What Is Vegetable Tanned Leather?

Vegetable tanning is a method of turning animal hide into leather using tannins from plants and trees. The word “vegetable” refers to those tanning materials; it does not mean the leather is vegan or made from plants.

Why I work with it

I enjoy the range of feel and character available in vegetable tanned leather. A firm leather can give a wallet structure, while a softer one suits a different kind of bag. The tannery's finishing choices also influence the surface, colour and handling.

It works well with the careful cutting, saddle stitching and edge finishing we use in the workshop. I choose the particular leather to suit each design.

What to expect in everyday use

Many of the leathers we use change visibly with handling. Their colour can deepen, their surface may gain a sheen and their feel can soften. Different colours and finishes respond differently, so there is no single timetable for those changes.

You can see the particular leather and colour in each product listing. If you have questions about how it may develop, ask before ordering.

A considered material choice

Vegetable tanning describes a process, not a complete environmental assessment of a product. I prefer to tell you which leather we use and where it comes from, rather than make broad promises based on the tanning method alone.

Learn more about patina, find simple care advice, or return to the leather overview.