I don’t get fooled often. Not only is a sense for leather a biproduct of my job, but most brands that use embossed faux-exotics for their bags just don’t use very good ones. The differences between real and fake are most apparent when it comes to python, but usually crocodile and alligator are pretty easy to spot as well, even when the bag is very expensive. The Neil Barrett Embossed Croc Tote had me going for a minute, though.
When I scrolled past this bag, I didn’t think for a second that it might not be real croc. When I read the description and price, I was surprised – the finish has just the right amount of gloss and variation, and the simple structure usually indicates that a designer would like to draw attention to the material used. The clean, somewhat anonymous lines are perfect for showing off one of the finest materials in the world, and this tote does a fine job of convincing you that’s exactly what you’re looking at. It’d be hard to find something that looks more expensive for the price. Buy through SSENSE for $1,325.
