We won’t exaggerate when we say that small leather goods (SLGs) have been with us since ancient times because they really are.
Dating back to civilisations read about only in history books, where Egyptians, Mesopotamians, and the Chinese made functional items such as belts, wallets, and pouches out of leather.
Today, though, SLGs have become a luxury fashion statement. They tell tales of craftsmanship and elegance, and a world where high fashion integrates seamlessly into the world of the common consumer.
For most people, SLGs have been a way to dip their toes into luxury fashion without emptying their bank accounts. Looking to join the club? Here are some of the best SLGs to add a little spice and style to your looks.
Attending an office event, a party, or a wedding and want to look like a million bucks? These SLGs might be tiny, but they will make a huge difference on your entire fashion look.
These mini handbags are fashioned in the shape of an envelope. Not only are they super convenient, they go well with cocktail dresses and give off an air of elegance. They are great for stashing your wallet and phone. The best part is that you can either use them as a clutch or attach the strap and turn it into a mini bag. Super useful for when you are heading home after an exhausting day and cannot be bothered to carry the pochette in your hands.
Here is a great pochette by Adoratti, handmade from genuine full-grain pebble leather in Italy. It comes in two sizes and five different timeless colors which will pair well with any dress you choose to don on. Its shape and design make it extremely versatile compared to other pochettes, you can take it for cocktail evenings with your loved ones, special occasions like red carpet events, grand openings, and girls’ night out in the world-famous casinos and hotels, from Las Vegas to Dubai and across to Sydney, your chips will be safe in it, granted you won’t be able to pack a lot. Of course, you can always park your pochette for the night and hop over to an Australian online casino platform if you’re a veteran who’s not in search for all that galore and noise.
Luxury events call for the occasional lipstick or powder touch-up. What better way to carry these essentials than through a mini SLG pouch? Get a pouch that combines style with functionality, such as the Taco Tassel Pouch by Portland Leather. It features a cute taco shape that fits perfectly in the palm of your hand. And if you choose to store it inside a bigger bag, you do not have to root around for it. The tassels make your job of finding the pouch much easier. The fact that it comes in a big range of evergreen colors is another bonus.
If you do not like plain leather goods and want to stand out, you can choose their Eclipse Makeup Bags with their beautiful flower motifs.
Here is a fun fact about Portland Leather’s SLGs – they source their hides from the US beef industry, giving cowhides that would otherwise have gone to waste a second chance at life.
If you are a minimalist who likes going out with nothing but your phone and cards, a phone wallet SLG might be the perfect addition to your outfit. While these are primarily made to store your phone, they often have plenty of space available to sneak in your cards, too.
The phone wallet case from MTGLeatherShop on Etsy combines elegance with personalisation. You can get it customised by adding your name in brass letters. It also has credit card compartments and a zipper to keep your things safe and secure. If you want something for everyday use, though, phone wallet from The Chesterfield Brand is a great choice. It comes with straps, so just hang it on your shoulder and be on your way.
If you style it right, you can make a fashion statement with a dress-y dress and a mini cross-body bag! A sleek and sophisticated leather cross-body bag can perfectly complement your formal outfit and be your trusted sidekick by having enough space for all your essentials. And hey, even if you end up not liking the cross-body SLG look, you can just take out the strap and use it as a very fashionable clutch. For a more elegant look, pick ones that are square or envelope-shaped.
Check out this sleek and stylish cross-body bag by Fossil with a gold-tone finish that makes it look elite. This brand also supports responsible leather manufacturing via The Leather Working Group, a non-profit organisation. So, in addition to looking chic, with this bag, you will also be carrying part of a sustainable future on your shoulders.
Here are some functional SLGs you can use for everyday things, such as when heading to the office, commuting on public transport, or even going for a walk.
