Leather Lies and Designer Disguises: Unmasking the Quince Tote

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What's Inside

The Call from Wirecutter

Recently, I got a message that made me pause: The New York Times’ Wirecutter reached out to collaborate on a video project. They were curious about a brand that’s been generating a lot of buzz—Quince. According to Wirecutter, Quince has been gaining attention for offering leather bags at shockingly low prices, all while marketing them as alternatives to iconic luxury designs. Think $150 bags that claim to rival the quality of brands like Coach. Naturally, I was intrigued.

A First Look at Quince

Before this project, I had never heard of Quince. But once I saw their messaging and bold claims, I was all in. Wirecutter sent the bag straight to my studio in Ubrique, Spain, where I do most of my leather inspections and dissections. And of course, I did what I do best—took it apart and inspected every single detail.

At first glance, the bag looked promising. It featured a pebble grain cowhide exterior and a smooth grain leather interior. The design was clean, structured, and elegant. Not bad for $150, especially with free shipping and returns. But as someone who's obsessed with understanding leather inside and out, I couldn’t help but question how a full leather bag at this price could even be possible.

What Quince Claims

Quince states that the bag is made of 100% top grain Italian leather and manufactured in SEDEX-certified factories in India. Their product page even compares this model to a $350 Coach tote, going so far as to claim that Coach doesn't use Italian leather at all.

That’s a bold statement—because I’ve dissected my fair share of Coach bags, and I know their leather selection process is extremely meticulous. That claim alone made me raise an eyebrow, and it pushed me to dig deeper.

The Real Story Beneath the Surface

Upon closer inspection, things started to get… interesting.

The interior zipper compartment of the Quince bag? Yes, that part was made of real top grain leather—a good sign. But the exterior, which is what most people care about? That’s where the real surprise came in.

I applied my trusty acetone test to the outer leather, and the results revealed something unexpected. Despite the claims, this wasn't top grain leather at all. It was split leather—the lowest grade of leather that still legally qualifies to be called “leather.”

Even more telling, when I examined the cross-section of the material, I found that the two sides of the bag showed different suede colors. That tells me this leather was likely made from stock lots—leftover suede scraps from various color batches—then refinished on both sides to make it look uniform.

The “Italian Leather” Loophole

Here’s where things get a little sneaky. Technically, if leather is processed and finished in Italy, you can legally call it “Italian leather.” But that term doesn’t necessarily mean high-end quality. In this case, it was a low-cost material, refined and dressed up to look premium, then labeled with a term that many consumers associate with luxury.

It’s marketing, the kind that sounds fancy—but only if you don’t dig into the details.

Comparing Apples to Oranges

Now, about that Coach comparison. Quince says their bag competes with a $350 Coach tote—but in my experience, that’s not a fair match. Coach’s leather, even in their more accessible lines, is consistently superior in both material and construction. I’ve dissected many of their bags, and they know what they’re doing when it comes to leather.

So, to say this $150 Quince bag is on par with Coach is not just misleading—it’s inaccurate.

But… Is It Still Worth It?

Here’s the twist in the tale: for $150, the Quince bag isn’t a bad product—as long as you know what you’re actually getting. If you’re looking for a stylish leather-ish bag with decent construction and you’re okay with split leather dressed up as Italian, then yes—it can still be a worthwhile purchase.

But don’t be fooled by the marketing. You’re not getting full top grain Italian leather, and you’re definitely not getting Coach-level quality.

Final Thoughts

This was a fascinating experience—from discovering Quince for the first time to unearthing the reality behind their claims. I always say: knowledge is power, especially in the world of leather. If you go in with realistic expectations, you might still love what you get.

Let me know in the comments: Would you still buy this bag now that you know the truth?

And as always—until next time, stay leathertained!