If you are looking for butter-soft kid leather, this bag is not for you. But a real leather, good looking, sturdy, perfectly sized (for my needs) tote for ** bucks, you cannot go wrong. Seriously! I have had this bag for over a year; in fact, I have two; and while I do switch bags frequently, it's in better shape than a $250 Kate Spade (don't comment, it was a moment of succumbing to pressure. "But Mom, it's a sale on sale. Everybody should have one designer bag" pfff), I bought around the same time. I love it. In fact, let's see what colors they have today. Merry Christmas to me!