Hermès Chevre vs. Togo: What's the difference?

The choice between Hermès Chevre and Togo leather comes down to a fundamental difference in texture and durability. Chevre is a soft, lightweight goat leather with a smooth, fine grain and a subtle sheen, prized for its elegant and refined appearance. In contrast, Togo, also a goat leather, is known for its distinct pebbled texture, superior scratch resistance, and structured feel, making it an incredibly resilient option for everyday bags.

Here's everything you need to know to decide which iconic Hermès leather is the right investment for your lifestyle.

Hermès Chevre Leather

Chevre, French for "goat," is a luxurious leather celebrated for its soft feel, fine grain, and lightweight nature. Its surface has a lustrous, polished finish that gives it a sophisticated and delicate appearance. This refinement makes it a popular choice for smaller leather goods, the interiors of bags, and special-order pieces where a touch of elegance is paramount.

• What it is: A soft, supple, and lightweight leather sourced from goat hide, known for its very fine and uniform grain.
• Key features: Smooth texture with a light sheen, flexible, and weighs less than many other Hermès leathers.
• Price: Both Chevre and Togo are premium leathers, and their prices are generally comparable within the Hermès range.
• Materials/Construction: Crafted from goat hide, this leather is processed to create a sleek and uniform surface, highlighting its natural character without a heavy texture.
• Pros: Elegant and sophisticated appearance, lightweight feel, soft and supple to the touch, and easy to clean with proper care.
• Cons: More delicate and prone to scratches and scuffs than Togo, provides less structure to handbags, signs of wear can be more visible on its smooth surface.
• Best for: Wallets, small accessories, evening bags, and bag linings where a gentle and refined finish is desired.

This leather is perfect for the person who values a polished, elegant aesthetic for special occasion items or is particularly careful with their luxury goods.

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Hermès Togo Leather

Togo is one of Hermès' most popular and recognizable leathers, known for its exceptional durability and signature pebbled grain. Made from goat hide, it has a more textured and matte finish compared to Chevre. Its robust nature makes it highly resistant to everyday wear, which is why it's a top choice for iconic, frequently used handbags like the Birkin and Kelly.

• What it is: A durable, scratch-resistant goat leather with a distinctive, pebble-like grain and a more structured feel.
• Key features: Visible textured grain, excellent resistance to scuffs and scratches, holds its shape well over time.
• Price: A premium Hermès leather with a price point comparable to Chevre.
• Materials/Construction: The leather is processed to emphasize its natural grain, resulting in a distinct, textured surface that is both beautiful and tough.
• Pros: Extremely durable and resistant to scratches, structured and helps bags maintain their shape, ages gracefully and develops a beautiful patina, relatively low-maintenance.
• Cons: Slightly heavier than Chevre, the textured appearance is more rugged than delicate, can feel stiffer initially.
• Best for: Everyday handbags of all sizes, especially larger styles like the Birkin 30 or 35, where durability and shape retention are critical.

Choose this leather if you are looking for a reliable, structured, and long-lasting material for a daily-use handbag that withstands activity and looks better with time.

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Hermès Chevre vs. Togo Comparison

Texture and Appearance

The most immediate difference between the two leathers is how they look and feel. Chevre is smooth, with a very fine grain that you feel more than see, giving it a soft sheen and an undeniably elegant look. Its polished surface feels silky and a bit more formal.

Togo, on the other hand, is all about texture. Its prominent pebbled grain is visible from a distance and provides a distinct tactile feel. This gives Togo a slightly more relaxed, matte, and rugged appearance, perfect for a bag that's meant to be used often.

Durability and Wear

When it comes to durability, Togo has a clear advantage. Its textured surface is excellent at hiding minor scratches and scuffs, and the leather itself is highly resistant to wear. This resilience makes it a practical choice for a primary handbag that you don't want to worry about constantly.

Chevre is significantly more delicate. Its smooth surface makes it susceptible to scratches, which can be more noticeable. While it's not fragile, it does require more conscious care and is better suited for items that won't face constant friction, such as wallets or evening clutches.

Weight and Structure

Chevre's lightweight and flexible nature makes it ideal for smaller items where bulk is a concern. It drapes beautifully and feels less rigid. However, this flexibility means it provides less structure, so a large bag made from Chevre might feel softer or less defined.

Togo is slightly heavier and stiffer than Chevre. This inherent structure is a key reason it is so popular for bags like the Birkin and Kelly. It helps the bag maintain its iconic silhouette even with regular use, preventing it from looking slouchy over time.

Aging and Maintenance

Both leathers age beautifully, but in different ways. Togo develops a lovely patina over time, and its robust nature means it tends to look fantastic for decades with minimal maintenance. It’s a very forgiving leather.

Chevre also develops character but requires more careful handling. Scratches should be addressed quickly, and it's best to store Chevre items carefully to protect their smooth surface. Though easy to wipe clean, preventative care is more important with this leather.

Which One Should You Choose?

Your choice between these two exceptional Hermès leathers depends entirely on your lifestyle, aesthetic preference, and how you plan to use your item.

Choose Chevre if:

• You prioritize a smooth, polished, and refined appearance for a more formal look.
• You are buying a smaller accessory, like a cardholder or wallet, or a special occasion bag.
• A lightweight feel is important to you.
• You are naturally careful with your luxury items and don't mind a more delicate material.

Choose Togo if:

• You need a highly durable, scratch-resistant leather for an everyday handbag.
• You want your bag to maintain its structure and iconic shape for years to come.
• You appreciate a visible, textured grain that ages gracefully and hides minor imperfections.
• You prefer a more dependable, low-maintenance option for frequent use.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between Hermès Chevre and Togo?

The main difference is texture and durability. Chevre is smooth, fine-grained, and lightweight, making it elegant but more delicate. Togo is pebbled, textured, and heavier, offering excellent scratch resistance and structure, ideal for daily use.

Which leather is more durable, Chevre or Togo?

Togo is famous for its exceptional durability. Its textured grain makes it highly resistant to scratches, scuffs, and daily wear, making it one of the most resilient leathers Hermès offers.

Is Chevre or Togo leather heavier?

Chevre is noticeably lightweight, while Togo is slightly heavier due to its density and thickness. This added weight in Togo contributes to the structure and durability of the handbags it's used for.

How do I care for Hermès Chevre and Togo leather?

For both, use a dry, soft cloth to gently wipe the leather down and store it in its dust bag away from heat and direct sunlight. For Togo, its durable surface requires minimal care. For Chevre, be mindful to avoid contact with abrasive surfaces to prevent scratching.

Which leather is better for a Birkin or Kelly bag?

Togo is overwhelmingly one of the most popular choices for a Birkin or Kelly. Its ability to maintain the bag’s iconic structure and withstand daily use makes it a practical and long-lasting option. That said, special orders for these bags often request exotic leathers and materials, though that goes far beyond a simple Chevre vs. Togo comparison.

Does Chevre scratch easily?

Yes, Chevre is more prone to scratching compared to textured leathers like Togo. Its smooth, fine surface doesn't have a grain to hide imperfections, so scratches can be more visible. It's good practice to keep all of your leather goods away from abrasive surfaces such as keys.

Does Togo leather soften over time?

Yes, Togo does soften slightly with time and use, but it does not become slouchy. It maintains its structure exceptionally well while developing a richer feel and beautiful patina, making it even more comfortable to carry over the years.

Are Chevre and Togo made from the same animal?

Yes, both Chevre and Togo are derived from goat hide. The different textures, weights, and finishes are a result of distinct tanning and finishing processes that the House of Hermès uses, each of which has been artfully refined and is a closely kept secret.