Hermès Mysore vs. Epsom: What's the difference?

The choice between Hermès Mysore and Epsom leather comes down to a classic style dilemma: sleek elegance versus structured durability. Mysore is a smooth, high-gloss calfskin with a fine grain, creating a polished and formal look that beautifully highlights color. In contrast, Epsom is a famously resilient embossed calfskin with a distinctive cross-hatch texture, known for being scratch-resistant and holding its shape perfectly over time.

Here's everything you need to know to choose the right Hermès leather for your lifestyle and preferences.

Hermès Mysore Leather

Mysore leather is a luxurious and highly refined goatskin prized for its sophisticated appearance and visible fine grain. It has a slightly glossy finish and a soft, supple feel, making it an excellent choice for elegant handbags and small leather goods where a touch of polish is desired.

• What it is: A premium goatskin leather that is characterized by its fine, visible grain and elegant sheen.
• Key features: Smooth texture with a close, fine grain, a very subtle gloss that isn't highly polished, soft and pliable nature.
• Feel: Soft, supple, and smooth to the touch. It has more give than highly structured leathers.
• Durability: While premium quality, its soft and smooth surface makes it more prone to showing scratches and scuffs compared to embossed leathers.
• Price: Associated with premium handbags, sitting in a typical Hermès luxury price bracket.
• Pros: Incredibly luxe and soft feel, beautiful visible grain that signifies quality, drapes elegantly, resistant to losing its shape over time.
• Cons: More susceptible to scratches and scuffs than textured leathers, requires careful handling and maintenance to keep it pristine.

This leather is ideal for the owner who appreciates a classic, refined aesthetic and is willing to provide the necessary care to maintain its beautiful finish, especially for evening bags or special occasion pieces.

Explore this leather: hermes.com/us/en/category/leather/mysore-leather/

Hermès Epsom Leather

Epsom is a popular and practical embossed calfskin known for its incredible durability and structural integrity. Instead of a natural grain, a cross-hatch pattern is pressed into the leather, creating a uniform, rigid, and scratch-resistant surface. This makes it a workhorse leather that's perfect for everyday handbags.

• What it is: An embossed calfskin leather with a signature cross-hatch pattern and a matte finish.
• Key features: Highly structured and holds its shape perfectly, scratch-resistant surface, lightweight, easy to clean and water resistant.
• Feel: Rigid, stiff, and textured to the touch. It lacks the soft suppleness of leathers like Mysore.
• Durability: It's one of Hermès' most durable leathers. It resists scratches remarkably well and can be wiped clean with a dry cloth, making it highly practical.
• Price: A permanent and widely used leather in the Hermès collection, priced consistently with the brand’s luxury positioning.
• Pros: Extremely durable and resistant to scratches and water, very easy to maintain, lightweight for its structure, ensures the bag always looks sharp and new.
• Cons: Feels stiff and less traditionally luxurious to the touch, the embossed pattern is not a natural grain, which some purists may dislike.

Perfect for those who seek a modern, structured bag that is tough enough for daily wear, travel, and requires minimal upkeep while still looking sharp.

Explore this leather: hermes.com/us/en/category/leather/epsom-leather/

Hermès Mysore vs. Epsom Comparison

Appearance & Texture

The most immediate difference is visual and tactile. Mysore presents a soft, semi-matte surface with a delicate, visible grain. It looks naturally elegant and feels incredibly smooth. Its texture is organic and speaks to classic luxury.

Epsom is the opposite. Its surface is defined by a pressed cross-hatch texture, creating a uniform, matte, and geometric look. This pattern gives bags a very sharp, architectural silhouette. Epsom leather doesn't absorb light the way Mysore does, its textured surface provides a crisp, modern finish.

Durability & Maintenance

This is where Epsom leather has a clear advantage. Its embossed, coated surface is highly resistant to scratches and scuffs from daily use. If it gets caught in a drizzle, water tends to bead off and can be wiped away easily without staining. It's the go-to choice for a worry-free, everyday handbag.

Mysore is more delicate. As a smooth and soft leather, it is more susceptible to showing scratches, pen marks, or dents. It requires more conscious care - storing it properly in its dust bag, avoiding abrasive surfaces, and protecting it from rain is essential to keeping it in pristine condition.

Structure & Flexibility

Epsom is renowned for its rigidity. This quality ensures that structured Hermès bags, like a Kelly Sellier or a Birkin, maintain their sharp, defined shape indefinitely. It will not slouch or sag over time, making it ideal for those who prefer a consistently formal look.

Mysore is a more flexible and supple leather. While it has enough body to hold structure in designs like the Kelly, it provides a softer, less rigid silhouette. It will have more "give" and a more relaxed feel than an identical bag made from Epsom.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both leathers are excellent, but they serve very different owners and purposes within the Hermès collection.

Choose Mysore if:

• You prefer a classic, understated luxury look with a natural fine grain.
• You want a bag that feels exceptionally soft and supple to the touch.
• The bag is intended for more formal or careful use, rather than daily commuting.
• You are meticulous about caring for your luxury goods and enjoy the maintenance process.

Choose Epsom if:

• You need a highly durable, low-maintenance bag for everyday use or travel.
• You prioritize scratch and water resistance for a worry-free experience.
• You love a sharp, architectural silhouette that will never lose its shape.
• You prefer a lightweight bag, as Epsom is lighter than many other leathers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the main difference between Hermès Mysore and Epsom?

The main difference lies in texture and durability. Mysore is a soft, smooth goatskin with a fine, natural grain that is more delicate. Epsom is a rigid, embossed calfskin with a textured pattern that is extremely durable and scratch-resistant.

Which Hermès leather is more durable?

Epsom is one of the most durable and resilient leathers offered by Hermès. Its embossed grain and finish make it highly resistant to scratches and easy to clean, making it ideal for daily use.

Does Epsom leather look cheap?

Absolutely not. While it might lack the natural grain of other leathers, its crisp, uniform pattern is a hallmark of modern luxury. Many clients specifically seek out Epsom for its sharp appearance and its ability to keep a bag looking brand new for years.

Does Mysore leather scratch easily?

Compared to a textured leather like Epsom, yes, Mysore is more prone to showing scratches. It's a smoother, softer leather, so it requires more careful handling to avoid marks from keys, jewelry, or abrasive surfaces.

Which leather holds its shape better?

Epsom is superior in holding its shape. Its inherent stiffness and rigidity are core features, ensuring structured bags like the Birkin or Kelly maintain their iconic architectural silhouette without slouching.

Is Epsom leather real leather?

Yes, Epsom is 100% real calfskin leather. The unique cross-hatch texture is not a natural grain, it is created by impressing a pattern onto the leather's surface, which adds to its durability.

How do you care for Epsom vs. Mysore leather?

Care for Epsom is minimal: simply wipe it with a soft, dry cloth. For minor spills, a slightly damp cloth can be used followed by immediate drying. Mysore leather requires more attention, it should be kept away from water, oils, and sharp objects, and stored in its dust bag away from light and humidity.

Which is more popular, Mysore or Epsom?

Epsom is generally more common and widely popular due to its exceptional durability and practicality for everyday bags. Mysore is cherished by connoisseurs who prefer its refined, natural grain and soft feel for more specific, often dressier, pieces.