Author: Victor

I'm just your average guy with an appreciation for above average goods. My goal is to introduce you to products that will see you through thick and thin, and then some.
Posted on

Celebrity-Approved Ways To Wear Leather

This is a sponsored post by BestLeather – Compensation was given, we appreciate your participation in supporting our site.

Celebrity-Approved Ways To Wear Leather

If you have yet to add leather pieces to your closet, now is the perfect time to do so. Not only is leather a highly versatile material, but wearing good quality leather jackets, boots, belts, bags, and other accessories can give any outfit a luxurious feel. Celebrities such as Bella Hadid and Lady Gaga often don leather items to give their look an edge. Moreover, some stars have mastered the art of wearing leather to make their on-camera outfits more unique, and to give their off-duty wear a dose of chic. For some fashion inspiration, here are a few celebrity-approved ways to wear leather.

Leather trousers

The Kardashian/Jenner sisters are known to be major trendsetters, and they’re behind some of the most unique summer and swimwear looks, such as the upside down string bikini trend. But apart from their amazing hot weather outfits, the reality stars are also known to wear lots of leather pieces – specifically, leather trousers. Take a leaf out of Kim Kardashian’s book, and wear tailored black trousers that fit close to the thighs but end in a slight flare at the hem. For a sleek look, get inspired by Kendall Jenner, who wears skin-tight leather trousers paired with everyday basics, such as a sports bra, a black turtleneck shirt, or a basic white t-shirt.

Meanwhile, for those who like to wear leather pants in a unique way, take fashion tips from Victoria Beckham. The fashion designer rolls up the hems of her skin-tight leather trousers, and pairs them with a camel trench and heels. You can also get style inspiration from Margot Robbie, who was spotted at a pre-Oscars event wearing leather palazzo pants paired with a cropped blouse.

Leather bags

Female celebrities often sport the hottest leather bags of the season, but a few male actors and singers have also been photographed carrying their gear in beautiful leather bags. The members of the Korean boyband, BTS, are always spotted carrying branded leather bags, with Jin toting a black business bag for daily wear, while Jungkook prefers a soft leather carry-all for travels. Meanwhile, their bandmate Jimin is defying gender norms by wearing a black quilted leather bag with chains, while RM prefers leather sling bags or shoulder bags in tan or caramel. Other celebrities who have been spotted carrying leather bags include David Beckham, who was seen wearing a tan messenger bag with a gray suit, and actor Liev Schrieber, who paired his glossy caramel messenger bag with a black hoodie and khakis.

Leather accessories

Apart from leather apparel, leather accessories are also popular among celebrities and style makers. Items such as leather chokers are back in style, and models such as Alessandra Ambrosio and Gigi Hadid have been seen wearing thin black leather chokers to spice up their outfits. Leather bracelets are also quite popular these days, and Johnny Depp often wears them to complete his bohemian ensembles. For something a little more risqué, try wearing a leather body belt harness over a basic long-sleeved shirt, as seen on Kpop groups such as BTS, Blackpink, and Monsta X.

Level up your style by incorporating leather pieces into your everyday wear. Take a cue from these celebrities and experiment by mixing and matching your leather clothing and accessories with your outfits, and see which looks will suit you best.

​
Posted on

Birchbury Bramford Minimalist Shoe Review – $99.00

Disclosure: We are a professional review site that receives compensation from the companies whose products we review. We test each product thoroughly and give high marks to only the very best. We are independently owned and the opinions expressed are our own.

Minimalist footwear has really caught on in recent years. Zero drop heels, wide toe boxes and less padding have encouraged people to take a more natural approach to walking. However, a lot of the options are fitness oriented so finding a more casual option has been difficult. That’s where the Birchbury Bramford Minimalist Shoe’s come into play. If you’re looking for a minimalist shoe that doesn’t look like it gets shot out of a Nerf Gun, read on. 

