printed calfskin. It closes with a handy zipper and has an adjustable shoulder strap. The unexpected pattern brings a cheerful touch of trendiness, while its capacity makes it effortlessly practical.

 

If you are interested in the leather world and want to be update with tips, recommendations and interesting facts about it, come to have a look at our blog where you will find everything you are looking for.

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28
February
2023

Traditional tools for the manufacturing of leather

The leather processing requires precise techniques and tools. Over the centuries, craftsmen have used different tools, so that they could perform every single process in the best way, from cutting to perfecting the leather.

Year after year the techniques have evolved, developing precise and efficient tools. In this article we will try to briefly tell you how these tools have changed and which are the ones most used today by Florentine artisans.

The evolution of tools for the processing of leather

Leather processing has not always been as we know it today. Over the years the processes have undergone different changes, allowing leather workers to work with greater safety and obtain an increasingly precise final product.

An example is the cutting of the leather. In the past this process was carried out only by hand through a blade, not allowing the craftsman to make a precise cut. Nowadays, however, among the tools that can be used there is the shear, a machine that allows the worker to make precise cuts. 

Today there are also other advanced technologies to cut the leather, but at Florence Leather market we prefer to continue with more slow and artisanal techniques, which allow us to follow every processing phase, step by step. 

Another example that shows how much tools have evolved is that of sewing. This phase, in fact, many years ago was possible only through needle and thread, which in most cases led to a mediocre resistance of the object. Today, however, there are modern sewing machines that facilitate the entire process, still requiring continuous manual work.

 

Handcrafted leather processing tools of today

Nowadays, due to the excessive technological innovation, lots of leather factories have replaced classic artisan tools with industrial machinery that doesn’t involve manual intervention. This has led, therefore, to the neglect of the true values of craftsmanship and product quality. 

Fortunately, even today there are still those who continue to believe in the goodness of manual work and attention to detail. A true craftsman takes care of the leather with great attention and professionalism, using the right old tools. 

Among them, a not properly modern tool, which is still really useful is the shearing (mentioned above) which is fundamental for the first cut of the leather. Then the leather is redefined by an edge smoother, whose name is explanatory to its function.

Another important tool is the curved needle, which thanks to its distinctive shape is used for sewing the corners of bags or leather goods in general. The pyrograph allows craftsmen to make engravings and decorations on the leather, even on the stiffest one.

Widely used is also the tools to make holes, which allows you to make various types of changes on the leather. It is use to create holes for belts and shoulder straps. 

 

Florence Leather Market, always an artisan workshop

We are a small artisan leather factory since 2007, the year in which our parents made their very first production of leather key rings. Strong with these values, we still protect craftsmanship today. 

We are proud to prefer hot gilding, made by hand on every single piece, instead of prints and decorations performed by a machine. Ours is a small family-run business, with objects passing from one family member to another, depending on the processing phase.

Follow us on Instagram to browse all our Italian made products.





21
February
2023

made in italy

The power of the Made in Italy Brand

All over the world the best term that represents the idea of Italian products is “Made in Italy”. The popularity of this expression, which over time has been increasingly successful, is due to the grandiose creativity and famous mastery of artisans operating in Italy. Even today, Made in Italy products enjoy incredible trust from international buyers, thanks to their elegance, refinement and very high quality, elements that distinguish them from any other object on the market. But have you ever wondered why?

made in italy

 

Why choose a 100% Made in Italy product?

There are many reasons why Made in Italy products are better than others. Italian production has always been synonymous with quality and style, and precisely for this reason, when we talk about products Made in Italy, certain unmistakable characteristics are highlighted. These include the high quality level of materials, the indescribable attention to detail and the ability of a product to last over time. Elegance and Sophistication, more aesthetically focused characters, also make Made in Italy products unique and desired all over the world.

 

When can you really define a Made in Italy product?

Following the continuous counterfeiting by those who used the “Made in Italy” brand illegally, in 2009 a new directive appeared to protect companies that daily engage in the defense of production on Italian territory. According to this legislation, a product can be considered “100% Made in Italy” only when it has been made exclusively in Italy or when it has undergone a fundamental processing stage in Italy.

