As obvious as it may seem, the choice between real leather, faux leather and synthetic leather is never as obvious as people think. A simple material, as old as the human being himself, has in recent years become the subject of fierce discussions in the meanders of Facebook, between extreme vegans, convinced carnivores and the more placid simple consumers who have always wondered which is the better choice. As amusing as it may be to read the insults between two strangers, some pro-skin and some no-skin, in the comments under a photo of a bag, this will not solve your doubts.

This is why we at Fratinardi want to explain why choosing a genuine leather product is preferable to those in synthetic leather or faux leather (no, they are not the same thing). Mind you, ours is not absolute truth, but it is certainly the result of much, much experience.

Quality and durability

The first reason is the main one. Genuine leather is known for its superior quality and durability. In some vintage flea markets you can still find garments and bags from the 1960s made of genuine leather and still in perfect condition – there must be a reason!

Natural leather is more durable than synthetic leather and can withstand everyday wear and tear better than many other materials. They age as well as wine, that is, developing a unique patina that gives them a distinctive appearance.

Synthetic leather and artificial leather are more susceptible to wear and scratches over time. Synthetic leather products often show signs of degradation more quickly, which may require more frequent replacement.

This means that you can throw your bag on the floor as soon as you get home from work without worrying about it getting ruined! But just in case, don’t do it.

Comfort and breathability

Another advantage of real leather is the comfort it offers. Natural leather is soft, flexible and adapts to the shape of your body over time, offering a unique fit based on the shape of your body. Real leather pumps, for example, are more comfortable than those made of other materials. Real leather shoes mould to the shape of your foot – the best way to prevent blisters!

In addition, the skin is breathable. This is especially important as it helps regulate body temperature and prevent excessive sweating with all its damages (from bad smell to fungal growth). Synthetic leather and faux leather tend to retain heat and moisture.

Aesthetics and style

Real leather has a look that many people consider glamorous and elegant, and how can you blame them! It is associated with class and sophistication, which makes it a popular choice for luxury shoes and accessories.

Wear resistance

Genuine leather is notoriously resistant to scratches and abrasions. This resistance makes it suitable for items subject to mechanical stress, such as handbags or wallets. Genuine leather objects retain their appearance and structural integrity even after prolonged use.

On the other hand, synthetic leather and faux leather may be more easily scratched or damaged. This may require more care and maintenance to preserve the appearance of synthetic leather products over time. What’s more, they never last that long and that cute wallet will have to be thrown away after just one year. Better to spend a little more the first time to save money over time, right?

Sustainability and environmental impact

The production of real leather is criticised for ethical and environmental concerns related to animal husbandry, very often the leather used is actually a waste material from food production. Instead of being thrown away, it is recycled and tanned. The products used to do this (approved by the European Union) are much less polluting than you think!

On the other hand, the production of synthetic leather often requires petroleum-based materials and intensive chemical processes. Although synthetic leather avoids the use of animal skins, it has a significant environmental impact and contributes greatly to pollution.

Faux leather, on the other hand, is often considered a compromise between real leather and synthetic leather. It is produced using more sustainable materials and is designed to have a reduced environmental impact. However, it will not offer the advantages of a real leather product.

Conclusion

It must be said, the preference between real leather, faux leather and synthetic leather depends on personal needs, ethical and ecological concerns, and the intended use of the item in question. Genuine leather, however, offers superior quality, comfort, aesthetics and durability, making it a preferable choice in many situations.

That’s why we recommend our Furla, Piquadro, Hogan, NeroGiardini, Crime and many others: quality, durability and style at your fingertips! Discover them with the fall/winter 2023-2024 collection.

Buy them on our eshop Fratinardi.it or in our physical shops in Battipaglia (Salerno, Italy). We look forward to seeing you there!

The arrival of a child is always a great joy, whether it is one’s own child, a friend’s child or a grandchild. Among the many questions and anxieties that arise during those nine months of pregnancy, one question does not leave friends and relatives of new parents: what to give the unborn child?

