Chevre vs. Chevre vs. Chevre | Bags for Breakfast

This is my second post on Hermes leathers because the first one was a success! I think I'm going to turn this into a bit of a series. I had a couple of comments and questions about Chevre (goat) leather and I feel like it is a lesser known family of leather, so I thought it was the perfect second leather post to make.

Chevre is very light, supple, and soft, yet surprisingly resistant. Thanks to its natural oils it's really flexible yet remarkably keeps its structure. Even the shinier and fine grained options are more scratch resistant compared to their calf leather counterparts. Chevre leather is known for its durability and distinctive texture. Hermes offers several variations of chevre leather, each with its own unique characteristics.

Here are some of the top common chevre leathers offered by Hermes:

Chevre Mysore: This is probably the most known Chevre variation. It is a soft and lightweight leather that has a slightly pebbled texture. I find this leather looks great on smaller bags, it looks beautiful on a mini Kelly, especially with colour!

Chevre de Coromandel/Souple: This leather is known for its fine grain and smooth supple texture. It is often used for larger leather goods, it's sleek and shiny finish makes any ensemble look polished and sophisticated. This leather pairs beautifully with more neutral colours in my opinion and is most comparable to the Box leather of the Chevre family.

Chevre Velours: This is a suede-like leather that is soft to the touch and has a matte velvety finish. It is not commonly used for large items or a whole handbag but better used as an accent leather or on accessories or shoes.

Chevre Chagrin - This is a more textured leather that has a pebbled appearance and has a semi-glossy finish. I wanted to compare Chevre Mysore and Chevre Chagrin, because while both of them are similarly grained and durable there are some differences. Chevre Mysore has a more matte finish which makes its grain appear more understated and "au naturelle".

On the other hand, Chevre Chagrin has a semi-glossy finish making its own distinct grain pattern appear more luxurious and refined compared to the Mysore. Chevre Chagrin is also known for its durability, but yet despite its more refined appearance, it is not as soft and supple as Chevre Mysore.

Overall, the choice between Chevre Mysore and Chevre Chagrin depends on personal preferences and the intended use, however I did want compare a little further the most commonly known variation to one of the lesser known options. Chevre Mysore may be a better choice for those who prioritize durability and a natural look, while Chevre Chagrin may be preferred by those who want a more luxurious and refined appearance.

One thing I know for sure is that there is no better leather for spring than a lightweight Chevre leather handbag.

I wanted to keep this list short and sweet to not overwhelm with too much info, and then later compile every section of this series into a master leather guide. Comment below which leather you want to know more about!