Togo Leather Feels Strange on One Birkin

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ChanelCelineLaurentLover

ChanelCelineLaurentLover

Member
Sep 3, 2017
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#1
Hello all! I sold my Kelly 32 Togo Leather Retourne in gold with gold hardware. I liked the bag but felt I would prefer the same color in a birkin since I like how easy they are to just throw things into etc. I purchased my kelly around 2018 or 2019 directly from the boutique. I sold it to FP and with the store credit at FP I purchased a 2010 Togo leather gold with gold hardware birkin 30. As soon as it arrived I felt like it was a bit off. The leather feels much shinier than my other togo leather bags. It even sounds different when rubbing it. The grains are also larger than on my other togo bags. Since my first Hermes togo leather purchase was not until the end of 2017 I cannot compared to a 2010 bag so perhaps the leather was different or theres some sort of deep patina on it. It is not as matte as I'm used to togo being. The grain size is more similar to that of my Clemence bags but the leather is very stiff to me compared to Clemence and also feels different, shinier. I began to worry I had received a super fake but did the authentication service through bababebi and she deemed it authentic and to match with the description on FP. Would anyone else be concerned still? I am going to post pictures below to show the finish difference with a vert verone togo. I also added the link to the item I purchased. Maybe someone with an older birkin can weigh in. I just worry it was mislabeled leather or something else. Thank you so much! (I should also mention I'm passed the return window but I hope I could work something out with them and exchange for another if I'm still unsatisfied). I really appreciate any insight into this matter.

IMG_9800.webpBag that I purchased from FP Link​

 
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#3
acrowcounted said:
Leather is a natural product and it is natural that the skins will always be a little bit different. Same as no two people's skins are exactly the same. I would not at all be concerned. Congrats on your new Birkin!
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Thank you - I have compared it to my 4 other bags in togo and it just feels so wildly different than they do so that is why I have concerns but this does help.
 
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#4
Idk if this is any help but there's a video of a woman on Youtube showing off her older togo bags and I was shocked at how large the grain looked and how shiny it was compared to new togo bags. I remember vividly because I was so surprised at the look. I am trying to find the video but I can't for the life of me remember her name. She was blonde, maybe mid 30s, some type of nordic european with a somewhat small channel for anyone familiar
 
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#6
chanellover333 said:
Idk if this is any help but there's a video of a woman on Youtube showing off her older togo bags and I was shocked at how large the grain looked and how shiny it was compared to new togo bags. I remember vividly because I was so surprised at the look. I am trying to find the video but I can't for the life of me remember her name. She was blonde, maybe mid 30s, some type of nordic european with a somewhat small channel for anyone familiar
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That does help. I also found another one for sale from 2006 that looks like my 2010 so I think you're right - I think they were shinier and larger grain back then. Thank you! Btw it was not Ingrid was it? But she's in her 40s I think so probably not.
 
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#7
Lellabelle said:
Is it possible it’s been cleaned prior to sale, either by the previous owner, or by FP? That might account for some extra sheen, which should wear off as the product does. As @acrowcounted says, skins vary and it doesn’t sound like a cause for concern. If you’re not happy with the purchase, perhaps talk to FP to see what options you might have for exchange.
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I appreciate it, I was thinking that too maybe it was a leather cleaner.
 
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#9
ChanelCelineLaurentLover said:
Thank you - I have compared it to my 4 other bags in togo and it just feels so wildly different than they do so that is why I have concerns but this does help.
Click to expand...

This is only a random guess because I don't know the history. It could be how it was stored. If left in a box or even slightly damp conditions without enough ventilation, leather can change in texture. It won't make it shinier, in fact it will look more matte, but if it developed bloom or looked dull the previous owner may have polished it using a wax polish rather than just creme conditioner.
 
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#10
ChanelCelineLaurentLover said:
Hello all! I sold my Kelly 32 Togo Leather Retourne in gold with gold hardware. I liked the bag but felt I would prefer the same color in a birkin since I like how easy they are to just throw things into etc. I purchased my kelly around 2018 or 2019 directly from the boutique. I sold it to FP and with the store credit at FP I purchased a 2010 Togo leather gold with gold hardware birkin 30. As soon as it arrived I felt like it was a bit off. The leather feels much shinier than my other togo leather bags. It even sounds different when rubbing it. The grains are also larger than on my other togo bags. Since my first Hermes togo leather purchase was not until the end of 2017 I cannot compared to a 2010 bag so perhaps the leather was different or theres some sort of deep patina on it. It is not as matte as I'm used to togo being. The grain size is more similar to that of my Clemence bags but the leather is very stiff to me compared to Clemence and also feels different, shinier. I began to worry I had received a super fake but did the authentication service through bababebi and she deemed it authentic and to match with the description on FP. Would anyone else be concerned still? I am going to post pictures below to show the finish difference with a vert verone togo. I also added the link to the item I purchased. Maybe someone with an older birkin can weigh in. I just worry it was mislabeled leather or something else. Thank you so much! (I should also mention I'm passed the return window but I hope I could work something out with them and exchange for another if I'm still unsatisfied). I really appreciate any insight into this matter.

View attachment 6149916Bag that I purchased from FP Link​

Click to expand...
Honestly, I’m used to older Togo. I bought a newer one in 2023 from my local boutique, and I’m not entirely happy with how different (dull and lifeless lol) it is. And, in 2024, I rejected a B25 Bleu de Prusse from my FSH SA bc it was much duller and the grains were not as lush as older BdP. I like veins too, and that doesn’t seem to be available in bags today. From what you describe, it just seems like natural hide variation. @bababebi is gold standard, so I would not worry about authenticity. :) enjoy your bag
 
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#12
880 said:
Honestly, I’m used to older Togo. I bought a newer one in 2023 from my local boutique, and I’m not entirely happy with how different (dull and lifeless lol) it is. And, in 2024, I rejected a B25 Bleu de Prusse from my FSH SA bc it was much duller and the grains were not as lush as older BdP. I like veins too, and that doesn’t seem to be available in bags today. From what you describe, it just seems like natural hide variation. @bababebi is gold standard, so I would not worry about authenticity. :) enjoy your bag
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That makes sense. In general I like shiny things too so I could see why you’d feel this way about newer Togo.
 
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#14
880 said:
Honestly, I’m used to older Togo. I bought a newer one in 2023 from my local boutique, and I’m not entirely happy with how different (dull and lifeless lol) it is. And, in 2024, I rejected a B25 Bleu de Prusse from my FSH SA bc it was much duller and the grains were not as lush as older BdP. I like veins too, and that doesn’t seem to be available in bags today. From what you describe, it just seems like natural hide variation. @bababebi is gold standard, so I would not worry about authenticity. :) enjoy your bag
Click to expand...
Agreed, and adding to say my newest Togo bag from 2016 (which I have since sold) felt much dryer and duller and had much smaller grain and no veining. My current bag (from 2013) has larger glossier grain and some veining. It may be a trend. I liked the older Togo much more...
 
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#15
My Togo bags (four Birkins and one Kelly) were all purchased new within the last five years from the boutique and each one is a little different...some shinier, some seem 'thicker' skinned, and the one with the most beautiful veining is my most recent bag (B30 in Craie) from late last year. I think, as @acrowcounted noted, every animal is different, hence their skins will be different. To me, their differences are what makes them special and unique.
 
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