To be on the safe side, we at Fratinardi recommend the new Alviero Martini 1a Classe Junior line: rompers, covers, layettes and much more for the perfect gift!

But that’s not all: if you are new parents grappling with your first layette, don’t miss this article. You’ll find lots of useful ideas, including rompers and accessories, so your baby won’t miss a thing.

Winter layette: cold is a problem… or maybe not!

When a baby is born, especially in late autumn and winter, we tend to think that the baby’s greatest enemy is the cold. This is not exactly so, but for a very simple reason: instinctively, we tend to dress the newborn baby as much as possible so that he or she does not suffer in cold temperatures. This leads the baby to sweat and suffer the heat more than one would think.

To prevent this from happening, checking often whether the baby is sweating is ideal. Do not rely on the temperature of little hands and feet, because their circulatory system does not work like ours, rather, check behind the nape of the neck whether it is cold or warm.

The ideal is to dress the child in onion skin. Using several layers of clothes is ideal for uncovering and covering the baby when necessary, avoiding drastic temperature changes and making him or her suffer from both heat and cold. For example, for a winter’s day prefer a warm cotton sleepsuit, combined with a jumper and a blanket, not forgetting, of course, a hat! This will make it easier to avoid temperature changes.

Preparing the layette

Consequently, if you are preparing your baby’s layette or thinking of giving one to new parents, then don’t forget these tips:

• Prefer thermoregulating fabrics and natural fibres: cotton is your best friend (and all Alviero Martini onesies are created with this material);
• Blankets and caps are a must-have: a bit like platform moccasins this year, only in a baby version;
• Bibs and dresses are never too many.

Having agreed on these simple points, let’s move on:

How to prepare a layette

We have already talked about it in a previous article, but ripetita iuvant (high-level quotes): bibs, bodysuits, hats, blankets and many, many onesies.

Babies get dirty often, so having a few more is always better than a few less. Which then ends up with you parents being ready to leave the house, the baby is in the pram, clean and smelling good… And getting dirty. The onesies are all in the washing machine: what to do? Here comes to the rescue that famous extra onesie you didn’t know whether to buy.

If you’re not the parents? Do mum and dad a favour and buy the Alviero Martini Prima Classe gift boxes: simple and complete with bib, onesie, blanket and cap. What better gift? Not only a nice gift to look at, but also a great one for new mothers and fathers who can’t help but thank you.

And they are also available in three colours:

Borsoni: per il parto e per il cambio

If gift boxes don’t convince you or you are a mother-to-be struggling with the suitcase for childbirth, Alviero Martini 1a Classe comes to your rescue: a duffle bag designed for all needs, from hospital stays to the first outings with baby! Comfortable and roomy, it has lots of pockets so you can put everything in it: nightgowns, mummy’s slippers and sanitary napkins, the baby’s thousands of rompers and nappies, and all those things you might need during those days and even afterwards! In fact, each bag comes with a portable changing mat for outings with the baby.

And if that is not enough for you…

But what if you want more? Well, you should know that Alviero Martini has created a series of rompers, outfits and more designed specifically for your child’s comfort. Quality, warm and comfortable garments for the winter season. Perfect for new parents who choose the best for their children and for anyone looking for the perfect gift!

The Alviero Martini Prima Classe covers, for example, are 95% cotton and 5% elastane, two materials that together give softness and comfort to the baby thanks to the elasticity of elastane and the warmth of cotton:

Or the caps and headbands, to protect their little ears from the cold and wind, made with the same care and materials. They are not only practical but also beautiful!

Then there are the bibs, with adjustable clip fasteners, to accompany the little one as he grows and to prevent his pretty onesies, always by Alviero Martini, from getting dirty.

Conclusion

We have seen how Alviero Martini 1a Classe is the right choice when it comes to children (and not only): in our stores and online, you can find a vast collection of shoes by this brand, both for her and for him! In short, a brand that makes the whole family happy.

And if, on the other hand, your taste in children’s clothes differs from what we have presented to you today, you will find many other brands that are just right for you: Maglificio di Verona, Nanan, Illiana, Alice Pi… These are just some of the names you will find at Fratinardi. Each brand and each garment is chosen according to strict criteria that assess their quality and comfort, to guarantee your little ones comfortable garments that will accompany them as they grow.