Construction

The Birchbury Bramford’s are made from American sourced full grain leather. They have a thin padded insole and rubber outsole with a wave contoured tread pattern. Stitching looks clean and tight.

Function

The Birchbury Bramford Minimalist Shoe does take a little getting used to, especially if you’re not familiar with zero drop heels. Most modern shoes have a wedge of cushioning in the heel and places your feet at a slant. The Bramford has a thin, even layer of light cushioning across the footbed so your foot sits in a more natural position. The toe box is wide enough to let your toes wiggle and move. I can best describe these shoes as wearing a glove when compared to wearing mittens. Your foot does a little more work and you can definitely feel the ground, but in a good way.

I really like the elastic laces. These are basically slip on shoes and it makes taking them on and off a real pleasure. These make for excellent travel shoes, they have a small footprint (No pun intended) and stow away easily into an overnight bag or backpack.

Aesthetic 

The Bramford is a very simplistic shoe in nature and it lends well to a classic design. Clean and unobtrusive lines make this a shoe you will have little difficult in pairing with just about any outfit. It also comes in black. 

Conclusion 

After using the Birchbury Bramford Minimalist Shoes, I’ve really come to love the easy feeling they have on my feet. There was definitely a learning curve, so to speak from years of wearing highly padded footwear. My feet feel more pliable and strong, because they need to work. The look and feel of the shoes is nice, but the price is a bit steep. Decent quality and a great look make this an option one might consider when looking for a low key minimalist shoe. 

Posted on

Victory Leathercraft Secret Compartment Hidn Belt Now on Kickstarter!

We see a lot of belts at BestLeather. While they all hold your pants up, that’s about it for most of them.  However, Victory Leathercraft has an innovative belt with a secret hidden compartment, available exclusively on Kickstarter! We are particularly excited because up until now, most belts with secret compartments were made of cheap leather and had flimsy zipper pockets. Victory has utilized English Bridle Leather (Think high quality equine harness type materials) and stainless steel hardware.

Available to pre-order on Kickstarter, the Hidn belt smashed through its funding target in under 3 minutes from launch!

Pete Sandford of Victory Leathercraft has built an envious reputation for his innovative yet stylish and beautifully hand-crafted leather goods that are built to last a lifetime.
The new Hidn belt is no exception.

Anyone who has ever lost their wallet, purse or been the victim of a pickpocket knows how devastating it can be to be stranded somewhere without access to funds. It was Pete’s personal experience (having been the victim of an attempted mugging and two attempted pickpocketings) that prompted him to develop this product.

The Hidn belt was designed to combat these situations. Invisible when worn, a secret compartment allows the wearer to covertly carry emergency cash, survival gear, memory cards, medication or other small items safely away from prying eyes.
It’ll be sure to have a wide appeal, for use at home or on holiday, from the boardroom to the backwoods.

Individually hand crafted from a piece of very special 13oz premium bridle leather from England’s oldest tannery and fitted with a solid stainless steel roller buckle, the Hidn belt packs a surprise in the form of a secret compartment that’s only accessible when the belt buckle is unfastened.
It’s worth mentioning here that this leather is tanned in a time-honoured way that’s totally environmentally friendly because the process uses nothing more than the bark of English oak trees and local river water, in a long, slow process that takes some eighteen months to complete.. This is in stark contrast to over 90% of leather used today that is tanned using metals such as chromium that have been shown to pollute rivers and surrounding land. Tucked away in England’s West Country, there has been a tannery on this spot since Roman times and it has been in the ownership of the present family for over two hundred years.
Posted on

How to Pair an Outfit to Your Leather Bag

This is a sponsored post by BestLeather – Compensation was given, we appreciate your participation in supporting our site.

 

How to Pair an Outfit to Your Leather Bag

A bag is an important part of any outfit, and when you are the owner of a classic leather bag, you might even want to shape your outfit around it. Keeping the focus on the bag while dressing to impress can be tricky, but there are a few key ways to get you there. Here is how to pair an outfit with your leather bag. 

