Our Materials & Care
What we make. How it lasts.
From the leather we source for our bags to the fibres we select for our clothing, every material decision at Arlington Milne is deliberate. We choose for quality, for longevity and for the way a material performs over time.
Leather Accessories
Leather
Our leather accessories are crafted from full-grain leather - the highest grade available, sourced from the outermost layer of the hide. It is selected for its natural texture, its suppleness and the way it develops genuine character over years of wear.
As a natural material, each piece carries its own subtle variations in colour and surface texture. Minor differences in hue or slight surface marks are not faults - they are the fingerprints of a natural product. Light-coloured hides, such as our signature Vintage Tan, will develop a natural patina with use. This is what genuine leather does.
How to care for it:
Apply a quality leather protector before first use and reapply regularly - this is the most important single step. Store in your Arlington Milne dust bag in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Never store in plastic. Avoid overfilling your bag, as the leather and fittings are designed to carry a specific weight. If cleaning is needed, always test any product on a small hidden area first, then reapply protector after cleaning. Exercise particular care when wearing light-coloured leather with dark denim, as colour transfer can occur.
Handwoven Leather
Our handwoven leather collection is made using traditional weaving techniques, where individual strips of premium vegetable-tanned leather are interlaced by skilled artisans to create the signature texture of each piece. Unlike a standard leather bag that is cut and stitched, these styles are woven entirely by hand.
Each bag takes approximately eight hours to complete. That process means no two pieces are identical - each carries its own subtle variation in weave and tone, a direct reflection of the hands that made it.
The leather itself is top-grain vegetable-tanned, finished with a light wax coating that enhances its natural texture and provides a subtle sheen. Vegetable tanning uses natural tannins derived from plant materials such as bark and wood, avoiding harsh chemical agents. The leather will soften and deepen in tone with wear, becoming more distinctive over time.
How to care for it:
Wipe gently with a soft dry cloth when needed. Avoid contact with sharp or abrasive objects. Do not use alcohol-based or strongly alkaline cleaning products. Store away from prolonged heat or direct sunlight, and in your dust bag when not in use. With proper care, the patina will deepen beautifully over years of wear.
Suede
Suede is among our most sought-after materials - its texture is unlike any other leather finish and its softness is immediate. It is more delicate than smooth leather and requires a little more attention, but with the right care it is equally long-lived.
All Arlington Milne suedes are genuine hides. We never source from rare or endangered animals.
How to care for it:
Treat with a premium suede protector before first wear and reapply regularly. If the bag gets wet, blot gently with a clean dry cloth and allow to air dry away from direct heat - never force dry. Brush regularly with a soft-bristled suede brush, working in the direction of the natural nap. Address stains immediately using a suede eraser or clean dry cloth, working gently. For stubborn marks, a suede-specific cleaner may be used - always test first. Store in your dust bag away from sunlight and humidity.
Clothing
Cashmere
Our 100% cashmere pieces are crafted from luxuriously soft mid-lightweight yarn - selected for its fineness and exceptional warmth relative to weight. Some light pilling is a natural characteristic of soft cashmere, not a fault, and can be easily managed with a knitwear comb and gentle washing.
How to care for it:
Hand wash in cool water. Do not bleach, wring or twist. Reshape while damp and lay flat to dry. Do not hang. May be dry cleaned.
Cashmere Blends
Our cashmere blend range combines cashmere with carefully selected partner fibres - merino, wool, lyocell and cotton - each chosen to enhance a specific quality. Some blends prioritise breathability and easy care. Others balance softness with structure. All are formulated to minimise pilling, hold their shape and perform across multiple seasons.
Our knitwear blends include:
• 50% Cashmere, 25% Merino, 25% Lyocell - lightweight warmth with natural breathability
• 70% Wool, 30% Cashmere -structured warmth with a refined hand feel
• 5% & 10% Cashmere/Cotton - elevated everyday softness in an easy-care fabric
How to care for it:
Hand wash in cool water. Do not bleach, wring or twist. Reshape while damp and lay flat to dry. May be dry cleaned.
Cotton
Cotton sits at the heart of several of our clothing styles - appearing as high twist cotton in our knitwear and as a tightly woven drill in our woven pieces. High twist cotton has a distinctly crisp hand feel with excellent durability and breathability. Our cotton drill is a structured, non-stretch fabric that holds a clean finish across repeated wear. Both are chosen for their longevity and the way they improve with washing.
How to care for it:
Cold gentle hand wash. Line dry in shade. Warm iron. Do not tumble dry, soak or wring. Quality dry cleaning recommended.
Linen
Linen is made from the fibres of the flax plant - one of the oldest and most enduring natural textiles in the world. It is valued for its breathability, its naturally cool hand feel and the way it softens and becomes more comfortable with every wash. Temperature-regulating across seasons, it is a fabric that rewards wearing and improves with time.
Natural creasing is a characteristic of linen, not a fault - it eases with wear and is part of the fabric's relaxed, considered aesthetic.
How to care for it:
Cold gentle hand wash. Line dry in shade. Warm iron while slightly damp for best results. Do not tumble dry, soak or wring. Quality dry cleaning recommended.
Ramie
A natural fibre derived from the stem of the nettle plant, prized for its delicate lustrous hand feel that closely resembles silk. Our ramie fabric is exclusive to Arlington Milne - chosen for its natural sheen, its shape retention and the effortless way it wears across occasions. Lightweight, breathable and distinctly refined.
How to care for it:
Cold gentle hand wash. Line dry in shade. Warm iron. Do not tumble dry, soak or wring. Quality dry cleaning recommended.
Silk Viscose
Silk viscose twill is characterised by a subtle diagonal weave pattern that produces exceptional draping qualities and a soft natural lustre. The silk content provides sheen while the viscose adds fluidity and softness. A fabric that moves beautifully and wears with effortless elegance.
How to care for it:
Dry clean only. Quality dry cleaning recommended.
Shop the collections
Find your next favourite piece
Every material on this page goes into something worth owning. Browse our full range of leather accessories and considered clothing - crafted to be kept.