We are waiting for you then, in our shops in Battipaglia (Salerno, Italy) and online at Fratinardi.it/en!

Halloween, at least in Italy, is a divisive holiday: between those who find it a goth carnival and those who consider it a pagan custom to be eradicated, there is no one idea that brings everyone together. Nevertheless, it is increasingly celebrated not only among children but also adults.

The tradition of Halloween has uncertain origins (more on this in a moment), but its costume parties are certain. And if you are wondering how to dress up for Halloween, don’t worry: we at Fratinardi are here to recommend 3 last-minute looks for your fancy dress parties!

A little bit of history

We’re not here to bore you, so we’ll keep it short: it’s not the Devil’s Day as is often believed, but a Christian ( and that is right) and Catholic holiday that originated in Ireland with probable Celtic origins. That it later became a consumerist and commercial holiday is just the ‘natural’ evolution of every Western celebration (Christmas, Valentine’s Day… Carnival…).

Tradition traces its origins back to Samhain, the Celtic New Year, celebrated on 31st October. On that night, it was believed that the boundary between the realm of the dead and that of the living became blurred. The souls of the dead returned to Earth to greet their loved ones, who left food on the table especially for them. Another version has it that they lit fires and wore masks to frighten the souls who returned to Earth on that night for the same reason.

With the arrival of Christians in England and Ireland, All Saints’ Day was established in its place to counteract a die-hard tradition and the last day of October became All Hallows’ Eve, hence the word Halloween.

The Irish changed their traditions over time and, amidst vigils and prayers, it was not uncommon to see medieval beggars on Halloween night asking for food by knocking on house doors in exchange for a prayer to their dead: if they refused, they wished misfortune and bad luck. Hence the more famous trick-or-treating.

The celebration evolved over time, leaving behind traces of the distant Celtic past and remaining essentially a Christian festival. Only when Irish migrants, in America in search of fortune, exported it, did it become what it is today: a harmless consumerist holiday that today gives us frighteningly glam parties!

Three last-minute looks for your party

If you have been invited to a Halloween party and you really don’t know how to dress up, we at Fratinardi can help you. Girls, don’t worry: we have the solution to everything. Going through the trends of this 2023, we have found the perfect looks for all tastes!

WITCH: FOR THOSE WHO DON’T GIVE UP FEELING SEXY

If you like to dare with femme fatale looks in everyday life, then you certainly can’t pass it up on Halloween night. For you, we have come up with a sensual look that never goes out of fashion.

A Marella slip dress (to be cinched at the waist with a Liu Jo belt) teamed with a Love Moschino handbag and NeroGiardini stiletto ankle boots. Is it cold? Then go with a Flacomina fur coat to protect yourself from the elements.

WEDNESDAY ADDAMS FOR A FRIGHTENINGLY CYNICAL HALLOWEEN

If you’re feeling cynical and want the world to know it, emulating your heroine Wednesday Addams is for you!

For you, we’ve come up with a style that’s a bit bon ton but with punchy details: a sheer Patrizia Pepe dress with a studded collar. You can’t fail to match it with our Ermanno Scervino studded shoulder bag and Dr. Martens loafers. Also here, if the cold weather is looming, we thought of a Marella coat.

Barbie for a day

Pink lovers of the world: this Halloween you will rule it! Barbie is back in the limelight with her film and we are taking the opportunity to become her for a day.

A sparkling fuchsia dress by Fracomina, Love Moschino handbag and Marella coat, both strictly pink! The shoes? A fantastic cream pumps with a gold heel by Guess.

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Conclusion

Whatever your style, don’t give it up on Halloween night! We at Fratinardi hope we have given you some great suggestions and helped you find the perfect costume!

Remember: you can find us in Battipaglia (Salerno, Italy) and online at Fratinardi.it/en. Whatever you need, shoes, clothes or accessories, we will be happy to help you find what’s right for you.