 

The importance of supporting Made in Italy today

In today’s globalised world, which is severely affected by a major economic crisis, the level of competition on international markets has become ever higher, also due to the emergence of new industrial powers. Nowadays it is not uncommon to see politics promote laws that asphyxiate the craft sector in favor of multinational chains, favoring the spread of approved products that lack the typical quality of Made in Italy.

Precisely for this reason it is increasingly important to support local artisans and small traders, who through a history handed down from generation to generation, try every day to create high quality artifacts, entirely produced in Italy.

 

Florence Leather Market: a 100% Made in Italy story

We too at Florence Leather Market, as proud craftsmen since 2007, are great supporters of Made in Italy. For us it is essential that one of our products is made 100% in Italy, so as to offer the highest quality and monitor every detail in the production phase.

Everything we produce is 100% made in Italy, using materials with a high quality level and dedicating great attention to detail. The slower the product is made, the longer it will be able to last. We sign all our products with a label or with a gilding that certifies the production in Italy, “Made in Italy”.

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14
February
2023

How to choose a men’s wallet

The wallet is an object used daily with frequency, as essential to carry banknotes, coins, documents and credit cards with you, as it is important to express your personality and your status. If a few decades ago the trend was to go around with a swollen wallet, today a more minimal and sober line is preferred. Both for those who have to buy their wallet, as for those who find themselves giving gifts perhaps to their partner, it could be very useful to take into consideration both aesthetic and functional factors. In this article we will give out some tips on how to pick the perfect wallet.

scegliere il portafoglio da uomo giusto



The wallet’s purpose

First of all, it is important to know clearly what you are going to put into it. Keep in mind if you usually carry around the bare minimum and therefore some banknotes and a couple of credit cards; if perhaps for work reasons many cards and credit cards are used; if you will also keep the coins or if you will have a special purse for them.

You will then have to keep in mind how much organization you will need, and consequently how many compartments. From these considerations it will be possible to get a first idea on the capacity and above all on the model you will need.

In short, as seen, the choice is extremely subjective, as it varies depending on whether you are a minimalist type, for whom we would like to suggest a thin wallet without a purse, or whether you are a more sentimental and creative person, for whom instead we find a more suitable wallet that allows you to carry with you the coins found on that journey as a young man, the photo of your loved ones and why not some receipts. It all depends on you, but we want to help you along this path by suggesting what to pay more attention to.

Details to pay attention to when choosing a leather wallet: material

The material is undoubtedly the first factor to take into consideration, since the quality, resistance and durability of the wallet depend on it. If real leather is synonymous with durability and protection, there are also different alternatives for those who are not interested in a product that lasts forever, preferring a synthetic material such as nylon, aluminum or polyester, which allow for more colors. gaudy.

The material must also be selected on the basis of one’s status: for a person who holds a certain job position and therefore needs to present himself with an elegant style, a genuine leather wallet is recommended; for younger people, on the other hand, the use of cheaper and more colorful wallets in synthetic materials is also largely allowed.

Come to have a look at our man’s wallet collection and browse every wallet Florence Leather Market has to offer.

 

Color, Size and shape

Color is an element that largely depends on the type of material: natural colors are more suitable for natural materials such as leather, while brighter and more artificial colors for synthetic wallets are also very interesting.

Other important terms of comparison are the size and shape, which mainly depend on the arrangement adopted to transport it. There are those who prefer a vertical wallet to carry in the jacket pocket, but also those who make a more sporty use of this object by carrying it in a trouser pocket, and therefore prefer a thinner wallet, with horizontal opening.  Take a look at our top seller vertical card holder Ivo GM, 

 

Functionality and Price

The functionality of the wallet also depends on the type of use made of it, and may or may not offer space for coins, credit cards or loyalty cards. In fact, many people choose their wallet almost exclusively based on the number of credit cards it can hold. Like our card holder Luigi, loved especially by our younger customers. Finally, another element to take into consideration is the price, which however is inevitably linked to the type of quality and durability that is sought. A genuine leather wallet is certainly more expensive than a synthetic one, but there is no comparison in long life.

For example, a genuine leather wallet, if made in compliance with the most ancient artisan techniques, is capable of lasting up to ten years, taking on a lived-in look and slightly changing shades.

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