 

Think About Color 

If you have a brown leather bag, then teal and turquoise would make it pop. Alternatively, you could stick with the warm shades and pair the leather bag with peaches, oranges, and reds – this would look especially gorgeous in the autumn.

For a black leather bag, you cannot go too wrong when it comes to color, as black goes with pretty much anything! There is something eye-catching about the classic black and white look, though, especially if you are going for business casual. 

 

Consider the Type of Bag 

Does it go across your shoulder? Is it a handbag? The outfit you choose will depend on the type of leather bag you are pairing it with. While an over-the-shoulder satchel would pair well with a more casual outfit (think jeans and a blouse/shirt), a smart envelope bag would go nicely with a dressier look, like a bodycon dress and court heels. 

 

Match a Perfume 

The right leather bag deserves the perfect scent to go alongside it, so choose a deep, woody perfume that gives off the same classic beauty as your bag. If you like to play around with scents, use scentmagic.com for a monthly perfume subscription. By receiving a new fragrance each month, you are more likely to find the ideal scent to match your bag. 

 

Choose One Other Leather Accessory 

Unlike denim, double leather is not a fashion sin. In fact, if it is done right, it can look fabulous. Try pairing your leather bag with another simple but elegant accessory, such as a watch. You could take it a step further and pair it with a leather jacket, but that depends on how much leather you want in your outfit! 

 

Choose Classic Pieces 

Leather bags and classic clothing items go hand in hand – think blue jeans, white shirts, and boots. You could even choose some leather boots as your one other leather accessory! By creating an outfit with classic pieces, your look will be clean, elegant, and stylish. 

 

Lay it All Out 

You need to see it to know if it is right, so if you are planning an outfit to go with your leather bag, take the time to lay out the clothes and see if the colors and materials match. This is a great, simple way of seeing what works and what does not without trying on ten different variations of a similar outfit. Don’t forget to add in the jewelry! 

 

Your leather bag deserves a little thought into what goes around it, so consider colors, material, and scent before letting the world witness your classic style. 

Posted on

Goruck Weighted Sandbag Review – $145.00

Disclosure: We are a professional review site that receives compensation from the companies whose products we review. We test each product thoroughly and give high marks to only the very best. We are independently owned and the opinions expressed are our own.

2020 has been a rough year, there were severe shortages in major areas such as medical masks, disinfectant and the almighty toilet paper roll. Another lesser known shortage was home fitness equipment. Gyms shut down and tens of thousands were scrambling for exercise machines, dumbbells- even a thigh master or shake weight were fetching hefty premiums. It was in this search I found a brilliant product, the Goruck Weighted Sandbag.

Construction

The Goruck Sandbag is made of 1000D Cordura – That’s about twice as thick as the nylon on the old Jansport you had in 5th grade. For zippers we see heavy duty YKK zips with paracord pulls. All critical stress areas are double or triple stitched. This bag has a lifetime guarantee. If you somehow manage to break the bag, Goruck will fix it..and probably wonder how on earth you managed that. The sand (You must supply) is kept securely in a tough nylon bag with double folding velcro – Don’t worry, the sand does not escape at all.

Function

This bag can do it all. There are multiple handles positioned on the tops, sides and ends of the bag. You can perform shrugs, squats, bicep curls, log lifts and the list goes on and on. I really enjoy the near instant transitions. I can go from body squats to bent over rows to shrugs without setting the bag down once.

Please note, you do have to get the sand at your local hardware store to fill the inner pocket. I strongly suggest “Play Sand” that has been washed and sifted – Anything else and you risk powder seeping through the nylon. See the below video on how to fill it. 

Aesthetic 

A cursory glance and the Goruck looks like a slender duffle bag. The tank like construction looks at home among the rubber mats, iron plates and dumbbells in my basement gym. At the end of the day it’s a tool and looks are nugatory. However, this tool happens to look pretty awesome. 

