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Brand Scorecard:
★★★★☆
Leather: 4.5
Hardware: 4
Design: 4
Engineering: 4
Craftmanship: 4.5
TOTAL: 4.21
Brand Website: buttonscarves.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS
BRIEF HISTORY
Back then, scarves were often seen as old-fashioned and uncomfortable, and it was challenging to find premium options suitable for both formal and informal occasions. This inspired the founders to create their own brand, launching in 2016 to provide high-quality scarves. They started their journey online, catering to customers in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. Over time, they expanded their product range to include bags, brooches, and other fashion accessories, eventually establishing physical stores in shopping centers across Indonesia and Malaysia by 2018.
In 2020, they introduced Benang Jarum, a clothing line that complements their scarves, focusing on modest fashion with modern, clean-cut designs. The brand is dedicated to using the best-in-class materials and exceptional designs, aiming to empower every woman to look stylish and feel comfortable. Benang Jarum embodies their commitment to offering pieces that enhance women's beauty and confidence.
FIVE PILLARS OF A GOOD LEATHERCRAFT
CRITERIA | 5 (Very Strong) | 4 (Strong) | 3 (Mixed) | 2 (Limited) | 1 (Not Present) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Leather | A perfect balance of art and fashion of leather tanning. Rare and artisanal hides from exceptional tanneries | Good leathers for the application in hand. Coming from environmentally conscious tanneries | Average corrected leathers that do NOT require high-quality raw hides. Less info on the source of the leather | Low-quality leather choice with significantly less information about the sourcing practice. | Inferior sketchy leather derivates or non-leather materials. |
Hardware | Top of the line Stainless Steel or Brass Hardware with Highest Caliber Coatings | Common alloy or brass hardware with high-quality plating and thin protection that will last a good while. | Alloy hardware with acceptable coating. Lifetime may be impacted due to the coating of the hardware. | Serious flaws in the making and coating of the low-grade alloy hardware that is harmful to humans and the planet. | Non-metal, plastic, and non-durable hardware that is harmful to humans and the planet. |
Design | A professional design language that is unique and consistent with the brand | A creative take on a classical design concept | Minimal changes to common styles | Almost copy of common/famous designs. Dysfunctional elements. | Problematic design elements affect the functionality, durability, and aesthetics of the product. |
Engineering | Highly organized, sophisticated shape and form engineering with high-quality materials inside the craft. | Clean and quality inner support materials and structure | Acceptable cleanliness of inner work with medium-quality support materials | Messy inside with low-grade support elements | Complete lack of inner structure and craftsmanship. |
Craftsmanship | Expert craftsmanship with flawless, hand or machine stitching, demonstrating advanced skills. No visible errors; edge paint is avoided using superior techniques. | Perfect machine stitching with excellent edge finishing. Immaculate inside and out, with no visible flaws, showing a commitment to quality. | Good overall stitching and alignment with minor flaws. Acceptable edge finishing, with fairly clean interior and exterior. | Noticeable misalignment and sloppy workmanship. Multiple errors affect visual appeal, with untidy interior work. | Poor craftsmanship with missed stitches, visible errors, and uncleaned residues. Major issues that may affect durability. |
Overall Score | An incredible value for money that I have no problem recommending to anyone | Very good example of great quality for a great price without any risk to try | A considerable offer with a relatively high price. Make your choice at your own discretion | Consider it well within your own criterion as the quality/price is not a decision point I can recommend here | Stay away! |
READING MY ASSESSMENT SCORES
SCORE | NAME | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
5 | Strong Yes | ⭐ This grade is given to brands that present great value for the price they charge you for their product. I have no problem confidently recommending you check their products. These are the brands I reach out to ask if they can give me an affiliate link so your purchases using my link can support my content efforts. |
4 | Yes | 👍 This indicates that the brand meets all my expectations from the perspective of price and information they have about their products. I would happily buy their products at this level of quality/value score. This is the only other category of brands I request an affiliate link to support this channel to improve my Leathertainment content. |
3 | Mixed | ➖ There are areas that I found less than desirable for the quality/price performance I appreciate personally. Some high-end luxury brands may fall under this category given I am looking for tangible value in the products, ignoring the intangible brand prestige they may offer as a value to their customers. I am not a customer of these brands and I wouldn’t recommend them to my audience if they do NOT value brand logos. |
2 | No | 👎 This indicates that the product and the brand failed my expectations in significant ways and I won’t recommend them to anyone. |
1 | Strong No | ❌ This is the lowest assessment and indicates fundamental issues in the product and/or the brand. I would say look somewhere else. |
LEATHERVERSE MATRIX
The Leatherverse Brand Matrix visually compares leather brands based on sophistication and pricing, helping consumers understand their market positioning.
