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Brand Scorecard:
★★★★☆
Leather: 4.5
Hardware: 4
Design: 4
Engineering: 4
Craftmanship: 4.5
TOTAL: 4.21
Brand Website: lily-jade.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS
BRIEF HISTORY
Lily Jade draws its inspiration from the beauty of the lily flower and the strength of the jade stone, symbolizing the profound appreciation of women's beauty and strength. These qualities are reflected in the bags we design, created with women in mind. Whether it's the beauty found in new experiences or the strength in navigating day-to-day life, Lily Jade celebrates the essence of womanhood. We believe that true luxury lies in embracing each moment with gratitude and graciousness, whether it's growing in your career, experiencing family life, or simply enjoying life's little pleasures.
Lily Jade was founded in 2013 by Meggan Wood, a working mother of two who grew frustrated with luxury handbags that offered poor quality at high prices. With no design background, Meggan set out to create a brand that offers high-quality, timeless handbags without the need for flashy designs or exorbitant costs. Her vision was to provide well-crafted, durable bags that could serve as stylish staples for women in all walks of life—whether they are professionals, travelers, students, or mothers. In a world of fleeting trends, Lily Jade focuses on creating enduring elegance and functionality, making bags that are made to last.
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 Lily Jade as a brand?
How would you rate Lily Jade as a brand?
5
4
3
2
PRODUCTS REVIEWED
From Diaper Bag to Daily Companion: Is Lily Jade’s Meggan Tote the Real Deal?
Lily Jade’s Meggan Tote
Watch the videos here:
When I was challenged to rip apart a bag I paid $360 for, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to dive deep into the craftsmanship and quality behind it. The bag in question? The Meggan Convertible Tote from Lily Jade, a Texas-based brand that’s been making waves with their functional, stylish designs tailored for moms on the go. But is it more than just a diaper bag? Can it stand up to the demands of daily life, and more importantly, can it pass my intense testing process? Let’s find out.
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 read the full disclaimer here.
First Impressions: A Touch of Class
The first thing that struck me was the leather. It’s soft yet sturdy, with a natural pebbled grain that feels amazing to the touch. There’s no heavy coverage finish here—just infused oils and waxes that allow the leather to breathe and show its natural beauty. The tumbling process has given it a beautiful texture, making it a perfect fit for the American market where a rugged, natural look is often prized.
Despite being a softer leather, the bag holds its shape well even when empty. This indicates a well-thought-out design with a solid internal structure. The hardware, too, is impressive for the price point, with a clean, durable polyester lining inside that’s both practical and aesthetically pleasing.
One detail I particularly appreciate is the use of turned edges instead of edge paint. It’s an old-school, durable method of crafting that takes more effort but pays off in longevity and quality. The brand has also smartly used less visually appealing leather pieces in less visible parts of the bag, like the bottom, which is a clever way to increase leather usage efficiency without compromising the overall look.
The Reality Check: Production Speed Shows
As I inspected the bag more closely, I noticed a few signs of its quick production. There were some uncleaned interior pieces and uncut threads, which are telltale signs of a speedy manufacturing process. One support band wasn’t perfectly aligned under the sewing line, a minor issue likely caused by the rapid pace of assembly. While these are typical of mass production, especially in China, they don’t detract significantly from the overall quality. The design and choice of materials still suggest a product built to last.
Leather and Hardware Under Pressure
Now, to put the durability claims to the test. I started by pouring acetone on the leather—a surefire way to reveal any hidden coatings. The acetone absorbed right in, confirming that this is a full-grain leather with no surface finish, just the natural oils and waxes infused during the tumbling process. The lack of any additional finish, even aniline dyes, speaks to the authenticity and natural beauty of the leather—a very American style, and one I’m particularly fond of.
Moving on to the hardware, the top nickel layer wore off quickly under pressure, revealing a thicker copper layer underneath and a soft zinc alloy core. It’s medium-quality hardware, which is expected at this price point, but it’s still functional and fitting for the market segment this bag is targeting.
Breaking Down the Costs: Is It Worth the Price?
Let’s talk numbers. Based on my estimates, the leather itself would cost about $70, given that it’s sourced from New York. The assembly, considering the complexity and size of the bag, would add another $65, with $12 for the hardware. All in all, the total cost to produce a bag of this caliber would be around $147. Given the retail price of $360, that’s a markup of less than 2.5X, which is quite reasonable in the leather goods market. This pricing reflects a fair balance between quality and affordability, making the Meggan Convertible Tote a solid value for leather enthusiasts.
The Story Behind the Bag: A Brand with Heart
One of the things I love about this bag is the story behind it. The person behind Lily Jade is a mother who designed this bag to meet her own needs, which resonates with me as an entrepreneur. Many great businesses are born out of personal necessity, and it’s clear that she’s poured her heart into creating a product that not only solves a problem but also brings value to others in similar situations.
Coordinating the entire process—from sourcing the leather in the U.S. to assembling the bag in China and selling it through an online model—speaks to the dedication and effort behind this brand. It’s a testament to how the internet has empowered entrepreneurs to bring their ideas to life, enriching our experiences as consumers and, in my case, as a leather enthusiast.
Conclusion: A Bag That Delivers on Its Promises
After putting the Meggan Convertible Tote through its paces, I’m pleased to say it lives up to the claims. It’s a well-crafted, thoughtfully designed bag that offers great value for its price. The leather is top-notch, the craftsmanship is commendable, and the design is smart and functional. While there are a few minor imperfections typical of mass production, they don’t overshadow the overall quality and durability of the bag.
If you’re looking for a leather bag that’s not just a diaper bag but a versatile, durable companion for daily life, the Meggan Convertible Tote from Lily Jade is definitely worth considering. It’s a great example of how a genuine story, quality materials, and smart design can come together to create something truly valuable.
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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