Conclusion 

At $145, The Goruck Sandbag is a bit pricey considering other options on the market. When it comes to something as messy as sand, and the fact that the bag endures tremendous stress and abuse through training – I would only trust Goruck – Saving $50 bucks and having a bag rip at the seams would be no fun- Buy the best and cry once. This fitness tool offers endless uses and will be a staple in your home gym for years. 

Posted on

SENA Walletbook Case For iPhone 12 Review – $79.95

Disclosure: We are a professional review site that receives compensation from the companies whose products we review. We test each product thoroughly and give high marks to only the very best. We are independently owned and the opinions expressed are our own.

 

5G has finally descended upon us, and with that the latest incarnation of the iPhone. In years past, quality phone cases wouldn’t be available for a few months after a phone’s release. Thankfully now, companies have high quality cases right out of the gate. Here at BestLeather we prefer…leather, so when we saw the Sena Walletbook Case for iPhone 12, we had to try it out.

Construction

This case has a leather exterior with a skeleton consisting of shock absorbing thermoplastic rubber. While this certainly isn’t full grain, it really isn’t necessary.

A soft microfiber lining is used to prevent scratches while housing your phone. The stitching is clean and tight and we see reinforced corners for impact protection. This case seems to have all the protection of an otterbox, but without looking like a Jeep tire.

Function

The Sena Walletbook Case for the iPhone 12 works great as an option for those who want to consolidate their wallet or purse. With more and more financial transactions done by phone, you don’t really need to be concerned with its limited capacity.

You can get about 4-6 cards in it and a few bills before it starts to feel bloated. I did notice the case doesn’t close flat, but is easily remedied by flipping it over so the iPhone’s weight keeps it closed. 

The leather acts as a natural shock absorber and barrier against the outside world. The iPhone sits snugly in the hard plastic enclosure. The flap also acts as a very nice stand.

 

Aesthetic 

This case has a very classic vibe to it. I appreciate the sophisticated looks. In a market where most cases are cheap plastic throwaways it’s refreshing to see a product that takes pride in what it does and is more than just a flavor of the day cheap suit for a state of the art electronic device.

Conclusion 

The Sena Walletbook Case for iPhone 12 is a handsomely made case that features great storage solutions and still does a good job protecting your phone. The cost is a bit steep, so it’s not for everyone. However, if you want a case that lives up to the phone housing it, it may be worth a second look.

Posted on

ColsenKeane No. 1214 – Standard Portfolio Case Review – $195

Disclosure: We are a professional review site that receives compensation from the companies whose products we review. We test each product thoroughly and give high marks to only the very best. We are independently owned and the opinions expressed are our own.

I was helping my brother in law clean out his home office last spring, and amidst the countless obsolete software manuals he must have had a dozen laptop cases. From black nylon zippered pouches to cheap, thin promo ones stamped with corporate logos from trade shows. It really got me to thinking the amount of money people spend on these cases over a lifetime and how buying one very good one can not only save you money, but provide for years of service. Enter ColsenKeane No. 1214 – Standard Portfolio Case.

 

Construction

The ColsenKeane No. 1214 Standard Portfolio is made of American sourced Full Grain Chrome Tanned Cowhide with Solid Brass straps. A general role of engineering is that less moveable parts equates to better durability.

The No.1214 executes that with one thick full sheet of leather – That’s right, no stitching to come apart on this case at all. 2 Heavy duty brass rivet buttons keep the case flap secure. Measures 13”x9”x1” and comes with a Lifetime Guarantee. 

 

Function

The life of a portfolio sleeve is a simple one. However, it’s only limited in use by your imagination. You can load it with papers, slim electronics and even books. I like to use it to segregate the contents in my bag. It snugly fits my 13” Thinkpad (As well as 13” MacBook Pro and iPad Pro)

While it will prevent surface scuffs, this case provides little impact protection. The buttons have a strong snap and are very secure. The interior leather is soft and won’t scratch delicate electronic surfaces. 