You can place this inside your bag and whip it out a-la movie-star style when you have to pay for something. We bet everyone will be ooh-ing and aah-ing over it! If you like minimalist card holders that look like they popped straight out of a high-end fashion magazine, cardholders from Justas, a Lithuanian leather craftsman who goes by StorksBeakLeather on Etsy, will be perfect for you. Made using the finest quality vegetable tan leather in his own studio, these card holders are slim and will not bulk up your pockets.
Whether you are trying to get a vending machine snack or paying your parking meter, coins are an inevitable nuisance. Keeping them in a separate coin purse will save you the hassle of having to take out your wallet (with all your cards and cash) every time. It helps that these coin purses are super cute, too.
Take a look at this mini coin purse by Love 41, a sister company of Saddleback Leather. It features a cute clutch-like design with gold accents which give it a vintage vibe. It is manufactured in Old Mexica with a full-grain leather exterior and a pigskin interior. Want to hear something really awesome, though? It has a 41-year warranty (yes, you’ve read that correctly) and donates all of its profits to support orphans, single moms, and previously incarcerated individuals.
If you are tired of digging around in your purse for keys, a stylish leather key fob or a keychain tag can make it very convenient. If you tend to keep your keys in your pockets, a leather key fob can also prevent them from wearing holes in them.
If you work at a job where you find yourself having to handle several keys, you also have the option of using a leather keychain lanyard. These SLGs are stylish and allow you to personalise with your initials so that your keys never get lost again. Sereniikey offers a wide range of keychain products, including keychain organisers, tags, wristlets, and even lanyards so that you can wear your keys as a chain. The best part? Their handmade wax leather products come in pastel colors and will add a lot of brightness to your life.
Do you often find yourself leaving your eyeglasses on the table, only to find out that they have been knocked over, scratched, or have simply become hard to find (there is a joke in here somewhere about having to search for your glasses without your glasses on)? Or you may simply need something soft to store your eyes- or sunglasses inside your bag. The solution lies in SLG eyeglass cases! Get one in a color that complements your personality perfectly. Here are some stylish eyewear cases from Indie Me, a passion project from a sea freight container that was converted into a studio at a place in the heart of Munich. No matter what type of house you want for your eyeglasses, you will get them at Indie Me – even ones that you can hang around your neck.
Leaving the house without your earphones? In this day and age? Practically unheard of! Carrying earphones with you means you, of course, need a suitable and trendy earphone pouch to go along with it. This makes sure that the earphone case you so lovingly selected does not find a single scratch on it. Well, you can double your trendiness level with cute leather earphone pouches. These earphone cases from Sbri Studio are very eye-catchy and come in several pastel colors and a leopard print. And if you are still old-school and like using wired earphones, try a leather earphone cord holder, such as these shell-shaped ones from Sbri Studio. This small business from the UK named after the Welsh word for “fun” uses sustainably-sourced leather, and has been featured in places like The Guardian.
We will let you in on another secret. If you need to carry your earphones around your neck for easy access or while commuting, you can still do so in style with these SLG earphone holders from LaBrand Creative.
I think we can all agree that the back cases of our phones tell a lot about our personality. Which is why we think that leather back covers (yes, they exist) can be a great way of highlighting your tastes while giving your phone a sleek and distinguished new home. The durability of the leather will also protect your device from any scratches. No matter what color case you choose, pair it up with some gold accents, and you will have the best phone case no matter where you go. Back covers from ArtShellCreation on Etsy are easy on the eyes and are sure to garner a lot of compliments.
This one is for all the globetrotters. Does your passport not deserve a personalised and chic leather cover? You will fall in love with it and want to show it off so much that you will never forget your passport at home ever again. Passport covers from Leatherius Woodman are a sight to behold! You can personalise them with a stamp, quote, or a logo. The distressed grain leather used to make these will age beautifully, carrying stories of your travels within it.
We think that the SLGs featured above by small business deserve a lot of love. Not only are the unique and personalised, they are also super affordable and handcrafted with love. Which small leather goods have been your favourite so far? Which ones are on your to-buy-immediate list? Let us know.