Legend
Vertical Axis: Ranges from simple artisan crafts to exclusive, master-crafted items.
Horizontal Axis: Covers pricing from low (no brand premium) to high (perceived luxury), with 2x multipliers for basic products and up to 15x for heavily marketed luxury items.
Diagonal Line: Represents the balance between price and performance. Brands on the line offer good value, those below suggest poor value, and those above offer exceptional value.
AUDIENCE & CUSTOMER'S PERSPECTIVE
Based on these criteria, how would you rate Buttonscarves as a brand?
How would you rate Buttonscarves as a brand?
5
4
3
2
PRODUCTS REVIEWED
The Hidden Truths of Buttonscarves' Britney Bag: Value, Quality, and First Impressions
Buttonscarves' Britney Bag
Watch the videos here:
Have you ever been intrigued by a brand challenge? I recently found myself drawn into one. Buttonscarves, an Indonesian brand, dared me to test the durability of their Britney bag, a purchase that set me back $189. To maintain an air of mystery, I enlisted a local personal shopper to keep my identity under wraps. A week ago, I received an unexpectedly large box from DHL, leaving me puzzled about what I'd ordered. The mystery unraveled, revealing the Britney bag.
DISCLAIMER : The “Rip My Bag Challenge” is a review series that tests leather products’ quality, price, and craftsmanship. While the brand supports the challenge financially, my opinions stay fair, unbiased, and truthful. Products featured are purchased anonymously without brand involvement. Brands have no control over content, publishing dates, or the review process. You may watch or read the full disclaimer here.
First Impressions
Upon unboxing, I was met with mixed feelings. The leather didn't immediately impress me; its finish felt off, almost plasticky to the touch. However, the craftsmanship was undeniably meticulous. The microfiber suede-like lining added a touch of luxury, and the edge paint was flawlessly applied. The bag’s unique shape was a standout feature, setting it apart from typical designs.
Craftsmanship and Materials
Upon opening this bag, I can confirm the clean craftsmanship both inside and out. They used all the necessary support materials to shape the bag, and these materials were applied appropriately with above-average quality. I love the feel of the inner fabric lining they used. From a craftsmanship standpoint, everything seems excellent, especially at this price point.
To dig deeper into the leather quality, I applied acetone to remove the finish. My suspicions were confirmed: the finish on top is a bit too thick. It’s a pigment finish on top of top-grain cowhide. While the leather itself isn’t bad, it’s a bit loose in the tannage, and the thick film creates wrinkles on the curves. This, combined with the plasticky touch, gives the leather a somewhat cheaper feel.
Hardware Quality
The hardware quality was typical for this market segment. It featured a soft alloy zamak with a decent but thin coating, which I could easily remove. This is common in mid-tier bags, and while it wasn’t extraordinary, it met my expectations for the price point.
Cost Breakdown
Estimating the costs, I calculated approximately six square feet of cowhide at about $15. Adding hardware and assembly, likely done in China, I estimated an additional $55. This brings the total production cost to roughly $70. Given the $189 price tag, this represents a 2.5x markup, which is quite reasonable in this market.
Final Thoughts
The Buttonscarves Britney bag offers a unique design executed with commendable craftsmanship. While the leather selection could use improvement, particularly in avoiding the overly thick finish, the overall package presents good value for the customer. With a slight upgrade in leather quality, this bag could become an exceptional market offering.
So, would I recommend the Britney bag? Yes, especially if you appreciate unique designs and solid craftsmanship. Just keep in mind that the leather might not feel as luxurious as you’d hope. For $189, though, it’s a deal that’s hard to beat.
Scorecard
TANNER APPROVED!
★★★★☆ - 4.21
Criteria | Score | Results |
|---|---|---|
Leather | 4.5 | Good leathers for the application in hand. Coming from environmentally conscious tanneries |
Hardware | 4 | Common alloy or brass hardware with high-quality plating and thin protection that will last a good while. |
Design | 4 | A creative take on a classical design concept |
Engineering | 4 | Clean and quality inner support materials and structure |
Craftsmanship | 4.5 | Fair Value for quality with a brand premium: 5 to 6 x multiplier pricing. |
OVERALL SCORE | 4.21 | Very good example of great quality for a great price without any risk to try |
PRICE / COST MULTIPLIER | 5x | Fair Value for quality with a brand premium. |
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