How leather wallets age: Bluno’s 4 colors, unused and after 3 years
Hello, I’m Uno from Bluno.
When choosing a leather wallet, you may wonder just as much about how it will look after use as about its color today. I like the quiet look of new leather, but with everyday handling it develops a sheen and its color gradually deepens. For me, being able to enjoy that change is one of leather’s charms.
For this article, we placed unused Bluno wallets featuring tin alongside ones used for 3 years. Brown, greige, green and blue: even with the same design, each color develops a different character. I hope these photos will help you choose a wallet.
Why leather wallets change in color and sheen
At Bluno, we use oil-rich, vegetable-tanned leather from Italy. It has a slightly matte finish at first, but handling and everyday friction gradually bring out its sheen. Its feel and softness change along with its color, allowing the leather to settle into the everyday life of the person using it.
Natural leather already has wrinkles and variations in color. We value the individual character of each piece, including these differences. You can read more about our materials in About Leather and Tin.
Unused and after 3 years: comparing 4 colors
In every photo, the unused wallet is on the left and the one used for 3 years is on the right. First compare the leather’s color, then the sheen where the light falls.
Brown
The lighter brown develops a deeper shade with use. The wallet used for 3 years has become a dark, reddish brown, with a sheen on the surface. If you enjoy the way leather’s color deepens, this example may help you picture that change.
Greige
Pale greige also takes on a different appearance with continued use. In this example, the grayish tone of the new wallet has become more brown. There is pleasure in choosing a wallet while imagining both how it will look when it arrives and how it may look later.
Green
With green, compare the depth of color before and after use. In the photo, it has changed from a lighter green to a deep green close to black. As the sheen develops, the same green takes on a different mood. Its appearance also changes between brighter light and slight shade.
Blue
The vivid blue also appears closer to a deep navy in the photo taken after 3 years. If you choose it for its original blue, I hope you will also enjoy spending time with the deeper shade it develops. In the photo, take a look at the differences in color and sheen between the center and the edges of the leather.
Even after the same 3 years, each wallet ages differently
These photos show one example of how leather ages. Do you carry your wallet every day or use it occasionally? Do you keep it in a bag or in a pocket? How often you handle it and the conditions in which you use it affect both the pace of change and the color it develops.
Rather than expecting a particular color after a set number of months, I hope you will enjoy watching your own wallet change. Taking a photo on the day it arrives is a good idea, too. Changes that are hard to notice when you see it every day become clearer when you compare photos later.
Keep everyday care simple
For everyday care, wiping with a soft, dry cloth is usually enough. If you notice dust, gently brush it away with a soft brush. Bluno’s leather already contains oils, so there is no need to keep adding cream or oil to bring out the sheen more quickly. Too much oil can sometimes cause stains or uneven coloring.
Small scratches and scuffs gradually blend in, giving the leather a character of its own. We hope our wallets can stay with you for a long time, including the time spent enjoying those changes. If you are unsure about care, please see our care guide or feel free to get in touch.
The color when new, and the color that develops with use. I hope you will keep both in mind as you choose a wallet to share your everyday life with. Explore Bluno’s leather goods.