 

Aesthetic 

The No. 1214 looks good, plain and simple. It’s not pretentious, yet doesn’t go unnoticed. When you take a material as timeless as leather and expertly craft a sleek case with no unnecessary zippers, handles, etc – you’re left with a dry good that will only get better with age. And unlike laptops, this case can serve for years and years. 

Conclusion 

The ColsenKeane No. 1214 – Standard Portfolio Case is  great looking and built like a tank. It will faithfully serve your laptop and your laptop’s laptop for years to come. At almost $200 dollars, about what it would cost to put a down payment on a Kia, it might not be within everyone’s budget. However, look in your closet at how many laptop sleeves you’ve got and tally the costs per unit. This case will be your favorite and not likely replaced, as they say – Buy the best and only cry once.

 

Posted on

ColsenKeane No. 215 – Small Travel Case Review – $110

Disclosure: We are a professional review site that receives compensation from the companies whose products we review. We test each product thoroughly and give high marks to only the very best. We are independently owned and the opinions expressed are our own.

One of the driving motivations behind this site is to connect people and products, but not just any product to any person. In a world full of disposables, it’s refreshing to simplify and focus on quality over quantity. We want to showcase goods for the person who wants to buy the best and only cry once. I had the opportunity to handle one such product, a clever case that has become indispensable when traveling – The  ColsenKeane No. 215 – Small Travel Case 

Construction

Ever look at the back of a bag of Doritos and shudder at all the bizarre components of a flavored tortilla chip? Well, you’ll be relieved to find the ColsenKeane No. 215 Small Travel Case is made of 2 ingredients: Leather and Brass – Or to be more precise American sourced Full Grain Chrome Tanned Cowhide.

We see brass rivets at all critical stress zones and two hefty prong buckles.with keepers. Measures about 8”x4”x3” and comes with a Lifetime Guarantee. 

Function

At a cursory glance you might just see a very handsome dopp kit, but then you’d be robbing this little case of all the utility it presents. I load it with cables, clothing and even fruit a few times. The heavy duty buckles are a bit overkill and can sometimes make retrieving items more of a hassle but they also offer maximum security from loose items getting out.

The size is a great balance in terms of fitting things in, without taking up precious real estate in your backpack or luggage. Right now my daughter is storing color pencils in it for art, and last week it was full of scavenger hunt items. My point is, thanks to the build quality of this bag it will serve in multiple capacities for decades to come.

Aesthetic 

ColsenKeane really utilizes K.I.S.S principle with the small travel case, and in doing so have crafted a superbly clean looking product. This case looks good at all times and from all angles. The marriage of top quality leather and master craftsmanship is readily apparent when handling and observing the case. There’s really nothing to critique so I’ll keep mum and let the pictures do the talking.

Conclusion 

It’s pretty rare when I come across a product I like so much I actively try to find new ways to use it. ColsenKeane’s No. 215 – Small Travel Case is a jack of all trades. With the ability to securely and stylishly round up all your paraphernalia, you’ll find yourself wondering what you were doing all this time. The price is fairly reasonable as well, keep in mind the buckle closure isn’t as convenient as a zipper – But that’s why this will last decades as opposed to years. 

Posted on

Roger Ximenez Americana Pebble Belt Review – $199

Disclosure: We are a professional review site that receives compensation from the companies whose products we review. We test each product thoroughly and give high marks to only the very best. We are independently owned and the opinions expressed are our own.

Next to wallets, belts are probably the most reviewed products we see. While most of them are of stellar quality, they have difficulty standing out. More often than not a fun belt is a novelty belt and a cheap throwaway. Needless to say, it was a treat to get my hands on a belt that really stands out, and is also of the highest quality. Check out our review of the Roger Ximenez Americana Pebble Belt, possibly the best American Flag belt in existence.