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Brand Scorecard:
★★★★☆
Leather: 4
Hardware: 3
Design: 4
Engineering: 4.5
Craftmanship: 4
TOTAL: 3.90
Brand Website: thehorse.co
TABLE OF CONTENTS
BRIEF HISTORY
The Horse is an Australian brand specializing in leather goods and accessories. Founded in 2009 by Scott and Amy Hawkes, the company began with a focus on crafting quality leather footwear. Over time, their product range expanded to include watches, bags, and other accessories, all emphasizing minimalist design and functionality.
The brand is known for its commitment to timeless style and quality craftsmanship. Their products are designed in Australia and often feature Italian leather, ensuring both durability and a premium feel. The Horse has garnered a loyal customer base, particularly for their watch collections and leather bags, which are appreciated for their understated elegance and practicality.
FIVE PILLARS OF A GOOD LEATHERCRAFT
READING MY ASSESSMENT SCORES
LEATHERVERSE MATRIX
The Leatherverse Brand Matrix visually compares leather brands based on sophistication and pricing, helping consumers understand their market positioning.
Legend
Vertical Axis: Ranges from simple artisan crafts to exclusive, master-crafted items.
Horizontal Axis: Covers pricing from low (no brand premium) to high (perceived luxury), with 2x multipliers for basic products and up to 15x for heavily marketed luxury items.
Diagonal Line: Represents the balance between price and performance. Brands on the line offer good value, those below suggest poor value, and those above offer exceptional value.
AUDIENCE & CUSTOMER'S PERSPECTIVE
Based on these criteria, how would you rate The Horse as a brand?
How would you rate The Horse as a brand?
5
4
3
2
PRODUCTS REVIEWED
Can The Horse’s Is the Clementine Bag the Best $210 You’ll Ever Spend?
The Horse’s Clementine
In today's post, we're diving into the Clementine bag from The Horse, an Australian brand that has garnered attention for its modern, sophisticated designs. You’ve been asking me to review it, and today I’m going to break it down, examining it through the five key pillars that make a great bag. Let’s take a closer look at whether this $210 bag is worth your investment.
Design: A Refreshing Silhouette
When it comes to design, the Clementine bag immediately catches your eye. While it isn’t entirely unique in terms of concept, its curvaceous, semi-structured form sets it apart from others. The way the bag curves creates a distinctive silhouette that stands out without being overly eccentric. The flexibility of the design adds a dynamic quality to the bag that allows it to hold its shape while still offering a slouchy, relaxed feel. This balance of structure and fluidity is masterfully executed, making the Clementine a refreshing design choice. I’d give the design a solid 4 out of 5 for its unique yet accessible aesthetic.
Structure: Ingeniously Built Support
Opening up the Clementine bag, I’m immediately impressed with its internal engineering. The structure is sophisticated, with layers of reinforcement on the sides that help the bag maintain its form. The clever use of non-stretch fabrics on the interior ensures that the leather is supported without losing its soft, slouchy shape. This dual-layered structure strikes a perfect balance between a rigid and flexible build, ensuring the bag keeps its integrity over time. The craftsmanship here is top-notch, deserving a 4.5 out of 5 for its thoughtful and well-executed internal support.
Craftsmanship: Impeccably Clean
Moving on to the craftsmanship, I find the overall construction of the Clementine bag to be clean and precise. The stitching is flawless, with no visible defects inside or out. I couldn't find a label indicating the country of origin, but given the quality and complexity of the bag, I’m led to believe it’s made in China. Bags of this caliber, with such clean craftsmanship, typically come from China, where production costs are more competitive. Despite this, the quality control seems excellent. I’d rate the craftsmanship at 4 out of 5—well-made and nearly flawless in execution.
Hardware: A Mediocre Touch
When it comes to hardware, the Clementine bag is a bit underwhelming. It features a hook, a D-ring, and a stud, which while functional, don't add much in terms of luxury or visual appeal. The thin lacquer layer on the hardware feels a bit fragile, and the overall finish seems somewhat mediocre, especially when compared to the rest of the bag's quality. While it's not a dealbreaker, I’d say the hardware falls into the lower end of the market. Considering the price point, I expected this level of quality. For the hardware, I’d give it a 3 out of 5.
Leather: Beautiful and Rich
One of the standout features of the Clementine bag is its leather. The grain is embossed with a subtle pebble texture that retains the beauty of natural leather while adding durability. When I applied acetone to remove the finish, I was impressed by how much of the natural grain was still visible. The leather feels rich to the touch, offering that wonderful chaotic pattern of grain that leather enthusiasts love. This is a well-chosen material that brings out the best in both function and aesthetics. For the leather, I’d rate it a 4 out of 5—it’s a strong, impressive choice for the price.
Value for Money: A Great Deal
Now, let’s talk about the value for money. Based on my estimates, it costs around $75 to make a bag of this quality. The leather, which makes up about seven square feet of the bag, would cost approximately $20. Add in the cost of hardware and labor, and the total production cost comes to about $47. Given that the Clementine bag is priced at $210, this results in a markup of less than 3x. While this is a bit risky for a newer brand trying to grow, it translates to excellent value for the customer. In my opinion, this bag offers one of the best values of the year in terms of both design and quality.
Conclusion: Is It Worth It?
In conclusion, the Clementine bag from The Horse is an exceptional find at its price point. The design is refreshing, the structure is expertly engineered, and the craftsmanship is clean and precise. While the hardware doesn’t impress, the leather and overall quality of the bag more than make up for it. At $210, this bag offers incredible value, especially considering its production cost and the quality it delivers.
So, is it worth your money? Absolutely. If you're looking for a well-designed, well-crafted leather bag at a reasonable price, the Clementine is an excellent choice. It stands out as one of the best values I’ve reviewed this year.
Let me know in the comments if you think the Clementine bag is worth it for your money. As always, like and follow to explore the leatherverse together, one dissection at a time!
Scorecard
TANNER APPROVED!
★★★★☆ - 3.90
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